Snow and other types of showers January 31, 2007

The snow that was forecast for today seems to be rolling in, although it’s still in the form of flurries at the moment. I’ll have to say, I’m sure getting tired of winter and am sorry that the weatherman seems to be right, more often than not. Hope it holds off on any big stuff since I have to travel this evening. I’m not a big fan of driving in this. I have a pet peeve about driving on I-70 or any other major roadway when the weather’s bad because the semis all around me just make it worse. Even when the snow is just a flurry, it seems to reach near blizzard proportions when a big semi passes you at 70 m.p.h.!

Speaking of showers, I just had a lovely lunch with my female siblings. The purpose: planning 4 bridal showers in the coming months. We never do anything small in our family. We should have known years ago when all of our children seemed to be born in mass quantities (some of them were even kicking out sets of twins) that the time would come when all of the other events would be done in bulk, too. I have another sister in the same boat that I am this year: two weddings. Poor thing, both of hers are girls! So, lunch was filled with talk of wedding plans, bridal shower plans and invitations, dates and locations and so forth. It seems just yesterday that some of us around that table were young and planning our own weddings. My, how time flies when you’re busy living life and getting gray hair!

So, like to share your pet peeves about driving in the snow? I’m all eyes and ears!

Addendum: It’s 5:30 p.m. and no longer flurries. It’s wet, snowing hard and abominably cold outside. Not looking forward to the drive.

Dealing with difficult people (even when you want to strike back) January 30, 2007

Sometimes a person needs to acknowledge that when someone is attacking you, it’s not about you. It’s about them.

That’s pretty hard to do when you’re being criticized and you’re emotional. The natural tendency for most of us is to roll up our sleeves and and start slinging right back. At least, that’s the way it is for me. I don’t come from strong Scottish, Irish and German stock and try to pretend that I don’t have a temper and a willingness to go toe-to-toe when backed into a corner. However, no matter how tempting it is to have those few moments loss of self control, I know I’ll only feel worse afterward because I stooped to the level of the attacker. I’m feeling a little backed into a corner right now and spent a bit of time this morning getting a handle on things so that I don’t give this person an entire precious day of my life that they simply don’t deserve.

I found this great article by Rick Warren and reading it helped me regain my perspective. I’ll share it with you:

Dealing with difficult people
by Rick Warren

When asked what he considered the most valuable skill in employees, John D. Rockefeller once replied, “The ability to get along with people!”

One of the most important skills needed to succeed in ministry is knowing how to handle troublemakers. If you learn how to deal with difficult people early on, then you’ll be able to pour more energy into ministry rather than needless conflicts.

Troublemakers come in all shapes:

- THE SHERMAN TANK – will run over you if you let him.
- THE MEGAPHONE – will talk your ear off.
- THE BUBBLE BUSTER – deflates everyone’s enthusiasm.
- THE VOLCANO – has a temper like Mt. St. Helens.
- THE CRY BABY – is a chronic complainer holds a pity party.
- THE NIT PICKER – is the unpleasable perfectionist.
- THE SPACE CADET – is on a different wavelength.

What should you do with these types?
Jesus had to deal with a lot of difficult people. Here are FOUR methods he modeled through his life:

1. Realize you can’t please everybody (John 5:30). Even God can’t do that! One wants rain while the other sunshine.

2. Refuse to play their game (Matthew 22:18). Learn to say no to unrealistic expectations. Confront them by “telling the truth in love.”

3. NEVER retaliate (Matthew 5:38-39). It only lowers you to their level.

4. Pray for them (Matthew 5:44). It will help both of you. Let God handle them.

Make this Bible verse your goal this week, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18, NIV)

My View on Service January 29, 2007

I received an interesting word this morning from Wordsmith’s “Word of the Day.” It seemed almost providential because it perfectly echoed my thoughts and views of the past week and is especially on my mind following our sermon at church yesterday. The word is cynosure. It means:

1. One who is the center of attraction or interest.
2. One serving for guidance or direction.

Amazing, isn’t it, how one word can have two definitions that are the exact opposite of one another. It is such a perfect description, though, of something our pastor said yesterday. To pursue a particular position in the church in order to serve oneself instead of serving God is wrong. That one sentence seems to sum up both descriptions of cynosure. To serve oneself often puts us in the position of description #1, basking in the center of attention and becoming the focal point or interest of others. However, to serve God is to place yourself in a discipleship role and one that places the responsibility of guidance and direction of others squarely on our shoulders.

Many years ago, I went through a long period of time in which I refused to sing a solo in church. In fact, it was at least a couple of years. It wasn’t because I was being stubborn or obstinate. It was because I was dealing with cynosure in myself. I realized that I wanted to sing more because I enjoyed the applause and compliments than singing praises to God. When I began to see what had happened to me and to my gift, I pulled away for awhile until I felt I could offer myself again in the way that I should, completely to honor the Father.

It’s very interesting how the regular Word-of-the-day email could become a morning devotion in and of itself. I love it when God’s plan comes together!

My View on “Grit” January 27, 2007

I just got home after attending a great ladies’ luncheon sponsored by our church fellowship committee. It was a very nice event and I took my Mom and my aunt along with me. Our pastor’s wife delivered a wonderful address that focused on an important quality we should all admire: grit. The dictionary defines it this way:

Firmness of character; indomitable spirit; pluck: She has a reputation for grit and common sense.

I come from a long line of women with grit. In fact, I told my Mom that I think I got more than grit, I got “growl” too! It takes a lot to be everything to everyone and to do it with all of those other attributes people also seem to expect like grace, beauty, godliness, compassion, intelligence, humility… That’s pretty tough when you think about it. Yes, when I consider the attributes that I truly admire in the women of my family, grit is definitely right up there.

So, what do you think about women with grit? Do you have it, admire it, despise it? Is there an influential woman in your life that you would describe as having grit?

My head doesn’t like cold weather January 25, 2007

The eyes this morning are the awful gray that says there’s a migraine coming on. I’ve suffered with migraines since I was a teenager, although they seem to be under better control these days. Weather still plays a big part in bringing one on– especially really cold weather.

I’ve been thinking about trying some massage therapy to help me continue to manage these headaches without resorting to medication. Although I take sinus headache pills and the occasional Ibuprofen, I’m not much for using lots of drugs. I’d rather manage my pain through other methods if I can. I read an interesting article this morning about massage therapy and headaches. Seems like a good course to follow. Anyone else try this and want to share what you thought?

Standing Tall (or, not falling on your fanny in the driveway) January 24, 2007

My driveway doesn’t seem terribly steep. Unless, however, it is covered with ice. Not only is the driveway covered, but, so is the entire lawn. And, sitting proudly at the bottom of this incline is my mailbox and my newspaper. Hmmm, what a dilemma. How badly do I really want that stack of magazines, junkmail and bills resting in the little metal box down there? Do I really want to embarass myself and risk losing my dignity in front of the whole neighborhood by sliding down the hill and falling on my fanny in front of them? After all, I KNOW they’re looking out their windows because they wave when they see me looking out mine!

There is hope, though, for reaching the mailbox without falling prone on the ice and breaking something (like the concrete underneath). A few days ago, one of the people I work with came in with the cutest little things to slip on over your shoes to give you extra grip on the ice. I thought my husband definitely needed a pair. So, I bought him a heavy-duty set and bought a set for myself that was a little lighter weight and that I could toss in my purse during bad weather. What a great purchase! I can hardly wait to try them out tonight when I trek down to the mailbox. Now the only thing the neighbors will need to fear is seeing me bend over to pick up the newspaper!

If you’re interested in some of these for yourself, check out www.cozywinters.com

My View on Indecisive People January 23, 2007

This morning my eyes would reflect that I am royally annoyed. (Last night they were the dreaded bright green color!) I had an experience last night with someone who I have really gone out of my way to help get a new job. When I say really helped, I mean I helped edit their resume, gave them tips on some additional skills they needed to add to their skillset, told them where they could find additional tutorials and training, sent them the job notice, etc. Because I know them so well, I also kept asking them if they were sure they were ready to make a change. The answer was always a big “yes.”

So, last night I called to congratulate them on getting an interview. That’s when the person informed me that they were, in fact, going to cancel their interview because they’d changed their mind and didn’t want to move after all. ARRRRGGGGGHHHHH!

I guess I have very little tolerance for indecisiveness because I, personally, am a very decisive person. Right or wrong, I have no problem making a decision and then living with the consequences. The science that surrounds this indecisive angst is just foreign to me. I don’t agonize over what to wear, what to cook or what to watch on TV. It’s just inconceivable to me that someone would go all the way through a process like applying for a job, accept an interview and only then decide they no longer want to move. REALLY!

Note: I just love typing in all capital letters. It just looks so emphatic! I somehow get the impression that those people who know me are really sensing how loudly I’m yelling when I type in all caps. Now, if I could only manage to figure out how to write descriptively the impression of my arms waving wildly or my foot stomping in frustration.

How do you handle indecisive people. Frustrating or not a big deal?

My View on Weddings January 23, 2007

This year two of my children will be getting married. My oldest son and my youngest daughter. My participation in the weddings will be enthusiastic for both, but, different. Obviously, I’ll have more duties as the mother of the bride than as the mother of the groom.

So, right now I’m assisting with the rather tedious task of building the guest list for our side of the family. I always knew we had a big family, but, GOOD GRIEF! I think some of us took that whole “go forth and multiply” statement a little too seriously. No wonder some people think our family is intimidating! I took a look at the list and was completely intimidated myself!

I am having a bit of a struggle right now balancing my enthusiastic willingness to help with trying not to appear bossy or pushy. The last thing I want is to be the Mom or Mother-in-law who stuck her nose in and became a problem. So, I answer questions when I’m asked, give my opinion when invited and try to be helpful if I can. No one ever tells you when you have these babies that you have to know all this stuff when they grow up. Where’s that owner’s manual I was supposed to get when they were born?

We have one daughter who is already married, but, I can’t rely on experience there. She eloped.

So, what’s the pushiest thing someone did while you and yours were trying to plan your wedding? Maybe I can learn what not to do from your experiences!

Black Snow Is Disgusting January 22, 2007

Yesterday, I was safely and warmly tucked away at home with no need to get out and about. It was really easy to stand at the window and look out on a pretty, pristine snow and appreciate a fine winter day.

This morning, it was cold and slippery outside with patches of that nasty black ice. However, what’s even worse is looking at the piles of “black snow” along the sides of the road, parking lots and sidewalks. This is the weather that causes everyone to yell about that nasty stuff getting tracked in on nice clean floors and carpets. You get one day of pretty snow and weeks of the black stuff. I think I’ll just not look out the window for awhile. Maybe I’ll look outside again when the crocuses are ready to come up! I really, really dislike winter…

I had a pretty productive weekend. I spent the day yesterday baking butterhorn rolls and oatmeal raisin cookies. Today I’m signing back up for Weight Watchers (the online version). That’s another reason to hate winter. All I feel like doing when I’m cooped up like this is cooking and eating and doing sedentary things like reading or watching movies. Must eat less and move more!

So, what do you like to do on cold snowy days at home? I need more inspiration!

The View This Morning: Snow! January 21, 2007

Well. the weatherman was right. We did indeed receive the promised 3-5 inches of snow last night. It does make for a very pretty sight outside my window this morning, but, unfortunately, also meant that the roads and parking lots are once again treacherous and we cancelled church again this morning.

I can’t remember the last time the weather was so bad that church was cancelled two weeks in a row. Perhaps never! I’m really disappointed this morning because my new son-in-law-to-be installed our new sound system this week and I was itching to get my hands on it this morning. Rats!!!! Now I have to wait another week to crank up that lovely 900 watts of power and play with the new wireless microphones. Well, I guess patience is still a virtue I need to work on.

Yesterday we hosted that young man’s parents and grandparents for lunch and a visit. It was our first meeting and I think it went well. It was their first trip to our particular Small Town, USA, and they seemed to like our little piece of the world. His little sister was also here. She is about 10 and quite adorable. It’s obvious how much she loves her big brother! We didn’t swap embarassing stories at the kids’ expense yesterday, although it was very tempting! Plenty of time to do that later…

I just whipped up a batch of butterhorn rolls and set those to rise. Something about the smell of homemade bread on a snowy day that is just too perfect for mere words.