Random Thoughts and Observations: January 6,2009 Edition

• You may think that I’ve been uncharacteristically quiet these past weeks. I suppose I have been, but if you could have seen the slew of unfinished drafts that I just deleted, you would know that it hasn’t been entirely on purpose. By the time I get to sit down in the evenings with my Mac, I usually seem to completely lose focus on the things I wanted to post about throughout the day. Today I’m taking advantage of a little down-time at work. So I can actually publish a post, even if it isn’t devoted to just one topic but is filled with my random thoughts and observations.
• First of all, please pray for Bart. His IBS is getting so bad these days that he’s miserable more often than not. He’s been to the doctor about it, but now I think it’s time for him to see a specialist. He can’t go anywhere without becoming ill anymore, and the severity of his illness is growing. Just to see if an intolerance to something is triggering this, we’re avoiding MSG in everything he eats for a while. I’m afraid it’s not just MSG but an intolerance or allergy to glutens as a whole. If that’s so, then we’re going to have to seriously rethink our entire diet.
• Secondly, I appreciate all the prayers coming our way as we continue to try for a baby. Sometimes I grow impatient and irritable, but I understand that it will happen in God’s time, not mine. I must stop setting little, personal deadlines for it because other than making the conscious decision to no longer use birth control, I have little to no control as to when it will happen.
• With the start of a new year, I of course want to organize my entire house and get rid of anything that has little to no sentimental value and hasn’t been used in at least a year or two. It’s amazing how quickly two people and a dog can clutter a decent-sized house! Until we really get at this, we really don’t have room for a baby!
• Now that Christmas is over I ready for Spring. We had a pretty, warm day Saturday, and it was just so nice to be able to be outside with Lucy. We took her for her first walk in probably weeks around the neighborhood. She was so happy to go for a walk again that she just ran and ran and ran. Then I handed Bart the leash, and she ran just as much again. OK, I don’t want you to think that she’s not getting exercise since it’s cold, but it’s been limited to playing the back yard when we were able to be outside. Also, between my having the flu, a cold, stomach flu, and whatever else I haven’t been able to be outside, and you know Bart’s plight.
• Lastly, even though my favorite team (Oklahoma) is playing in the BCS National Championship Game Thursday night, I am more convinced than ever that NCAA football needs to overhaul the Bowl System and create a playoff system not unlike March Madness in basketball.  There was once a time when I loved to watch every bowl, but that’s no longer the  case.  Most of the teams think they should be at a better bowl and don’t play to their potential, and there are so many bowl games that they’re no longer the special, wonderful event they once were.  I also hate that most of the games aren’t played on New Year’s Day now.  The Championship should be played on New Year’s Day, and all of December should be used as a playoff time.  New Year’s bowls are boring now, and it absolutley horrible that  most of the BCS games are played on weeknights when you have to choose between watching one of the only good bowl games and going to bed to prepare for work or school the next day.

I AM Alive & Other Random Thoughts

Happy days are here again! I managed to eat solid food today, and it has stayed in me! Tomorrow I’ll venture to work again. Thankfully this was just a three / four-day stomach-flu rather than the ten-day one some people have had. I had forgotten how utterly horrible you can feel when you have the stomach-flu. I guess that’s because thankfully I haven’t had this illness in three or four years. I’ve been sick at my stomach, but nothing like this in years. I can only remember a handful of times in my life I’ve been this ill, and I’m thankful for that.

Because of this illness, our discussion of whether or not to put up a Christmas tree this year has ended because I was far from healthy enough to put it up this weekend. We’re not going to be home this coming weekend, and then it’s Christmas, so it’ll stay in the attic this year.

I’m both sad a relieved at this. Bart and I have both had a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit this year. Putting up the tree seemed to be both a way to get into the spirit and yet it seemed more like unnecessary work as well. Hopefully next year we’ll either have a baby or have one on the way, and that will help us feel more Christmasy. I have to admit that kids are what make Christmas fun, and we’ll be home next year.

I must’ve really needed to sleep today because I managed to sleep while covered in what we call a “Lucy blanket” all day. She obviously knows that I’m not well, and thinks that she must keep me warm, which is nice, if not all together comfortable.

My Inner Scrooge

“I love mankind, it’s people I can’t stand.”
- Peanuts, Linus Van Pelt

OK, so I’m going to let my inner Ebeneezer Scrooge out today, and I’m going to talk about some things that are far from politically correct. I don’t like to think that I’m a hard, stingy person, but sometimes I think that’s exactly what I am. As we all know, I work at a television station. Well, apparently television stations are supposed to be the suppliers of holiday dinners, coat drives, toy drives, and general cash handouts to the indigent during the holidays if not every other day of the year.

What’s so aggravating isn’t that these people are asking for help. ( I have no problem helping those in need. In fact, I have a very soft heart and Bart and I have a specific charity that we make most of our charitable contributions to.  If wishes were fruit, and I had a wish-tree orchard, I wouldn’t work at a job but spend a great deal of my time volunteering there.  That said, we don’t give to a great many charities, despite their nobel claims because though some of the money given goes to needy people, a great deal of it goes to people’s pockets and is used in ways we think are quite wasteful.) The aggravating thing is that these people not only demand some sort of assistance, but think that it is owed to them.  If I was in a predicament where I had to bed for Christmas dinner and / or presents for my kids, I would be nothing less than gracious and thankful.  Now, I’m not saying I want to see some sort of syncophathic, boot-licking behavior.  I just don’t want to be yelled at because my place of business isn’t personally giving out seven-course meals and Playstation 3’s to the “needy.”

Case in point, a few weeks ago I had a phone call from a lady in the River Valley and this is what she said, “I just moved here seven months ago and haven’t had time to sign my kids up for Christmas.  What can you do for me?“

There were several things wrong with that.  A.) Seven months is plenty of time to sign a kid up for Toys for Tots or something, I’m sure, B.) Seven months should be enough time to try and find some sort of work, and C.) I/We can’t just give random people Christmas gifts because they ask for them.

Here’s another shining example of why I’m feeling a bit Scrooge-ish lately.  Just before Thanksgiving I recieved a phone call from a lady in Prairie Grove who is apparently on disability and she wanted to know who could give her a Thanksgiving meal.  I told her the usual answer of try the Salvation Army, Red Cross, Meals on Wheels, churches, and etc.  She said that she apparently had tried all of the above and for some reason or another they couldn’t help her.  What really bothers me is that she said one of the church would give her some food, but not the necessary turkey and Thanksgiving fixings.  Now, I don’t want to be horrible again, but if I was supposedly starving to death and having to beg for my next meal, I don’t think I would be looking the gift-horse in the mouth by rejecting any food donated to me, turkey or not.  I had to tell her I didn’t know who could help her if she was looking for specifics.  This lady wasn’t the first to tell me that she’s exhausted every outlet and had to call us for help, and I’m pretty sure she won’t be the last.  As with all of these people, I have a very hard time believing that churches and charity organizations would just turn her away, and that the only people who can help her would be those of us at the TV station.  That’s something that sets my cynical alarms ringing.

My next complaint about these charities is the parents who sign their kids up for Angel Trees these days.  My mother would come home from working at Wal-Mart and tell me all about how so often once the kids would receive their Angel Tree presents, their parents would return the gifts for beer, cigarettes, and other selfish things.  Knowing that only makes me angry when I look at Angel Tree Angels with the thought of giving, only to find the kids asking for super expensive video game systems, computers, and things I know will make money when returned to the store, not to mention will put a deep hole in someone’s pocket book.  Again, I couldn’t imagine asking for something so expensive from total strangers who are giving from the goodness of their hearts.

People shouldn’t expect charity.  They shouldn’t believe that it is their due to recieve charity.  Behavior like that is what drives hard-working indiviuals like Bart and myself from charities.  It is a gift, and again, I don’t want groveling worship or psychotic thanks when I give, but I do think those who recieve what is given (at least the parents of the totally innocent children who still often get the shaft) should be thankful and grateful for it.  My opinion is if you’re able to demand certain things be given to you in benevolance, then you’re probably not needy enough to really deserve it while there are truly needy people who would quietly appreciate anything.

As always, children get the short end of the stick here.  Their greedy parents make me apatheic to their needs.  I guess that’s why I like to give to the kids who don’t have any parents at all.  That, and as I rey for children of my own, my heart breaks for kids who don’t have a mom, a dad, a Lucy-dog, a house with a backyard and fireplace, or a Christmas tree with countless presents.  When I do have children, I want to teach them the importance of giving to kids who won’t have all my they’ll have.  I want to teach them that the ultimate Christmas gift is God’s Love, which he gave to us in the for us his only begotten son.  I want them to know that because He has given us so much, we’re able to do without some at Christmas so others may learn of His love through us.

I’m not really a Scrooge.  I think I’m just a pragamatist with a soft heart who becomes jaded by the harsh world around her, until she sees a child doing without.

Luke 2:1 – 20

1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Things to look forward to…

Mondays are always a bit of a trial for me. It always depresses me to no end knowing that the work week is just beginning. So, I’m compiling a list of things that I look forward to in the next few weeks.

1. My office Christmas Party is Thursday night. Although we never stay too long at one of these events, it’s always good for a fun blooper reel.
2. Only two work-weeks until I take my final four vacation days Christmas week.
3. 24 hours of “A Christmas Story.”
4. Giving the girls their Wii for Christmas.
5. My mom’s scalloped potatoes.
6. “Every time a bell rings, and angel gets it’s wings.”
7. Finally, eventually seeing “Australia.”
8. Fudge. I want some fudge – without nuts.
9. Church Services.
10. My fifth wedding anniversary, even though we’re going to be at my brother-in-law’s graduation and commissioning.
11. The BCS National Championship Game. I know my Sooners are considered the underdogs, that we can no longer win bowl games, and that there’s no way we can compete with the SEC, but I’m still excited. The last time we were the underdogs in a National Championship Game, we went home with a trophy.

The Fuel Of Life

Time is a precious commodity. Everyone needs it, everyone demands it, and the supply can never keep up with the demand. It waits for no one, and is the fire in which we burn. If time was on the market, it’s price would make the current price of gasoline look reasonable.

As children, it always seemed to be in high quantity. It couldn’t pass quickly enough. Weekends could seem like eternities, and Christmas was always a lifetime away.

At some point Christmas started coming sooner, weekends passed by in a flash, and the surplus of time has somehow dwindled down to a deficit. Like the passing of a childhood pet, we mourn the passage of time and curse the speed at which it travels,

Time, my friend, you burn far too quickly.

We Need a Little Christmas

06 Christmas Time Is Here

I love Christmas.  I love the decorations, I love the music, I love the food, I love the clothes, I love the movies and television specials, and of course I love the presents.  I love giving gifts probably more than I love getting them even.  It's just such a happ-happ-happy time of the year, despite the crowds at stores, the rush to do so many things, and occasionally just the general holiday overkill.  Like a child, I anticipate the Christmas season the entire year.  I think that Christmas brings out the child in all of us.  We still somehow wish for Jolly Old St. Nicholas to ride to our house in his sleigh.

I've been reading a great deal about the English Reformation and Civil War that occurred in the seventeenth century.  When the Puritans were in control, they actually outlawed Christmas.  Even though Christmas is supposed to be a celebration of Christ's birth, they didn't approve of the behavior of people during the celebrations.  The debauchery, the games, and such were just too much for the godly.

Society today takes extremes just as preposterous.  We're not allowed to say Merry Christmas because not everyone celebrates Christmas.  Christmas mentions Christ, and that's not acceptable to those who don't believe in either God, Christ, and possibly any higher being.  The Puritans would be shocked at how fanaticism has turned a one-eighty over the centuries.

Of course there are a few Christians who still take that Puritanical outlook on this holy day.  Hmmm….. holy day, holiday; one doesn't need to crack open the Oxford English Dictionary to figure out the etymology there.  Sorry, I chased a rabbit there for a moment….  I can recall working at a retail store during Christmas break while in college and wishing two customers a Merry Christmas.  I was chastised by them because they didn't want to be wished Merry Christmas because it is just a pagan holiday that celebrates a tree and consumerism.

I suppose if we were to listen to both extremes, that we should just cancel Christmas because it apparently is a Christian holiday that isn't Christian enough.  In order to not offend anyone, we should just not have Christmas.  Of course then our entire economy would probably crumble because we know that retailers aren't out of the red until the Black Friday.  They rely on Christmas sales to make their profits.  The recording industry would suffer far more than they ever imagined they have due to downloading.  An entire genre of music would have to be wiped from the face of the Earth, therefore depleting CD sales.  The motion picture industry would take a hit because not only do they produce holiday fare, but a great deal of the year's box office tickets are sold during Christmas.  The vacation industry would hurt because many people go skiing or take cruises during Christmas.  Other industries that would suffer would include food, restaurants, greeting cards and other stationary such as wrapping paper, lighting companies, jewelers, and the list could go on and on.

We need Christmas.  We need it as it is.  Yes, though of us who believe in Jesus Christ can choose to celebrate His virgin birth.  Those who don't can enjoy the purely secular parts of the season because there are plenty to enjoy.  Those who don't like the secular end can go to church and think only holy thoughts if that's what they please.  We shouldn't stop decorating Christmas trees, showing nativity scenes, or hanging crosses.  To prevent people from celebrating Christmas for both the religious and secular reasons is purely un-American. 

We're a people of freedoms, not restrictions for the fear of offending others.  If our forefathers had been afraid of offending George III, they wouldn't have called him a tyrant and signed the Declaration of Independence.  It is our American priviledge to celebrate Christmas, and America needs Christmas.  We need the happiness, we need every bit of the wonderful things that make Christmas so wonderous.  We need more than a little Christmas, we need a lot of Christmas.

Silent Night

Mercy Me