Friday Fluff

So, today I was going to announce that I was closing down my blog. I was thinking about this while at work yesterday, and on my drive home, and throughout the evening.

You see, I just feel I have nothing to say. And what I do talk about is boring and/or stupid. I make a post, and immediately want to delete it. And I’ve been having a hard time figuring out what’s the point of my blog. It's just my rambling thoughts. No focus or cohesion. I mean, I sensor myself somewhat, but mostly, I just let it all out of my head.

And I’m not sure it’s of any value.

So, today was going to be my last post. And I was going to wish you all a fond farewell, with hugs and kisses, and promises to still visit your blogs.

And then my mom called to tell me that she loved my V-day (that’s for you, Rachel ;-0) post, and that my grandma is now an official reader of my blog. (Dear Grandma, Hi! I’m so happy to know you’ve been reading my posts. I hope you’re not as bored with them as I am. I’m trying to do better. I love you! Love, Liz)

When I told her (mom, not grandma) that I was planning on closing up shop, she said that I shouldn’t, that she enjoys reading about what I’m thinking, that it was a way for her to hear from me more often, that my posts weren’t a stupid waste of time and exposed my idiocy (my words, not hers—my mom doesn’t call me names), and that it was a way for my grandma to know what’s going on in my life.

So, I’ve decided to keep blogging for now. I at least have to hit my 100th post so I can throw myself a party, right? (And that’s only 12 posts away!)

With all that being said, on to some fluff…


Dear Super Duper Pet People,

You need to get a grip. There is no need for this. That’s just ridiculous. I’m embarrassed for us all. Please realize that pet love is not people love, and go out and make some friends.

Very concerned for you mental health,

Liz


Now, on to some, well, I’m not sure what to call it without sounding sacrilegious (which is not my intention)… Jesus News:

Did you hear about “Lookin’ Good for Jesus?” People are so funny. And what does lip balm actually do to make you look good? It usually has no color. Really, it should be “Smooth Lips for Jesus,” which is guess sounds worse. So, never mind.

And did you read about this poor lady? Can you imagine the thought process that when through this guys mind? “Man, why doesn’t this lady ever pick up her dog poop? I know what I’ll do to get back at her! I steal her Jesus statue! Yah! That’ll show her!”

Oh, and did you read what the ransom note said? Who says “ wiener poopie”? Crazy people, that’s who!



Well, to leave you with something to make you irritated, here’s a little game (if you’ve got time to kill).

Directions: Write the numbers from 1 to 8 into the squares, so that the squares with consecutive numbers do not touch (neither edges nor corners).

I did it. I took me a while, but I did it.

See, aren’t you glad I’m still blogging?

Open Letter: Valentine's Day

Dear Valentine’s Day,

I love you!

I know, you’re surprised, right? I bet you thought I hated you. So many people do, after all. But not me! Now, don’t go getting a big head about this or anything. I don’t like everything about you.

For example*, I can’t stand all the dumb jewelry commercials that take over the TV (as if women can be bought). (Inner letter: Dear Women of the World, Don’t be bought by some meaningless piece of jewelry. It’s a waste. How does he treat you? Does he take out the trash? These are the things that matter. Sincerely, Liz)

I also don’t like all the crap in the stores. Mass marketing has sucked the life out of you, Valentine’s Day. (FYI: If I had a husband (looking skyward and throwing a silent prayer to the heavens), I wouldn’t want him to buy me any of the junk that has been commercially produced. No, I’d want him to write me a sonnet, or at the very least, a letter. And I’d want him to do all the little chores I’ve been nagging him to do for the last three months.)

But, despite all this, I still love you. Why? Because today thousands of people take the time (however begrudgingly) to tell a person that he or she is loved. And this is a good vibe to send out into the atmosphere. Love!

So often, the daily-ness of life takes over. We have to rush to pick up our dry cleaning. Or stop by the grocery store. Or pay the bills. Or get gas. Or drop off the kids at their soccer game. Or go to work. Etc. And we get so involved with just surviving that we forget to thank those around us. We forget that some other person in this world has agreed to marry us and be a witness to our lives. We forget parents who’ve sacrificed everything. Siblings who are our friends. Friends who are our family.

We forget that life is about loving one another.

And, hopefully, you help us remember that, Valentine’s Day. You help us stop and dedicate a day to love. And I just wanted to say “thanks.”

Love,
Liz


*I also HATE when people call you “Valentime’s Day.” It’s “tines” people, not “times”!!! I mean, seriously, why do people say this? Ugh!

“Wonder”-ful Wednesday

This week’s quote is one that I’ve kind of mentioned before. I love this quote. I’d almost say “I heart” this quote, but so many people are using that now that it makes me want to put a moratorium on it through the next century. (First digression: Seriously people. Stop “hearting” stuff already!)

Anyway, like I was saying, I really dig this quote. (Second digression: Can I bring “dig” back? No? Too soon? Give it another ten years for it to be retro enough? Okay.) When I first read it, I realized that I did the exact opposite of what it’s suggesting. I really think most of us do. But, before I continue with my treatise on the thing, here’s the quote:

“What a fool a [wo]man is to remember anything that happened more than a week ago unless it was pleasant, or unless [s]he wants to make some use of it.” --Samuel Butler

(I “ladied” it up since most of my readers are of the female persuasion and because I felt like it.)

Now, be honest. How much do you dwell? How much do you go over past mistakes, or missed opportunities just to make yourself feel crummy? How much time do you waste reminding yourself of how much time you've wasted?

I’m guilty as charged. (Third digression: I actually wrote “I’m quilty as charged” and didn’t realize it until I had already posted it. I wonder what being “quilty” is like. Maybe warm and snuggly?)

I’m trying to take Mr. Butler’s advice (Fourth digression: Hmm…that reminds me of another Mr. Butler. Dreamy…). I’ve been trying to only remember happy things, good things, fun things, positive things. And if an unpleasant memory bubbles up, I ask myself “Can I make any use of it? Is there anything I can do about it? Is there something I need to learn from it (aside from the fact that it was stupid or I was an idiot)? Is there any purpose to me remembering this whatever-it-is?

And if I can’t answer these questions with a definite “yes,” then I toss it. I say to myself “Liz, this thought is a useless thought, and you don’t need to waste your time or energy on it.”

Sometimes I have to say this to myself 20 times before it actually changes. But, it’s a learning process. You can’t change the thought patterns you’ve developed over decades in a few minutes. No, this is something you have to work on every day.

Now, don’t misunderstand. Samuel Butler isn’t saying that we should never remember the bad things. After all, that’s where a lot (most) of the lessons in life come from. But, he is saying that if we’ve learned from it, then let it go.

So, here’s your challenge: This week, try to alter how you remember your life. Reflect on the happy, good, fun things. Let those thoughts wash away your regrets or mistakes. Only you can do this for yourself. Only you can release yourself from your past!

Friday Fluff...A Video Tribute

First, did you ever play this game when you were a kid? Me too!

Did you know this game was full of social commentary? Neither did I!

Watch this video to see what I'm talking about.

What in the world?! Like the caption said, we were innocent little kids...

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On to the next video offering...

Have you done your visiting teaching yet? Me neither!

Watch this video to laugh at the truthfulness of it all (and to be reminded of visiting teaching's purpose).

Come on, confess, how many of those "visits" have you used? (wink, wink)


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And lastly, this is a sad and tragic video for those of us who like to spike our water.

I'm horrified, disturbed, and not sure what to do about it. Am I now going to have to carry citrus in my pocket? Or maybe one of these?

Oh, the sadness of it all...

Have a great weekend. And pass on the lemons.

Technical Update

So, if you look over to your right, (go ahead, look), you will notice I've added a new feature entittled "Recent Comments."

I've done this to help myself.

You see, the comments that you make (And thank you for making comments. It makes me feel validated. (I know, a little sad, huh?)) are supposed to be emailed to me.

But apparently, Blogger likes to tease me, and only email me every other comment which I find annoying (not the comments, but the notification accuracy).

So, that's why I've added the new section. At a glance, I can now see how ignored I am... just kidding!

"Wonder"-ful Wednesday

I always come across great quotes. You too?

And I always try to memorize them as an attempt to make them a part of my psyche.

Sadly, it rarely works.

So, I've decided to start a new tradition to help myself think, ponder, and realize the "wonder" of words of wisdom.

Every Wednesday I'm going to post a quote and ask a question (or two, or ten—you know me) about it to make you and I evaluate our lives and our minds.

You can make a comment, or not. Either way, my goal is to get us thinking.

Here’s the one for today:

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” – Helen Keller

I’m sure we’ve all heard this quote before. It’s one of my favorites. And for YEARS I misinterpreted it. I thought that because my life wasn’t a “daring adventure” it was “nothing.”

But, over the years, I’ve come to understand what she was saying. Life IS a daring adventure, but only if you see it that way. You don’t have to travel to the Amazon, or go back-packing through Europe, or scale Mount Everest to have a life of adventure!

No, what she means is that every day is a new opportunity within yourself to be daring. What are you afraid of? Face it! What are you putting off? Do it! What are you avoiding? Run towards it!

Make this life work for you! Let you change your life!

What can you do today to see the adventure in your own little world?

Too Deep for Words

I’ve been mulling over a post on theodicy prompted by my experience at the hospital with Sara. Not surprisingly, I have a lot of conflicted thoughts on this topic.

And to be honest, I’m not even sure how to word it. So, I may or may not eventually post on it. I was going to, but really, I'm having a hard time with it right now.

It's been consuming my mind these last couple of days leaving me with nothing much else to say. If you have any thoughts on it, or ways that you reconcile the conflict, let me know in the comments.

Well, to make sure this post isn't a complete dud, I’ll leave you with something else that could be controvertial. Have you seen it? What do you think?

I’m not going to tell you what I think of it (at least not yet, but probably in the comments).