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October 31, 2008
I am....
(Originally published by Nattie on March 14, 2004)
I was reminded of an old journaling prompt when I saw a label in a magazine. I've done it before, but it bears repeating.
Start 25 statements with the phrase—"I am..."
* I am woman.
* I am invincible.
* I am tired.
* I am wife.
* I am lover.
* I am mother.
* I am boo-boo kisser.
* I am daughter.
* I am sister.
* I am friend.
* I am kindred spirit.
* I am soul mate.
* I am hormonal.
* I am judgemental.
* I am a mess of magnificent proportions.
* I am loved.
* I am chosen.
* I am compassionate.
* I am caring.
* I am needy.
* I am confused.
* I am strong.
* I am weak.
* I am enchanting.
* I am weird.
* I am what I am and what I am is wonderful.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:14 AM | Comments (0)
October 30, 2008
I Worship You
(Originally published by Nattie on March 13, 2004)
I Worship You
by Mercy Me
I've been walking with a big grin
singing with my eyes closed
liftin' up my hands
I've been lost in the moment
sendin' up praises
now I think I understand
When I open up and let it flow
I feel your touch and then I know...
CHORUS
I can never live without it
and I'm never gonna doubt it
everyday is new...yeah
there's nothing any better
I'll be singing it forever
I worship You
I'm standing on the edge now
looking to a new place
goin' deeper still
the feeling is electric
the Power and the Glory
just move me where You will
cuz you take this song and make it fly
into my soul and that is why
CHORUS
I just wanna dive into your grace
I wanna feel your presence, seek your face
I just wanna be where you are
I can never live without it
and I'm never gonna doubt it
everyday is new year
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:26 AM | Comments (0)
October 29, 2008
Saturday Dawns
(Originally published by Nattie on March 19, 2004)
Nothing exciting going on in Small Town USA today. I need to go to the library to pick up a book and return some videos. I'm hoping that a video I have on hold will be in—"Mona Lisa Smiles"—by the time I get there. Of course, hubby took the car to work this morning assuming I wouldn't need the car. Grrr. But my MIL called and is coming by so I'll snag her car.
Here are some journaling prompts I answered just for fun.
What are you currently reading? The Beekeeper's Apprenticeby Laurie R. King
Which room of your house is the messiest and why? The living room—I have two preschoolers and a slob of a husband. :-) Need I say more?
Have you ever dyed your hair? What colors? Yes, many times. Currently it is a dark blonde/light brown to cover up my dishwater blonde hair. I have colored it red intentionally, pink unintentionally, many shades of burgundy and blonde. I'd like to try black with bluish highlights, but my hubby would kill me. He prefers the lighter blondes.
Who are your favorite musicians? Many and varied. I like the Dixie Chicks, Avril Lavigne, Amy Grant, Mercy Me, Crystal Lewis, Keith Green, Evanescence, Kelly Clarkson, and No Doubt, to name a few. :-)
Who are your favorite painters? Why? I don't know much about painting. It is something I'd like to learn more about. I do recognize Monet when I see it and like the muted colors.
What monument would you like to see before you die? Why? I've never thought about it. I would like to go to Washington, D.C. and see all the historical monuments sometime.
What nationalities are you? I'm an American mutt—American Indian and German-Dutch are the primary ones that I can think of.
What is your favorite season? Why? Currently my favorite season is Spring, because it is warmer than winter.
Actually, I think each season has it's redeeming values, but I do love the rebirth and renewal of Spring. I love the green grass and the fresh flowers and blooming trees. It makes me feel more alive.
What is your favorite type of day weatherwise? Why? Warm! LOL! I'm moaning and groaning about our midwest winters right now.
It isn't currently snowing, but it is cold. I like anything higher than 40 and sunny. I'm a sun worshiper. I love to sit on my porch curled up with a good book.
Describe what your journal looks like. I just started a new journal. It is a black leather rollabind journal. I love the size, look and feel of it. I'm so glad that you can keep adding pages as you like. I think I'll get a lot of use out of it.
What is love? How do you know you're in love? Love is kisses from freshly washed little ones. Love is kisses from rough whisker-cheeked hubbies. Love is sharing sadness and joy with friends. Love is an outpouring of the heart.
I know I'm in love because, despite the fact that my hubby has been driving me crazy for seven years, I still keep him around. ;-)
What type of car do you drive? What does it look like? Um, it is white. I think it is a Plymouth. Don't ask me what year or model it is. It gets me from Point A to Point B and rarely breaks down. The front seat has a magazine I read while waiting to pick my son up from school. The back seat is strewn with my children's thingss—books, toys, stuffed animals, sippies, and car seats.
What do you collect? Junk! Actually, I collect cows (not real ones) and anything Tigger. I also collect books. I can rarely pass up a book. I also have a collection of classic movies and collect anything Audrey Hepburn, especially "Breakfast at Tiffany's" paraphernalia. I also like Boyds Bears and all things crafty.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:23 AM | Comments (0)
October 28, 2008
ROFL!
(Originally published by Nattie on March 12, 2004)
Your Element is Flame. You have a strong, independant, fiery personality and you obviously don't let others push you around. You like being in charge and don't care what other people think. In fact, you like to stand out and be yourself. You're probably shy when people first meet you but you're a ball of energy that could explode at any given moment. You like to laugh and whether you admit it or not, you like to fight. Your peronality that is wild and untamable. Your beauty is physically fit and a little sexy and you have a very pretty face.
What's Your Element(girls)?
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Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:29 AM | Comments (0)
October 27, 2008
Sometimes I wonder
(Originally published by Nattie on March 12, 2004)
why I blog. Rarely do I blog about anything truly meaningful or life changing. I guess reading my blog can be like searching for jewels in a load of crap. ;-) I do have a blog entry percolating on changing our appetite for spiritual food. Just something that has been rolling around in my rat trap of a brain. But today I'm just going to whine. So if you don't want to hear me whine, stop right here.
This is an email I sent to some friends. I had been complaining earlier that it was so cold out and just seemed like a good day to stay in bed...
More reasons why I want to go back to bed.But I guess I have to be thankful.
~ we went to the grocery store. Jonathan got out of the car while I was unbuckling Anna and proceeded to almost kill himself by running in front of a moving van.
~ he whined the whole time we were in the store because I made him sit in the cart and wouldn't let him have a kids cart.
~ he whined when I wouldn't buy him candy. He said, "You never buy me anyting!" Hmph!
~ the mountain dew I drank this morning is giving me horrific gas. ;-)
~ the kids whined for me to let them play outside. they were back in five minutes or less because they were cold and are now under my feet.
~ I still can't breathe through my nose.
~ I'm still horribly achy.
~ Despite all my working out, my underwear is still too tight.
~ My children love to fight and seem to live for it.
~ The van did stop!
~ Jonathan didn't get hurt.
~ I have fresh muffins sitting on my stove.
~ We just had a nice lunch full of comfort foods
- pigs in a blanket, pringles, green beans and potato mix, and mac 'n cheese.
~ We have a stack of library books to read.
~ We have central heat and lots of blankets to snuggle under.
~ It may not be warm, but it is sunny.
~ I really like my new rollabind journal.
~ I have a nice warm heating pad for my aching back.
~ I have diet coke in the fridge. Forget the mountain dew!
~ I am caught up on all my laundry. I only have bedding to wash. That never happens. :-)
~ The only dishes in my sink are from breakfast and lunch so that load will be light.
~ I may be blonde, but I'm a cute blonde (at times). LOL!
~ I am loving Living Beyond Yourself by Beth Moore. I want to be Beth Moore when I grow up.
~ I got some really good mail yesterday. No bills just some books I'd ordered.
~ If I feel like watching tv, cable offers excellent reruns, like "I Love Lucy," "Designing Women," "Mad About You," to name a few.
~ Thankfully my children haven't passed out from my mountain dew gas.
Off to stop another fight...
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:14 AM | Comments (1)
October 25, 2008
More evidence
(Originally published by Nattie on March 11, 2004)
of my blondeness. I recently died my hair a dark blonde/light brown hoping to hide my blondeness. It didn't work. Today I was SO cold in my car. I couldn't figure out why the car wasn't warming up. Well, it helps if you don't have the air conditioner on instead of the heater. Just more evidence that I am a complete airhead and I want to go back to college?! What am I thinking?!
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 02:39 PM | Comments (0)
October 24, 2008
storytime woes
(Originally published by Nattie on March 10, 2004)
I'm starting to wonder why I bother taking the kids to storytime. I come home so cranky and worn out. I haven't been in the best of moods anyway since I'm still trying to get over my cold and I've been really achy. I hate being a meany, too. And invariably I have to be a meany and give the kids rules to stick by when we go to storytime. Today the rules were:
- no fighting over who gets to sit with Mommy. You will sit on your storytime mat.
- Only five books and one movie each.
- No kicking other storytime participants.
- Listen to Miss Beth
We can check out 10 books each, but they are so hard to keep track of that five each is just better, but Jonathan has to push the line. I say five and he says 10. I say pot-a-to. He says pot-ah-to. I get so tired of the fighting. If he isn't fighting with me he is fighting with his sister. Here is a sample of the conversation on the way home from the library:
Anna—"I see my home."(That isn't what I meant to say, but that is what came out; they are reducing me to talking like them!)
Jonathan—"No, I see MY home."
Mom—"No, it is MY home!"
So I'm exhausted and cranky again. And bedtime is still three hours away. :-(
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:14 AM | Comments (0)
October 23, 2008
What mythical beast are you?
(Originally published by Nattie on March 10, 2004)
You're a Unicorn! Unicorns are pure, innocent, magestic creatures that have a spiraling white horn growing out of their forehead, and a white graceful, horses body. Unicorns represent the sign of purity, innocence, freindship, healing, rejeventation, and truth. Your horn is rare prized, but you tend to be naive, lured by a childs cry. Unicorns are reare, beautiful ans shy mythical creatures, and you are lucky to be one.
What Mythical Beast are you?
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Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:14 AM | Comments (0)
October 22, 2008
My inner artist
(Originally published by Nattie on March 10, 2004)
Your inner artist is Ansel Adams!
So you might not have the gray beard and black-rimmed glasses, but chances are you share a few things with the master of photography...i like your appreciation for honest living and the great outdoors. You don't need the flash and panache of big-city living to get you going. (Though there's a time and place for everything). But it wouldn't surprise us if it's the simple things in life that mean the most to you...like true friends, family, and the call of the wild. Like any true pioneer, you probably have your hands full with multiple projects at one time. And from the outside, it may look like you're burning the candle at both ends. But those that really know you would say you've always got an eye on the big picture, and that nothing short of a mountain will stand in your way.
To find your inner artist - click here.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 11:32 AM | Comments (1)
October 21, 2008
Wednesday Wishes
(Originally published by Nattie on March 9, 2004)
- I wish that I could breathe clearly.
- I wish that I could sleep all night without waking up to—
- ) a 35 lb jumping bean in my bed
- ) a snoring husband (I think he needs breathe-right strips)
- ) a 35 lb jumping bean picking my nose
- ) a little boy that constantly wets his bed ~ I wish that I could wake up and great the dawn with joy instead of a groan.
- I wish that I could Shine.
- I wish I could live to eat rather than eat to live.
- I wish I one day could pass without me losing my temper.
- I wish I didn't have to take anti-depressants.
- I wish I had a maid.
- I wish if I can't have a maid, that I could at least have little fairies or elves that cleaned my house at night.
- I wish that if I can't have a maid or magic elves, I could at least have family that could put their dirty clothes in the dirty clothes basket without being prompted a hundred times...or clothes that could clean themselves.
- I wish that money grew on trees and that I had a large money tree in my backyard.
- I wish my kids would go to the bathroom when I tell them to instead of waiting until we are in the middle of the grocery store, the road, or anywhere that doesn't have a public restroom.
- I wish that I could take a nap right now.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:44 AM | Comments (0)
October 20, 2008
A Good Book
(Originally published by Nattie on March 9, 2004)
I finished Stories of Prayer for a Healthy Soul last night. It is a compilation of prayer stories from people like Billy Graham, Max Lucado, Joni Eareckson Tada to name a few. I got it free from Billy Graham. I love their free book offers. I don't think they are offering it for free anymore, but I found it on Amazon used for $3.95 if you are interested in it. It is worth it.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:32 AM | Comments (0)
October 18, 2008
I seem to have...
(Originally published by Nattie on March 8, 2004)
cobweb-itis. It is the tragic byproduct of too many colds and too much cold medication. Your brain is no longer capable of coherent thoughts and you desire shots of mind-jolting caffeine, but it does no good. This is where I am.
My cold seems to be a bit better, but I'm left with nothing between my ears and what is there seems to be coated with cobwebs. I feel like I have to part the cobwebs in my head just to decide whether to get up and go to the bathroom or blow my nose. It is pathetic.
The kids unfortunately have taken advantage of momma's diminished brain capacity. I knew they had done something when I came downstairs and Anna says, "I sorry. Don't spank me," and Jonathan was hiding.
They tried to make cookies this time. The ingredients consisted of chili powder, syrup, butter, onion salt, balsamic vinegar, cranberry juice and Italian seasonings. They also spilled bubbles in the dining room, messed with the stereo, played on the computer and the Playstation, and got into the cough medicine.
The damage has been repaired. Apparently it is a huge punishment to have to clean up the mess they made?! They also had the tv taken away for the rest of the morning and early afternoon.
It could have been worse. They could have gotten into the cookie dough that is sitting in tubs in the living room from Jonathan's cookie sale. Pshew! That would have been a mess.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 11:21 AM | Comments (0)
October 17, 2008
Move over Martha
(Originally published by Nattie on March 8, 2004)
I'm still dizzy, but I decided to clean out my email and came across this. It isn't want you think by the title. :-)
The Fight
Mary and Martha fighting within me
One wants to be sitting at Jesus' feet,
The other is too busy cooking and cleaning
Distracted by everything that
Really needs doing.
And she's getting mad with Mary, who's laid back and smiling
Can't she see?
You know I've got to
Run all those errands, tick off my list
Take care of the kids
Run to the shop
Pop to the library
When will it stop?
You tell me.
When will I stop and
Listen to Jesus?
Mary and Martha fighting within me
Martha's got the edge today -
She's the one saying
I need to, we've got to, I must.
She's busy and stressed
Also somewhat depressed.
She realizes she'll
Never
Get everything done.
But don't you know
Some things can wait, Martha
Like strivingand fretting over
Temporal things.
Just take a moment to
Breathe in some fresh air
From his word
Grasp a ray of light
Through his secret touch
Then you can carry on
Yes, then you can carry on
With a smile on your face
After
You've met Jesus
Move over Martha
It's your turn, Mary. by Annie Carter
I got this from Momsense.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:26 AM | Comments (0)
October 16, 2008
Still sick...Waaah!!!
(Originally published by Nattie on March 5, 2004)
My weekend kid-free was wonderful. I had lunch at Chili's—just me and my book. I had a gift certificate that needed using so I only paid 88 cents for my lunch. Then I went to Barnes & Noble.
I haven't shopped for a book in a store in so long that I had almost forgotten how. I found two books on their clearance racks and picked them up—Leaving a Trace—On Keeping a Journal by Alexandra Johnson and I'd Rather Be Writing by Marcia Golub. I sat and glanced through the books while sipping a Brownie Mocha Frappaccino.
I came home and took a nap—uninterrupted. When I woke up, I ate dinner—uninterrupted. Then I watched "Road to Perdition." I tend to favor romantic comedies, but I really liked this movie. It is hard to believe that it is a Tom Hanks movie. He was a great gangster.
Then I read some more. Then I coughed some more. Yep, I'm still sick. I'm coughing and dizzy. I think I've got an inner ear infection which is causing the dizziness.
I slept in Sunday morning. I didn't go to church. I didn't want to cough through the services. Hubby got us Double Cheeseburgers from McDonald's for lunch and we watched
My MIL brought the kids home around 3:30. They had missed me. Anna was in a new outfit MIL had bought and the kids brought home new PJs, too. They both curled up on the couch with me and we watched cartoons together.
Anna is sick now. We make a nice pair—Tweedlehacky and Tweedlehackier.:-)
Jonathan had preschool this morning. I napped while he was gone. I'm so dizzy. It isn't even funny. Now we the kids are watching Scooby Doo and I'm contemplating lunch. I had intended to work on cutting down TV time, but I don't have it in me today. I'm going to have to start unplugging the TV. The kids learned quickly when hubby got cable that they have endless cartoons at their disposal now. Grrr. But I don't have the energy for it today. Maybe tomorrow.
I think we'll have a simple lunch of pb&j. I need to go to the grocery store, but I'm not looking forward to going with kids. Maybe I can go tonight when hubby gets home from work. If I'm still alive.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:56 AM | Comments (0)
October 15, 2008
still sick
(Originally published by Nattie on March 4, 2004)
I'm wheezing, coughin and very clammy. I feel horrible. On the upside my kids are spending the weekend with my MIL. Only 18 hours to go till I get over 24 hours of kid-free freedom. :-)
...Back to my den to read some cozy mysteries...
BTW, you won't get rabies if I bite, but you might get a nice and nasty spring cold.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:45 AM | Comments (0)
October 14, 2008
on a moody rollercoaster
(Originally published by Nattie on March 4, 2004)
up she goes and down she goes, where her mood will end up nobody knows...
I left for storytime in a pretty good mood. Then my Dayquil hit and I got drowsy, groggy, dizzy and now grouchy. Grrr. :-(
The kids did better than they did last week, but we all got drenched running from house to car then car to library. It is raining cats and dogs with thunderstorms expected later. So I ordered pizza for dinner.
It isn't the most cost-efficient dinner, but it is the most labor-saving dinner and I don't think I'm up to anything remotely labor intensive. I'm going to find my little corner and curl up with a mystery. If I'm lucky I'll get to go to bed early.
Don't come too close to my corner though. I may bite...
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:07 AM | Comments (0)
October 13, 2008
While...
(Originally published by Nattie on March 4, 2004)
my heart is groaning over my dear friends who are in pain. I am also rejoicing in life.
Joanne became a momma four years ago today. She was blessed with two bundles of joy—Casey and McKenzie. Wish Jojo a happy mommy anniversary. Naomi is celebrating her birthday. And Janet is celebrating her momma-versary too. Her bundle of joy will be 15 in a few days.
Anyone else celebrating new life, renewal and joy today?
1 To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:
2 A time to be born, And a time to die;
A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted;
3 A time to kill, And a time to heal;
A time to break down, And a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, And a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep,
And a time to throw away;
7 A time to tear, And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, And a time to speak;
8 A time to love, And a time to hate;
A time of war, And a time of peace.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:23 AM | Comments (0)
October 11, 2008
My heart is breaking
(Originally published by Nattie on March 3, 2004)
My heart is aching and breaking for some very dear friends who are going through some rough times. If you can think about it say a prayer for my amiga, Angie—her dad has had two strokes in the past few days and they are praying for healing of a ripped artery.
And pray for Heather. Her family is under attack—plain and simple.
And if you have any prayers left over, you could pray for my cold to go away so I can pray with my mouth closed. ;-)
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 03:48 PM | Comments (2)
October 10, 2008
Bah!
(Originally published by Nattie on March 2, 2004)
I'm sick again. I thought it was allergies, but now I'm coughing that dry hacky cough and my nose goes from stuffy to runny to stuffy again. My head feels like it is stuffed with cotton. I feel dizzy. I won't even talk about my ears. Yuck! So my blogs might be a little whiny rather than deep and thoughtful until the cotton fuzz is gone from my head.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:41 AM | Comments (0)
October 09, 2008
Learning and Growing
(Originally published by Nattie on March 2, 2004)
I'm learning so much in the "Living Beyond Yourself" study by Beth Moore. One thing I studied today really goes along with some other things going on in my life.
I have been crucifed with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself to me.—Galatians 2:20
10 Characteristics of the Crucified LifeI feel like more layers of the onion are being peeled away, painfully but necessarily.1. Few will understand.
2. You must abandon your own will and your own agenda (this is the hardest one for me).
3. Your intimate spiritual companions will be few. (note: this doesn't say none, but few)
4. Intense times of aloneness with God are required.
5. You will constantly be on the witness stand.
6. You must go "outside the camp." (outside our comfort zone, eek)
7. There will be times when your dignity is forfeited. (okay, this one is hard too)
8. You mut forego your rights. (another hard one)
9. You must accept that death is painful.
10. Because He was forsaken, you never will be.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:23 AM | Comments (0)
October 08, 2008
Movie Trivia
(Originally published by Nattie on February 28, 2004)
Elaine started a movie trivia game. I knew the answer to the 4th trivia question asked by Joanne, so now I have to think of a trivia question from a movie starting with the letter "E." Do you know how hard that is? I think I have a good one though. :-)
Whoever answers correctly in my comments section needs to ask a trivia question for a movie starting with the letter "F" on their blog. Check out Elaine's blog linked above for the official rules.
Darth Vader never says, "Luke, I am your father" in Empire Strikes Back. What is the actual line?
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:27 AM | Comments (0)
October 07, 2008
Trying to catch a moonbeam...
(Originally published by Nattie on February 27, 2004)
I saw "The Passion" tonight. Trying to describe the effect it had on me, pardon the cliche song lyric, but is rather like trying to catch a moonbeam in my hand. But I'll attempt it. I decided to break it down by how it spoke to the different facets of my personality...
The writer in me has to try to explain it. That is part of why I write—to express what I experience and see. The artist in me is in awe at the purely amazing cinematography, scenery, lighting, costuming...I could go on and on. The "story" totally aside. Artistically it was a masterpiece.
The mother in me sobbed as Mary remembered her son as a young boy and tried to reckon that person with the one being crucified. I could see her fight internally how to let him go knowing that this was bigger than her and bigger than just the physical.
The sinner in me cried out, "My God. My God, what have I done?!"
The disciple in me stood in awe as they saw the plan that they hadn't truly understood playing out.
But most of all...The truly-forgiven-saved-by-grace-Christian in me rejoiced as I saw my Savior raised from the dead.
No, these words don't do justice to the tears that coursed down my cheeks through the whole two hours and 19 minutes, the physical pain I actually felt as Jesus was scourged, the pure in-your-face-Satan feeling I felt when Jesus slammed his heel on the head of the snake, the deep sadness I felt as the disciples watched their Savior die not understanding that the Helper would truly come...elusive, fleeting, haunting...like the moonbeams in the garden of Gethsemane as he prayed...nothing quite says it all like this...
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:39 AM | Comments (1)
October 06, 2008
Thank God
(Originally published by Nattie on February 27, 2004)
I brought out the big guns and it worked. Yeah, my headache is gone. So I'm going to blog two ideas I got from Tiffany aka Neurotic Fitch Mom.
The first one is...I am the one who...is afraid to look you in the eyes because I'm afraid of what I'll see. I am the one who is afraid to care too much or care too deeply. I am the one is afraid of being hurt. I'm the one who needs to forget it isn't all about me and that there are others out there hurting that I can help if I'll just step out of my comfort zone. I don't have to go far to find someone who could use a kind word or a even just a smile today. I am the one who is going to try to forget about my neurosis and help someone today. Well, maybe not today, but I'll try to help someone tomorrow. Really, I will. :-)
The next one is...
~ I'll admit...that my underwear is too tight and it is driving me nuts, but I dont' want to spend good money on new underwear.
~ I'll admit that I'm absentminded.
~ I'll admit that I'm a shopaholic and a hypochondriac.
~ I'll admit that it is painful to pass by a clearance sale and not at least look at the racks.
~ I'll admit that every time I sneeze I'm afraid for just a second that I am dying of a brain tumor.
~ I'll admit that I'm so absentminded that I bought the same book twice on half.com within a day.
~ I'll admit that I'm so absentminded that I bought the same magazine twice in one week because I swore I didn't have that copy at home.
~ I'll admit that I'm so absentminded that I'll remember I rsvp'd to a birthday party a week after the party is over.
~ I'll admit that I have thrown away a new roll of toilet paper because I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing.
~ I'll admit that I will load the washing machine and put in the soap but forget to turn it on.
~ I'll admit that I'm scared s#@tless at the thought of going back to college.
~ I'll admit that I have stared at the registration package for two days and haven't opened it because I'm afraid to take another step in that direction.
~ I'll admit that I am a coward. I hate having my blood drawn. I hate having my teeth cleaned. I hate doctors of all shapes and forms. Well, I do like my eye doctor, but I hate the glacoma test and when they dilate my eyes. No foreign objects should be in my eye!
~ I'll admit that I pretend to be low maintenance, but I'm very high maintenance. I think I was Sally (from "When Harry Met Sally") in a former life. ;-) "On the side is a very big thing for you."
~ I'll admit that probably my only redeeming quality is that I have a big heart (almost as big as my ever growing tush).
~ I'll admit that I really liked this writing prompt.
~ I'll admit that I don't want to stop writing and start folding laundry.
~ I'll admit that I will stop writing because I don't know if I have any clean (and incredibly tight) underwear for tomorrow.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:25 AM | Comments (0)
October 04, 2008
Spring is in the air
(Originally published by Nattie on February 26, 2004)
The sun is shining. It is supposed to be 50 degrees at some point today. I'm in short sleeves and I've turned the heat off. I opened a window on the sunny side of the apartment. I love spring. But with spring comes new growing things. This is nice unless you have allergies! Yes, I've been fighting sniffles and sneezes. Today I woke up with a headache which will turn into a migraine if I can't get it to go away. I know how my head works. I've taken some allergy medication and some Aleve. It's not touching it. I might need to break out the big guns, but I've got the kids. The big guns knock me out. As it is I went back to bed after I took Jonathan to school. I think it will be a couch day. I'm hoping the kids won't kill each other and will play quietly. Hope hope hope. :-)
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 09:18 PM | Comments (0)
October 03, 2008
Oh, the silly quizzes...
(Originally published by Nattie on February 25, 2004)
I don't know that this is very accurate, but it was better than the first one I got when I did it. At least I've read this book—many times. If I were a man, I'd want to be Mark Twain. ;-)
You're Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain!
With an affinity for floating down the river, you see things in black and white. The world is strange and new to you and the more you learn about it, the less it makes sense. You probably speak with an accent and others have a hard time understanding you and an even harder time taking you seriously. Nevertheless, your adventurous spirit is admirable. You really like straw hats.
Take the Book Quiz at the Blue Pyramid.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:23 AM | Comments (0)
October 02, 2008
When it is beyond me...
(Originally published by Nattie on February 25, 2004)
God is so...God. As some of you may know today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent which will lead us up to Easter. I am not Catholic, but I love the idea of Lent and making Easter a season rather than just a day. Because Easter, the resurrection, is the meaning of our faith. If Christ did not die and rise again, there would be no purpose to my life or my faith.
So God is God. Rather than give something up for Lent this year, I decided that I really needed to make a daily quiet time a goal. Giving something up is beyond me right now, as is adding one more thing to my already busy day, but I just knew that this was something I needed to do. Take the bull by the horns, so to speak and that God would help me.
I pondered what study I wanted to do to start this time. I usually read a Max Lucado book about the last week of Christ during Lent, but that didn't seem to be what God wanted me to do. I felt a nudging. You know that feeling. A still small voice that said, "Now is the time to pick up Living Beyond Yourself again."
I paid for the study back in September. I watched the introductory video and for the life of me, I can't remember why I didn't continue with the study. I love Beth Moore. She always speaks to me and her studies are so relevant, but I dropped the ball. I know now that it wasn't the right time. The time is now. "God is still happening," as Beth would say. :-)
I wondered where I was going to fit this time and this study into my already full day. Rather than stressing about it as I normally do, I just said, "God, I need help. I feel like You want me to do this, but I don't know how." I read sanity savers by two different stay-at-home moms, that the hour after lunch was their "quiet time." Their do-what-they-need-to-do-by-themselves time while their children napped or played "quietly." I said, "Whoa! That was a quick answer." :-)
So today, after lunch I got the kids ready to be quiet. Well, it didn't go well. But that is okay. Rome wasn't built in a day. I finally got them settled. I sat down in front of the computer. I printed out my listening guide. I got out my Bible. I pulled up my footstool. I opened my Diet Coke. Then I went to the website and realized...I could not remember the user id and password I had picked in September. You know—the password—the one that you would never forget. Well, that wouldn't be such a big deal except that my email address has recently changed. So the option of entering your email address and getting your id and password emailed to you was out. What next? I contacted their customer service department and explained my problem. I resigned myself to having to wait two business days to get any help and I turned the computer off. I got the kids up and went about my day.
At one point it hit me that I had some old emails saved in another folder and my password might be there. It was! Not more than five minutes later, I got an email from Lifeway with the same info. I've printed it out twice now. ;-)
Still now I'd lost that hour and I really wanted to start today. I had dinner. I got the kids ready for church. I even contemplated dropping the kids off at church and coming back home to watch the video, but I didn't feel right about that. It just didn't suit me, if you know what I mean. So I went to church. I took awesome notes on prayer that my pastor has been going over. I chomped at the bit. I got home. The kids took forever to go to bed. I needed to ride my stinking stationary bike, but I couldn't do it. I needed to watch that video. I needed to hear that message. I was so soul weary. I needed something from God's word to soothe that ache. Immediately, I was so awed by the God-ness of it. The perfect timing of a message that was recorded back in September. Here are some of the verses that she spoke from -
First—
the passage that the study is based on ~ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ~ Galatians 5:22-23Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. ~ Phillipians 3:12-14
However, as it is written: "No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him"—
but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. ~ Galatians 2:9-10We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. ~ 2 Corinthians 1:8-9
To this end I labor, struggling with all HIS energy, which so powerfully works in me. ~ Colossians 1:29
Some points she made that really spoke to me ~
* My purpose is beyond me.
* My seasonal circumstances are often beyond me.
* My unrelenting daily demands are beyond me.
* Through the infiltrating power of the Holy Spirit, I can...- Do things I couldn't
- Feel things I didn't
- Know things I wouldn't
This is going to be a great study. God is good. He knew I would need this right now. I'm pumped again. :-)
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:19 AM | Comments (0)
October 01, 2008
weary
(Originally published by Nattie on February 24, 2004)
I get so busy juggling the balls that I'm afraid I'm missing one. I'm afraid one needs to be added or one needs to be dropped. I get weary. My arms get tired. My soul gets weary. God is always faithful. "Come to me," He calls. "Ask and You will find." This song really spoke to me tonight—
Less Like Scars by Sara GrovesIt's been a hard year
But I'm climbing out of the rubble
These lessons are hard
Healing changes are subtle
But every day it'sLess like tearing, more like building
Less like captive, more like willing
Less like breakdown, more like surrender
Less like haunting, more like rememberAnd I feel you here
And you're picking up the pieces
Forever faithful
It seemed out of my hands, a bad situation
But you are able
And in your hands the pain and hurt
Look less like scars and more like
CharacterLess like a prison, more like my room
It's less like a casket, more like a womb
Less like dying, more like transcending
Less like fear, less like an endingAnd I feel you here
And you're picking up the pieces
Forever faithful
It seemed out of my hands, a bad situation
But you are able
And in your hands the pain and hurt
Look less like scarsJust a little while ago
I couldn't feel the power or the hope
I couldn't cope, I couldn't feel a thing
Just a little while back
I was desperate, broken, laid out, hoping You would comeAnd I need you
And I want you here
And I feel youAnd I know you're here
And you're picking up the pieces
Forever faithful
It seemed out of my hands, a bad, bad situation
But you are ableAnd in your hands the pain and hurt
Look less like scars (x3)And more like
Character
I guess I'm building character, but I'd like to rest tonight in my Father's arms.
Copyright Natalie Rose York
Posted by Nattie's Daddy at 08:00 AM | Comments (0)