Category: Uncategorized (Page 137 of 188)

My sophomore year at OU I took my CA 117/118 courses to fulfill a fine arts requirement. The professor wore a bow tie and opened the quarter with the classic “what is art?” discussion. It was so cliche that I thought for a minute I was in the middle of an episode of Growing Pains and Jason Seaver would be barging in to demand why Kirk Cameron’s grades were so low. Between the 2 courses we covered all the major genres (segments?) of the arts – film, literature, dance… art (well, what DO you call the paintings and sculptures section?).

By far the most challenging for me was architecture. It was the only area in which we had to decipher between form and function. The others were obvious: dance & art are done for the beauty, to evoke emotion. Film and literature tell a story. To me, a bridge or a building are just that – a bridge or building. Who really cares about the Gothic columns or the little semi-circles under a bridge?

This, my friends, is why no one ooohs and aaaahhs over my house. Why spend $50 on a sink faucet when you can spend $13.30? Both will disperse water. Why buy the deep mahogany ceiling fan when you can get white at half price? Both will make me cooler. And don’t even get me started on curtain rods.

So my house, along with many other areas of my life, looks like it comes straight from the “put this in your college rental” aisle at Lowe’s. No real fear that it might break because it didn’t cost that much to begin with. And I’m not going to lie. I wish it wasn’t so.

More recently I’ve noticed a similar discrepancy in my photography life. When I graduated from seminary, my wonderful husband (in conjunction with my parents and in-laws) bought me a beautiful, powerful, does-more-things-than-I-can-imagine/have-to-read-the-manual-to-turn-it-on camera. It takes amazing photographs. And I shoot in auto. AUTO.

Now, I understand that it’s acceptable at times – you just want to capture the moment. But why not capture the moment with beauty? Why not use things like lighting to emphasize that which I feel at the moment? Every once in a while AUTO might be able to tell the story, but a good photographer – like a good writer – bends the light to give you a picture that shares more than facts; it tells a story. It evokes emotion. It propels you to want to take action (even if it is just to cry or to order a print from shutterfly and frame it).

So, much like buying brushed silver towel racks, I must begin to let beauty permeate through my picture taking and not just get down the facts. I was quite inspired by a few photography-loving friends this weekend (who show the utmost patience with me asking the same questions OVER and OVER), so now it’s back to #1 – follow through. I hope to tell you a good story here in the future by using a lot less words.

… whom you will serve. I find the ironing is delicious that Oswald Chambers offered this verse of meditation on the same day that “the King” announced his decision. Watching the show triggered several thoughts. First, like one commentator mentioned, was that you have to feel bad for Cleveland. I really am. But not just because, as one FB post said, “any hopes of winning a professional sports championship have disappeared” but because LeBron is moving to South Beach.

I heard over and over in his explanation that “I have to do what’s best for me” and “do what makes you happy.” This is the kind of language that causes more heartache in the world than anything. Now, I can get behind his mama when she says that no one else has to live with consequences of the decision like he will – I get that. However, happiness is fleeting. Ask any woman on week 3 of her cycle. Happiness is an emotion, and I think best decisions are not made based on emotion.

I think better decisions are based upon things like hope, loyalty and seeing the larger picture. I think decisions have to include its effects on others. Another FB update I saw: “well, Miami, at least you have D-Wade who won’t quit on  you when it counts” I think it cut to a deeper issue: character. I think it takes a bigger man to stay loyal even when things aren’t perfect: whether it be a team, a marriage, or friendship. And even in a life that’s based off a game (I mean really – it is a game), sacrifice has to be at the top of the list.

LeBron has earned the right to make career decisions that offer the best opportunities like any other working American. I’m not passing judgment on “his business”. But I think some decisions give an insight into character. A wise man once said, where your treasure is, there your heart is also. I’m wondering if some reflection on this sage advice would have yielded a different announcement.

I’ll admit it. I love evaluations. Our mid-year reviews are coming up at work, and though I’m hoping for positive feedback, I’d also be interested in knowing what I can do better. Though you might be fooled by my air of perfection, I’ll let you in on a secret: it’s mostly a facade. But self improvement could be a hobby right along with crotchet and list making in my book. That being said, it’s time to check in on my efforts with The List. 

1. perfect a mac and cheese. Well, I’ve made sizeable efforts, but no cigar. I’ve encountered some serious challenges in replacing my beloved Velveeta with a healthier cheddar. My sister has sent me a recipe that I have yet to try, though the cousins reviewed over Memorial day and gave it thumbs up. My BC friends even pitched in and we had a Mac ‘n Cheese fest so we could all preview. JE won, I do believe, with KLR in a close second in my book.

2. follow through. This one is much more difficult to evaluate (it’s not SAM – specific achievable and measurable, thanks Tentmakers!) and a qualitative analysis would probably have to be done via anonymous survey of my friends and family. Perhaps a local 6th grader is in need of a summer science fair project?

3. reflect daily. I would say I’m not 100% on this, but it’s much better. In truth, much of this comes from the blogging. I think a blog is better in story, so I try to think about the happenings of the day and go from there. Since the arrival of MAM I’ve been much more hit & miss, but I’m hoping to regain some ground here soon.

4. read to henry. I’m doing pretty good here! I’ve specifically found time when feeding MAM. Keeps him entertained and feeling included while I’m tied to the chair.


5. kiss JJ. daily. I’ve failed here from time to time, but don’t you worry your pretty little head – JJ is quick to inform me of my shortcomings and demand what is rightfully his. However, I have found I can avert the berating by taking the time to say a true good bye for the day. It’s a refreshing breath before the blustery beginnings of work or play. As a side note, I do acknowledge how lucky I am to have a hubby that wants to kiss me all the time.

6. connect and contribute to st. paul’s. I’d say we’re doing better here, though this evaluation is taking place through the summer streak of bad attendance (thanks to many lake visits). I did help with the youth some, but the bigger contribution has been trying to get a “young adult” SS class off the ground. We’re definately not soaring, but I haven’t given up yet. I just need to get there to really begin to make strides. 


7. develop 1 spiritual habit. um…. yeah. Nope. Not even close. I haven’t even come up an idea yet. Suggestions, all my spiritually minded friends? What has worked for you?

8. learn to knit. Well, what we have here kids is 2 failures in a row. In all fairness, burying myself under a bundle of yarn really is a fall / winter activity.


9. grow another garden. Sweet success!! We’ve got 10+ ‘mater plants in, 3 peppers, a hot pepper, 2 eggplant, a row of green beans and already harvested garlic and onions. A large thank you to DW, the man who knows everything (and holds me accountable to getting it done) and KLR for actually starting to grow at least 50% of my garden.


10. run. Another success! I’ve run at least once a week since I was about 3 or 4 weeks postpartum. Sometimes I can get up to 3 miles in, sometimes only 2. I pee myself only 30% of the time. I’d call that victory on all fronts.

11. go on 5 dates. all with jj. We’re getting there. We’ve had one – dinner, movie and sitter, all for free! It was wonderful. Perhaps I should schedule another.

12. live joyfully and generously. Again with the lack of measurability. However, I do think I’m better than I was when I originally made the list. We’ll keep working on it.

13. have wine with a friend on a regular basis. This definately picked up after the arrival of MAM by about 100% :). I’ve even taken to actually scheduling this in with a friend – (add that to the win column for #1!).

14. remove from vocabulary: i’m tired (i always am), i don’t have time (i must make time), i don’t have the money (i chose to spend it elsewhere) and “after XXXX i will…” (carpe diem). Yes, yes and yes. Every once in a while I’ll throw in a situational tired, as in “I’m too tired to go to the grocery store” but I’ve cut down on my need to let others know my sleep status. The “after XXXX i will” have slimmed and I’m hoping to reduce to zero once we get JJ a job. Whoops, there we go again…..

15. throw a good party. Complete failure. I screwed it up on JJ’s birthday and graduation, logging “being 9 months pregnant” as my excuse. I still have my birthday in October, perhaps I can make it up then?

I’m glad I took the time to revisit. I had actually forgotten about the joyful and generous living, so now I’ll make a much more concerted effort. I’d like to add to the list “pull my shoulder blades back” as my posture is quite poor and I think I’d feel better about how I look if I were to adjust. I’d also like to try to take H & M to some community things – story time, parks events, play dates. We’ll have to use this as a tool for the ’11 list…