A Little Slide/Slice of Life Show

Teddy Bear Tea Party

Winthrop's own "Big Stuff" mingles with the kiddies. He's an eagle. With a basketball jersey. 

Teddy Bear Tea Party

I have no idea who this little girl is, but she made a lovely photo-op. 

Teddy Bear Tea Party

My expertly-executed chalk art... 

Tink wants attention too...

...so she jumped into the photo session. 

Barley naps...with Mr. Bear

 

A Little Patch of Sunshine

My dog, Tink (aka "Stink" depending on what she's eaten), loves to lie in the front doorway. Why? There, in the morning hours between 9 and 11:30 or so, she finds a little patch of sunshine. A place where she can soak up the rays, stay warm and cozy, and sleep peacefully. She will lie there until she is panting from the heat, and I have to remind her to go lap up water before she croaks.
Don't we all crave a little patch of sunshine...that place where we feel cozy and warm, where we have the peace to rest, and forget about even the most basic of needs?
She is lying there now...only disturbed by the potential to get a treat from an incoming husband. She looks peaceful and hopeful...another lovely day of sleeping and eating and some petting too.
That's the life, kids. A little patch of sunshine. I find it mostly in God...when I'm right with him, and I know that He is in control and will take of things. Something reminds me about "Be still and know..." or as Pastor J-Mart quoted a few weeks back from another version, "Cease striving and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10) And so many times I forget, and strive on my own...trying to work every problem out in my own little futile brain. I need to remember the Tink and find my place in the doorway and let the Lord shine down on me.
Have a little patch of sunshine day. (I'm really resisting the urge to go for the Christian cliche here, and write a little patch of SONshine...GROAN! But I didn't do it...see? I'm still cool...yeah. I am. Darn it.)

So I'm writing nothing. Yup. Just thought I should write something. But it's really nothing. Several lines of absolutely nothing. Nothing at all. Just letters in a line that don't really reveal anything. And that's all I have to say. Well, let's see. I shall recount things I like.

I like warm weather.

I like sandals and painted toenails.
I like chocolate chip cookies.I like a tall man named Jerod.
My parents are cool.
My brother and sis-in-law are like the smartest people ever.
I really like the fact that our ceiling fan makes the room pleasant.
I like my new Orange Crush clock/light that I won on ebay.
I like ebay.
I like my dogs; even when they are annoying, they are sweet and are happy to see me.
I like yard work and dirt...most of the time.
I like my space...I just joined and have found many old friends.
I like orange.
I like orange.
I like orange.
I like orange so much I wrote it four times.
I like pizza...mostly just cheese...if I'm feeling wild...maybe some green peppers, hamburger, or chicken.
I like Qdoba...a lot...and I miss that there's not one close-by.
I like Winthrop. (GO EAGLES! NCAA big dance this week!)
I like outfits that go together without much thought or ironing.
I like comfortable shoes.
I like tulips...all colors.I like Spring...it's as if God is just showing off.
I like Diet Sprite.

See, now I wrote about something. Go me.

TInkerific 

Mountain View 

Stella, 11, escapes a close call

Stella Sentra Jones, 11, had a brush with the junkyard cemetary over the weekend. The 1994 Nissan began making odd chugging sounds and being very jumpy on Thursday night of last week. She spent the weekend at a local auto repair center trapped in a fence. The diagnosis had not been given, and there were doubts as to whether she would last through the weekend.
Her parents were distraught. What to do? Would she make it out alive to see another bend in the road? Or was this just a cry for help?
"I just don't know what to do," Mrs. Jones said, "She's been such a part of my life. I just don't know if I'm ready to say goodbye."
In the end, her parents sought professional help. Test driving several cars enticed them to dream about that new car smell, the rev of a new engine, and the hope of leg room for Mr. Jones. The numbers, however, were disheartening. The bills would mount, and tarnish the hopes of the newer vehicle.
"That's the real test," said Mr. Jones, a hearty 6'11", "if my knees will fit. They don't fit in Stella, but she's a part of the family. It's a real dilemma."
After much thought, many calls, and no small amount of engine prayers, the call came.
Stella Sentra Jones was diagnosed with a minor spark plug problem to the tune of $92. She is now sitting in her driveway, pleased to be given a new lease on life. The Joneses are happy to have her back and to avoid the high cost of replacing a legend like Stella.
Drive, Stella, Drive. You can do 200,000...we believe.

It's February, and I've not updated you...

...on my ever-exciting life! Well, not really. I probably haven't written because there's not a lot of news. I never capitalized on that "musings on a new year" endeavor, so maybe you'll get a "musings on February" soon. I know, you're peeing yourself with glee, aren't you?

I'm happy for a life without great drama. Our evenings are quiet...some TV, some writing, some reading, and (for Jerod) going to bed early. I am making an effort to watch less TV in the new year and concentrating on writing notes (for SNAIL MAIL!) to people, reading 1 Kings (how interesting is that book?), and petting the Tinkerbell dog.

We are loving our church, RENOVATUS, and doing some odds-n-ends there...some ushering and power point running and occasional greeting. I'm trying to keep this year quiet and focus on spiritual and personal growth and health. I have a strong tendency to jump in and do everything, so I'm trying to help out in small ways while Jerod and I put down some roots of our own as a "family." We've recruited our friend Elizabeth to come out, and she's loving it too. It's cool to see how God can take away something that you think is so precious to you (Central Church) and still replace it with something you needed more than you knew (Renovatus). I actually feel myself getting refreshed spiritually, instead of feeling overwhelmed by the work load and getting constantly frustrated as I did before. AHHHHHHHH! (take a deep breath with me...it's good for the soul.)

And if you're ever interested in reading 1 Kings, let me know, and we'll have our own cyber-book-club. It would make a great movie! Lots of war, intrigue, idol worship, overthrows, and craziness...and God continued to find ways to redeem His people and His chosen leaders. What manner of patience and faithfulness does He have, anyway?? More than I do, for sure.

So, that's all for today. Back to my lovely, boring life.
Hope you all have a fabulous day.