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A Cloud of Sadness

Posted on March 8, 2009 by auburnchick

Last night, I pulled out my Inspirational Study Bible (edited by Max Lucado).

I decided to read Matthew 12, the chapter that my Bible study will be discussing this week.

This Bible has “Life Lessons” that run down the left and right outer margins.  The lessons accompany the current text.

If you have a Bible handy, take a peek at verses 22-34.  These verses are about worry.  The “Life Lesson” on these pages focused on these verses.  Lucado shares a quote by Corrie ten Boom (my hero and the second person I want to meet in Heaven).

Corrie was known to say, “When the train goes through a tunnel and the world gets dark, do you jump out?  Of course not.  You sit still and trust the engineer to get you through.”

I love this!  Times are quite dark right now.  Financially, many in this world are struggling.  Morally, we’re at an all-time low.  And yet, we need to remember that Someone else is in charge of our lives, directing our way toward a final destination that is full of light and joy.

So, why the cloud of sadness today?

After attending my usual church service, I began a quest to find Rooster, who was, more than likely, stuffing his face with breakfast goodies.

I ran into a friend who works at the school I used to be employed at…the place I worked before my position got cut and I began working at the law firm.  It’s been a couple of years since I left, but the staff is like family.  It’s a close bunch.

She told me that it had been a tough week.  I instantly chalked it up to budget woes and the fact that this school is being repurposed (i.e. closed).

She went on to elaborate.

One of the school’s former teachers committed suicide this week.

It was someone I had known well during my time there.

He had not worked there long before I started, so we were both learning the system.  During his employment at the school, he met another teacher who would become his wife a couple of years later.

My very first assignment on my first day of work had been to install a printer in his room.  We joked because I was very nervous, sensing his keen eyes watching every move I made.  Would I pass the test of “techie” know-how?  I did, and we began an easy friendship.  He had a dry sense of humor that hinted at deep thought.  We frequently bantered back and forth, with me giving as good as I got.  Fun times…

During one of our conversations, I learned that he had become a minister before beginning a career in education.  I don’t know why he left the ministry.  I didn’t want to pry, but I had a feeling that he was still lost, seeking his way as many of us do.

And now this.

I am so sad for those left behind.  My heart goes out to the wife who loved him so much.  She had such a spring in her step during their courtship.

Most of all, I’m sad for him.  I pray that he found some kind of peace before he left this world.  I pray that he is in God’s arms now…the worries of this life left behind.

I’m just sad.

Filed under: Christian | Tagged: , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Too Quick to Judge

Posted on March 6, 2009 by auburnchick

I had a rather unnerving experience today, and I thought I would share.

It all started when I decided that I had to have the Bissell Hair Eraser Hand Vac.   Three dogs make for a LOT of hair around here…and it’s not easy to remove from the car and couch.

So, I picked up Rooster from the house with plans for a stop at Tropical Smoothie for a Chocolate Chiller before heading over to Best Buy in search of the cleaning tool.  Before we left, I grabbed the mail from the mailbox and threw it on the dash of the car, never actually going inside the house.  I wanted to get done with the errands.

As we made our way to get our smoothie, I encountered several traffic lights.  While sitting at a red one, I reached for one of the magazines that had arrived in the mail.  I began to skim an article, keeping an eye on the light.  When it turned green, I set the magazine in my lap and proceeded.

This is how we made our way to the two places we were visiting.

After I parked at Best Buy, I exited the car, only to encounter the driver of the truck parked next to mine waiting for me.  He had pulled in about the same time as me.

Here’s the conversation that ensued:

“Ma’am,” he said, “I’ve been following you since you left Podunk Town, and I saw you reading a magazine the whole way.  You really need to drive more carefully,” and seeing Rooster exit the car, he added, “expecially with your young son in the car.”

He continued, without much of a break, “You were driving so slowly that you backed up traffic.”

I stood there in shock.  For one thing, he was very loud.  I was mortified.

I began to explain, in self defense, that I had only been reading at the red lights and would never read while driving.  As far as my speed, Soccer Chick is constantly telling me, “Mama, the speed limit is such-and-such, and you’re going way below it.”

I’m a slow driver.  What can I say?  Especially since I got my one and only speeding ticket this past summer.

The man continued.  And I tried to defend myself.

In fairness, I’m sure he didn’t know what else to think when he saw that magazine in my lap.  He was in a big truck and could probably look in easily.  I’m sure his heart was in the right place.  Many, many people do stupid things while driving.  So, I can understand how he came to his conclusions.

However, in my case, appearances were deceiving.  He obviously didn’t see when I put the magazine under the wheel when the lights turned green.  He didn’t comment that never once did I swerve nor run a yellow or red light.

Sigh.

How many times do we rush to judgment, unfairly accusing another of something they are not guilty of?  How many times to we keep talking and refuse to give the other party a chance to give their side of the story?

He totally ruined my afternoon.  It bothers me that this man probably thinks the worst of me.

As a Christian, this is yet another reminder that people are watching…even when you might least expect them to be.  What kind of example am I setting?  Do any of my actions make anyone pause and question my intentions?

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: , , | 3 Comments »

Cartoon Song

Posted on March 5, 2009 by auburnchick

Yesterday, Tabby mentioned, in her comments, Chris Rice’s Cartoon Song.

It’s another one of my favorites.  I discovered it many years ago after purchasing a CD.  I accidentally left the CD playing long after the last song was over.  Tucked at the end was this wonderful surprise.  My children absolutely loved it, and we played it often.

What I like the most about the song is its message.  We were created to bring glory to God.  We should make the most of every opportunity to praise Him for His amazing grace.

So, here’s the song, lyrics included.  By the way, Chris Rice does all of the cartoon imitations.  Pretty good, eh?!

Enjoy!

Filed under: Christian | Tagged: , , , , | 2 Comments »

How Hard Can It Be

Posted on March 5, 2009 by auburnchick

…to find a toilet paper holder-thingy?

My family has lived in this home for almost five years.  Recently the thingy that holds the toilet paper has been falling off of the other little thingies it hangs from.

Not a problem.  I drove over to Home Depot and bought a new one.

It sort-of worked for a little while.  And then it started falling off of the little thingies it hung from.

Being the techie that I am, I gave it a good look-over and discovered that the problem seems to be the spring inside.  In fact, there’s no more “spring” in the spring.  It just sits there.

So, back to the store I went in search of a toilet paper thingy with a bouncy spring.

I bought what I thought would work but the stupid thing is too short!  I tried stretching it out and laying the prongs inside of the outside thingies.

The stupid thingy kept falling off of the other thingies.

Ugh.

The toilet paper has been sitting on the back of the potty, forcing me to perform a half turn before, well, you know.

Frustrated, I went to Walmart today in search of a new toilet paper thingy and found that I had a choice of three.

Yippee!

I bought the silver-colored one and headed home, anticipating the look of my toilet paper roll hanging properly.

All seemed okay until the Mr. came home and headed straight for the Reading Room.

He exited a time later with the declaration that the roll fell off again.

Now I ask you.  How hard should it be to replace such a thingy?  I mean, it’s a spring inside of a tube.

We’re starting to think that the builder put the stupid other thingies too far apart.  But, if that was the case, why did our first toilet paper thingy stay on for so long?

I’m going to head back to Home Depot, toilet paper thingy in hand, and look for a longer spring for it.

Do you think I’ll be able to find it?

I might have to enlist an employee’s help.

This should be fun…

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: | 1 Comment »

Untitled Hymn

Posted on March 4, 2009 by auburnchick

On the way home from my Wednesday Night Bible Study, I heard this song on the radio.

It’s Chris Rice’s Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus) and my favorite song.  In fact, he’s my favorite Christian singer and songwriter.
I love this song because it chronicles a Christian’s life, from the heartache of not knowing Him to the joy of entering into a relationship with a God who never leaves your side…through the good and bad stuff.

Chris Rice – Untitled Hymn (Come To Jesus) Lyrics

Weak and wounded sinner
Lost and left to die
O, raise your head, for love is passing by
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus and live!

Now your burden’s lifted
And carried far away
And precious blood has washed away the stain, so
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus and live!

And like a newborn baby
Don’t be afraid to crawl
And remember when you walk
Sometimes we fall…so
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus and live!

Sometimes the way is lonely
And steep and filled with pain
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus and live!

O, and when the love spills over
And music fills the night
And when you can’t contain your joy inside, then
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus and live!

And with your final heartbeat
Kiss the world goodbye
Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory’s side, and
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and live!

Filed under: Christian | Tagged: , | 3 Comments »

Some Just Walk Away

Posted on March 4, 2009 by auburnchick

This video makes me sad.  Perhaps I’m a bit naive.  Or maybe I take for granted how easily I believe in God.  That’s why I don’t understand how someone can just walk away, seemingly without a care in the world, after having heard the Word.

The most important thing, though, is that Ray Comfort DID share.  Who knows what decision this man might make in the future.

Filed under: Christian | Tagged: , | Leave a comment »

Photo Tag

Posted on March 3, 2009 by auburnchick

My friend, Rebecca, tagged me yesterday.

I was instructed to go to the sixth folder and pull out the sixth picture and talk about it.  I think she was hoping for one of the green hat.

So sorry to disappoint, but it was (not surprising) a picture of one of my furry babies…

Molly

Molly

Yep, it’s Molly, the youngest of the crew.

She’s the one who has endured countless stitches and staples, and the one I seriously considered giving up.

A funny thing happened while I was nursing her back to health after the last fight.

I fell more in love with her.

The bond between us grew stronger with each antibiotic I forced her to swallow.

In fact, I believe it’s this strong bond that prevented a fight during an accidental meeting between Molly and Aubie last week.

Yeah, I know.  I didn’t blog about it.  I did Plurk about it, though, because it caused me such a fright.

I let Aubie outside without realizing that Molly was doing her business out there.

They faced off without fighting.  I stood frozen in fear just inside the house, uncertain of what to do.

After a minute, I called gently, yet firmly, to Molly, who considered coming in.  I could see it in her eyes, but still they squared off…neither one of them moving nor taking their eyes from the other.

I called to her a second time, and she made it as far as the porch before turning back to stare at Aubie, who stood just outside the porch door.

Neither one of them moved, nor did I.

I called to Molly a third time.  With one final glance at Aubie, she came inside.  I quickly shut the door and nearly fainted from relief.

I cannot tell you why she obeyed my command.  She’s a stubborn dog and does what she wants.

I’d like to think it was the trust that had developed between us during the past couple of weeks.  Perhaps she had a flashback to the pain she endured after the last fight.

More than likely, God’s angels intervened, invisible to the naked eye but much appreciated by Your’s Truly.

Molly’s not going anywhere.  We’re making this work.  She’s a part of the family I cannot give up.

Filed under: Pets | 1 Comment »

Doing Battle

Posted on March 2, 2009 by auburnchick

I fought a mini-war yesterday.

It was a two-day battle that left me a bit bruised and very frustrated.

Oh sure, my strategy was sound.

But, time and time again, I was forced to retreat and reassess the situation.

I performed many reconnaissance trips to learn more about the enemy.

And still, it continued to evade me, nearly causing me to give up in despair.

I went to bed discouraged but determined to begin the battle anew with the dawn of another day.

And battle we did.

The enemy did not know that I had pieced together a better plan.

And then I gave it the one-two punch, holding my breath until I could safely declare victory.

The result?  Well, I had to take more than one picture because I was so proud of myself…

Yeah, yeah, I can hear you.  What’s the big deal?  It’s a sock.

People…

I

Made

Short Row Heels

Without

Holes!

I used the instructions from this page and then the instructions from this page, double wrapped the stitch after the step in the second link where you knit or purl together the wraps with their original stitches, and then…

NO HOLES!

Mission Accomplished!

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: , , , | 6 Comments »

Cabled Napkin Rings

Posted on March 1, 2009 by auburnchick

Ok…I’m finally getting around to posting details about the cabled napkin rings I made for the banquet.

If you didn’t see the picture in my previous post, here it is again.

Cabled Napkin Rings

Cabled Napkin Rings

I used Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece.  The color is Cotton Ball.  This yarn is leftover from my second knitting project.  I was thrilled to find it in my stash.  The color is more of a cream.  Lovely, in my opinion.

I used size 4 needles.

Yeah, I know.  Kind of small, eh?  However, I’ve discovered that smaller needles make the stitches tighter and, hence, the cables “pop.”  You want the cables to stand out.  All of that hard work shouldn’t go unnoticed!

Now, for the fun part.  The pattern.

For such a small project, this proved to be one huge challenge.  I cast on this pattern first.  After completing a couple of repeats, I found myself unhappy with the pattern.  Maybe it was the size of the cable…just too big for my liking.

So, I went back to the drawing board and began the hunt for another pattern.  I eventually landed on this.  I cast on eagerly.

I completed one pattern repeat and made an interesting discovery.  The pattern was riddled with mistakes.

If you work the pattern as is, you’ll come up with a garter-style cable.  I also realized that I had to go down several needle sizes to obtain a tighter cable.

So, I sat down and rewrote part of the pattern.

A brief explanation of how the pattern works.  The rows begin and end with K1, P1, K1 so that you are knitting a pretty Moss Stitch border.  It’s the eight center stitches that you need to pay closer attention to.  The cable is worked on only one row…the last of every pattern repeat.

One other tricky thing was figuring out how I was going to seam the thing.  It’s not worked in the round.  I hate seaming but gave it a valiant effort on my first napkin ring.  The result was hideous.

So, I tried Plan B.

I used a Provisional Cast on, following Amy’s video on KnittingHelp.com.   After working the pattern, I tried a three needle bind off. Once again, the seam was not to my liking.

On to Plan C.

Once again, I cast on using Amy’s Provisional Cast On.  After working the pattern, I seamed it up using the Kitchener Stitch.

Voila!  Success!  You could hardly discern where the ends met.  This is, ultimately, how I completed the rest of my rings.  I had it down to a science, completing each ring in under an hour (per ring, I mean).

Here is the pattern as it should have been written:

Cast on 14 stitches, either using a provisional cast on or a regular one.

1.  K1, P1, K1, P2, K4, P2, K1, P1, K1

2.  K1, P1, K3, P4, K3, P1, K1

3 and 4:  Repeat Rows 1 and 2

5. K1, P1, K1, P2, C2F, P2, K1, P1, K1

Because you’re ending on a RS row, your next series of pattern repeats will actually total six rows.

1.  K1, P1, K3, P4, K3, P1, K1

2. K1, P1, K1, P2, K4, P2, K1, P1, K1

3 and 4.  Repeat Rows 1 and 2

5.  Repeat Row 1

6. K1, P1, K1, P2, C2F, P2, K1, P1, K1

Work the above six rows until you reach the length you want.  I worked a total of six pattern repeats in addition to the first five rows.

Seam up in your preferred method.

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

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