Heart and Light

Writer's Block: It's payday!

2011-11-18T13:47:40Z

Budget it, Dave Ramsey-style, but a little tweaked.

20% to tithe/charitable gifts
15% to housing/home maintenance
15% to housing utilities
15% to food
15% to transportation
5% to clothing
10% to health
5% to personal/recreation/gifts

No need to change our lifestyle just because of money rush.

Ode to a Rubbermaid Container

2011-02-14T01:26:37Z

Ode to a Rubbermaid Container

O! Rubbermaid Container!
You were once so shiny and new
Then my darling husband got a hold of you
and you became scarred.
Your once clear sides,
Marred by the battle with the microwave oven
And some zesty barbeque sauce,
Bubbling inside your confined cavity.

O! Rubbermaid Container!
I place coleslaw inside your pockmarked body
And wonder if it will emerge from you
Onto my fork and taste just a little sugary.

O! Rubbermaid Container!
Shall I replace you and send you on your way
to the great beyond outside our lives?
Or shall I keep you and treasure your service a little longer?

O! Rubbermaid Container!
Next time, microwave on high may not be the best idea
For your return to that battleground, but seventy percent power instead.

Writer's Block: The winning ticket

2011-02-08T17:05:16Z

I would give 10% of the gross to the church. Duh. The first real spending would be on any outstanding debts (there aren't too many of those).

However, I don't play the lotto anymore. :(

How Marriage works

2011-01-04T16:40:08Z

Articles titled like this make no sense. They are so misleading.

We had a month of Sunday School lessons on the Crazy Cycle and how to get out of it. Read this blog entry for more details.

Essentially, relationships are reactions. If a wife reacts without respect, the husband reacts without love, she reacts without respect, he reacts without love, and it's a downward spiral. You see what I mean.

To get out of it, someone has to choose to react WITH something. Husband reacts with love, she reacts with respect, he reacts with love, she reacts with respect, and it only gets better.

This is a simple diagram of the Crazy Cycle. Don't let it happen to you and your marriage or any other relationship!

Merry Christmas 2010

2010-12-18T00:40:24Z

From my blog to yours, I wish you a very Merry Christmas 2010.

Never forget:
Jesus is the reason for the season!

and that all roads lead to Him.

Mosque near Ground Zero

2010-08-16T13:29:28Z

I almost posted this on WBIR.com, but I refrained. I couldn't just delete it, though, so here we go with my random thoughts on the issue!

Critics will be critics, no matter what side. They just don't like the President and will do whatever they can to discredit him because of that fact.

However, I think the President's remarks were quite clear, any high schooler could see that he was not supporting or condoning the construction of the mosque, but he was upholding the Muslim's constitutional right to worship as they chose on their private property. He can't (and should not!) comment on the wisdom of their choice of real estate--it's not in his jurisdiction. I don't want the President's approval to build churches in the middle of Montana or my backyard in East TN, thanks!

Personally, I think it's a bit insensitive to build the mosque so close to Ground Zero. However, I think it would be insensitive to those who died that day to build ANY house of worship within a 3 block radius of Ground Zero. That includes a Catholic parish, Protestant Church, or Buddhist Temple.

Why does it matter that the 9/11 terrorists were Muslim? They easily could have been from another religious background/practice (oh, the horror). That's what no one wants to talk about--that it easily could have been Radical Hindus, Ba'hai, Buddhists, and yes, even Christians like me that carried out acts of plane terrorism in, say, Dubai or Sydney or Helsinki.

I think everyone is forgetting that the 9/11 attacks weren't carried out by Muslims. They were planned and executed by Radical Terrorists that happen to be Muslims. It's like those crazy Right-wing Tea Partiers that give Christians a bad name. I think that 99% of the Muslim world is saddened by the fact that there are crazy people practicing their religion, just like 80% of us Christians. I think Christians have more problems with hypocrisy than other religions, is that even possible?

Other than this, it was a great weekend in America--wish it wasn't nearly as hot, but I loved jumping in the pool yesterday afternoon. :)

Prayer

2010-05-05T18:35:34Z

Today's prayer list:

Chely Wright
President Obama
Nashvillians and Bereans dealing with flood waters and salvage of their homes
Persons that need medical help and cannot afford it
Serenity and discernment while
- preparing for our wedding. This week: Gift Registries and cake
- selecting a church home for us
Unspoken personal request

Thanks, y'all.

Writer's Block: Cinqo de Mayo

2010-05-05T18:28:48Z

I do. I try to go to the World's Fair Park for live fireworks and the symphony orchestra. It is a lot of fun to sit on the hill and read a book while watching people go by.

The ETCB always plays a concert in Tellico Village the Saturday or Sunday before the fourth, too. It's a lot of fun to play outside in the cool of the evening. :)

Look really closely at the Tea Party...

2010-04-27T15:18:10Z

Just read it. It's Tim Wise's response to the Tea Party movement.

Makes you think. The schoolteacher in the comments who is teaching To Kill A Mockingbird... I would love to be in their class. What a rich discussion that would be!

Writer's Block: Collector's piece

2010-04-20T13:59:33Z

I collect a couple items.

hiking plates for my hiking stick from places I've hiked
- Franz Josef Glacier in New Zealand
- Great Smoky Mountains NP in East TN
- Natural Bridge SP in Kentucky
- Milford Sound in New Zealand
sew-on badges from unique locations
- All the cities/countries I visited in Europe
- Places I went with scouts and tours with band/choir in HS/college
squashed pennies/commemorative coins from places I have visited
Star Trek Hallmark ornaments
unique jewelry from places I have visited

My favorite collection, however, are the postcards I have. I pick up postcards from places I visit and sometimes, I write about what I did there on the back. I picked up that tip from the travel agent at STA Travel at UK in Lexington, when planning to go to Europe in 2004. It's a good way to remember things. I think I have about 200 postcards. The ones from New Zealand are so pretty--so much better than any photo I could have captured myself.

Love of the moment

2010-04-19T16:47:23Z

I think I have fallen in love with avocados. I don't know what made me do it--they were on sale at Kroger 10/$10 two months ago, and I just purchased some to experiment. A nice lady in my office taught me how to peel them properly.

I just love how they taste with pepper and salt, all that creamy goodness of texture. If I could have a wedding cake made out of avocados, I think I would. Just because they are that tasty. And they are so good for you! They are one of the healthiest fruits you can eat!

Things I have learned about avocados:

They are tasty with salt and pepper
They are easiest to carve when they are cool from the refrigerator.
The instructions on Avocado.org are pretty accurate for how to extract the meat of the fruit and the seed from the shell.

One serving is actually 1/5 of an avocado, but seeing as I eat a whole avocado at lunch, I guess I'm just getting extra nutrition.

Mom is trying to grow an avocado tree at home, but it's not working. I think we will have to continue to purchase them at the store.

Happy Easter 2010

2010-04-04T04:06:56Z

Happy Easter, friends!

Hallelujah, He is risen indeed!

Writer's Block: Search for intelligent life

2010-03-30T15:43:17Z

As said in the movie "Contact":

If it is just us.... it seems an awful waste of space.

Does this conflict with my relationship with Jesus Christ? Nope.

I'm a genuine space cadet---wanted to be an astronaut when I was in elementary school. Then I took HS Chemistry and decided there were better things to do with my life than sit in a classroom for 10 years after graduating, PLUS, I don't like roller coasters.

Writer's Block: Bombshell alert!

2010-03-26T16:12:46Z

I think they should exhaust every avenue to reconcile. Especially if they were married in a church. I firmly believe that married people are not only married on paper, but joined together by God. You have a great deal of sin to deal with in a matter of infidelity, but God still put you together, so you have to work it out. It will be very hard, I'm not saying that it is easy. But, you took a vow "for better or for worse," and you can't tack on to the end of it "but if he/she cheats..."

This is a very individual issue. Not every one agrees on it. But, this is what I think, going on three weeks into my engagement.

Writer's Block: Countdown

2010-03-22T17:35:58Z

Small Bible, any jewelry that can be traded, and I would pack a small bag with two changes of clothes, 3 bottles of water, and whatever is portable food in the pantry. Photo Album of family. A kitchen pot. Perhaps a pen and matches if I remember. Tie my jacket around my waist, hat and gloves in the pockets.

Cash will be worthless if catastrophe hits, I think.

Writer's Block: 420 friendly?

2010-03-09T16:04:40Z

Marijuana Legal = tax = more money to the government.

Do we really think the government can handle an influx of cash? I'm not too confident.

Writer's Block: Raining cats or dogs?

2010-03-05T17:11:49Z

I am a dog person. Dogs are your best friend. Cats own you and allow you to live in their house.

Though, the fact that cats can purr like that is one of those trade-off things I might be able to live with, if I had to. Cat hair, though... ugh. Some dog breeds shed, but there are breeds that don't. I think most cats shed their hair, regardless of their heritage.

There is nothing like a dog cuddling up to you and keeping you warm on the couch when it's cold outside. They just want to be loved.

Writer's Block: Marital license

2010-03-01T17:07:51Z

Like, you have to register again and tell the government that you are still married after five years?!

Uhm, NO WAY. That's not what marriage is. It's a "one-time, that's it, no turning back" commitment for the rest of your life (or his). Renewing vows is NOT renewing your right to claim your spouse for income tax, thank you.

I refuse to renew my marriage license on principle, thanks.

This topic was way too easy to answer for me. Next?

Edit: GREAT response here.

Writer's Block: Ten years to the day

2010-02-24T16:44:39Z

What a personal question! I expect to be waking up next to my darling husband (DH) and preparing to greet the day. The contents of the day are unimportant, really, but if it is a Wednesday like today, I hope to be attending church.

And I hope to still be living in East Tennessee, in a house. With a lanai. And a fireplace. And a jacuzzi.

Journal: Lent Outline 2010

2010-02-17T17:39:16Z

Completely and shamelessly snurched from ichthus , whom I greatly esteem in the faith.

-----
The season of Lent has begun. I'm excited about this opportunity to develop a more mature practice of prayer, to strengthen my faith, and deepen my relationship with God in Christ. Especially so, as it's been many years since I've undertaken any meaningful observance of Lent. The disposition of my Lenten observance this year is one built on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

Prayer-- I will be reading the Upper Room devotional each day, and committing one-third of my work-day lunch time to prayer. That extra time will be my time to spend with God on a more regular basis, and a good habit to add to my daily routine.

Fasting-- I will not be omitting carbonated beverages (as I have in years past), but I will be omitting deserts from my diet that are not fruit/natural items. No cakes pr pies, even key lime, which is very very hard because I loooooove key lime pie. However, as I love Jesus more, I can do without key lime until Easter Sunday.

Almsgiving-- The monies saved as a result of not purchasing desserts shall be given to Love 89, which has been a music ministry for all Christians in our area, regardless of denomination. I will also fulfill my regular pledge during this season.

So, this is the observance of lent I've outlined for myself for this year. I don't expect it to be easy, but I do expect it will be doable. I don't think this plan so difficult as to be unreasonable, but it should prove, for me, rigorous enough to give meaning. And that's the point!
----

Writer's Block: Sweet and solo

2010-02-17T15:58:47Z

I have had a lot of solo time in recent years, so when people do invite me out to hang out, I do my best to try and go, even if I don't feel like going out.

However, if I ever wanted to spend time on my own, I have found that it is frequently easier to come up with a quick white lie than deal with the prodding that occurs when I tell the truth (that I would rather stay at home today). I struggle with those little white lies, though. They add up, and I wish that I didn't have to use them. Saying "no, thanks" is easier to say when you use those little white lies... why is that?

Writer's Block: Hard habit to break

2010-02-11T17:37:09Z

I don't accept criticism very well. I don't know why, but it feels like constructive criticism is just putting me down all the time. And non-constructive criticism is, of course, designed to put you down. Knowing the difference between constructive and hurtful criticism is just something that I never learned. It all hurts, and it all feels the same.

So, I just choose to not accept criticism. It's a bad habit, and I need to break it, because constructive criticism is meant to make your life better. However, it takes 21 days to break a habit. I made it to 21 days with writing in my journal every day, but I skipped a day or two, somewhere. And somewhere, someone is critical of that mistake, and it gnaws at me.

Yup, I'm a messed up person inside. But, when my significant other holds me, it feels better. Does that make sense?

Journal 30 Jan 2010

2010-01-30T19:33:44Z

I am scanning in photos from long long ago. My aunt has been doing that with some photos she had, and has me in a scanning mood. Since we are snowed in, it makes sense: laundry (5 loads), scanning photos, and blogging.

Photos scanned today... family history.

various of heartnut before moving to TN in 1st grade
My grandparents holding baby!heartnut in the house I am living in right now--it was a little different in 1982.
My grandmother holding a 6-month old baby!Dad
My Dad as a 6 year-old
My Dad's grandparents--circa 1942 (amazing how they shrank in old age)--they used to be the caretakers at Norris Dam State Park, and raised him during childhood due to my grandfather's work situation being so chaotic. Daddy says that Mommy used to say that she married my father so she could have Pappy as a grandfather. Wish I had been able to know him--he died before I was even thought of, I think.
1994 Safety Patrol Trip to Washington, D.C.
'painted picture' of my maternal grandmother when she was about 26 (God, she was pretty)
another photo of my grandmother when she was 23--she sent it for an audition at the Carolina Theater for MGM in 1938. Mom says I look just like her.
my grandfather, just after he was married. He looks like John Wayne. What a sexy beast he was!
my grandmother (again) in her 30's or 40's. Wow. I hope I age as gracefully.
my parents, when they came back from their honeymoon to Florida in 1968
my parents, professionally posed, in the early 70's
baby!heartnut from mom's wallet (what happened to that cute kid?)
kiddo!heartnut and her grandfather in 1994 at school (grandparent's day)

Wow, lots of memories.

Today's message

2010-01-19T15:44:41Z

Click Here. It's just a picture, but it's beautiful.

Writer's Block: Rotten tomatoes

2010-01-19T15:36:49Z

The worst movie I ever saw... I must have walked out within the first couple minutes. I am pretty selective about what movies I go to see--read the reviews in the paper (before the internets happened), and ask friends about it. So, I haven't had to walk out.

However, Kingdom of the Spiders is a movie that I remember seeing on TV when I was a kid, and I wanted to turn it off so badly, but I just didn't.... I think I have a fear of spiders because of that film. LOL.