The Not So Good Very Bad Day

Well today has narrowly avoided becoming a Very Bad Day. What happened, you ask? Well, with one staff member short on Wednesdays, no receptionist, a host of parishioners coming to vote in the church leadership election, the phone ringing off the hook, and about a dozen calls for financial assistance, I hardly had two seconds to accomplish any work. Needless to say, I didn't. However, after a somewhat unproductive staff meeting and a lovely snack of scones with cream (we have an English cook on our staff!), I decided to get over it. Truly! I just decided not to care anymore. Whatever I got done is great, and I can only expect so much of myself in one day.

Everyday, there is a window of time when people can come into the office for financial help with food, rent, or utility bills. After our staff meeting, there was a crowd of people waiting outside my office to see me for help. On some days, I have little patience and the interactions are totally draining. But today, the people who came in were so nice, and they seemed to be doing all of the right things to try to help themselves and their families. They were so grateful for my help, which only made me help them more. (You would be amazed at the people who come in with foul dispositions and no manners. It does NOT make someone want to help you.) I even gave one man homework so he could try and get food stamps for his family.

Those kinds of interactions make the rest of this worth it. When I am stuck copying and folding letters all morning, my day is completely brightened when I can help someone in need. This morning I said a short prayer and asked for help being joyous today. My prayer was answered in the end.

Daydreaming

I have to admit, sometimes I want the fairy tale. It's not that I don't appreciate the people and circumstances in my life. But sometimes, I wonder what things would be like . . .

Shout Out!

I have to give a shout out to this hilarious blog that was highlighted today on Blogger. Disclaimer: This WILL make you laugh. Do not try to drink. Do not try to be quiet. You will not succeed. (And yes, I'll warn you now about the language.)

The blog is Sleep Talkin' Man. I think this couple records each evening's sleep, then plays it back to see what fabulous things are said in the dead of night.

I have not laughed this hard in a Very Long Time!

Here are some highlights to entice you to for the hilarious laughter you're about to enjoy:

"This fish has got big floppy lips. Floppy lips. Fishy kissy fishy kissy. Oop, took one on the mouth! Not nice."

"Oh, we're going to be late for the pogo ballet, stop it!"

"Don't leave the duck there. It's totally irresponsible. Put it on the swing, it'll have much more fun."

Blog Tracking

So I've signed up for some free analytics to report track on this blog, and I have to say that it's totally fascinating! For example, how does someone from Winnipeg come across my little blog about my little life? (I'm assuming it was unintentional!) Somebody lives in Merrifield, VA, which I can assure you I've never heard of even though I practically grew up in Northern Virginia (NOVA, to the locals). Not one person has checked this out from their iphone. Also, 23% prefer macs to PCs.

I now know more about you than your Significant Others - including what browser you use, whether it's via mac or pc, how much time you spend on here sucked into my ridiculous rantings, and how you got here in the first place!

No wonder the FBI can track people down through their computer usage. This is insane (and insanely cool). Just thought you'd want to know. :)

Reflecting on Christmas

Mary and Joseph are hanging out in the front office again. In Advent, families come by to take them home and use the evening to talk about how Mary and Joseph traveled for a long time before reaching Bethlehem. Someone said Mary really wanted a girl, and we all laughed about how different the world would be if Mary had a girl instead of baby Jesus. But really, if we want to think about Jesus having the most humble origins, wouldn't he have been female? I'm no expert on ancient Hebrew culture, but I can safely guess that men had privileges and rights women would have only dreamed of. So why not a woman?

Why haven't I thought of this before?

And if Jesus didn't come 2,000 years ago and decided to show up for the first time today, who would he be?

I Know I'll Make It Because . . .

I amuse myself.

Tonight I went to put on my pajamas. Couldn't find them. 'Cause I'm STILL wearing them!

This is evidence of a Saturday well-spent. And proof that I am slowly learning how to relax and not be "on" all the time.

Snow in Nashville

So Nashville has some snow. And by this I mean, it's beautiful to watch come down all day, and it doesn't accumlate other than the roads being the tiniest bit slick. This came to my work email today and it was HILARIOUS, so I had to share! It is so true in Nashville!

Warning! Warning!
A snowflake drifted through the jet stream from Iowa and attempted to land near Smyrna . Avoid the area!!!

TDOT has responded with 6 snow plows that were able to surround the flake.

They hit it with flame throwers and did melt it before it struck the ground however.

They are now working with a Shop Vac to remove moisture before it freezes.

33,000 metric tons of salt have also be applied in the general area as a precaution.

In other news….

A freak salt storm has been reported in the parking areas and sidewalks of companies all over Nashville.

Walking and driving is hazardous due to the accumulation of salt which has made walkways slippery due to its round granular shape.

Epicurious Wonderment

So I came across this link today for a seasonal foods map at Epicurious! I was super excited and checking out various states and their veggie schedule. And then, I started looking at Tennessee (this is where I live, people), and it occurs to me that this must be a commercial growing map! ARG! For example, my locally grown strawberries come in May and early June, but on the schedule they don't show up until July. July being an impossible time for local strawberries because of the heat.

How frustrating! Just when you think you've found something brilliant!

In better news, I have checked out this fabulous veggie cookbook from the library. I haven't cooked anything in it yet, but I am very encouraged!! I would recommend that you pick it up, except I don't plan on returning anytime soon...