Bloggage

I am at a loss for words right now, but I really want to blog. Times are busy right now, between working 2 days a week doing taxes, being a business manager for an awesome photographer, and leading youth group activities, and being a mom and wife, it's crazy!

How about some Valentine's talk? I am always up for love! It's coming soon and I have already ordered my husbands gift- a 20 ounce container of New England Clam Chowder and a 20 ounce container of Seafood Chowder from the Lobster Gram- a place in Maine that delivers the stuff fresh. I have used these people a few times and if your love likes seafood- it is definitely worth it! My husband is going to love this and I am excited to see his reaction! Check out the site- http://www.livelob.com/

I personally am hoping for some flowers- roses. I know- cliche and a waste of money on something that dies in a few days. But it has been a long time since I have gotten any and I think the thougtfullness is the best. It's like chivalry- kinda.

What else....? My daughter's second birthday is coming up in a few days- she is so cute! So, today I bought her Amethyst earrings, her birthstone. Can't wait to put them in!

Another thing that I think about a lot is that I wish my parents lived closer. They live in Kentucky and it is so far away! I wish I could see them more and I wish they could know my children better. Jake and Eve recognize them on the phone and when they see them, but I so want them to be close. I really regret not knowing my grandparents better and everything I could have learned from them, not to mention the fun times we could have had. My mom's dad was a college professor who taught Botany- think of all I could have learned about plants and trees! Then....my dad's mom is a dancer- seriously, 90 years old and goes dancing every Friday night! She is feisty and a blast! But they both lived a good 9-10 hours away....doesn't that stink? So much wasted time with family. Anyway......I have realized how important family is and I want my family close!

Well, I guess that is it....pretty random....I guess it fits with the name of the blog. Hope you all are doing well, whoever reads this, and are enjoying the new year and are keeping up with your resolutions!

Typical Blogging

Well, it is the New Year, so I am sure that everyone else is starting the new year with a fresh blog, so why should I be any different?

Well, 2008 has come and it has gone. Nothing huge happened this past year, which I consider to be good. No one is sick or dying that is close to me, we are all in good health. Praise God.

Now that 2009 is here, I would like to ask the same question that I am sure many other bloggers are asking- what are your resolutions? I really would like to know. I wonder where the whole resolution thing came from and when it started. Mental Note: research New Year Resolutions and history.

My resolutions are to be healthier, (which hopefully should spur some weight loss), I want to be more patient with my kids, I would like to work part-time year round and help with the finances in the house, I would like to become closer to God (thankfully, Michael is doing his Masters in Spiritual Formation so I have a little help with that one) and I would like to really get some movement with my business going....not sure I ever blogged about that, so....

I started a business a few years back, but it has really taken more shape this past year with some larger clients. The business is called Woods Consulting. I have a Masters in Business and for a long while, I was trying to find my niche with what it would be used for. Sure I do taxes and am the Business Manager for Images by Shari (http://www.imagesbyshari.info/) ((shoutout)) but I really wanted to do something on my own.

Well, after helping a few people with small businesses, and with some advice from business people, I realized that I have a knack for how a consumer sees a company and therefore am able to consult a business owner on how to streamline their company. I modify and tweak their ideas to meet how they want their customer to see their business. I find this very fun and very rewarding. It doesn't pay very much since new businesses don't have much money. Haven't figured how to fix that, yet. Let me know what you think of my business card.

Anyway, this year I would like to see where I can go with that with some more active advertising, business cards, website, etc. Hopefully I can get that moving. If not.....on to something new. And that's about it. What about you?

I pray and hope that this year keeps us all healthy and happy. I get scared when I think about a whole new year ahead and what it could bring. I hope my children and yours are safe from harm and wrong-doers and I hope we all commit to keeping our New Years resolutions. We are all in the palm of God's hand, so whatever does happen, we can know He knows about it and find peace in that.

Have a great New Year!

Michael

Sometimes, I feel like I don't deserve Michael....my husband.

Wow, he is incredibly good looking, kind-hearted, talented, loving, a good father etc. etc.... you get the idea.

Tonight, he whispered in my ear a really corny joke during the invitation....ooooohhhh- big sin....move on....anyway, a girl behind him said, "It is no time for jokes." Joking herself of course, but he turned to her and said, "It is my way of flirting with my wife!" I thought that was so funny. He knows I roll my eyes at every one of his corny jokes, but I thought it was so cute how he still wants to impress me.

Another thing was that the guy who preached tonight told a story about Michael that I hadn't heard. He, Michael and our son, Jake and his son, Matt were on there way last year to a Red Sox game when they were coming up to a red light and saw a homeless man asking for money. The guy Michael was with went to put up his window, assuming, as we all do, that the guy would spend the money on alcohol or drugs. Michael said, "No, leave it down," took out his wallet and gave the guy some money. You see, to brag on Michael a little, he tries to be like Jesus more than anyone I have ever met. He works with mentally handicapped people, the people that are last in our culture who will be first in the end. He cleans up their poop and throw up and loves them unconditionally. He gives to the people on the street and he cares about people like Jesus does.

Yes, he has all his doctrine straight and reads his Bible and prays, but he has such a real relationship with the Lord that I think when he sees Jesus in Heaven, Jesus won't ask to get caught up. His relationship with the Lord is so real and continual......he always has some part of his brain in Heaven with the Lord. Anyway, no one has opened my eyes to the love of Jesus and who He really is more so than Michael. It is so genuine, and although I have been saved since I was 5, when I met Michael, he introduced me to the real Jesus, one that is caring for others before Himself and one that cannot be contained or "figured out"; but rather a mystery. To enjoy a relationship with Christ, he has taught me it is a journey, not something you suddenly get as soon as you become a Christian. So many think they have Him figured all out. But in our finite minds...we never could.

Michael has done so much for me, both spiritually and in other ways. He has taught me patience and love and has taught me to love the Lord first. Not by just saying it, but my living it. He is a family man- vital, vital, vital. We love it when daddy is home and he makes it so much fun.

So, since this is my blog and it is about random thoughts, I thought I would just love-up on my blessed husband whom I adore. He is it, he is my soul-mate and was meant for me, and I am so glad he is my husband, I never thought it would be this easy to be married.....he is my BFF.....and I love him.

Sorry if this has made you gag, I won't write anymore about him for a while!

I Think That I'm Falling for Fall

Fall days can be so eerie sometimes. So quiet, bare trees and no one really outside. It always seems like I look in my rearview mirror to make sure no one is following me, the random leaf that falls from the sky looking for a landing is spooky. And all the leaves on the ground rustling is sometimes the only noise you hear. It can freak you out if you don't keep a grip on reality. Fall days are also my favorite, despite these things.....a fire in the fireplace, candles burning and chicken soup on the stove, makes you feel cozy.

I am trying to think of a point to this blog, but I don't really have one, except sometimes fall can make you feel kinda eerie, yet reflective at the same time, I seem to quiet down and look around at all the beauty, maybe that's why God made autumn- so you would be quiet and look at the beauty of the earth and all that is on it, then, if you notice when the snow starts to fall, it seems even quieter....there may be a point in that after all. Spring and summer everything comes to life, we go to the beach and theme parks, and have BBQ's, and everyone is outside, there is always a bustle and noise, but in the fall and winter, people slow down and take a breath. Hmmm.......that's a cool thought.

Random Thoughts

Since this is a blog called random thoughts, I guess I will take advantage of that and post some random thoughts. Not sure if anyone is reading this anymore, so I will write what I want.

Let's begin:

I am not going to vote for John McCain because I am a Christian and therefore must be Republican. I am registered Independent and hence......I think for myself, not based on what a Christian "should" do. I hate how politics are in the church and prayed about on Sunday mornings.....and how we should "pray the vote". I think that is corny. My college professor always taught me to not be affiliated to strictly one party because they both have bad sides, so stick to voting for the one you most agree with. Which I will do- which doesn't mean it will be Obama either...there are other candidates! Not as to say it won't be....I'll leave you guessing....if anyone reads this!

Next- is it a sin not to enjoy being a stay-at-home mom? Cause as much as I love my kids....I don't love staying at home all day and killing valuable brain cells watching cartoons. Wasn't there more to life than that? I think I could do more......don't get me wrong, I think it is invaluable for the children to have a parent at home, but, I also think it is ok if I go to work part-time. I really think it will be great for my kids to get out of this house and do something, which is not possible with the fact that we only have one car, and my husband needs it for work.

Finally- I really like the leaves on the ground.....why do we as people feel the need to rake the all up? Listen, if anyone would rake it would be me, I like things neat and clean- but they are so pretty covering the earth the way they should be. Now, if you drive by my house, and see all the leaves gone- remember my earlier statement about being a neat freak and know that I caved.

Well.....with all my venting done....it is safe to say I will close out this random thought blog. Until next time......if you have some random thoughts about my random thoughts....feel free....

Anxiety

Anxiety is a funny thing. Don't get me wrong, it stinks and it doesn't seem fun or funny when you are going through it. I had some serious anxiety yesterday because I had to go see a neurologist. That is scary. Stuff going on with a brain is freaky.

Anyway, I am ok, I have "textbook migraines" meaning, so normal, they are written about in textbooks. Migraines....they aren't cool, but it is better than something more scary....say a tumor? So, back to the topic...since I have been dealing with the migraines and since I knew about the appointment, I have been pretty anxious. A lot of the time I didn't even realize it, just being short with the kids and my husband, but yesterday after the shock and anxiety wore off, I was happy and laughed a lot at my husband's serious corniness. Something I haven't done in a long time.

I was calm and relaxed. Believe it or not, and I know I come off as really high-strung. Well, I don't come off like that, I am that. But for the past few months, I realized, last night, that I was really anxious about this appointment and now that it is done and I am ok, I feel.....like I can live again. I didn't even get upset when Jake was yelling this morning and Eve was sleeping.....THAT is freedom.

I thanked God a lot yesterday for giving me migraines and not a tumor. When I was in the waiting room, I heard a woman talking to the receptionist about how she had brain surgery and was having pain in the area where her surgery was....imagine that. How ultimately scary. Praise God I am ok and also that I can relax a little...just a little. Someday I will let lose and really go nuts, do something crazy like....um.....go in the water at the beach.....can't now....there might be sharks!

Yeah, Another Shoutout.

My friend Shari is this awesome photographer and she is worth a good penny for her work.

She asked me a few weeks ago where her shoutout was and now, I think she really needs one. I have a friend who is getting married, who doesn't have a ton of money to spend for a good photographer. My friend Shari is still building her portfolio....(imagesbyshari.info) :) and she offered to do this wedding for free. FREE!!!!! What an awesome thing to do, ultimately for me, but for someone she hardly knows! Don't ask her to do yours for free, now. This is a big favor!

Here is a shoutout to my friend Shari who deserves this, a great photograher and a great friend.

Thank You!