About 2 weeks ago I decided it was time to clean my bathroom...and by this point, it was more like PURGE my bathroom. See, usually I do this kind of thing once a year. Nope, it's probably been a couple of years now. Sad.
Well, anyway, I got to work. I cleaned out every stinkin' drawer, wiped it down, threw half the contents away, then organized what was left over very neatly back in that clean drawer. Then....I ended up in the cabinet above the toilet. You know the one...with all the shampoos, bubble baths, lotions, etc. Yeah, this is where my story gets interesting.
You see, both Mallory and I have shared a bathroom growing up. Since we've gotten older and periodically moved out of the house, we would come back, bring our bath junk, and usually end up leaving it. Both she and I would also buy some bath product, see a commercial for something better on TV, and buy that without finishing what we started using in the first place. We're just girls like that I guess.
During my purge I counted (are you ready for this? Sit down.): 15 shampoos and conditioners, 13 lotions, 6 bubble baths and body/face scrubs, 4 foot creams and 2 self-tanners. ...and go ahead and throw in the partridge in a pear tree for cryin' out loud! Yeah.
So I'm now on a mission: No buying anymore bath crap until the crap I've got has been used up! It's probably going to take until next Fall, but hey...I'll be saving money, right? This past week I used the last tiny bits of a couple of my shampoo/conditioner sets and a small B&BW lotion bottle: Moonlight Path. It's probably one of my favorites...even though that store can sometimes give me the stink eye. Whatever. Right now I have so much stuff on me I could slip-n-slide a la carte down a gravel road! No joke...
Word to the wise woman: USE YOUR BATH JUNK BEFORE IT BECOMES JUNK!
Friday, September 9, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Dead Horse
Lent.
In the Catholic practice, (I single-out Catholics because it is the most widely known religion that practices what I'm about to elaborate on...) forty days are supposed to be devoted to prayer, reflection, almsgiving and sacrifice in the name of Jesus...called Lent. These forty days are between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. This is a time of gratefulness and gratitude for the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus Christ. Well, that's what it's supposed to be for.
Now, I'm not Catholic. ...just throwin' that curve ball right now before I continue. I am, however, a Christian. Jesus Christ is, indeed my Lord and Savior. With that said, here's what I think about Lent: We're not only screwing things up MAJORLY, but we're essentially "beating a dead horse." (Please excuse the use of a very bad analogy right there.) I don't practice Lent. Never have, probably never will.
We as children of Christ are supposed to strive to act like Christ, am I right? Well please, for the love of God, tell me where in the Bible Jesus partied it up with his "homies," got slap drunk off his butt, passed out, then decided the next day that it was time to make His sacrifice? WHERE??? This brings me to another point...sacrifice. Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice when He brutally died on the cross for our sins, correct? That was to be the "war to end all wars," so-to-speak; the final point to free humans from our ever-bounding sin. Then why, pray tell, are we still thinking we have to sacrifice? Yes, I understand that this is tradition. It's symbolism. It's humbling, humiliating, selfless...ok, ok. ...except for the fact that it's not selfless. What we are really doing is showing God how "great" we are because we gave up cokes for over a month. Get Real! Why are we trying to revert back to the ways before Salvation? Why beat a dead horse?
In the Catholic practice, (I single-out Catholics because it is the most widely known religion that practices what I'm about to elaborate on...) forty days are supposed to be devoted to prayer, reflection, almsgiving and sacrifice in the name of Jesus...called Lent. These forty days are between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. This is a time of gratefulness and gratitude for the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus Christ. Well, that's what it's supposed to be for.
Now, I'm not Catholic. ...just throwin' that curve ball right now before I continue. I am, however, a Christian. Jesus Christ is, indeed my Lord and Savior. With that said, here's what I think about Lent: We're not only screwing things up MAJORLY, but we're essentially "beating a dead horse." (Please excuse the use of a very bad analogy right there.) I don't practice Lent. Never have, probably never will.
We as children of Christ are supposed to strive to act like Christ, am I right? Well please, for the love of God, tell me where in the Bible Jesus partied it up with his "homies," got slap drunk off his butt, passed out, then decided the next day that it was time to make His sacrifice? WHERE??? This brings me to another point...sacrifice. Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice when He brutally died on the cross for our sins, correct? That was to be the "war to end all wars," so-to-speak; the final point to free humans from our ever-bounding sin. Then why, pray tell, are we still thinking we have to sacrifice? Yes, I understand that this is tradition. It's symbolism. It's humbling, humiliating, selfless...ok, ok. ...except for the fact that it's not selfless. What we are really doing is showing God how "great" we are because we gave up cokes for over a month. Get Real! Why are we trying to revert back to the ways before Salvation? Why beat a dead horse?
Monday, January 24, 2011
Eastern sunset
All signs point east. East opens to opportunities: few limitations. The sunrise will always dress in light shades of peace and welcoming. The song of the young mockingbird will always be heard. Hold out your arms to me, oh east. My heart longs for your direction without judgement, failure, consequence, or regret. May east be my heart's end destination, but my soul yearns for west. Sunsets, end of rainbows and potential; look west with a sigh. Was this direction painted a facade to lure my conscience? Am I to always yearn for west? Shackles are found a calm invitation to the trying days ahead. Manipulation lies prostrate to my feet like a beautiful doormat, yet I am the one trampled upon. Few have gone west. No one has sought west and found serenity. No one has called westward and been answered satisfaction, so why is it I want this misadventure?
My infatuation for this direction has manifested short of a decade. Small gestures and faint whispers fill my mind with hope and promise of a good life west, but the truth has never favored my sway. So which way will my hand reach when my soul is east yet my heart is west? My eyes are torn, but as luck would perch on my sunken shoulders, I still have two: One for east and one for west. So until the day the south seas wash me yonder or the north winds carry me away, the sun will still set in the west and rise in the east. With the sun I must rise.
My infatuation for this direction has manifested short of a decade. Small gestures and faint whispers fill my mind with hope and promise of a good life west, but the truth has never favored my sway. So which way will my hand reach when my soul is east yet my heart is west? My eyes are torn, but as luck would perch on my sunken shoulders, I still have two: One for east and one for west. So until the day the south seas wash me yonder or the north winds carry me away, the sun will still set in the west and rise in the east. With the sun I must rise.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Facial Reflexology
Facial Reflexology. Now that's a term not heard everyday, especially in Louisiana. Here in Colorado, though, it seems to be a pretty rampant practice. I have grown up in a family of doctors and nurses...so learning about all these natural remedies for anything from illnesses and diseases to skin care is a slight stretch. Let me tell you something though...I love this stuff! No, I'm not going to move to the mountains with a dog named Duke (totally stole that idea from a guy friend-of-mine) and swear off makeup, Botox and Brazilian Blowouts (which I am in love with!), but I do believe that there is a place for natural healing in the world. I believe that in this week in Denver learning about Facial Reflexology, God is at work in a mighty way. Honestly though...I have to constantly guard my thoughts and intentions. See, my human nature wants to heal everyone for my own satisfaction and glory. That's a load of crap. I'm learning to humble myself before my Savior's hand everyday here. It's difficult. It's intense. It's fantastic!
The practice of Facial Reflexology is triggering reflexes in the body by manipulating points and meridian lines in the face for the purpose of un-blocking energy flow and naturally beginning to heal any physical problems or ailments. It's a mixture of Ayurvedic, Oriental, Chinese, Vietnamese, South American, as well as other influences drawn into a type of healing touch. Pretty big stuff, huh. Yeah, I've got more knowledge crammed in my tiny, little brain from the past 4 days than I care to spit out right now. I'm definitely going to be studying and practicing for a while! I do love the fact that this knowledge is being presented in a strictly medical stand-point...and I work for a fabulous physician who welcomes natural healing with open arms! I freakin' love my job!! :)
The practice of Facial Reflexology is triggering reflexes in the body by manipulating points and meridian lines in the face for the purpose of un-blocking energy flow and naturally beginning to heal any physical problems or ailments. It's a mixture of Ayurvedic, Oriental, Chinese, Vietnamese, South American, as well as other influences drawn into a type of healing touch. Pretty big stuff, huh. Yeah, I've got more knowledge crammed in my tiny, little brain from the past 4 days than I care to spit out right now. I'm definitely going to be studying and practicing for a while! I do love the fact that this knowledge is being presented in a strictly medical stand-point...and I work for a fabulous physician who welcomes natural healing with open arms! I freakin' love my job!! :)
Monday, January 17, 2011
Bride of Christ: A Colorado revalation
I'm in the middle of reading "So Long Insecurity" by Beth Moore. It's been brutal, wonderful and challenging all at the same time. I love those kinds of books. Sure, Nicholas Sparks will always hold a special place in my heart for his sappy love stories, but sometimes I need to read a book that is going to stimulate my spiritual growth rather than my tear ducts. Through this Beth Moore book, I've been convicted of so many insecurities that are hinderances to my walk with Christ...but one issue that has me in a hangman's noose is, well, love. That darn four-letter word. Recently I had gone through a stage where I felt like I was unworthy of it. From anyone.
To make a LONG story short, I got hit in the face during a sermon this past fall. Who am I to put myself in a box like that? I think my first blog was actually about this issue. Anyway...I'm in Denver for a continuing ed. class right now, and I couldn't have a better roommate for a trip like this! I believe God has the power to show whoever He wants ANYTHING He wants WHENEVER He wants....but believe you me... this was great timing to hit ME between the eyes. My sweet roommate and I were discussing the feelings of unworthiness of a physical/emotional relationship, and she (being MUCH wiser than I) re-introduced me to the notion of us as Christian women being the brides of Christ. Sure, I had always heard that in the Bible, but did I really pay attention? Nope.
Think about it for a minute, single ladies. When Christ was hanging on the cross dying, He was thinking about you. He was DYING. For you. He was the ULTIMATE gentleman. Yes, I understand that I just compared Christ to the other dumb "gentlemen" in this world...but He really is the epitome of what a man should be. Guess what?? He chose YOU as His bride. He wants to be apart of you and you apart of him. No other man on this earth can EVER love you like He does. Guess what else..? He's got a mansion waiting for you when it's your time to come home to him. :) Wow! Praise Jesus. He resurrected from the grave to show you that He conquered death for you.
I'm not saying that men are scum. Sure, some are schmucks, but we're all human. Personally, I don't think any guy is gonna be good enough for my sister, nor do I think any little "pop tart" is gonna be right for my little brother...yet I tend to fall for the jerks/punks/rejects/spiritual-stumbling-blocks. I know that Christ is looking at me just shaking his head saying something like "My child, don't you know that My love for you should be enough?"
To make a LONG story short, I got hit in the face during a sermon this past fall. Who am I to put myself in a box like that? I think my first blog was actually about this issue. Anyway...I'm in Denver for a continuing ed. class right now, and I couldn't have a better roommate for a trip like this! I believe God has the power to show whoever He wants ANYTHING He wants WHENEVER He wants....but believe you me... this was great timing to hit ME between the eyes. My sweet roommate and I were discussing the feelings of unworthiness of a physical/emotional relationship, and she (being MUCH wiser than I) re-introduced me to the notion of us as Christian women being the brides of Christ. Sure, I had always heard that in the Bible, but did I really pay attention? Nope.
Think about it for a minute, single ladies. When Christ was hanging on the cross dying, He was thinking about you. He was DYING. For you. He was the ULTIMATE gentleman. Yes, I understand that I just compared Christ to the other dumb "gentlemen" in this world...but He really is the epitome of what a man should be. Guess what?? He chose YOU as His bride. He wants to be apart of you and you apart of him. No other man on this earth can EVER love you like He does. Guess what else..? He's got a mansion waiting for you when it's your time to come home to him. :) Wow! Praise Jesus. He resurrected from the grave to show you that He conquered death for you.
I'm not saying that men are scum. Sure, some are schmucks, but we're all human. Personally, I don't think any guy is gonna be good enough for my sister, nor do I think any little "pop tart" is gonna be right for my little brother...yet I tend to fall for the jerks/punks/rejects/spiritual-stumbling-blocks. I know that Christ is looking at me just shaking his head saying something like "My child, don't you know that My love for you should be enough?"
Friday, December 10, 2010
The ABC’s of the Christmas holiday: light-hearted
A- Afghan. Best moments in life are spent snuggling.
B- Bows. Ya gotta put somethin’ on top of all those boxes!
C- Carols. Come on, this is the only time you get to sing those Christmas songs.
D- Decorations. Duh! It’s Christmas!
E- Egg nog. Long winter nights, fireplace roaring...wouldn’t be complete without egg nog.
F- Family. You may not like it, but blood runs deeper than water, my friend.
G- Gifts. Believe it or not, it’s NOT just the thought that counts.
H- Heaters. Them tootsies gonna get froze in that deer stand without one!
I- Icicles. Don’t walk under ‘em.
J- Jelly. ...because I really wanna poke Santa’s belly and see if that’s what comes out!
K- Kay Jewelers. Dumbest commercials in all of television this time of year.
L- Lights. Go outshine your neighbors.
M- Mistletoe. Overrated.
N- Naughty or Nice. Well...?
O- Open. Boxes under the tree are pretty, but it’s what’s IN those boxes that make things exciting on Christmas!
P- Packages. Presents. Parcels. Exciting!
Q- Quest. Everyone’s looking for that perfect gift.
R- Remote control Hummer. Maybe this year...
S- Snow. Please! Just one year give us a white Christmas!
T- Tree. Decorated. We’ve got 9.
U- Unite. Each year over Christmas, friends, families and loved ones get together to celebrate the season.
V- Vests. It happens every year. SOMEBODY wears the tacky Christmas vests.
W- White Christmas. Classic film! -a holiday must-see.
X- Xmas. X is greek for Christ. Don’t be ignorant. Look it up.
Y- Yule tide. NOT Roll tide!
Z- zzzz’s. With all the excitement, try to get some sleep this season.
Struck down but not destroyed
Sick in bed today. Dumb. Get this though...Advil, bananas, Goldfish, Poweraid, water, Thieves, Suphedrine, Argentyne 23, and 4 different Sprayologys are being used in the making of a healthier me right now. Working for a Doc is pretty much a guarantee that if, on the off-chance you actually DO get sick, you won't be that way for long.
Jr. year in college my Psych professor told our class that the best way to get over a sickness is to bore the bacteria. See, bacteria love to be active and have a life just like we do. When we are active, they start dancing, bouncing around and multiply like crazy! If we stay in bed, drink nothing but water and watch daytime television, then they will get bored with your sorry self and hit the road. Now...I know you're rolling those eyes, but her point, though a tad on the loony side, is valid. It's better to be out of commission for one day than try to "tough it out" in utter misery for a whole week or two. Look, the best way to stay healthy is to take care of your body. It's the only one you've got.
Jr. year in college my Psych professor told our class that the best way to get over a sickness is to bore the bacteria. See, bacteria love to be active and have a life just like we do. When we are active, they start dancing, bouncing around and multiply like crazy! If we stay in bed, drink nothing but water and watch daytime television, then they will get bored with your sorry self and hit the road. Now...I know you're rolling those eyes, but her point, though a tad on the loony side, is valid. It's better to be out of commission for one day than try to "tough it out" in utter misery for a whole week or two. Look, the best way to stay healthy is to take care of your body. It's the only one you've got.
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