A friend at a dinner party shared this with us. It made us all laugh…Hard! I hope it brightens your day!
“Men Are Just Happier People”
Their last name stays put.
The garage is all theirs.
Chocolate is just another snack.
They can never be pregnant.
They can wear a white T-shirt to a water park.
They can wear NO shirt to a water park.
Car mechanics tell them the truth.
The world is their urinal.
It’s been 4 weeks since I told you about my adventures in a business hotel with children. And though walking through a business hotel straddling a child on each hip with one of them being half-naked was quite an adventure, that was not the end of the story.
Due to technical difficulties last week’s blog, if emailed to you, was cut short. Since I am sick with the flu and my brain is mush, I am reposting last week’s post in its entirety, which really isn’t that much, but more than you read last week.
Thank you again for reading my blog. You are appreciated more than you know!
Ya Gotta Have Friends
…And I am very grateful to have quite a few! But, there is one friend that I’ve had for a very long time, 55 years kind of a long time. Her name is Cheryl and though I currently have three friends named Cheryl, she was the first and she was and continues to be my “Bestie”. I did originally think her name was Judy, but that’s another story.
We met when my family moved from Morris Plains to Grove Place in Whippany, New Jersey. We moved to number 12, Cheryl and her family lived at number 15, caddy-cornered and across the street. I was 5 when we met that August, Cheryl had just turned 7. She was riding her bike, a two-wheeler without training wheels. I was very impressed. It would not be the first time she impressed me.
After becoming friends, I remember days when I’d go to ask her to play and she would tell me she had to finish her chores. I, of course, seldom finished mine without escaping or making some excuse to not do them; but here was Cheryl, dusting, cleaning her brother’s room, and straightening her own room as I followed her around. She never complained she just did her chores as asked, even when I told her repeatedly that she shouldn’t have to clean up after her brothers.
When we were old enough to have jobs, Cheryl got hers first working at a Roy Rogers. She was always faithful to that job. Always willing to work, never complaining. I, too had a job. I worked at Burger King. I complained about the itchy polyester uniforms and the horrible colors (yellow and orange…not exactly redhead friendly). I’d rather hang out with my friends than go to work. I often thought of reasons not to go in. But, not Cheryl, she just went to work and did her job.
When we were in high school, we were in different classes and had different friends. We were still friends, but not as close and the fault was mainly mine. Being fairly outgoing, kind of crazy, and a little loud, I started making lots of friends. Cheryl has a quieter personality. She approached me a few times to say that she felt we weren’t as close as we used to be. I told her everything was fine, and continued doing what I was doing…ignoring her for my new “friends.”
Towards the end of our high school careers, the Lord reminded me of a ‘deal’ I’d made with Him in 8th grade. The deal? I wanted to be popular in school, have lots of boyfriends, and win a Senior Superlative; then I would become a Christian. Yes, I was pretty ballsy for an 8th grader. Wouldn’t you know it, He gave me all of those things and none of it was enough. It was eye opening for me and, as a High School Senior with everything I thought I wanted, I realized what I really wanted and I gave my life to the Lord. Soon after, I had my wisdom teeth, all four of them and the bottom two impacted, removed and Cheryl, my faithful friend came over to see me and make sure I was okay. I was able to talk, which is not really that amazing because, let’s face it, I can always talk. But the Lord gave me the privilege and the grace to share my experience with Cheryl and she, too, became a Christian.
We were each others maid/matron of honor at our weddings, we had children, we did birthday parties, and all that goes with all of that. We grew up. I moved away. And still, we were best friends. Now we text each other prayer requests and usually have monthly phone conversations, always picking up where we left off like we’d just talked yesterday.
During our last phone call I was giving Cheryl my laundry list of things I do and telling her how I need a “down” day at least once a week to recoup my energy. I said it and immediately regretted it. Why? Because the Lord absolutely hit me in the forehead with a brick. (I need that now and then.) In telling Cheryl all that I do, it occurred to me… Cheryl works one full time and one part time job; Cheryl drives about 2 hours one way every other weekend or so to help her Mom who is older and experiencing health issues; Cheryl cares for her husband who is currently on dialysis and waiting for a kidney; Cheryl has recently had to deal with her own somewhat frightening health issues AND with all of that she still finds time for her children and grandchildren. There are no “down” days for Cheryl, but does she complain? Nope. She just keeps on going like the Energizer Bunny.
We all have laundry lists of things we do, that’s just life. But, without even knowing it, Cheryl has taught me what’s most important. Our attitudes. We can do what we have to do begrudgingly and complaining, making ourselves and all around us miserable, or we can decide to enjoy the things we need to do as much as we enjoy the things we have to do. The choice really is ours. When I grow up I want to be like Cheryl. She is a very big deal.
…And I am very grateful to have quite a few! But, there is one friend that I’ve had for a very long time, 55 years kind of a long time. Her name is Cheryl and though I currently have three friends named Cheryl, she was the first and she was and continues to be my “Bestie”. I did originally think her name was Judy, but that’s another story.
We met when my family moved from Morris Plains to Grove Place in Whippany, New Jersey. We moved to number 12, Cheryl and her family lived at number 15, caddy-cornered and across the street. I was 5 when we met that August, Cheryl had just turned 7. She was riding her bike, a two-wheeler without training wheels. I was very impressed. It would not be the first time she impressed me.
After becoming friends, I remember days when I’d go to ask her to play and she would tell me she had to finish her chores. I, of course, seldom finished mine without escaping or making some excuse to not do them; but here was Cheryl, dusting, cleaning her brother’s room, and straightening her own room as I followed her around. She never complained she just did her chores as asked, even when I told her repeatedly that she shouldn’t have to clean up after her brothers.
When we were old enough to have jobs, Cheryl got hers first working at a Roy Rogers. She was always faithful to that job. Always willing to work, never complaining. I, too had a job. I worked at Burger King. I complained about the itchy polyester uniforms and the horrible colors (yellow and orange…not exactly redhead friendly). I’d rather hang out with my friends than go to work. I often thought of reasons not to go in. But, not Cheryl, she just went to work and did her job.
When we were in high school, we were in different classes and had different friends. We were still friends, but not as close and the fault was mainly mine. Being fairly outgoing, kind of crazy, and a little loud, I started making lots of friends. Cheryl has a quieter personality. She approached me a few times to say that she felt we weren’t as close as we used to be. I told her everything was fine, and continued doing what I was doing…ignoring her for my new “friends.”
Towards the end of our high school careers, the Lord reminded me of a ‘deal’ I’d made with Him in 8th grade. The deal? I wanted to be popular in school, have lots of boyfriends, and win a Senior Superlative; then I would become a Christian. Yes, I was pretty ballsy for an 8th grader. Wouldn’t you know it, He gave me all of those things and none of it was enough. It was eye opening for me and, as a High School Senior with everything I thought I wanted, I realized what I really wanted and I gave my life to the Lord. Soon after, I had my wisdom teeth, all four of them and the bottom two impacted, removed and Cheryl, my faithful friend came over to see me and make sure I was okay. I was able to talk, which is not really that amazing because, let’s face it, I can always talk. But the Lord gave me the privilege and the grace to share my experience with Cheryl and she, too, became a Christian.
We were each others maid/matron of honor at our weddings, we had children, we did birthday parties, and all that goes with all of that. We grew up. I moved away. And still, we were best friends. Now we text each other prayer requests and usually have monthly phone conversations, always picking up where we left off like we’d just talked yesterday.
During our last phone call I was giving Cheryl my laundry list of things I do and telling her how I need a “down” day at least once a week to recoup my energy. I said it and immediately regretted it. Why? Because the Lord absolutely hit me in the forehead with a brick. (I need that now and then.) In telling Cheryl all that I do, it occurred to me… Cheryl works one full time and one part time job; Cheryl drives about 2 hours one way every other weekend or so to help her Mom who is older and experiencing health issues; Cheryl cares for her husband who is currently on dialysis and waiting for a kidney; Cheryl has recently had to deal with her own somewhat frightening health issues AND with all of that she still finds time for her children and grandchildren. There are no “down” days for Cheryl, but does she complain? Nope. She just keeps on going like the Energizer Bunny.
We all have laundry lists of things we do, that’s just life. But, without even knowing it, Cheryl has taught me what’s most important. Our attitudes. We can do what we have to do begrudgingly and complaining, making ourselves and all around us miserable, or we can decide to enjoy the things we need to do as much as we enjoy the things we have to do. The choice really is ours. When I grow up I want to be like Cheryl. She is a very big deal.
The following is a Public Service Announcement:
The story of Ernie, part of which began last week, has been temporarily postponed. We will revisit Ernie’s Escapades at a later date. I apologize for any inconvenience, real or imagined, that this might incur. 😊
Last Friday, I and thousands of others were at Disney’s Hollywood Studios well before sunrise. “Why, you may ask(?)” Why indeed. Why would thousands of people of all ages, shapes, and sizes, subject themselves to being corralled like cattle in a holding area on Hollywood Boulevard waiting with cell phones out, My Disney Experience app open, and fingers poised and ready to strike? I realize cows don’t have cell phones or fingers, but you get the point.
We were all there for one reason and only one reason, to ride The Rise of the Resistance, the new Star Wars ride.
A genius within the Disney ranks has come up with the idea of a “virtual queue”. The thousands gathered with cell phones and fingers were waiting for the moment, 7:00 a.m. to be exact, when a bell would sound and the Boarding Groups would be distributed. At that moment, 7:00 a.m., everyone was pushing their “Join Group” button. (Can you even imagine how powerful Disney’s wifi must be?) Cheers exploded from those who got early spots. Actually, cheers exploded from anyone who got a spot. To our left a man got Group 25, less than a second later a woman behind us was in Group 49, at essentially the same moment we got Group 65 and one second later our daughter got Group 82. It all happened in less time than it took you to read that last sentence, no exaggeration. Our “Group” consisted of my husband, the initiator of this trip, his 89 year old father who wanted to come, and me the somewhat resistant rider of the Resistance. Our oldest daughter was also with us with her husband and their three children, Star Wars fans one and all.
So, we all had a Group, now what? What do you do at Disney at 7:01 a.m.? You go to Starbucks, what else? The line to Starbucks, with those thousands of people that had gotten up before the sun and were now in desperate need of their morning coffee, was out the door and around the corner and had no virtual queue. Everyone just stood there waiting and still staring at their cell phones, but not to join a Boarding Group. Now they were waiting to see how fast the Boarding Groups were moving. Unfortunately, they weren’t.
In fact, the Boarding Groups didn’t start moving until about 10:00 a.m.. But, that did not deter most of us, only me. I admit it, I can be a party-pooper. I was ready to go home thinking that we probably weren’t going to get on the ride until 5:00 p.m.; my ride, however, was in it for the long haul and so was his 89 year old father. Not to be outdone by an 89 year old and recognizing the very real possibility of an 11 hour day, I began scoping out nice shady benches to nap on.
With my nap bench possibilities catalogued, we began going on the open rides while we continued to watch for Boarding Group movement. Secretly, I prayed it wouldn’t come. I prayed that until I realized how much everyone with me really wanted to go on this ride and then I decided that my napping bench would have to do.
Suddenly, it happened. The Groups started boarding and moving! Quickly, I might add! By 12:15 p.m. my cellphone alerted me that our Group was ready to board! We got in an interactive actual line.
It was then that I realized, the Resistance needed our help. This was a secret mission. The First Order was determined to stop us, but we were the Resistance. Suddenly we were captured by thousands of stormtroopers led by Kylo Ren. We thought our mission was defeated until a covert team from the Resistance came to our rescue, and as one Disney writer put it, “giving us a chance to escape…and a chance for the Resistance to rise.”
Was it worth it? I would have to admit that it was like no ride I’ve ever been on before. Though I tend to get motion sickness and this was a trackless vehicle that often went backwards and had a small drop, I was fine! If you are willing to rise before the birds to join The Rise of the Resistance I doubt that you will be disappointed, and if you are, it’s really not that big a deal.
Hello Everyone and Happy New Year!
I wasn’t planning on writing a blog for today. We’ve been on vacation and, well, you know. I was going to wish you all a Happy New Year, tell you that I am very grateful to each and every one of you for reading my blog, and then tell you why I didn’t blog and that I’d be back next week. But, the Lord had other plans.
I read this post on my Facebook page. It was written by the daughter of a dear friend of mine. Her name is Bethany Breckenridge Abrams. This young woman and her family are going through one of the hardest trials life can bring us. Her husband, Nate, has a very rare type of cancer. They are Believers. This was her post on January 2nd. It gives new meaning to the words faith and courage. I hope it gives you both as we all navigate this New Year together. May we always be aware that our Savior is just that, our Savior, and He is always “safe to trust”! Please keep Nate, Bethany, and their little family in your prayers.
This is Bethany’s post ~
” I waited patiently for the Lord; He inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog
and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.”
~ Psalm 40: 1-2
“I love this so very much! My Bible study this morning had me nearly giddy – both the following tidbit from Oswald Chambers, and the first three verses of Psalm 40. Psalm 40:1-2 is such a beautiful redemption story that reminds me of my own: not just salvation’s redemption, but also both redemption from my own prideful, selfish messes, and from the effects of living in a fallen, painful world of sickness, heartache, and irreparably broken lives and relationships. These smoldering piles of ash that somehow God turns into something beautiful and whole. I think specifically of some life decisions I have made, people I have hurt. I think of the ripple affect of addiction and choice, along with broken foster/adoption systems and painfully severed relationships, hurting children and parents alike. I think of sickness of the mind, emotions, or body. Like Cancer. And then I think of how God as Healer, Counselor, and Artist, erases the globally-permeating affects of the fall and creates something beautiful despite everything. The result? A new song on my lips, and others seeing, fearing, and trusting in my Lord, Jesus Christ!
All of those things are a reminder – sometimes in nuance and subtlety, sometimes in thunderous and breathtaking splendor – that God is safe to trust. That his faithfulness is great. That his mercies are new each morning. That the absolute best place I could possibly be is at the center of his will, pursuing him purposefully and wholly. Deciding to “go out” and follow him unquestioningly. I don’t need to question – I know his character. I have history to prove the wisdom of “going out“, both my own, my families, and others that have gone before me, both in recent and ancient times. It is because of this that I can go in boldness. Blind faith is not so blind. “Going out” not knowing a clear plan or what comes next makes perfect sense. Doing the thing that is absolutely counter-intuitive, that goes against all logic and worldly wisdom, even that of some believers; is perfectly reasonable. It is humbling, and exciting, and terrifying.
I know from history. I know from inexplicable peace. I know from deep and unfailing joy. And I know because his Word tells me so.
Have you ever “gone out” in this way? If so, there is no logical answer possible when anyone asks you what you are doing. One of the most difficult questions to answer in Christian work is, “What do you expect to do?” You don’t know what you are going to do. The only thing you know is that God knows what He is doing. Continually examine your attitude toward God to see if you are willing to “go out” in every area of your life, trusting in God entirely. It is this attitude that keeps you in constant wonder, because you don’t know what God is going to do next. Each morning as you wake, there is a new opportunity to “go out,” building your confidence in God. “…do not worry about your life…nor about the body…” (Luke 12:22). In other words, don’t worry about the things that concerned you before you did “go out.”
Have you been asking God what He is going to do? He will never tell you. God does not tell you what He is going to do— He reveals to you who He is. Do you believe in a miracle-working God, and will you “go out” in complete surrender to Him until you are not surprised one iota by anything He does?
Believe God is always the God you know Him to be when you are nearest to Him. Then think how unnecessary and disrespectful worry is! Let the attitude of your life be a continual willingness to “go out” in dependence upon God, and your life will have a sacred and inexpressible charm about it that is very satisfying to Jesus. You must learn to “go out” through your convictions, creeds, or experiences until you come to the point in your faith where there is nothing between yourself and God.
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A project to seek out womanhood and femininity, truth and vulnerability, and to be a vehicle of encouragement to other young women along the way.
A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures for anything. ~ Irish Proverb
Musings on the Faithfulness of God
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