24

A nice, rounded number.
Sophisticated when spoken.
Even.
Divisible by 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24.
Hours in a day.
Addictive television series.
Ways to die in an airplane crash.
Buttons on the company phone.
Women in the bathroom line.
Ounces left in my Nalgene bottle.
Degrees this morning.
Value egg pack at BJ's.
Colored sharpies.
Days in February before Jeffrey's birthday.
Minutes left of work.
Days until Jeff Peterson's birthday.
Times I danced this weekend.
People at Easter dinner.
Years.

Unsettling Coincidence

They are everywhere. They have infiltrated our schools, stores, restaurants, gas stations, streets, workplaces, churches, and now our blogs.

Suddenly, something that was meant to be fun and relieving has become political and fanatical.

I do not find it mere coincidence that three of my favorite blogs have retired all within two weeks of each other. It is no fluke that all three were affiliated with the same town. It is no mystery to me that the same people who killed it for them are more than likely visiting mine as well.

You won’t take me down with the rest of them. And my hope is that one day, these young, creative writers will be resurrected and flourish apart from the confines of controlling, intolerant, not-fun people.

So, to you my friends, I lift my goblet of blog. Live long and freely!

Near, Far, Wherever you are.

Preferably further than closer...that is if you would like me to see you. I went to the eye doctor on Saturday morning and my worst fears were confirmed. My farsightedness has been the ultimate cause of the painstaking headaches looming about in my life the last few months. One pair, evidently, is not enough. The dear man, who would rather not put me in bifocals quite yet (?!) recommended that I purchase a pair for work in front of my computer and yet another to wear every other moment of the day. Thankfully, I do not sense a need to have the second pair. As of right now, my difficulty only comes when I am at my desk. So, when my next paycheck is in hand, it is back to the office I go to purchase frames. A good friend calmly expressed that it is "downhill from here." And I'm afraid his diagnosis is more than true.

Here we go.

T-10 Days

Only ten days until Easter. This year is exceptionally exciting for MCC. When I was out here last Spring for my internship, I was able to watch the beginning plans for a new auditorium/children's wing. Groundbreaking took place after I left and here I am a year later helping with media setup so we can have our first service on Easter Sunday.

There is so much left to do, but many people are spending their evenings working hard to get it done. I am amazed with the men and women who have put so much time into this project.

The other night, Dave, a man from Willow who came out to help us, let me use a power drill and last night I got to run wires and lighting. It was fabulous.

John and I are trying to find bathing suit lining for set design... Interesting, indeed. Do you guys have any creative ideas?

Now and Forever

I finally watched The Notebook a few weeks ago. I was intrigued. Memories and images of my parents flooded my mind during the film and they continue to haunt me. So, I decided to share one particular story.

Often I witnessed my parents spending quality time together, especially with other couples like Kary and Judi, they would all hang out like best buds at our home. I knew they loved each other. However, I truly experienced and understood my parent's love for one another when Mom was sick and dying. He never wanted to leave her side. Although he didn't always communicate properly and she didn't always have the patience for him - the core of their love unfolded before my eyes one special night.

I was home from school for the weekend and Mom had taken a drastic turn for the worst. If I remember correctly, it was only a few weeks before she died. Dad's boss at the time refused him any leave. He was working 40 hour weeks and working overtime at his office 45 minutes away. He was frazzled and, this particular weekend, could not find time to shave. So, within a handful of days he had a short, scratchy, grey beard.

I had been outside working out my stress, sadness, and depression by weeding the garden and mowing the lawn. When I came through the front door, I saw something that will forever remain etched in my memory. Mom was lying on her swing bed, which was temporarily located in front of the living room fireplace, and Dad was bent over her frail body with his hand gently behind her head and Mom's hand was stroking his cheek. They were whispering to one another with soft tears quietly and smoothly spilling down their faces. I slowly walked through the room and disappeared without so much of a glance from them.

They were in a different world.

Months later I could see the weariness drifting in and out of my father's eyes, his beard adding ten more years to his already aging appearance. He was running late for work because he was spending too much trimming his new companion. Finally, I asked him why he had chosen to grow a beard and invest so much time keeping it up.

"Because your mother said I looked handsome."

"Our love is now and forever." That is a simple yet packed sentence he inscribed on her wedding band, that he wrote in her first Bible that he presented to her on their wedding day, and had etched on the headstone that now rests above an empty box.

That is how I remember my parents.

If I Were A Painter

I can't officially move in until my walls are painted.

I shall inform you of my intentions for this room. I want it to be a sanctuary, seeing as it is the only room to call my own, so a relaxing motif appeals to me (blues). I have a lot of photography I would like to hang. Most of it is "artsy" and I would like a wall color that punches out the pictures (reds). I really enjoy airy rooms (yellows), but feel cozy in warm tones (chocolates). I can take a variation on all of them, but what then would be my key color?

Here is actually something I chose about a month ago, but can't quite settle on...really light blue on the ceiling (almost white). Twelve inch strip of chocolate brown around the top of the wall. A two inch stripe of the light blue. And the rest of the wall in a red.

Or I could paint a mural.

You all know me pretty well. What would you suggest?