Friday's Faves & Internet Cafe Today

I'm in for a quick Friday's Fave Five, but I'm also posting at Internet Cafe today, so please do go and say hi over there when you finish reading my list. I would appreciate it "ever so much."

This stuff works, and it's less expensive than Mary Kay's. I just dot it around my eye and especially under my eye, and it looks like I'm healthy again and not like I've been awake since the Preppy look was all the rage. Almay, you light up my life, and my eyes.


She's holding canning jars. Yes, I helped, a little, some friends can salsa this week. And the part that is the Fave Five is the snatched-from-the-garden fresh tomatoes. Oh. my. lanta.

Is there anything like a vine-ripened tomato? No there is not. It is like eating a ball of summer sunshine. You can literally taste sunshine. So I've been taking sunshine with me to work and eating it at my desk. Yum.

Ahhh, we renewed our World Magazine subscription. It's a great publication. Trust me. Get one from the library and just see what you think. I actually didn't know such a quality publication existed.


Yes, the bathroom scale. This week, it was my friend. I have now lost 10 lbs. since May. This. is. good.


I had a S'mores party, which I will post about at a later date. There were seven of us, eight if you include my little beloved, my little Pretty. The Precious.




I did indeed save you a seat. Pick up a second or third cup and tell me what you think.

Why is it that in the middle of a restless night, worries come at you like a flock of geese relentlessly honking and snipping, demanding the bread in your hand? As soon as you give a morsel to one, another comes charging at you.

As I write this, it’s 2:30 am. I’ve been lying awake due to mid-life hormonal power surges and a persistent snore beside me. Before I rose, my personal flock of geese was closing in, snatching my peace thought by anxious thought.

Question: What do you do when worries surround you?

"Pass the Cranberry Sauce" is Not a Relationship: Today at the Cafe

Is there a specific person in your life whom you find very difficult to love?

To be completely transparent, I admit that I have one or two … or three … people who are difficult for me to love.

One of these provides me with a daily exercise in self-restraint and the forgiveness of small offenses. It’s the thorn in the side syndrome.

And the other person I see only at Christmastime, which provides a year’s worth of awkwardness to be dragged out into the middle of the room like a big ‘ol poorly-wrapped gift.

If you'd like to read the rest of the post, please grab a 2nd Cup and click on the button--I'll meet you there!

Have a Sip at Internet Cafe Today

"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” (Isaiah 49:15).

The New Testament city of Ephesus was immersed in the Greco-Roman tradition of the pursuit of beauty and perfection in every sense: art, architecture, music, and even regarding the human race.

In fact, Greeks and Romans regularly abandoned their unwanted (less than physically perfect, or often, female) infants to the elements as a means of divesting themselves of the responsibility and stigma of such a child. This practice was termed “exposing” the child. Some of those rejected children, if physically able, were "adopted" by Ephesian citizens only to serve as slaves.

Testifying to the common act of abandoning children is the following letter written June 17, 1 B.C., by a man named Hilarion to his pregnant wife, Alis:

“Know that I am still in Alexandria. And do not worry if they all come back and I remain in Alexandria. I ask and beg you to take good care of our baby son, and as soon as I receive payment I will send it up to you. If you are delivered of child [before I get home], if it is a boy keep it, if a girl discard it. You have sent me word, ‘Don’t forget me.’ How can I forget you. I beg you not to worry.”

How could such a warm missive contain such a cold directive to simply discard a baby!

To read the rest of "Not Forgotten, Not Abandoned," click on the cafe button!

Vegemite Sandwiches and Internet Cafe

I said, "Do you speak-a my language?"
He just smiled and gave me a Vegemite sandwich.
~Men at Work "Down Under" 1982

Remember that one? It's going through my mind today because my college graduate (I can still say that less than a week out of the ceremony, right? Please. Let me gloat.) is leaving today for Australia. She will be gone 2 weeks.

At the top of her list of experiences to cull is feeding a wallaby. And that is a sentence I never saw myself ever typing/saying.

I'm happy for her, of course, but the happiness has a melancholy frayed edge because she'll be so far away, flying over the ocean, NOT GOING ANYWHERE ALONE, and ... being so far away. Did I mention it's a 13 hour flight over the ocean? Taking her far away?

Sigh.


Anyway, I asked her if she is going to try a Vegemite sandwich, and she said, "Maybe." (Oh please do, and have someone take your picture at that moment!)








I hear that it's flavor is reminiscent of beef bouillon with the thickness of peanut butter.








She visited me yesterday afternoon before returning to her campus last night. Here she is after visiting with me and before a date with her boyfriend, taking a nap. How many moms out there know what this picture does to my heart?




Speaking of moms' hearts and graduates, please join me at Internet Cafe today, where I have written a letter to graduates. I will probably tweak this for the general public and use it for my next newspaper column, too.






In the meantime, tonight, I have a Season Finale of Lost party to attend, so that will help with the melancholy. I hope they don't replay that crash scene over and over! [LOST Aussie Claire]

*EDIT 5/14 6:00 AM: OHmygosh, LOST was phenomenal. The creative genius behind this show is stunning. I've never seen anything like it on TV. I have a theory (at 5:30 AM as soon as my eyes opened this morning) that Aaron plays figuratively either as Jacob or as a "warrior" in a spiritual sense who comes back next season. But that also leaves the burning question: Who/why is WALT?!

At the Cafe Today: Like a Belgian Draft Horse--It's How I Read the Bible

*EDIT* I forgot I was posting at the cafe today. Please see previous post for AI Re-Cap and most significantly, the 2nd Ugly Mug Update.*

Last January, I charged into a “Read the Bible in a Year” plan like a souped up race horse breaking onto the track. It wasn’t the first time I had attempted the goal, but this time, I was determined to complete it.

Imagine how deflated I was to have to start again in April. Let’s just say that this time I trudged out of the gate like a Belgian draft horse pulling a Levitical plow. It has been slow going, but I keep telling myself, “Slow and steady wins the race,” or at least wins a sharp Sunday school lapel pin for managing to “stick to it!”

Why has this reading plan been so difficult? After all, I read a user-friendly version. I grew up hearing Bible stories and memorizing verses. I was a literature major, so I obviously enjoy reading. If you asked what book I’d take to a desert island, I'd reply, “The Bible.” And I’ve received much guidance and comfort throughout my life from this book.

I do what I can to remind myself, placing my Bible on my nightstand, slipping it into my purse to read in waiting rooms, packing it on trips, sticking it in my tote bag, plopping it into my car—it’s always with me. Yet, I often find myself walking by it on the coffee table. Somehow, I always seem to have one more laundry load or phone call or three more hours on the Internet before I can pick it up ....

Read the rest of this riveting admission of failure today at:

Jorge, U R Funny, Internet Cafe

First things first: Happy Birthday, Jorge!
I Heart You!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

U R Funny

Sometimes you put a lot of effort into a post, and it doesn’t generate much response. And then sometimes you throw out a simple question, and comments start dropping on you like walnuts off the demented tree in my back yard, which is the last to get its green on in the spring and the first to divest itself of foliage in late summer/early Fall. No kidding--it starts shedding leaves in August. This tree would fit right in with the “staff” at a local str*ip bar called, “The Joker’s Wild” because it keeps shedding its "clothing." Someday I know I’m going to find a $5.00 bill tucked into one of the branches, the hussy.

Anyway, I threw out these questions, “Have you ever been on TV?” and “What’s the most ill-suited job you’ve ever held?” I hope you enjoy these funny responses as much as I did.

Oh, wait a minute. Back it up, Betty. First, we must clear up who Mike Rowe is-the guy in that QVC video I posted:

This is how people usually see Mike Rowe, the host of Discovery Channel's "Dirty Jobs" series. (I cannot believe I'm having to explain who he is to you. If you do not have cable, find out when "Dirty Jobs" is on in your area, then go hang out in the TV section of HH Gregg or Walmart or wherever and catch this show.)

The premise is that he takes on America's most unsanitary, dirtiest professions and reports the nitty-gritty-dirt-band details to us. And he is extremely funny while doing so. And yes, he is nice looking. I can say that because I'm pretty sure my husband has a crush on a famous person whose initials are "Parah Salin." In fact, I'm pretty sure he'd like to go parasailin' with Parah Salin, but it ain't gonna happen, so boo-hoo. Did I mention "Happy birthday, Jorge?"

Anyway, to see the guy who regularly gets fish guts accidentally in his mouth trying to sell a Christmas doll on QVC was painfully hilarious. And Mike, if you'd like to email me to say hello like Clinton Kelly did, I'm fine with that. I'll keep an eye on my junk mail folder just in case it goes there. Winky-wink.

OK, back to the "Have you been on TV question: Apparently, I’m hanging with celebs because out of 30 responses, 14 of your have been on TV. Here are some of the interesting replies to that question:

• Yes, to promote my shop - A friend said I should consider a shot of whisky before doing it again. (Imerie, The Green Grass Grows All Around ) [Edit: Gee whiz, Imerie. I guess it’s good to have an honest friend?]

• I used to be dress up like Wendy (for Wendy's) and I did a local commercial for them when I was 17. [(Cathy Davis, Voice of Truth) [Edit: I would pay good money to see that picture, Cathy.]

• Many times. (I used to be on a local TV show as a child.) (Tonggu Momma) [Edit: Tonggu Momma, please tell us that you survived the trauma of childhood stardom and have not shaved your head or worked at The Joker’s Wild.]

• Handled some ground stuff on a false alarm hijacking in the early 90's and was on the news for that. (Pam from Alert and Oriented [x 4]) [Edit: Big exciting deal, Pam. I once single-handedly unjammed 60 copier jams in one day at work. Now that’s exciting AND dangerous--a person could get her hand stuck or a nasty paper cut.]

• I once did a "Bud Lite" commercial from my favorite happy hour spot in 1992, and my teenage boys saw it and they were devastated. (Jeanette, Discover, Create, Dream) [Edit: Jeanette, I’d love to know exactly why they were devastated. Spill it.]

• When I was about 14, my dad was on Bowling for Dollars and they introduced the family, which was me and my 3 year old cousin. (Edie, Rich Gifts) [Edit: And the picture can be found … where?]

• I was the junior rodeo princess (Little Miss Topps 1980) and I got to throw my arm up toward the sign and say with my best cuteness, “Come see us!” Geez. (Leebird, Prayer Gifts) [Edit: Lee, in 1980 I was a junior in high school. One could say I was “Little Miss Topps,” too, for my shape.]

• Yes, I was on Oprah once. (Merci, Spit Out the Cat) [Edit: Merci, that is a great blog title. But please tell us you did not write a memoir that landed you on Oprah because that is never good.]

2nd Question: Any ill-suited jobs?

*Ho*oters. (Anonymous) [Edit: OK, she wasn’t anonymous, but I’m not going to tag her here just because she was honest enough to say she worked there and then have people clicking over there just to gawk at the former H*ooters Girl-turned-blogger. Side note: Somehow I’m connecting “Little Miss Topps” with Ho*oters, and that is sad.]

• For 120 days I worked for a dumpster-diving psycho who had goats that lived in her home -- and I did not work for a vet or farm. (Imerie, The Green Grass Grows All Around) [Edit: Imerie, I distinctly remember asking you not to disclose the unique details of your work environment when you left our "family" compound.]

• I once worked at a Waffle House and the experience was so traumatic that to this day I will not eat there. (Robin Lambright, Be Still and Know) [Edit: Robin, is there something concerning spittle in waffle batter that we should know about?]

• Singing telegrams. (Pam from Alert and Oriented [x 4]) [Edit: I think it’s totally plausible and sane that people break out into song in whatever activity they’re engaged in. It’s called “musicals.” I’d be perfect for this job.]

• Waitress at Pizza Hut.....In my short time working there, I dropped a pitcher of Coke in a customer's lap, slid a hot pizza into a customer's lap, forgot to place a customer's order in the kitchen...ya, I was BAD!!! (Sara, Make Music From Your Heart to the Lord) [Edit: And to think that now you’re a neurosurgeon with such steady precision! Go figure!]

• I applied with a temp agency once and they sent me to for an accounts receivable position at a book store (they told me). It turned out to be a g*ay porn*o book store but (embarrassingly) I didn't realize it until after they started training me. All of the employees were ga*y and one "guy" was a trans*vestite. They all came in later than I did. I did not stay. (Edie, Rich Gifts) [Edit: I think I speak for all of us when I say that there are times when it’s good to be a misfit.]

As I have said many times, I get the best comments in the world!

And now I’m challenging all of the people I quoted here to write a complete post about the experience you talked about here. It will be great.

And even if I didn’t quote you here, this should get your creative juices flowing for a great post about you or a friend or family member who had a weird job or a moment on TV, etc.

Have fun and let us know if you took up the "Dirty Jobs" uh, "odd/disgusting/ embarrassing Jobs" challenge!


One more thing, please come on over to the Cafe today and join me for a third cup! I think it will make you smile.

Wordless Wednesday & Posting at The Internet Cafe Today

"Self Discovery"






In the last year or so, I began patting myself on the back whenever I incorporated the phrase, “It is what it is,” into my life.

For an over-thinker of things, the resignation in “it is what it is” was a great coping mechanism, allowing me to surrender to situations I felt powerless to change. By verbalizing my acceptance of the status quo, I thought I was growing. I thought I was learning to lay aside analyzing everything and avoid getting sucked into the vortex of my own circular thinking. I even spiritualized my new strategy by saying this new outlook helped me to put away worries and trust God--anything for peace. But what it actually birthed was an internal passivity .... Join me at the Cafe for more of "Straightening Out Crooked Thinking," will you please?

Are You Supposed to Think This Hard on Saturdays Sundays?

Name what you think should be your first 5 priorities in life. Then order those priorities the way they actually are at present in your own life. Do they match up? Why or why not? If needed, what is one thing that you can do today that will help your two lists match up?


The Proposed Priorities:

1. Know/Love God
2. Love Others
3. Love Husband/Children
4. Be a loving, helpful daughter
5. Serve others through work and volunteering

The Actual Activity:

1. Planning the details of my days, working in all of the above the best I can
2. Falling short in each area
3. Scrambling the rankings daily, inverting and rearranging as I go
4. Serving self
5. Asking for forgiveness where I've fallen short

Not sure what to do about the discrepancies because I wake with prayer, read the Word, pray, think of my responsibilities toward others, try to figure out how to accomplish what needs to be done, fall short, go to sleep with prayer. And TV.

The answer?

GRACE.

Show Me the Money Meaning

"I made the cut!”

How satisfying to announce to family and friends that my writing had passed several editing cuts and was finally going to be published--with compensation.

Initially, money wasn’t my motivation for submitting. I was just thrilled that somebody judged my thoughts interesting enough to publish. And I can’t deny that feedback from readers is as refreshing as a glass of sweet tea after mowing the lawn.

But somehow, simply saving my columns in an album became less satisfying. I needed validation. I needed to be paid...

Please join your materialistic friend at Internet Cafe today to learn how this happened:

Read About My Friend "The Pepsi Lady" at Internet Cafe Today

One of my best friends, Leslie, is known at a local yogurt drive-through as “The Pepsi Lady.”

Years ago, Leslie took advantage of the store’s offer that if customers bought one of their large tumblers, they could bring that cup in for a very cheap refill for a limited time. To a fountain Pepsi lover like Leslie, this was a sweet deal! So every day, Leslie pulled up to the window to get her giant refill.

Because of her huge smile and sociability, Leslie became a popular customer who was greeted with not one but several employee “hello's” whenever she appeared. To say that Leslie found favor at this place is an understatement. In fact, when the time limit ran out on the refill offer, Leslie was given special dispensation and was able to continue her daily fountain Pepsi quests at the discounted rate!

Follow the link to read the riveting conclusion to the Pepsi Lady story!

Contributor to:

Cafe Chat Asks:

If you could have a conversation over dinner with any one person, dead or alive, with the exception of Jesus, who would it be and why?





Erma Bombeck. She's my writing hero. No one was like her before she came on the scene, and since she's been gone, no one comes close to filling the void.

Survey & Contest!

Sometimes, it takes a village to write a post. Case in point: my husband emailed me from work to tell me that he had just overheard two women in a nearby cubicle talking about American Idol. They were trying to remember the judges' names. Finally, one said, "Oh, I know. That one guy is 'Colin Powell.'"


Survey: Regarding the above statement overheard in the cubicle, which of the following three Jim Halpert reaction shots is most appropriate? (The Office returns April 10th!)





Sponsored by Art Bookbindery

You can do this! You totally can!

This message is from Darlene Schacht, Founder and Editor, Christian Women Online:

Christian Women Online, in conjunction with Art Bookbindery, is sponsoring the “Her Life Reflected” writing contest. CWO is looking for essays that tell us how your mother, or a mother that you know has reflected the heart of our Heavenly Father in her life. The winning essay will be one that is both written well, and of most importance, one that reflects God as being the central focus of one's life.

The winner will receive $400.00 U.S. from Art Bookbindery, 2 copies of Darlene Schacht's humorous book, The Mom Complex (one for you and one for mom!), 2 copies of Kathleen Carnali's music CD, Dangerous Prayer, 2 Proverbs 31 mugs from Mugs of Truth (a design idea inspired by CWO friend, Iris of Sting my Heart), and an autographed photo of Candace Cameron Bure along with a DVD of her testimony. Now that's a great package! We will announce the winner on Mother's Day, May 11th, 2008, and will publish the at that time.

Please go to CWO for more details!

(Pssst: You can do this!)

At the Internet Cafe Today: What Not to Wear, Spiritual Edition

You all know I'm a fan of TLC's What Not to Wear ... I couldn't resist making a devotional application tied to this show. So I've flipped Ephesians 6 to demonstrate What Not to Wear for spiritual battle!

God is Sovereign

“Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10a)

Now that is a great idea. Why is peaceful meditation and individual worship so hard for me?

For instance, as I visited several blogs over the holidays, I envied women who reported sitting on the sofa all day in their PJs, eating goodies, enjoying their kids, reading or watching movies. I marveled at their ability to let go of the “ought to’s” and “should’s.” My thoughts say, “Sure, you can take the day off from laundry, but is the price you’ll pay tomorrow worth it?” And so off I go.

My life totally has room for this kind of relaxation, but my brain doesn’t ...

Christmas Writing: Where I'm Writing Today

Today I posted a column at Internet Cafe that I wrote for the local newspaper last year at this time about getting through the holidays when you struggle with depression.

Also, in today's issue of the Muncie Star Press, I wrote about "The Family Table," a tweak of ideas I've blogged about here at 2nd Cup.

Have a great weekend!

Halloween at Internet Cafe?

Halloween. I’ve never been a big fan of the dark, or of the dark side. For instance, while other kids in my neighborhood hurried home from school in 1967 and gathered together to watch the Gothic TV serial “Dark Shadows,” I occupied myself elsewhere. Even so, I heard and saw enough to know what the show was all about: badness, really scary badness, with a capital “B.”

Once, when I was about five years old, I tried to get a message to the show’s main vampire, Barnabas Collins, through writing to another famous person, teen idol Bobby Sherman, who had absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with the show. I guess in my childish head, they both lived somewhere in "Famous People World," so surely they hung out together at Famous People barbecues or something.

Anyway, I asked Bobby to please tell Barnabas that I did not like him. As fearful as I was of Barnabas, I could be strong through the perceived protection of Bobby-of-the-pink-pants. Yes, I was an offbeat child.

Please join me at the cafe for the rest of this riveting Halloween tale. My new fear is they will never let me write there again.