DAWG

Luke 2:19 and 2:51 both talk about Mary treasuring the things she was experiencing, as a result of Jesus' arrival and growth, deep within her heart. She stored them and pondered them. She kept them to herself.

This would be quite different than my usual tack. I can keep things about others to myself, but all the things about me typically come blathering out on a blog or in someone's long-suffering ear.

I have to say, though, that those two verses have been coming to mind frequently in the past several weeks. Didn't know why. Like I said, keeping things that I am pondering to myself is, well...not what someone who has had written on every report card since kindergarten, "Bright, but a bit too social, and quite talkative," does.

I took a DAWG today (day away with God). Didn't really go away; it's cold here in Idaho, without too many wintery places to sit comfortably soaking in God's creation. I could have picked a coffee house or something, I suppose, but it doesn't make for a handy spot to burst into tears or yell out loud if God suddenly stirs something in ya.

So, I retreated to my upstairs bonus room. Nicely lit, sunny, spacious; kinda happy, actually.

And I had an interesting day. And, miracle of miracles, wonder of wonders, I feel led to ponder things in my heart, treasure them up, hold them dear. In the general scope, I was reminded that God will meet my every need, that any "needs" I dream up or things I think I require to function well are to be surrendered to him and forgiveness asked for, and that I don't have to hold in my heart or mind or spirit some schemed-up level of preparedness for different situations that may or may not ever crop up in my life or the lives of people I care about.

Their lives are not mine, and my life is not mine. Pretty simple.

Oh, yeah. I was reminded that I make so many things way too complicated. Step back, Sluss. It's just not that hard.

Manna for today. Listening to Him more than the world or people. Obedience and grace and love, not one of them at the exclusion of the others. He is good.

The Transformation is Complete

First, the good news. I have a guest staying with me this week from the UK, and she brought treats! Chocolate-covered honeycomb, REAL English tea, Yorkshire pudding mix (which I have since been told is SO simple to make that it was utterly humiliating for Harriet to buy it in a mix), lovely chocolate, and the most gorgeous shortbread ever. Gorgeous, I tell you.


On the bad news side of things, I came to a realization yesterday morning as I pulled my hair back to put it in a barrette. My skin is so very mid-winter pale, and my hair so very old-age gray now, with a lovely hunk of white up the right side, that it's official.

I have become Lily Munster. Only not as svelte.

Somewhere there is a giant, green, Frankensteiny man who will find me attractive.

I can only dream...

Valentine Treats and Stinginess Both

Valentine yummies and pretties arrived last week from Mom and Dad!


Mom and Dad are such sweet valentines :) They sent me enough treats to share; I agree with that idea, except for the cookies. One of the boxes contained two Harry and David's Raspberry Galettes, with little hearts cut into them.

If you are looking for cookie crack, this is it. So, so soft on the outside and perfect filling. There WAS NO COOKIE SHARING. That's right; past tense.

Thanks, Mumsey and Popsey! Love you!

Memories, In the Corners of My Eyes...

That's how we sing it, anyway. And the "I Will Survive" video prompted Mom's memories about Italy...and a certain Italian guitar player who chose to lavish much attention on our beautiful Lianni.

Yes, there were five of us at the table...


But he only had eyes for Liann...


And a song for Liann...


Then he had lips for Liann!


Oh, and Mc? That phrase we couldn't remember the other night? The evening stroll where you show la bella figura? It's la passeggiata, mi amica cara!


Brought to you courtesy of a glorious vacation to Italy in July, 2001 :)

Give Yourself 5:47 to Laugh a Little

In homage to a Tuesday afternoon that suddenly went 24 directions at once. And I still have some hair left...

I will survive!



Maybe it was just me, but I laughed like a fool when I saw this today. Reminds me of all the guys Mom, Dad, Liann and I saw singing thickly-accented John Denver songs in Italy--fantatsic! And the little Thai guy Liann and Paul and I watched sing Clapton's "Tears in Heaven" in Lampang. Those weren't quite so classical, though ;)

Hope this makes someone smile :)

Like a Kid in a Candy Store

Who else looks this ridiculously happy and dopey as they snowblow?


Becky kept saying I was doing her a favor by snowblowing the driveway at her family's cabin in Cascade so we could have 16 very fun gals spend a hoot of a weekend together. Whatever. Doesn't she know that snowblowing ROCKS?!

We went up early on Friday ahead of the rest of the bunch to prep the house and get all set for a time of jigsaw puzzles, reading, eating, the McCall Winter Carnival, Mexican Train dominoes (YEAH!), Gold Fork Hot Springs, more eating, napping, sudoku, a surprise birthday event, laughter, listening, tears, sharing, encouragement, and prayer. Becky is an exceptional hostess and so very generous with her time and talents and gifts. Thank you, girl!

What we didn't have to prep was the view from the cabin. Wowee.


In a non-snacking moment...


In our true realities...


Last year, Becky's mom provided warm fuzzy socks for all the gals who went up (She's never even met most of us--why is she so nice?). It was so kind, and we took a picture of our socked-feet. This year, she sent pairs of both stretch and suede gloves for all the ladies to help them stay cozy. Here's our jazz hands shot...


A ball was had by one and all. Especially the gals who made it to the Hot Springs. There's naturally-occurring lithium in the water. I was apparently so at ease when I got back to the cabin that the moment I walked upstairs, before I even said one word, three people said, "Wow, you look WAY relaxed!"

I said, "What, is my face all slack or something?"

"Um, actually...yeah."

Also, I was enthusiastically informed over the weekend that even if I get married one day, people are still going to call me Sluss. And then I will have to explain myself. And that's just too bad. So there.

Cool :)

Ode to the Cold

O, cows, how you huddle in piles
Noses tucked into your sides against the wind,
Making me smile as I bluster past
you in my car, enroute to work, snow swirling.

I, myself, am bundled in the auto,
Ralphie's-brother-like,
Braced against the ridiculous Idaho temps.
I bet Randy was not as grateful as I

to his Mama for buying him a Cuddl Duds cami
to keep the top half warmer, and
to his bro and sis-in-law for the warm silk pants under the pants
to keep the evil wind at bay, and
to the Mama and the Daddy for the stadium coat
to which all others bow in envy of its downy warmitude.

Human seven-layer-Mexican-dip, am I!
A wintry, pasty version.

Then there is the mane. Its purpose in
Winter is to grow long and thick; keep my
Noggin warm, o wads of curls.
However,
if a ringlet escapes, unknown, into the
Cold, as groceries you load into the
Car, it becomes a tube of chilly horror,
which, surreptitiously, as
You reach to start the engine,
Slips back inside your coat collar,
Encircling your neck,
an icy feather boa.

From your throat:
"Yeeeeeaaaaw-ha-ha-haaaaa!"

And again you bow to the cold.

Not unlike the sun, stared
Down by the grass, snow-encrusted,
saying to the mighty orb in the sky,
"Yes, here you may bring light! But,
You will bring no warmth!
My snow
WILL STAY!

Neener! Neener! NEENER!"