Monday, September 7, 2009

Alyssa....

Labor Day Weekend 2009 included a Girl's Day Out for me and my baby girl, Alyssa. Bill was at work and Chris was away at a friend's house....We went to church, and afterward went to Pier Park at Panama City Beach.

Lunch at Five Guys Burgers and Fries, then shopping, then the movie Julie and Julia. We sat in that theatre and laughed together the entire time. (word of warning--2 inappropriate comments came up during the movie which I really wish were not there and there was a little bit of cussing.... but over all the movie was excellent)

Money can't buy the togetherness of our day and we really needed to spend some un-distracted time together. (as in: turn off the cell phones) We are normally surrounded by her friends or mine or both so this day was a rare and unique treasure.


This movie brought a couple of things to glaring clarity for us. One--I have a lifelong love of cooking and two-Alyssa has a lifelong love of eating so together we are quite the team. Alyssa has been dabbling in cooking for several years now and this movie really set her feet solidly back on that path, I think.... The scariest thing about this day was Alyssa has decided I am going to make her Julia Child's famous Beef Bourguignon. That recipe is an intimidating, all day affair and yet Alyssa is determined. At least one of the ingredients looks very hard to find. Alyssa is determined. So I am seriously considering trying it. Did I mention Alyssa is determined?

After the movie we rushed to Borders Bookstore to see if Julia's book was there and it was. One copy, to be exact. I have no desire to master the art of French cooking (I'm no chef nor do I have the desire to be) so I am not interested in the Child cookbooks to have for my own. We saw display after display about this movie. We kept stopping and laughing at the trailers being shown. The movie was really good even though it bordered on being a chick flick.(those that know me know that I cannot stand chick flicks)


This movie had a couple of things seriously going for it that really blessed me for Alyssa to see.


Marriage in this movie was portrayed awesomely!

Both Julie and Julia's marriages were portrayed as fun, committed, sexy, exciting, a full partnerships with mutual support by both husbands and wives. We really talked about marriage after the movie and how God intended for sex to be within marriage and how good it could be as ordained by Him. We talked about her seeing the same qualities or lack of qualities in the marriages around her.

We talked about how awesome it made husbands look in a time like today-where TV and movies portray husbands as looking foolish, dumb, unnecessary, replaceable, easily-mocked, pansies. We talked about how the wives really valued what their husbands had to say and treated them, for the most part, with respect. (see the movie for the explanation of "the most part" i don't want to spoil it for you.) The wives did not dominate their husbands or treat them as fools. The were not shrews and sarcastic with their men. They were tender and trusting towards their husbands and their marriages. It was wonderful to see.


The movie did a favor for the image of marriage in Hollywood and I hope we see more movies like this. A movie portraying marriage as a full partnership of mutual love, support and respect? Unheard of in media today. What a blessing to see this with my daughter and be able to have such in depth and thoughtful discussions later.

So today, as Alyssa lies sleeping peacefully in the next room, I recommit to regularly tasting/reviewing recipes and posting to my food blog.

http://lordofthefork.blogspot.com/

And I will begin my search for those hard-to-find ingredients for that Beef Bourguignon.


Blessings, ya'll!

Robin

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Snapshot 7/3/09

Tonight I spent a wonderful evening cooking in my kitchen for tomorrow's fourth of July celebration at Jack's place. . Background noises provided by my daughter, son, nephew and little brother. A clamorous blend of laughing, screeching, yelling and gunshots as they played some kind of video game tournament. Alyssa was kicking everyone's butt, much to the boy's dismay.

The last time I got to hear this symphony of sarcastic, hysterically funny verbal exchanges was August of 08. Seems like a lifetime ago. Since then Jesse has moved out and gotten his own home, Christian's voice is cracking and changing, Alyssa started driving and Jordan, well he is still Jordan but older and different too. His voice has done the opposite of Christians. it has STOPPED cracking and changing. He now sounds like a manly man. Which cracks me up because he is still so boyish looking.

Time waits for no one and tonight it seemed important to capture this moment. Jesse has been absent for much of the year, having started a very grown up full time job and being tied up with his personal life. I can't remember the last time he came over and just hung out with us like this. I am so grateful he is here. I have missed him. And it's important to my heart that I stop in this moment and simply say so.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Death couldn’t handle Him and the grave couldn’t hold Him.

This may be the first time I have ever posted someone else's stuff but man this is good!!!!!



Death couldn’t handle Him and the grave couldn’t hold Him.


The Bible says He’s a Seven Way King. He’s the King of the Jews – that’s a racial King. He’s the King of Israel – that’s a National King. He’s the King of righteousness. He’s the King of the ages. He’s the King of Heaven. He’s the King of glory. He’s the King of kings and He is the Lord of lords. Now that’s my King. Well I wonder if you know Him.


Do you know Him? My King is the only one whom there are no means of measure can define His limitless love. No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shore of supplies. No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing.

Well, well, He’s enduringly strong. He’s entirely sincere. He’s eternally steadfast. He’s immortally graceful. He’s imperially powerful. He’s impartially merciful. That’s my King.


He’s God’s Son. He’s the sinner’s saviour. He’s the centrepiece of civilization. He stands alone in Himself. He’s august. He’s unique. He’s unparalleled. He’s unprecedented. He’s supreme. He’s pre-eminent.

Well, He’s the loftiest idea in literature. He’s the highest personality in philosophy. He’s the supreme problem in high criticism. He’s the fundamental doctrine of proved theology. He’s the carnal necessity of spiritual religion. That’s my King.


He’s the miracle of the age. He’s the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him.


Well, He’s the only one able to supply all of our needs simultaneously. He supplies strength for the weak. He’s available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He’s strong God and He guides. He heals the sick. He cleanses the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharged debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek. Do you know Him?


Well, my King is the key of knowledge. He’s the wellspring of wisdom. He’s the doorway of deliverance. He’s the pathway of peace. He’s the roadway of righteousness. He’s the highway of holiness. He’s the gateway of glory. He’s the master of the mighty. He’s the captain of the conquerors. He’s the head of the heroes. He’s the leader of the legislatures. He’s the overseer of the overcomers. He’s the governor of governors. He’s the prince of princes. He’s the King of kings and He’s the Lord of lords. That’s my King. Yeah. Yeah. That’s my King. My King, yeah.


His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His light is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His Word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy and His burden is light.


Well. I wish I could describe Him to you, but He’s indescribable. He’s indescribable. Yes. He’s incomprehensible. He’s invincible. He’s irresistible. I’m coming to tell you, the heavens of heavens cannot contain Him, let alone a man explaining Him.


You can’t get Him out of your mind. You can’t get Him off of your hands. You can’t outlive Him and you can’t live without Him.


Well, Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him. Pilot couldn’t find any fault in Him. The witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree. Herod couldn’t kill Him.


Death couldn’t handle Him and the grave couldn’t hold Him.

That’s my King. Yeah. He always has been and He always will be. I’m talking about He had no predecessor and He’ll have no successor. There was nobody before Him and there’ll be nobody after Him. You can’t impeach Him and He’s not going to resign.

That’s my King! Jesus.

Monday, April 27, 2009

aging on my own terms

I respect the age, wisdom and experience of others but me and "age" have some terms to come to. And they are MY terms.

period.

I don't care what age dictates, or tries to dictate to me.

I will wear brightly colored shawls because I like them. They are not reserved only for gypsies or the young.

I will wear silver jewelry and gold jewelry at the same time. *gasp*

I will color my hair vibrant hues of RED or BLONDE or BOTH until I am ready for something different, whether I be 40 years old or 90.

I will have my nails painted fuchsia, neon yellow, or jet black without regard to the style for women my age, younger OR older. The brighter the better. =]

I will wear tacky costume jewelry because I like it and I can. Not because I am becoming a crazy old lady. Or have no sense of style. I like it. I can. Nuff said.

I will whisper my prayers to my God, worship at the feet of my Christ and dance with the Holy Spirit til I cannot dance anymore. And then dance some more. Til I die.

I will let my Father's Joy in my cup run over and splash onto those around me no matter how sour their disposition is. Or mine either for that matter. Sometimes I may have to drown my own self in it.

I will give up the right to be right and the right to be offended often and consistently. Offense and self righteousness must certainly hasten the ravages of time on the body and face.

I will wear long skirts with crazy patterns and not care if they are the current style or not. It's my body. If I like it who cares if anyone else does?

Heavy eyeliner is my friend. So are SmokeyEyes. Til I die. In my casket too. =]

I will let my hair grow long and let it swing free no matter how often other women say women my age should have short hair. It's my hair. not theirs. I don't care.

I will head bang at any time without warning. At any age. Cuz that's how I grew up and it's too much fun to leave behind.

I will not have plastic surgery. I am pushing 41. I am not supposed to look 21 or 31. Every wrinkle, every sag or bag, is mine. I earned them. I am not now nor will I ever be ashamed to look my age.

Age to me is just a number. Since I am barely passing math with a "C" that should say what I think of numbers. Especially if they keep hooking up with letters. Should be a law against that. Algebra I mean.



Just some random thoughts today as I was getting my nails done by the lovely Eam at Pink and White in the mall......

Thursday, March 19, 2009

The Front Door Of Your Heart--Getting past, "Never Do."

Today I ate lunch with someone who is a somewhat new person in my life. It was an extremely last minute thing, totally unplanned, totally a God-thing.

We met 2 years ago in an official business type setting, then ended up spending some extra time outside that setting in a non personal way as time went by.

Fast forward to April of last year and I knew there was something incredibly special about her but I still felt hesitant about really pursing anything outside of our business type situation in the area of friendship.

I am so busy.

She is so busy and a newlywed to boot. She is in a place where others are vying for her attention quite a bit and there is only so much of her to go around in the amount of time she has.

There is more than 10 years age difference between us which is new for me because my best friend and mentor is 20years older. I'm used to and comfortable with, being the baby, lol.

I am tied up with my husband and kids, my church, my job and other things.....It was just never a priority to pursue anything past a surface, admiring relationship, even though I thought she was amazing and fantastic.


I got wind of a crisis in her life that was freshly developing this morning and my schedule loomed ahead of me, flexible and somewhat open for a brief time today so I picked up the phone and did what we had talked about and mentioned in passing several times: I invited her to lunch.

After an amazing lunch that stretched into 2 hours on the beautiful, sunny, back deck of Gracie Ray's on St. Andrews Bay I sent her an email and into that I typed out a little piece of my heart:

Sometimes ya meet people and think: If I allowed that person past the front door of my heart I could probably have something very special with them. And then never do.

So today was the first step past "never do" for us.

Welcome to the foyer just past the front door of my heart. It is probably not very tastefully decorated but eh, who cares. It's my foyer and I happen to LIKE the color red in every possible form, lol. Welcome and please do come back soon!



The front door has been opened wide and it was wonderful. We exchanged a couple of emails that indicated that indeed, she felt the same way. It was exciting. It was fun. That two hours was ripe with the promises of laughter yet to be laughed, fun yet to be had, secrets yet to be shared and friendship yet to be explored. And I liked it.

Very much.

I also felt a twinge of regret. I look back on all the people I have felt chemistry with that I never allowed past my front door. All the aquaintences that I never approached the front door of their heart either.

All the times my friends Jim and Gaynell and I talked about eating out or doing something together and then Jim was gone. And we never did.

The people who have come and gone from my church family that I was drawn to but didn't show up on their hearts doorstep, asking to be let in. Nor did I give them access to my own. Opportunities gone and passed by.

I could go on but I think the point is made.

My friend today, I'll call her the Peach, was all that I believed her to be and more. (READ: Godly, funny, smart, kind, big hearted, loving, loyal and did I mention funny??? )

I am so glad I opened the door to my heart, got past, "never do," and invited her in. I think she's glad too.


How about you?

Can you think of people that you know, that you have chemistry with, that you never seem to have the time to open the door of your heart to and invest in them and their own heart?

Have you allowed them in to take a look around the foyer or even the living room of your heart?

how about iced tea at your heart's kitchen table?

I am tired of looking back and even looking around now at people whom I have chemistry with and never doing anything about it.

Today felt good. Today I took a "never do" and made it a "do." Think about that, and maybe consider switching some "do's" around too?


I think the next time I spend time with the Peach I am taking crayons to draw on the walls of the foyer of her heart. She's very artistic. I think she'd like that. =]


crayon heart Pictures, Images and Photos