The Occassionals

Last Friday, author Susan May Warren came to town. A few people from our book club showed her around town (I had to work) on occassional weekend. I now have a Rollerderby name: Needles Norman.

Read about it on Susan's Blog!

Not So Simple

I was snuggling up to my husband the other night, just loving the companionable comfort of one another in a plantonic way. The phrase of "simple joys of life" went through my head. And then I thought, "simple? there's nothing simple about this joy!"

I started thinking of the joys that I have and have had and tried to find one that was "simple." I couldn't. As a result, I don't think that there is such a thing as a simple joy. The are all complicated!

Case in point, my above mentioned snuggle with my husband. Though the moment seemed simple, there was a lot that led up to that point. First, we had to meet, then date and fall in love. Then hash out ourselves in marriage. The peace and comfort I find in just being together, in being totally comfortable has been built on years of WORK. There is nothing simple about the joy that results because of it.

The same thing can be said about my relationship with God, it's not simple either. It's taken me many more years of learning about Him, myself, in trial and error. When I come to those moments of pure joy, they are not simple.

Joy is beginning to take on a new meaning to me as well.

At first I thought it was a feeling, first and foremost. That if you try hard enough to have joy (which as a good Christian you should have) then voila.

Then, I thought that joy was a response to what has been happening in life. It was a feeling that came upon me when everything lined up, like planets in a certain formation.

But now, I think that joy is more all of this but more complex. Joy is when you've worked on something; a part of your life, a relationship, a project. And then you learn to trust it, to love it and be content at where you are in it. Even if you're not doing good, have a lot more to do, you accept it all and yourself just as it is right then.

That's when Joy comes for me.

Joy is a fruit that blossoms after a season of growth and change.

The Problem of Being an Introvert...

...is when you are faced with dealing with people when you'd rather not.

Tomorrow is my husband's transplant surgery. Yay! We are excited (though a bit tired right now). You can check out my other blog for the latest news.

The one thing that I'm not looking forward to, is dealing with people. I do love seeing people, having them visit, show their support - yes, all of that is great! What my real issue is, I'm a simple introvert.

There are a few people who want to sit with me during the surgery tomorrow, to "be there for me." They didn't ask if I wanted them there, just assumed that everyone would. And I do appreciate the fact that they want to help in whatever way they can. But I actually had planned to knit, read, listen to my MP3player and pray. These things would help to relax me, keep me calm and unstressed. Having to have company now, makes me feel like I have to be "on" for them too. It takes more of my emotional energy and from what I remember of our last hospital stay, was quite draining. In effect, when people were trying to support me, they were actually adding more stress. (If people are coming because they are there for my husband, that is a different story.)

And I know that this just happens in times like these. Everyone needs different things, and some people need people around them to stay with them. So I will be trying to graciously accept what people want to give in support. And when I need to be alone, then it will be time for a walk and a change of scenery. It's a waffly line when you're an introvert and you need your space - and people want to be with you. So I will be trying to monitor my energy levels and recharge when needed.

I love that people want to help and support us. And I do want people to visit and stop by. It's just that small percentage of people whose well intentions aren't easy for introverts to deal with.

Preparation

I'm teaching a class in the Water and Ink medium. It's been years since I've done this, so I had to practice so I wouldn't look stupid. Not so great results, although once I got into it, I started remembering how to do it. It got better.


This flower is my fave. IRL it looks better, there is a deep purple with a gentle fading upward. It faded in the flash.



One of my stand bys. I made lots of cards with this motif!


Random drawings and color disbursement.

Hubby said that it looks like I was having too much fun tonight. I told him that I was studying for a class.

I don't think he believed me.

Flora or Fauna

Yesterday, our art group went the Clemens Munsinger Gardens in St. Cloud. It was the perfect day; good weather, flowers were in bloom and they had a string quartet playing by the river.

Happy 40th, Amy!

My friend, co-worker and pastor moved back home yesterday. The church let her go and she decided to take the opportunity to go back to school and get her M Div. But before she packed up and left, we had to celebrate her 40th birthday. (If you've been reading my blog for awhile, she's the one who had a pirate party last year.)

I made her a bundt (boont) cake with a flower in it. With a nod toward My Big Fat Greek Wedding. A lot of people turned out to tell her that she was old.


We went to her favorite restaurant, El Molcajete. Great food, yummy cake and a wonderful celebration of her life mixed in with a little bittersweet good-bye.

Happy Birthday, Amy! I wish you a beautiful journey of transition; a banner year of walking closer with God and most of all - true joy.

Stupid Moments

I'm having a few stupid moments lately. I like to think that it's because I've been preoccupied by taking care of my husband, the house, and trying to think about my own health. All I can say is, it's good to have a healthy sense of humor. See another stupid moment in a recent entry in my knitting blog.

We went to visit Doug's parents last weekend in Brainerd. After getting home, I got a message that I had forgotten the charger for my phone! Crud - and my phone was almost out of juice. I notified people via facebook & email that I didn't have a phone and to email me instead for a couple of days.

Today, the charger came in the mail. Yay - mother-in-law! I opened it up and stood there, speechless. This was the charger to Doug's phone. My charger was still in a bag I hadn't unpacked yet.

Yes, I spent 2 days without a phone for no good reason. All is well now, we both have our phone chargers.

And if you're wondering, his phone battery lasts a lot longer than mine.