Woot's Up?

Would I try online wine?
Could I trust internet vine?
Should I? Could I with a cab?
Merlot? Syrah? Take a stab?

I do so like to try new things!
Let's see what swill wine.woot brings!

It's a Marshmallow World

Today is one of those days when, just as you've had your taste of spring, it snows again. But it's that heavy fallen snow that clings to the tree branches and makes it feel like we're living in a Norman Rockwell painting. Breathtaking to say the least.

As Darlene Love would say, "Those are marshmallow clouds being friendly in the arms of the evergreen trees." Except in today's version the sun isn't red like a pumpkin head. Nope, there is not one iota of sunshine to be found in the the miles of colorless skies around here.

It's a monochrome world in the winter
When the sun can no longer be found
It's a toneless time, for my gray-filled rhyme
I brace for it all year round

But it sure beats rain!

New Car, Caviar, Four Star Daydream

I saw something that hit me like a ton of bricks mere moments ago. It was a daily devotional from Pastor Greg Laurie that my coworker Bill sent to me in jest entitled “Saved Soul, Wasted Life.” (Hmm, what made him think of me?!) The principle premise of the text was asking us what our main purpose in life is and reminding us that it should be to glorify God (vs. personal fulfillment). Yeah, how am I doing? Not so great most of the time. I have been blessed with many resources and talents but find myself grousing a lot and thinking negative thoughts more than I care to admit. I also don’t invite God into my day often enough. Yes, I pray for His presence as I drive to client meetings but then put Him aside as I undertake many of the tasks I perform at my desk—which explains why I habitually get sidetracked and don’t accomplish as much as I anticipate on a daily basis. And, I ask for His help in my life more than I ask what He wants me to do for Him. Methinks I have the equation backwards.

But the real kicker for me was the following line about tithing, “This is my money. Here is your 10 percent, Lord. I give a waitress more, but 10 percent is all you get.” What a shocking comparison; yet, for me it’s only partially true. I give waiters and waitresses 20% and give to God less than 2% of my salary. Yet, who deserves more? Everything I have in life—and I have many blessings—is from God. My family, health, drive, intelligence, job, etc. So why am I giving Him so little? Is it because I don’t trust Him to provide for me and my family even when He’s given so abundantly to me? What more does He need to do to prove His love?

I could blame my lack of giving on my husband who doesn’t have the same beliefs as I and who also manages our finances (or lack thereof!). But the truth is: I’m the one writing the check to church every week.

I could also blame the fact that I am not 100% sold that I’m in the right church right now. It’s a bit too “jump the shark” for me given that I’m pretty conservative (e.g., I prefer hymns over modern dance performances). But the truth is: the biblical teachings remain solid and I have no concerns that the church finances are being used unwisely.

It’s entirely me. I need to readjust my priorities and, in addition to being thankful for everything in my life, give more of myself to God.

Our Accomplishments

I got home the other night to much excitement.

Son #2: "Mama! Mama! Guess what I did today!"

Me: "What???"

Son #2: "I coughed up all that stuff from my throat into the sink!!"

Uh, fantastic . . . ?

------

Later that night, Son #1 was running in circles around the house: kitchen, family room, living room, dining room, kitchen, etc.

Son #1: "How many laps do you think I've done?"

Me: "20?"

Son #1: "Nope. 30!"

This line of questioning continued at every 10th lap for over 40 minutes.

When finished, Forrest Gump Junior asked for a sheet of paper and a pencil. He entitled it, "My Accomplishments." He then wrote one sentence, "Ran 100 laps around the house."

Aiming high in our house!

Easter Forgiveness

Years ago, I went to Charlotte beach on Lake Ontario with my girlfriend Anita -- a beautiful girl from Drogheda Ireland with whom I had traveled to Portugal one summer and who later came to live in Rochester for a brief moment in time.



We were sitting on the beach surrounded by girls with big hair wearing tiny, neon bikinis. And their boyfriends were wearing leather vests over their shirtless chests along with jeans (i.e., not shorts). Perfect for an 80 degree day.

Anita turned to me and quoted Jesus' words from the cross in Luke 23:34, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

I think of her every Easter and hope that she's doing well wherever she is!

Spring Fever

A couple of weeks ago, Stuff White People Like posted about how "white people believe that they can bring spring early by wearing a pair of shorts on any day that is above seasonal temperatures." That's how I felt this past weekend.

After spending a short (but fun) day poolside at a Courtyard by Marriott in Albany with some awesome friends and their kids, we drove back to the Roch to spend Easter at home. On Sunday, the kids woke up at 4:20 a.m., I coerced them back into bed for two more hours, and then they speed-hunted for eggs which lasted approximately one minute. Such buildup for this?

That left us with a day full of sunshine and, finally, a snow-free driveway on which to play street hockey, catch and basketball -- while retrieving the pucks/balls from the melting snowbanks. We then went around the block on scooters and further along through the neighborhood on bikes. Fresh air at last.

Today it's back to gray skies and snow. But, for a brief moment, it felt like spring.

What a great weekend.

You with Your Angel Face

Happy St. Patrick's Day! What? Two days ago? Huh? Where was I?

Well, at least someone in the family appears to be celebrating. Or sleeping it off . . .



Well Sully, welcome to the human race
With its wars, disease and brutality
You with your innocence and grace
Restore some pride and dignity
To a world in decline

We can't wait to meet you!