Love Hate Relationships

I love mugs. I love getting new mugs... special mugs. I have a few Eeyore mugs, a Princess mug, a mug that looks like a pair of jeans that my mom made me with my name on it, and most recently, 2 really cute Starbucks mugs. In fact, in the past month, I think I have spent $60.00 in new mugs.... three for me and one for a friend. I like big mugs. Strong mugs. Heavy mugs. They have to feel right in your hand. (I might be a mug snob.) They make nice gifts. I love when someone finds the perfect mug for me, and I love doing the same for friends who appreciate such fine gifts.

I hate mugs. I have way too many. I have my special mugs (7 in total). My roomie has her special mugs (3 I think). There are mugs that go with each of my 2 dish sets. I don't really like these mugs, but I cannot get rid of them because they go with the dishes. (3 sets of 4) Then there are the mug sets I (we) have bought or have been given. (4 sets of 4, plus 2 sets of 2) I have mugs from my gym... I take them to Youth group so my small group can have tea. (4) And then there are my 2 travel mugs.

Where in the world do you put 48 mugs? And why do 2 people even need to have 48 mugs? If you have seen my kitchen, you know my dilemma. Mugs are not like Tupperware. I can shove all the Tupperware in the cupboard and slam the door shut quickly as I hear the containers tumble over. But it is all good - well, until someone opens the door, which I tend to avoid at all costs!If you did that with mugs, you would have glass everywhere. Much like today.....

Today I got annoyed with my mug cupboard. As I was trying to strategically arrange the mugs (which you know had to be a feat considering my slight OCD), one fell. It was one of my room mates special mugs. It landed on a glass bowl. Shattered the bowl, but the mug was ok. Phew. Then a second one fell... also my room mates. This was not going to be good. This time it landed on an egg. Yes, an egg. I was baking and had eggs on the counter. Again, the mug was fine.

Mugs. One of my love hate relationships.

Are Those Breaths Real?

Funny story. So yesterday afternoon at work, our cardiac patient comes out. There is always a whole lot of hullabaloo. People everywhere, everyone with their own job to do. The Surgeon and his team, Anesthesia handing over the patient to the RT, at least 2 RNs sorting out lines, mixing new drugs etc, an ECG Tech, and X-Ray tech, not to mention the PICU staff and the Residents. Lots of hands in the pot. I am minding my own business, doing my own thing. I just finished setting up the ventilator, and was writing down some numbers, when I hear the staff MD talking to me. He asks "are those breaths real or are they yours?" It was as though the room got just quiet enough for everyone to hear - or should I say, mis-hear what he said. It sounded a lot like "Are those breasts real or are they yours?" I stopped dead in my tracks, as did everyone else to see my reaction. If the brown skinned doctor could have turned red, he would have! He will never live it down, that's for sure!

Celebrating The 10 Anniversary Of My 20th Birthday

Well, this is it. The countdown has ended. I have moved from my 20's in to the dreaded 30's. You know it is not the number so much that bothers me. It is that in my mind, I would be married with children by now. The fact that I am not makes me sad. That said, I am trusting that it will all happen in His timing!

I usually hate my birthday. Being so soon after Christmas it tends to get forgotten about. And of course, I take that personally, get all bent out of shape, and have a miserable day. But this year was much better. Thank you to my wonderful friends who took me to dinner and a movie... the effort you made to involve other friends means more than you know. Thank you for the perfect little gifts...my fabulous Origami Calendar (one a day for a year... how cool is that???)...things for my "pamper me" nights, and cinnamon hearts! Thank you for decorating the house, and making my favourite cherry bit cake! And thank you for my birthday turkey dinner (even though it was a turkey "roll").... yummm.... left over stuffing!

I want this year to be something great. I want to look back at my first year of my 30s with fond memories... and I am sure that I will. My prayer for this year is that God would continue to grow me, stretch me and use me.

A shout out to the other Jan 14th-ers I know.... Wendy, Steve and Jessica... hope you all had a great day!

Remember... the older the tree, the sweeter the music it makes in the breeze. (An appropriate quote from my aunt, seeing as I was recently told I was a Willow Tree!)

Covered

It has been a while since I gave my faithful followers something to read. *S* This week has been pretty busy as I was out of town on a course/conference for work. But right before I left, as well as while I was away, something really cool happened. I am not sure I can even describe it... I have tried to one person, and am convinced that she only understands what I am talking about because she too has experienced it.

I was at a bit of a breaking point.. uncontrollable tears, panic attacks etc. Something I have done cyclically all my life. I get to the point of being near irrational... it is very frustrating, but usually goes away in a few days. (I will say that it is more than likely a really really bad case of the pms crazies... I am not totally losing my mind!) After spending a day in bed, I went to a friends place for a change of scenery. I left bawling after she and her husband took the time to pray for me. I barely made it home... I was so beyond getting control of my emotions, that I nearly turned back. I got home and cried for a while longer, all the while praying that God would just make this stop. As I got in to bed, my prayers were answered. He did make it stop. Literally, all of a sudden, I could not longer cry... I tried! It was as though all my anxiety, all my sad emotions were taken from me. As I lay in bed, I felt surrounded... covered. Literally. It was a though I could feel His hand... his really, really big hand, covering me. I felt protected. I felt warm. I felt safe. I felt like someone was lying on top of me, sheltering me... covering me. It was the strangest feeling. It took me by surprise because although I have known of His presence with me before, there have been very few times when I have allowed myself to fall completely in to Him ... it seemed as though when I did, I could actually FEEL Him.

The next night was my first night out of town. As many of you know, I don't sleep so well when I am not in my own bed... especially the first night away. I am not sure I slept at all that night. Usually, that would make me panic, especially in light of the 10 hour course I had the next day! But again, I felt covered. I was able to just lie there in His presence... covered by Him... and be ok. It made me realize all I am missing out on when I don't just give it fully to Him. He is big enough, and He will take it!

Well... by the time my next post arrives, I will be 30. R- I will let you know how it goes! *S*

Sandals & Snow Angels

What a strange few days is has been weather wise. On Friday it was warm enough for me to be outside in my Birks... no socks... January 5th. Today I thought I would go and get my car washed. I later arrived at a friends house only to see her neighbour hand washing his car on the drive way... January 7th. But by the time I left her house, is was snowing... beautiful, big, fat snowflakes! I made my very first snow angel of 2007. (I wonder if it is still there.) As I was driving home, I regretted having already taken down my Christmas decorations. Oh well.

One week til the big 3-0! Yikes!

What's So New About The New Year

I am not one to make New Years Resolutions. They always get broken, and then I get frustrated with myself. So I thought that I would just reflect a bit on the year ahead... think about the kind of life I want to live... the kind of legacy I want to leave behind. I want this year to be a year of many new things.

This year, I want my life to be focussed on Him like never before. All that happened around Christmas gave me some new insight... I want to remember what I have learned. I want to want more and more of Him... all the time. I want to draw near to Him always. I want to be so desperate for Him, that I fall apart when I am not near Him.

This year I want my prayer life - which has already taken off since this time last year - to be heightened... to be taken to a whole new level. I want to remember to pray expectantly. I want to pray continually. I want my prayer life to become more and more a conversation between me and my God. I want to learn to be still and listen to His voice.... I need to learn how to not do all the talking! *S*

This year, I want my devotional life to continue to grow. I want to read what my God has written to me and gain new understanding of His Will and His heart each time I do. As I study His Word alone and with others, I want to hide it in my heart more and more.

This year I want to ensure my ministry is effective. I need to remember to purify my heart before Him, before I serve the youth I am working with. I want to set the example that was set for me at that age. I want the kids I work with to see Christ in me.

This year, I want to get my finances in a better place. I love to shop. I need to stop! Not that things are horrible, I just need to focus on paying of my debts, and think about preparing financially for my future.

This year I want to find my husband. *S* Am item for prayer... it has always been my hearts desire to be a wife and a mother. And for as long as that desire is in my heart, I know that He will provide that for me. A friend told me that Tuesdays was the day to pray about that. (I mean, any time really, but Tuesdays specifically.) When I asked her why Tuesday? She answered "God told me". Ok then... that is all I need to know. So join us will you? *S*

This year I want to see one of my dearest friends come to know my Lord and Saviour. I have not always been the best example to her. This year, that will change. This year I want her to know beyond a doubt exactly what it is that I believe. (Another item for prayer.)

This year I want to be especially mindful of the blessing God has given me in my friendships... new ones, old ones, and rekindled ones. I also want to be mindful of the relationships within my family, and work on those that need it.

I want this upcoming year to be unlike any other. I guess only time will tell.