Next up is a note about people I care about who have lost loved ones. Why is it that I write myself a note, but too often don't send a card. Or go to the wake. Or call and say, "how are you doing?"
Sometimes I think I'm a really insensitive and selfish person. Other times, I just think I try too hard to do too much and am therefore bound to let myself down. It doesn't make much sense to send a sympathy card three months to three years after a death, does it? So I guess I can resolve to respond more quickly in the future. And I can still gently ask how the person I care about is doing. I mean, my next door neighbor's mom died within the past year and I've never said anything about it! I feel like a creep.
Okay. Can't undo the past. Live for Jesus. Look to the future. Be content in the present.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Random Thoughts
As I am trying to clear away some of the clutter in my life (both at home and at school), I realize that the whole "pack rat" thing is very deeply seated in me. Even though I know that earthly things are not really very important, I still cling to them. Why is it so hard to let go? Will it really matter (in the short run even!) if certain details, ideas, communications, photos, escape my notice? Sometimes I think, what would I truly miss if our entire house burned down? Of course, the only thing that would really truly matter would be my family getting out alive. I would miss sentimental things, not unread magazines or "to do" projects that are just gathering dust.
To help me shed some unnecessary stuff, I decided to blog about it. Even if no one else ever reads it, I know it will somehow make me feel better. This might end up being my electronic recycle bin so that I can clear some of the physical clutter out of my life!
First up: Roger Nordby. In his junior year at the U, Morgan got a scholarship from Roger Nordby. Totally out of the blue. He hadn't even applied for it! He wrote the obligatory thank you note and went on with his life. I, however, wanted to send my own mother's note of appreciation to Mr. Nordby. I had not copied Morgan's inital letter, so I didn't have the mailing address . . . or perhaps it wasn't included. I know that Morgan actually had to turn his letter in to the IT office. They probably wanted to make sure that the TY got done so the donors would keep donating. Anyhow, I figured I could find a Roger Nordby in Iowa who was a U of M grade. But as much as I googled, I couldn't track down a mailing address for this kind man who has made our lives so much better. Alas, I never actually contacted the U to help me in this endeavor. But after almost two years, I think this little note with his name can now be recycled. One less piece of clutter by my desk!
To help me shed some unnecessary stuff, I decided to blog about it. Even if no one else ever reads it, I know it will somehow make me feel better. This might end up being my electronic recycle bin so that I can clear some of the physical clutter out of my life!
First up: Roger Nordby. In his junior year at the U, Morgan got a scholarship from Roger Nordby. Totally out of the blue. He hadn't even applied for it! He wrote the obligatory thank you note and went on with his life. I, however, wanted to send my own mother's note of appreciation to Mr. Nordby. I had not copied Morgan's inital letter, so I didn't have the mailing address . . . or perhaps it wasn't included. I know that Morgan actually had to turn his letter in to the IT office. They probably wanted to make sure that the TY got done so the donors would keep donating. Anyhow, I figured I could find a Roger Nordby in Iowa who was a U of M grade. But as much as I googled, I couldn't track down a mailing address for this kind man who has made our lives so much better. Alas, I never actually contacted the U to help me in this endeavor. But after almost two years, I think this little note with his name can now be recycled. One less piece of clutter by my desk!
Monday, December 1, 2008
I love my sisters, but . . .
Aargh!!!
One sister's phone is always busy, because her household uses a landline for their internet access and anytime someone's online, calls can't go through! The other sister doesn't delete messages from her machine for sentimental reasons, so you can't leave a message for her! The phone rings about twenty times and then you're told to enter the security code. . . Neither one uses her cell phone with enough regularity to be a reliable contact. Neither one checks email anytime other than at work during work hours . . . frustrating. Or smart? I suppose if people couldn't get ahold of me so darn easily, I wouldn't have spent the last 45 minutes answering the phone and emails. Grrr!
One sister's phone is always busy, because her household uses a landline for their internet access and anytime someone's online, calls can't go through! The other sister doesn't delete messages from her machine for sentimental reasons, so you can't leave a message for her! The phone rings about twenty times and then you're told to enter the security code. . . Neither one uses her cell phone with enough regularity to be a reliable contact. Neither one checks email anytime other than at work during work hours . . . frustrating. Or smart? I suppose if people couldn't get ahold of me so darn easily, I wouldn't have spent the last 45 minutes answering the phone and emails. Grrr!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Time
It's after 10pm and I should be in bed. What happens to my sense of time during the school year? I'm trying to keep some balance and not be running frazzled all the time, but each day speeds by so quickly. I guess I should be thankful for all that DID get done today and not lament the growing "to do" list! I was able to walk the dog tonight, make chili for tomorrow's dinner (thanks to Nick's help), clear some papers off my desk, visit with some people at Eastgate about our Highpoint program, and clean off the kitchen counter. Yep, need to count my blessings!
But now I really need to get some sleep. And tomorrow will have enough of it's own worries. Time to pray and truly trust in the Lord! His promises endure.
But now I really need to get some sleep. And tomorrow will have enough of it's own worries. Time to pray and truly trust in the Lord! His promises endure.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Hawaii and Alaska
Remember playing the "license plate game" while traveling as a child? (Okay - some of us play it as adults, but you know what I mean.) I flipped out when I saw this Hawaii plate in a parking lot here in Minnesota a few weeks ago. It's only the second time in my life I've ever seen a Hawaii plate!
So then later that very same week, I was getting on the freeway and I saw an Alaska plate! Hawaii and Alaska in the same week - how crazy is that? Well, from the quality of this shot, it's obviously not as crazy as trying to use a camera while accelerating onto the freeway . . . No, my husband does not read my blog! Anyhow, I definitely do NOT recommend trying to take photos while going 60+ mph on 169. No crashes, fortunately, just a little extra heart-pounding.
I realize that the actual plate is illegible, so here's what Google images shows:
I've never been to either of these states, but I'd sure love to go! This was one of those fun, silly, serendipity moments.
Monday, April 7, 2008
I hate being crabby
It's 3:20 p.m. and I have had about a five minute lunch break today (after school was out) and everyone seems to need a piece of me and I'm getting crabby! I don't like it when I feel this way - it doesn't glorify God, it doesn't make me feel good, and it sure isn't pleasant for the people around me. It's so frustrating. Time for a walk, I think.
Okay. As always, the to-do list stretches farther than the clock allows me to go. Time to put on some uplifting music, get ready for tonight's parent event, and look to the most urgent priorities for tomorrow. I need to take walks more often. I can hear kids racing down the hall and it's 4:05 p.m. . . . Guess I ought to go be the responsible adult who tells them to behave.
Okay. As always, the to-do list stretches farther than the clock allows me to go. Time to put on some uplifting music, get ready for tonight's parent event, and look to the most urgent priorities for tomorrow. I need to take walks more often. I can hear kids racing down the hall and it's 4:05 p.m. . . . Guess I ought to go be the responsible adult who tells them to behave.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Time and tiredness
Never enough time! And yesterday's conferences wore me out. So today I have lots to do and no energy to do anything. . . I am trying to stay calm and just take one thing at a time, but I feel like I'm a day late and a dollar short. And it's so sad to see kids not doing what they need to do!
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