Hello, old friend September 23, 2008

So for the first time this season, I stayed home sick yesterday.  I thought that I had done my time.  I was constantly sick for the first eight months of working in children’s ministry.  I chalked it up to that teacher thing – you just stay sick for the first year, but then the immunities are built up and you don’t get sick anymore.  I guess I’m just not there yet, or that theory is bogus.  Either way, I stayed on my couch all day yesterday, sleeping off and on, and I feel a lot better today.  I tried four times to watch Speed Racer, and I still didn’t make it all the way through without nodding off.  Maybe it was a bad movie, or maybe I was just really tired – take it however you wish.

It’s kind of strange to think about, but sometimes I feel a little nostalgic about being sick.  When you’re little and you stay home from school, it’s kind of fun.  Your mom or your grandma takes care of you.  You eat something special for lunch instead of school lunch or bagged lunch.  You watch The Price is Right.  You take the pillow and blanket from your bed and your stuffed animal to the couch, and you stay in your pajamas all day.  You get a day off from homework and chores.

On second thought, maybe I’m still sick.  (Wink, wink.)

My only mistake was the shoes September 18, 2008

In my effort to lose weight without actually changing what I eat, I’ve decided to walk more.  I did a few trial walks on the weekend when I don’t have to worry about the time.  I walked from my house to Wholly Ground, then I walked from my house to Blockbuster and back.  Both of these locations are so close to the church that I knew I could walk to work in about 45 minutes.  I planned to do this earlier in the week a few times, but I kept oversleeping.  This morning I woke up in plenty of time, so I decided to make it happen.

As I prepared my mind for this undertaking, I was also planning out my clothing ensemble for the day.  I never quite got over the desire to wear the outfit that I couldn’t find the shirt for on Tuesday.  I found the shirt and picked out appropriate shoes and jewelry to match.  Everything was going great.

I slipped on my silver strappy high-heeled sandals, and I thought, “Should I wear sneakers and just bring these with me?”  “No, I can make it.  I’m tough,” was my answer to myself.

I quickly planned in my head my route.  It’s pretty much a straight shot, but I wanted to make sure I was safe and cool.  I decided when I would make my crosses and what side of the road would be shadiest.  I noticed buildings I had never paid attention to when I’m in my car.  I waved at a family that was walking on the other side of the street.

About halfway to work I realized that the shoe choice was a big mistake.  When I reached the big intersection of Main Street and Highway 52, I could feel the liquid squishing inside the blisters forming on the bottoms of my feet.  As I approached the far end of the church parking lot, a gold-toothed man on a motorcycle asked what a beautiful woman like me was doing walking this morning.  I said, “I’m going to work, and I work at a church.”  That was enough for him, and he drove away.  I was thankful because if he had offered, I might have taken a ride from him, and my life might have gone in a whole new direction.

Next time I will wear the sneakers.

Does this shirt make me look grumpy? September 16, 2008

Have you ever just been in an unexplainably bad mood?  I am right now.  I am irritated with myself in every way.  I think the only thing that’s good about it is that when I’m in a bad mood, I know it.  I know it’s not anyone’s fault, I know that I should not take anything personally until the funk has passed.  I warn everyone around me so they know that I might snap at any moment.  It’s 10:20 in the morning, and here’s what has annoyed me so far.

• I woke up at 4:30am and couldn’t get back to sleep until 5:30am.
• When my alarm started going off at 7:00am, I must have done something to it because I was still in my bed at 8:40am.
• I had planned to walk to work this morning, but I slept too late and didn’t have time.
• I haven’t lost any weight since the beginning of the weight loss contest, mostly because I eat whatever I want and don’t exercise.
• I couldn’t find the shirt I wanted to wear because my laundry is EVERYWHERE.
• My desk is a mess.  It is covered with papers and junk.
• I was excited to find out that there is a Third Day concert in Savannah, GA on Nov. 14.  When I tried to buy tickets, the website informed me that they are only available for pre-buy if you have some password from somewhere.  So I have to wait until Friday and hope there are still some good seats available.

Update:  I came back from lunch to discover that the UPS package I refused yesterday is actually the one I needed to keep, so the stuff I need for tomorrow night may or may not get here in time.  So the funk continues. . .

New week September 15, 2008

Last week was very busy.  Maybe my busiest week since I started working here.  And that includes Christmas.  First of all, it was a new series changeover week for KidsPointe, which is more and more work each time we do it.  We keep challenging ourselves and get more and more creative, so that is a good thing.  This time the new series is called “To the Depths,” and it is set on a submarine.  We had a great team of volunteers to help us out, but we were still working well into the evening several times this week.

We also started our midweek program “Night Lights.”  We had 35 kids there, so we had a good turnout.  I think even the most rambunctious kids were entertained.  They were literally moving around and doing something different every 10 minutes.  After 2 hours my head was spinning.  Some of the volunteers are just getting back into children’s ministry, and some have never done it before, so it was a learning experience for everyone.  I’m just glad we can offer something worthwhile for the kids to go to so parents can have the opportunity to go to a class or get involved with a small group.  No more excuses!

Now I can take a breath and gear up for this week.

That’s just the way the cookie crumbles September 3, 2008

So I began the Pointe North Weight Loss Challenge this week, and I have already fallen.  Molly M. brought in a delicious treat, so I had to eat some.  Don’t judge me yet – let me tell you what she brought.  She made those Ritz cracker peanut butter sandwich dipped in chocolate things.  They are so good!  Why do I have the willpower of a something that doesn’t have any willpower?  I’m determined to get back on track.  There’s money on the line, people!  Don’t get too encouraged, all you other Challengers.  I will succeed!