Reading

It's the season of Lent and all around you've heard everyone asking, "What are you going to give up for Lent?" Well, being a Lutheran I wasn't raised to give something up for Lent and I didn't totally understand why all my Catholic friends were always trying to give something up for Lent and usually were not successful. There have been several years I've tried to be like everyone else and give something up like fried food, sodas or sweets. I can't remember that I've ever been successful myself. Since childhood I've learned that it's not just about giving something up. That sometimes it's a time for reflection, prayer, dedicating yourself to bettering your life or others. So my choice is to read in my Bible every day. I started at the beginning several years ago and the farthest I've gotten was Joshua. Even in the small amount I've read so far there were things in there that surprised me. So I'm looking forward to some growth.

For my government class the teach sends out 25-30 pages of current events every week. This has made a big difference for me. I had the first government class with her in the fall and am taking the second one this spring and I've never in my life known as much as I do now about what is going on in the rest of the world (okay maybe the rest of the US). Some days these current event readings are a drag for me and it's a struggle to just get through a couple of pages. And others days it's made me feel like I can converse with the rest of the world because I actually know some of what's going on. For most of my life I've hated watching the news, primarily because most of what is reported is negative. Shootings, fires, deaths, same stories day after day. But I have enjoyed having these current events to read each week. Definite growth for me.

I was reading a few of those vampire series like everyone else. I'm stuck in the middle of the 5th book of a series and just don't have much drive to finish it. I stopped after the 6th book of another vampire series too. The rest of the girls around that share books have read about 2-3 other vampire series that I haven't even started nor really want to start. I'm the slow reader in this group. And the other thing is that I always need to make sure I'm taking care of my reading for school first before I read for pleasure.

Which brings me to my last subject on reading. Well, listening actually. I love having a library nearby because you have a number of books to select from to read for free and give back. Doesn't cost you money or take up room on the bookshelf. So I decided to check out a book on CD. I've done this before when I lived in San Antonio because I had a 30-45 minute drive to and from work every day. Well I don't have as long of a drive to anywhere in Lake Jackson but I have resumed my book listening in my truck. My first selection is Fahrenheit 451. I read it in high school but wanted to 'read' it again. I have a completely different view in listening to it this time. And with that I realized it's due today, I haven't finished it and I forgot to renew it....oh well.

Mmmmm Bread :o)

I was going through an old church cook book just browsing. I wasn't looking for anything in particular but it was fun seeing the names of those who submitted the recipes and remembering things about them. Along the way I found a few of my mom's recipes of dishes that I remember eating and now have wanted to know how to make them but had no idea how. It was really exciting since I just last month was telling Steven about this red cabbage that she made that all I could remember was that it was sorta sweet and had bacon in it. Ta DA! It's in there!! So I bought a head of red cabbage and will be trying to make her sweet and sour cabbage sometime this week. What I did try yesterday was my Great Grandma Norma's bread. I've never made bread before much less anybody shown me how to knead bread. I just was going by what I've probably seen on TV. It took most of the afternoon between all the kneading, letting it sit and rise, and kneading some more. In the end I have 3 small loaves of bread and it tastes great!! It was like I was getting to have Grandma Norma there showing me how to make her bread. I was probably about 5 or 6 the last time I remember having her bread. I just remember she was so upset that there were 'holes' in her bread. So far no holes in my first loaf but I did dream last night I had holes in a loaf and it made me smile.

The wedding shower I had in Friendswood at my Aunt Elaine's house was a kitchen/recipe themed shower. Everyone was sent a recipe card with their invite and were encouraged to give me recipes and/or the non-perishable items for the recipe. So in the last couple of weeks Steven and I have tried a few and all have been wonderful! Last night I made the broccoli casserole that his Aunt Brenda gave us. When we sat down to eat Steven said it smelled like his Mamaw's broccoli casserole. I said since it came from his Aunt Brenda it probably was his Mamaw's recipe. It's the little things like the broccoli casserole and Grandma Norma's bread that make me smile. In an age where society is moving forward so fast it's nice to be able to experience things that have stood the test of time. I'm sure my great grandma was taught by her mother, and her by her mother, and so on how to make bread. And some day I'll teach my own kids.

Missing

I wrote this yesterday while I was in class and supposed to be watching a video. I half way paid attention while jotting down these thoughts.

Lately I've lost my drive for photography. I'm not sure why. It's like I lost a little part of me and I'm not sure where to look to find it again. I used to regularly take pics, load them to my puter right away and post them online. Even the few pictures I have taken are still on my camera and I haven't done a thing with them. I'd say it happened when I wasn't myself after my 'seizure'. But I think it started before that. At least the drive was declining before then. It's sad really. I've even taken a picture of myself drinking a green smoothie to email to Claire (about 3-4 weeks ago) and it still sits on my camera.

Something else I also miss. I miss church. I know (from previous experience) that it won't be easy to find a new church home. I miss worship. I miss Bible study. I miss fellowship. I've tried conversing with Steven about what he's looking for, likes, dislikes. But I think the impression I've gotten is that he will go with me wherever I decide to go. I was hoping to have that as something we share but I think I will just be greatful if we do share the joy of attending worship together even if it ends up being my decision and not our decision. I should consider myself blessed that he's supportive of this journey and will follow me in it.

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So since then I did get my camera out and I'm sad to say that it had been since April last year since I had loaded any pics from my camera to my computer. :o( And my computer I think was angry at me for taking so long because I had difficulties loading them (or maybe I've used up most of my free space and need to purge/backup). So now it's time to go night night :o)

Here's one to laugh at, note the warning sign:

We'll see

Okay, so I'm horrible about writing anything. I'm too analytical of myself to usually put anything down that's permenant. So let's see if I'm able to have any consistancy in writing a blog about a bunch of nothing.

Today? Didn't do too much, well nothing productive. I read a little for class, was a bum on the couch most of the day to keep quiet since Steven was sleeping because he's working nights this week. Speaking of Steven working nights.....it sucks because he's not here at night. I'm not someone who has problems staying alone. I spent a year and a half living at my grandparents house on my own without them there. It's just after you get used to someone sleeping next to you it's different when they aren't there. The saddest part is my toes are cold. They are almost always cold. Especially when I crawl into bed they are cold. Steven likes my cold feet. I get to warm up my feet before falling asleep. But the Bonus!! Bonus is he's not here to role over and fart on me when he is ready to go to sleep. Sometimes I get so mad. Other times we laugh until he's giggling and I'm crying. Oh well.

Tomorrow? I have class in the morning but after that is the fun part. Marline is coming down to Lake Jackson with Sasha, her Boston Terrier, for me to watch this weekend while she's a weekend warrior. We are getting to have lunch together before she goes off on her crazy weekend. Marline and I met my first year at OU in The Pride, University of Oklahoma Marching Band. She tried to break me, it didn't work. We became good friends but lost touch over the years especially once I moved back to Texas. Somewhere along the way we got back in touch and I can't imagine not having her in my life. She is always such a delight. We never get to spend enough time together but the time we spend is precious. As a bonus she has a puppy dog that I get to watch once a month because she knows how much I love them.