Wednesday, July 23, 2008

A Twenty Dollar Misunderstanding

Matt's out of town right now, and I'm leaving town tomorrow, but he's coming back in a few days, so I did what any good wife would do: stocked up on frozen foods. While I was driving to the store, Matt called. I told him what I was doing, and he asked if I'd pick up some wine for him, just one or two. I thought this was a bit odd because Matt is much more likely to have a beer or a gin and tonic rather than a glass of wine while he's home alone. In fact, the image of Matt sitting at home alone watching tv with a bottle of wine is really making me grin right now.

I pulled into Trader Joe's, picked out two bottles of wine, grabbed some burritos and pizza, and went on with my day. When Matt called later, I mentioned that I got him his wine.

"Why did you buy me wine?"

"Well, you asked for it. Really, Matt, start remembering things!"

"No... I asked for limes, one or two."

"Oh. ... ... well, limes sure would have been cheaper for me to buy."

See? I knew he'd rather have a gin and tonic.

Monday, July 21, 2008

On Sucky Things and Awesome People

Before we left for Arkansas, I had hoped to have an interview scheduled with a school to get rehired for this fall. Naturally, they scheduled the interviews while I was away. And of course I found this out during our layover the day we left Portland. (This is the point in which I give a bewildered look up to God and foolishly question his timing.) My options were to fly home five days early or have a phone interview. If I flew home early, I would miss visiting the Haines completely. If I had a phone interview, I felt my chances of getting the job would drop significantly.

I took the phone interview. I know that I want to always choose to invest in my relationships over investing in my career, status, and money (a lesson learned from my dad and Jesus). And wouldn’t this be the perfect time to say AND LOOK! I GOT THE JOB AFTER ALL! Only I didn’t.

But I can say that I don’t regret that phone interview at all. Sure, I might have gotten the job had I flown back earlier, but I’ll never know. The only thing I’d know is that I missed my sweet, sweet time with Amber and Seth and their three fantastically adorable boys. They are my soul family. When I met Seth eight years ago, he said I’d love his new wife. AND OH MY. If there were a way to bottle Amber up and keep her with me always, I would have done it a loooooooong time ago. She is one of the very best people in my life. And together, Amber and Seth are some of the greatest Jesus-loving people I’ve ever known. It is a huge treat to spend a week with them.

The day I found out I didn’t get the job could have been awful. I imagine if I were in Portland at the time, I would have simply stayed in bed eating chocolate covered pretzels until Matt got off work, in which I'd pretend I'd been productive, only the crumbs and chocolate stains would have given me away. It’s pretty impossible to stay sad with Isaac, Jude, and Ian, though. Those boys put some Jesus straight into my soul with their simple words, silly giggles, and cuddly hugs. Even the littlest people can have a big impact.

Overall, I had the best time with the Haines crew. We laughed a lot, we were honest and ourselves, we ate and drank well, we encouraged and prayed, and we lived fully. I think that’s the way Jesus wants it.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Why the Blob

So the blob was for our children's ministry at church. The early childhood kids are learning about creation this summer, and the blob is the "soup of nothingness," as The Message calls it. I actually find it pretty creepy to imagine this endless abyss that was the beginning, but the kids ate it up. They just loved the blob. As we taught them the story inside the blob, they just sat in awe. And that's why it's cool to watch a little kid learn about God -- they don't get wrapped up in the questioning and doubts and fears. They just take it as it is. It's refreshing to be around.

Matt and I are leaving this afternoon for Arkansas. Now that I've been away from N-dub for nearly three years, going back has become more nostalgic. I'm over my GETMEOUTOFHERENOW phase, and now it's just really fun and special for Matt and I to go back together. The first four years of our relationship took place in Arkansas. We're excited to see family again and catch up with old friends. And I'm getting the shakes just thinking about eating Chick-fil-a. Number one combo with a coke, please.

And next week, Matt is likely going somewhere for work so I'm staying with my favorite family for a few days. Everyone should be very jealous.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

The Making of Something Awesome

Once upon a time, Matt and I sat bored on a weeknight. Sister had left town, the weather was sunny, and we needed something meaningful to do. So we made a BLOB. Naturally. So here's how it works:

First, you'll need at least 2 black plastic sheets, found in the drop cloth section at Home Depot. We went with 3.5 mil, and I believe it was 10x20. I'm not very good with dimensions; Matt later found this out as he struggled to explain just how big the BLOB would be when combined with two sheets and then folded in half -- I still don't get it. Frankly, it gives me the same kind of headache I get when I think of the word eternity. ANYHOODLE. You'll also need duct tape, trash bags, and a box fan.

Once you've got your supplies, open up the two black sheets side by side, long wise. Tape the two together! Follow Matt's lead:

Don't be alarmed; Matt is in fact wearing shorts.

So once you've taped the two sheets together, fold it in half -- like a hot dog. Now you're going to tape all around the edges. Seal it up like a ... uh... pita pocket? HOT POCKET!

Make sure the edges are lined up together.

And then tape away on the remaining three sides. Look at that teamwork!

So now the BLOB should be like a super sturdy slip 'n slide. You'll be tempted to turn on your sprinklers, and if it's hot enough, go for it. It was a cool 65 degrees for us, so no slip 'n slide. Sadly.

Time for the fan! If you have a large enough trash bag (50 gallon... do they make those?), it should slip right over the box fan. If you're like us, you'll need to lay down three 30 gallon trash bags and tape them together. Then, wrap it around the fan like a tube and tape away. I was too excited at this point to remember pictures. Use your imagination or just give up and pretend you were trying to make a slip 'n slide all along.

Using a box cutter (I didn't tell you to get one of those; quick, grab a knife! ), cut a small opening on one of the short sides of the BLOB. Slide the trash bag tube in about 2 inches and tape it to the BLOB.

If everything's good and taped, turn the fan on and watch it blow up. Run to the opposite end of the fan and with the box cutter make a slit about 3 feet long as an entry way. Voila!


Careful, though. The BLOB can attack.