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.

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.

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.

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.

A Tribute

In my kitchen, I have old cinnamon raisin bread wrapped in saran and nestled in an Avon bag that I can’t bring myself to throw away. Our precious elderly neighbor, Ms. Rowlfs, made it for us last Monday, a common gesture we’re gladly used to. But what I’m not used to is death – Ms. Rowlfs quietly passed away Tuesday evening.

When Matt and I began searching for our house, we had a list of things we wanted (at least two bedrooms, a nice backyard) and things we didn’t want (carpet). Those were items we could somewhat control in our purchase. We also knew how great it would be to have a good community of neighbors, so we earnestly prayed for neighbors we could learn and grow to love. We prayed for our future neighbors the entire time we searched for a house.

Ms. Rowlfs lived next door to our right. She was 88 years old and full of spunk. She was honest, kind, independent, and loving. There’s a worn path between our front doors from the consistent exchange of food and greetings and Taylor sniffing her porch flowers. I have fresh-picked strawberries in my refrigerator that I normally would have split with Ms. Rowlfs – she would have given them back in a pie. That’s my kind of community: a community that simply gives of each other, to each other.

It’s always funny to see how God responds and provides for our needs. It’s never quite what we imagine, is it? When Matt and I prayed for our neighbors, I fully hoped for young couples to befriend; although we have two great sets of couples as neighbors, it is Ms. Rowlfs who impacted us the most. When I thought I needed more friends, God knew I needed someone to step in and act like family. And for two years, Ms. Rowlfs did just that.

Matt and I made an effort to care for her, as we’d want others to care for our grandparents. Matt always took care of her front and backyard; I gave her flowers and fruit. We both visited with her and gladly accepted her pies and bread. But she gave us more – she taught us how to be the old-fashioned kind of neighbors, she taught us to care for the elderly around us, she showed us strength and independence, and she made us feel that we weren’t thousands of miles away from family, but merely a few steps.

Who me? Complain?

I know I've been a bit on the whiny side lately. And frankly, I feel my whines have been totally justified with the crappy weather, the illness, and my pending unemployment. But, I like myself more when I feel grateful. So, taking a cue from one of my favorite people in the world, here's my list of things that make me happy. (Because I actually AM happy. )

My sister is visiting in less than one week, and she'll be here for eight full days. I am just so overcome with excitement!! I can't wait to see her again, to laugh and be totally immature with her. There is no better sister than Steph, and she's all mine for EIGHT DAYS.

I'm the 3s room leader at my church, and my love for this ministry and my kids grows each week. I'm thankful for all my little friends who make me laugh and smile and are so excited to color with me. I love the stories they share from their little lives about gardening and monsters and mom and dad. They are a breath of fresh air.

Being able to teach this past year was the most unexpected surprise. There were plenty of tough moments and plenty of tears from stress, but it was always the best job for me, and I never doubted that. I am grateful that when my seniors left, I was so sad to see them go.

And even though I'm 5 days away from unemployment, I'm hopeful. I am grateful.

!!!

I'm over my HCD, so it's time to move on. I am a bit grumpy, though. It's mainly due to the weather, which was so lovely a few weeks ago but now all I can think is PORTLAND IS A BITCH. Sometimes, when I'm driving or watering my garden or walking into my school, I flip off the weather. It's the only way I know how to fight back. In a few weeks, our weather will be absolutely perfect, and I'll apologize to Portland and come running back into its arms, but MY GOD, PORTLAND, YOU ARE A BITCH!