Check out my friends' blog page Awake and Alive, a non-profit ministry dedicated to "move individuals and communities from complacency to vibrancy, replacing a routine existence for a passionate and meaningful one in which people look beyond themselves to assist the poor, distressed, and underprivileged in the world around them."
They are starting to do amazing things and I can't wait to see what God has in store for them. I can only imagine what God will bring into the lives of those that desperately want to serve Him and be the hands and heart of Christ! Blessings to you, Danielle and Jolene!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
another fabulous thing about Colorado
If you leave marshmallows out, they get stale way faster. Who doesn't love that?
Friday, August 5, 2011
mouse to mice
So, some of you know that I have had a little bit of a mouse problem in the apartment. It has not been one of my favorite things. I chronicled the first mouse situation mostly on Facebook, but felt this second run-in deserved an entire post.
The first mouse was warned with a couple traps that he managed to cleverly evade. He taunted me a few times running in and out of his hiding place while I watched from my couch. But, on the third trap attempt, he did succumb to death-by-trap (I might be willing to die for a little feta myself).
However, tonight I was sitting on the couch and I see ANOTHER dare-devil mouse running around the kitchen. Only this mouse acted like he owned the kitchen...not skittish at all, just running around eating crumbs like he was at a mouse buffet. I watch him...I actually got up and moved into the kitchen and he just kept going about his business. He didn't hide until I turned the light on. And at this point I am a little panicky because...how many mice are there and where are they coming from. But, I got out the rest of my traps and and set them with some very nice little Havarti cheese (much too good for a mouse, but that's what I had). I turned around to update my Facebook status with the latest mouse episode ....and SNAP. I jumped completely out of my skin and practically hit my head on the ceiling and my heart stopped for at least 5 beats. And when I turned around I was in time to see the mouse twitch and convulse for about 30 seconds before he was completely dead. So, naturally, I had a mild melt down for a minute, and called Yemi and left a slightly crazy voice mail. I had done pretty well at being mouse-killer extraordinaire, but that kind of pushed me over the edge just a little.
Obviously, the next rational step was to head to Walmart at 1am because I wasn't going to be able to sleep anyways. I got some more traps, some D-Con, a staple gun, staples, wire mesh, a swiffer, dry clothes for the swiffer, and wet clothes for the swiffer. I came home, and there was a SECOND dead mouse in another trap. And now I am on the verge of a serious break down and trying not to freak out because I am a capable adult and have to deal with my own mice situation now, evidently. I strapped on some gloves (thank goodness I am a nurse and have a small supply of medical gloves at the ready) and disposed of the two dead mice. Then I dry dusted my kitchen floor, wet mopped my kitchen floor, set some more traps (almost lost my finger a couple of times), and pulled out everything under my sink to manage the open little area where all the pipes come in. And, of course, I got the wrong staples for the staple gun, so I had to make another 2am trip to Walmart to remedy that problem. But then, I managed to cut the wire mesh screening and staple gun it (in about 50 places...I'm sure my neighbor downstairs wants to kill me) to the bottom of the cabinet and zip tie (thank you Dad for instilling in me the importance of having zip ties at the ready, because they work in almost as many situations as duct tape) the top of the screen together around the pipes and then place D-Con in the corner, just to make sure I covered all my bases. And it's now 245am and I feel a little too wired and a little too creepy crawly to actually go to bed, and my nerves are a little frazzled at the moment.
And my window air conditioner that I am sitting next to just sounded like it exploded and shot little chunks of ice at me. So, my heart has stopped at least 3 times tonight, and I kind of feel like I could throw up a little.
Anyone have an extra cat lying around?
The first mouse was warned with a couple traps that he managed to cleverly evade. He taunted me a few times running in and out of his hiding place while I watched from my couch. But, on the third trap attempt, he did succumb to death-by-trap (I might be willing to die for a little feta myself).
However, tonight I was sitting on the couch and I see ANOTHER dare-devil mouse running around the kitchen. Only this mouse acted like he owned the kitchen...not skittish at all, just running around eating crumbs like he was at a mouse buffet. I watch him...I actually got up and moved into the kitchen and he just kept going about his business. He didn't hide until I turned the light on. And at this point I am a little panicky because...how many mice are there and where are they coming from. But, I got out the rest of my traps and and set them with some very nice little Havarti cheese (much too good for a mouse, but that's what I had). I turned around to update my Facebook status with the latest mouse episode ....and SNAP. I jumped completely out of my skin and practically hit my head on the ceiling and my heart stopped for at least 5 beats. And when I turned around I was in time to see the mouse twitch and convulse for about 30 seconds before he was completely dead. So, naturally, I had a mild melt down for a minute, and called Yemi and left a slightly crazy voice mail. I had done pretty well at being mouse-killer extraordinaire, but that kind of pushed me over the edge just a little.
Obviously, the next rational step was to head to Walmart at 1am because I wasn't going to be able to sleep anyways. I got some more traps, some D-Con, a staple gun, staples, wire mesh, a swiffer, dry clothes for the swiffer, and wet clothes for the swiffer. I came home, and there was a SECOND dead mouse in another trap. And now I am on the verge of a serious break down and trying not to freak out because I am a capable adult and have to deal with my own mice situation now, evidently. I strapped on some gloves (thank goodness I am a nurse and have a small supply of medical gloves at the ready) and disposed of the two dead mice. Then I dry dusted my kitchen floor, wet mopped my kitchen floor, set some more traps (almost lost my finger a couple of times), and pulled out everything under my sink to manage the open little area where all the pipes come in. And, of course, I got the wrong staples for the staple gun, so I had to make another 2am trip to Walmart to remedy that problem. But then, I managed to cut the wire mesh screening and staple gun it (in about 50 places...I'm sure my neighbor downstairs wants to kill me) to the bottom of the cabinet and zip tie (thank you Dad for instilling in me the importance of having zip ties at the ready, because they work in almost as many situations as duct tape) the top of the screen together around the pipes and then place D-Con in the corner, just to make sure I covered all my bases. And it's now 245am and I feel a little too wired and a little too creepy crawly to actually go to bed, and my nerves are a little frazzled at the moment.
And my window air conditioner that I am sitting next to just sounded like it exploded and shot little chunks of ice at me. So, my heart has stopped at least 3 times tonight, and I kind of feel like I could throw up a little.
Anyone have an extra cat lying around?
Monday, August 1, 2011
my ducks are crooked
I like to have all my little ducks in a row. All the time. When I have things on my to-do list or or loose ends just hanging out there, it drives me crazy. At the moment, I have several duckies that are out of line, and I am working to convince myself to just let it go and trust that it will work itself out.
One duck is my Ethiopia trip. I am waiting, less than patiently, for news and updates and decisions. It's all pretty much out of my hands at this point, and I just have to sit and wait and pray. I'm not especially good at any of those three things.
Another duck is work stuff. They need SO many documents and tons of information and you can't do this until they get that and this and the other thing. So, it's kind of a juggling act, and right now I am waiting for either A)my CO driver's license to come in the mail or B)my renewed passport to come in the mail before I can be officially hired and actually start orientation.
My third out-of-line duck is budget and finances. I am trying to get everything switched from one bank account to another bank account, pay off my car, waiting for a check to appear in my mailbox, waiting for funds to get transferred over, worrying about bills, groceries, scrubs for work, and everything else all at the same time.
My last duck is scheduling work and trips and fun and orientation and everything else that pops up in the meantime. I like to have things planned out and marked down. I like to know what I am doing for the next month and get things all settled. I am trying to work out a couple important trips at the same time as starting a new job. Not usually the best plan, but they are kind life-altering little ventures, so ya know....
My ducks are not cooperating at all. I am discovering that I might have touches of OCD...my boyfriend emphatically agrees with me (as I am constantly fixing his watch if it's not COMPLETELY secured in every way the manufacturer intended or turning off the radio if there's a slight buzz that no one else can even hear).
And as I was driving home this afternoon and trying to calm myself and not worry about all the rampant ducks flying all over the place when they should be sitting calmly in a dignified row, I couldn't help but think that God was just looking at me and chuckling and telling me, "Child, chill out. Have I left you hanging yet? Have you wanted for anything? Do you think I am confused or worried about everything that you need and where I want you to be in the coming weeks? Just chill. I've got this. For you are mine and see you and know you. I've got it, so you can let go. Trust me." So, I am trying to just let it go. Trying.
Psalm 121
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
One duck is my Ethiopia trip. I am waiting, less than patiently, for news and updates and decisions. It's all pretty much out of my hands at this point, and I just have to sit and wait and pray. I'm not especially good at any of those three things.
Another duck is work stuff. They need SO many documents and tons of information and you can't do this until they get that and this and the other thing. So, it's kind of a juggling act, and right now I am waiting for either A)my CO driver's license to come in the mail or B)my renewed passport to come in the mail before I can be officially hired and actually start orientation.
My third out-of-line duck is budget and finances. I am trying to get everything switched from one bank account to another bank account, pay off my car, waiting for a check to appear in my mailbox, waiting for funds to get transferred over, worrying about bills, groceries, scrubs for work, and everything else all at the same time.
My last duck is scheduling work and trips and fun and orientation and everything else that pops up in the meantime. I like to have things planned out and marked down. I like to know what I am doing for the next month and get things all settled. I am trying to work out a couple important trips at the same time as starting a new job. Not usually the best plan, but they are kind life-altering little ventures, so ya know....
My ducks are not cooperating at all. I am discovering that I might have touches of OCD...my boyfriend emphatically agrees with me (as I am constantly fixing his watch if it's not COMPLETELY secured in every way the manufacturer intended or turning off the radio if there's a slight buzz that no one else can even hear).
And as I was driving home this afternoon and trying to calm myself and not worry about all the rampant ducks flying all over the place when they should be sitting calmly in a dignified row, I couldn't help but think that God was just looking at me and chuckling and telling me, "Child, chill out. Have I left you hanging yet? Have you wanted for anything? Do you think I am confused or worried about everything that you need and where I want you to be in the coming weeks? Just chill. I've got this. For you are mine and see you and know you. I've got it, so you can let go. Trust me." So, I am trying to just let it go. Trying.
Psalm 121
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
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