Wow! According to blogger, I haven't blogged since July. Sorry! It seems that I really just haven't had the time, motivation or inspiration to write as of late. However, that all changed today. As I was out on the road today ,traveling for my job, topics were literally swirling in my head. I think that was due in large part to the fact that I finally just surrendered all the things that I have been worrying or stressing about over to the Lord. That seemed to give my brain plenty of room to let the creative (or not so creative) juices flow. For those of you who know me, you know that I can be random. It should come as no surprise, then, that the first topic that I chose to start back to blogging with is just that- Random. My topic of interst: Motion Sensors.
Since my job requires me to travel all over the state, I have ample opportunities to visit multiple types of businesses (and quite a few bathrooms). Throughout my various stops, I have begun to notice a definite trend. As businesses are moving towards being more efficient and eco-friendly, I have seen a huge rise in the number of motion sensored everythings. You experience your first motion sensor when you walk through the door and it goes on from there. I am sure that their manufacturers have hailed the virtues of these amazing litte gadgets but, as with most things, they definitely have their downfalls. These are downfalls that I have either witnessed or experienced multiple times. Though these issues can definitely be a pain- they are also quite amusing. They are enumerated below.
- The Doors: You've all seen them. They are at grocery stores and department stores everywhere. When they sense you coming in or out they open with a big "WOOF!" and let you in. Problem is, that is the limit to their brilliance. If you are standing just inside the door waiting for a ride or talking to a friend- they flap open and closed like confused windshield wipers. Then there is the occasion that they malfunction and it takes the weight of 5 grown men to get the behemoths to open. Then comes the human error side of these doors. You are at "those stores" that have specific entrance and exit doors. Instead of being able to just push the door and make you exit you have to go to the appropriately marked door. I don't know about you, but I don't know how many times I have spent more than a few seconds waiting to exit out an entrance door. You sit there looking at the door like it's an idiot while that title really belongs to you. When the realization finally hits, you are just happy that your beet red face is facing the outdoors as you hastily find your exit.
- The Toilet: I know, I know- they use less water and are more sanitary. Thats what "they" say. Well, maybe they are not quite as educated as they might think. It can be quite the experience dealing with one of those little devils. You find your respective stall (that is always way too small) and take care of the business that you entered the restroom to do. All the while you are wondering, "How does it actually know that I am done?". As you prepare to leave the stall- "THE FLUSHING" happens. I don't know about you, but I am usualy on a race to get out of that stall before then. It usually happen fast enough and loud enough that you fear for a split second that it is actually going to suck you and the whole stall in with you. Its enough to scare a small child back into wearing diapers!
- The Sink: I think this is the funniest thing to watch. You and your fellow restroom visitors are ready to wash your hands (while singing to the Happy Birthday song in your head to make sure you are properly sanitized). That is when the amusement begins! You start by simply running your hand under the soap dispenser. If it is like most, it rarely works the first time. You swing you hands back and forth, hoping to produce the correct motion that will magically make the soap appear. Finally, after multiple maneuvers, soap finally decides to grace you with its presence. Only problem is- it usually misses your hand the first time. (Or worse yet, its not even an automatice dispenser.) Eventually you do have the correct amount of bubble maker to suit your fancy- now it's on to the water. As with the soap, the first try never works. You end up enacting an abbreviated version of the Hokey Pokey to make it actually turn on. Evidently, these automated faucets don't know about the Happy Birthday rule because your Hokey Pokey dance gets three rounds before you get what it was all about. Heaven forbid that either one of these things are out of order. You could sit there for a full three minutes before realizing that your are spastically waving at a faucet. This is the point where the line between sanity and insanity is a mere diagnosis away!
- The Paper Towel Dispenser: By the time you get to this machine, you are seriously wondering if someone might have filed a missing persons report while you have been enslaved to these automatic demons. Thank goodness, at least this machine has a little hand sign and red sensor light that shows where to wave. At this point you have sopping wet hands. You are probably doing some type of hand rotational motion as you walk across the room to make sure you don't leave a trail of drips. Then the silly thing is asking you to wave. I don't know about you, but I end up making some crippled looking motion in an attempt to not only avoid drippage but to not shake water like a dog onto the person behind me in the drip line. It spits out your allotted towel length and you a finally able to put an end to this silly saga. Of course, you have to make sure that grab an extra towel to open the door with. "Why?" you ask. Because most people gave up at the soap and headed straight out the door.
You want to know what the funniest thing about this whole process is? As soon as I finally exit that door to doom, I reach into my purse for a squirt of hand sanitizer. Figures! Obviously, I have overdramatized this quite a bit and I actually do appreciate the convenience of these motion sensored things. However, when you are on the road as much as I am, you tend to imagine a little too much life into ordinary things. What can I say? It keeps me entertained. I hope if brings a smile to you too :)
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Recently, I have noticed a fairly odd phenomenon in my laundry process. You see, since it is flip-flop weather, I have had little need to wear socks. However, occasionally I do slip on a pair to take a jog or to warm up my poor little tootsies. Either way, I have had a few pairs make their way into the laundry heap. I peel them off my worn out feet and toss them into the laundry heap to be dealt with later. Sooner (or later), laundry time comes. I am always quite careful when sorting my laundry to make sure that each pair of socks stays with its partner. I then lug it down to my basement to be washed and dried in regular washing and drying fashion. This is where the phenomenon occurs. Somewhere among the washing, the rinsing and the drying, these poor little pairs get separated. Sadly, their absence is not discovered until it is time for me to put everything away. Then I realize that I have a handful of random socks that have lost their match. Crazy right? Occasionally these wayward fellows can be found still hanging out in the dryer, on the stairs or hiding under the bed.
The question is - How do they get where they go? They all went in the same and came out the same. What really stumps me is how there are some who are never found or who are found later in a completely illogical place. The sad thing is, I am the only one that can reasonably be blamed for this loss. Since I live on my own, there are no longer sisters who will "borrow" a pair - possibly for an indefinite period of time. I am solely responsible for being the leader of the sock hunt through the house, drawers and random clothing that could possibly serve as a potential hiding spot. Trust me, this is something that one can ponder while lying in bed at night. While it doesn't exactly keep me awake, it does keep me entertained to imagine the secret lives of my socks. What can I say? Anyone who lives alone can attest to the fact that you can become very efficient at self entertainment-even by the means of a sock! Well, thats what was on my mind (a realy mind boggler, I know). Well, on to more complicated issues -like how dishes manage to fill the sink even when I don't eat...
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Wow! Its been a long time since I have blogged (not that I have been a blogger for an extended period of time). I guess over all its been a pretty great past couple of weeks. I have been to Florida, which was a time of pure relaxation and refreshing. Since I have been back, I have felt very peaceful, content and joyful. As I pondered this, I realized that no particular circumstance in my life had really changed. It was my perspective that did. I try to be an overall positive person, but at times that positive outlook does not tend to overflow on how I look at my personal, day to day life. I deal with issues and circumstances in my life that I truly don't like and can get quite crabby about if I let myself. Granted, if I am in a bad mood, I talk myself out of it fairly quick - but still... In the past couple of weeks, each time I have gotten mad or frustrated about something, I have decided to find something to "get glad" about it. To see what is positive instead of negative. I have been pleasantly surprised to find how much better things go with this out look. For instance, if someone almost runs me off the road (since I am on the road quite a bit with my job) - I come up with quite a story as to how their morning may have gone. Who really knows. They may have woken up that morning to find that they had half the hair that they did when they went to bed. They may have run over their dog's tail (which is now flattened permantly), spilled coffee on their favorite suit or skirt, hit their mail box only to find that they had a letter from the IRS in there demanding payment for taxes. You never know! All of this to say that we truly do choose the attitude with which we deal with our day. It affects everything that I do. This doesn't mean that I don't deal with reality, but I choose how I let reality deal with me. So, overall , my life is good. God loves me, I have a fantastic family, friends who care about me and a future that is being orchestrated my the One who made the heaven and the earth. It really doesn't get much better than that. Granted, I have put in a few requests for changes in my life, but over all I am content. Praise God for the joy of the Lord being my strength!
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I have discovered a new pet peeve!!! I live in my Grandparents somewhat old rental house. That means I get to enjoy the perks of arched doorways, glass door knobs and wooden floors. On the down side, the cabinets in my kitchen have been continually popping open. This problem was initially solved when my Grandpa adjusted the magnets on the inside of the cabinets a little. Now, however, they have reverted to their old tricks! (Hence my title). When I close one cabinet, another will pop open whether I slam it or gently close it. I feel like I am playing a never ending game of cat and mouse. Especially in my current state of allergy-induced mental fog, it is a very irritating scenario. I find myself with a hand on one door with a foot on other door as I try to get them both to stay closed at the same time. Most of the time, I have to sit back and laugh at the humor of what I must look like. This humor does not diminish my frustration in the least. I am sure I will find some kind of solution to this dilemma. For now, I will just have to suffer through this cat and mouse game and be thankful in the mean time that I really don't have an actual mouse to worry about.
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For some reason, the topic of waiting has really been on my mind. It seems that it is the theme of my life for this season. Strangely, I have become quite content with waiting. I think that waiting used to really bother me because to me it was always synonymous with inactivity. I have found this to be completely untrue with my relationship with the Lord. When He is having me wait in one area, He is stretching and perfecting me in another. The song that is running through my head is the song "While I Wait" by John Waller. Here are some of the lyrics:
I'm waiting I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait
I will move ahead, bold and confident
Takeing every step in obedience
While I'm waiting I will serve You
While I'm waiting I will worship
While I'm waiting I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
The things that I hope for, wait for are in the Lord's hands and on His time table. Sure it gets tough being patient sometimes, but I truly think that the best things in life are worth waiting for. The things that I hope for such as a family of my own, being debt-free, or pursuing further education can become quite the burden to carry if I am trying to make things happen on my own. Right now I am learning that I can rest in the Lord and trust that He knows what it best. I am slowly getting to the point where I want my desires to match His desires. (Even if it ends up requiring sacrifice.) The peace that comes from letting things go is so worth it. And while I'm waiting, I will worship....
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As you may know, I have been losing weight for about the last year. In continuing that effort, I have also begun to exercise. I am now in week five of exercise and my initial excitement is definitely beginning to wane. What started out as challenging and a little exciting has now become slightly mundane and boring (even though I have been adding on extra time). The first couple of weeks were great! I saw great results and that definitely motivated me to continue on. Now, however, watching and following the same people doing the same moves has lost its spark. I would rather go for a walk/jog in the park and come home for some good pilates stretching (which I will begin to do once the weather permits it). Much of my motivation to press on at this point is my own stubborn will. Last week I was a bit of a slacker partially because I had a bum shoulder and partially because of pure exhaustion. I am now back on track. Granted, this morning I woke up with a stomach ache, but I persevered and pushed through a 30 minute work out. I felt much better after that. I really am going somewhere with this!
As I sat on my couch this morning, contemplating these feelings, I was struck by how much this all actually relates to faith. We start beleiving for something and start to see immediate results as we begin to seek the Lord in prayer and in His Word and we become really excited about what we are seeing. Then, as we let our time in the Word and in prayer become mundane, we become apathetic and bored as we strive to continue in our pursuit. This is were a focus shift needs to happen. That is what hit me this morning. What am I really working out for? To be healthy? To look toned? To feel more energetic? Yes, yes and yes, but which goal is actually the one that will keep me going beyond the point that I feel I have reached my goals? The answer is definitely long-term health and the desire to keep that healthy life giving blood pumping through my veins. This doesn't happen by half-hearted pursuit. It is through the daily desire to do and give my best so that I may reach the highest goal.
In my faith, it is that desire to seek God, even when I am not always seeing evident results, that gets me through. To push through, even when I don't feel like it. It is when I take my eyes off of myself and focus on God that my joy and energy are renewed. Then, down the road, when I take a look back, I can see the progess that God has wrought in me. The changes that He has made. The weight that He has removed and replaced with strength. God is so faithful!!!
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Heb 11:1
Thank you Jesus for your faithfulness and for doing a work in me that you will complete unto life eternal! I love you Jesus! Amen
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As I sit here behind my desk, thoughts shoot through my mind of what to write. My life seems so complex yet so simple all at the same time. Should I write of how I simply CAN NOT find a blog background that will work? Of what God is doing in my life? How work is going? - Then I realize that all of these things are kinda the point of this blog. To talk about my life, which is never cookie cutter or just one thing to deal with at once. How things are going with my job is inseparable from my relationship with God. And how finding the right blog background is mainly due to the fact that I love for things to coordinate perfectly and be pretty. Thats not exactly how life is, is it? Beauty and perfection are usually found in those things that you had absolutely nothing to do with. Go figure! God in His perfect order knows how to do things best and bless me the most. Its best when I keep my hands out of it and let Him keep control. Don't get me wrong - I WILL find a blog background - but in the scope of things it really isn't all that important :) Well thats it for my first attempt at this thing called blogging. I really need to get a few proposals written, make a zillion phone calls.......you get the idea : P
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