Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Dear God







I love Jonathan's affirmation: "You did the right thing." Too cute! I have a few more of these letters, but I'm saving them for another post. So, check back soon!

Monday, December 15, 2008

Baby, it's Cold Outside

-13 °F
Feels like
-27 °F

After work this evening, I experienced something very strange. I was breathing in through my nose (not the strange part), and each time the moisture would freeze causing my nostrils to stick. It was such a weird feeling!
Yes, it really is that cold.
I once heard that people from the north have an extra layer of fat (insulation if you will) that is necessary in order to survive the frigid winter weather. Growing up in Montana I don’t remember ever thinking it was that cold. It was what I was accustomed to and I was fully equipped with my fatty insulation. Unfortunately, I no longer have that insulation. I’m pretty sure I sweated it off that first summer I spent in Oklahoma. And now that I have moved back to the Great North, my body is once again acclimating. And let me tell you, it’s rough. I am FREEZING all the time. Hence, the items on my Christmas list this year.
It does look like it is going to warm up as the week goes on. The high temperatures are above zero, and that is, well… positive news!



Friday, December 12, 2008

All I Want for Christmas

YOU! But since I can’t have you, I will settle with the following (more realistic) wish list:

1. Long-Johns (matching shirt and pant set)
2. Running Tights
3. Leggings
4. Cuddl Duds
5. Warm Socks

Do you catch my drift?

Ha! So PUNNY, I know. I just crack myself up! :)

Thursday, December 11, 2008

The REASON for the SEASON

is JESUS! Thank you for the gift of AMAZING GRACE!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Reinforcement

You’ve gotta get your name out there
If you ever wanna be “Miss Lair”
The advise of a friend
Who recommends
Not to solely rely on prayer


Yes, that's right. I recently had a converstaion with a friend who teaches in the local school district. He informed me that it took him 4 years of subtitute teaching before he got a job. It's all about who you know. So needless to say, I left our conversation feeling very anxious and uneasy. I want so badly to be a teacher, but I refuse to indulge in the politics of the education system. So, I guess I’m doomed?

Luckily, I didn’t fret for too long. I quickly remembered that God is in control, he has a perfect plan, and will provide me with an opportunity to teach when the time is right. And while I really REALLY hope the opportunity will be provided sooner than later, I need to trust that his timing is perfect. Which is a whole heck of a lot easier said than done, of course!

Then, the reinforcement came in full force...

1. I received an email from the teacher I student taught with a year ago. She writes, “I hope the teaching situation works out for you. I believe God has something very special for you. Waiting is hard, but God’s blessing are worth the wait.”

2. The Bible Gateway daily verse: “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” Proverbs 12:25

Conincidence? I think not! God is aware of my fickle nature and my continued struggle to trust him completely. And he provided me with immediate reinforcement that I so desperately needed. GOD IS GOOD.

P.S. I'm not a poet and trust me, I know it. :)

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

In the Eyes of a Ranger

The unsuspected stranger
Had better know the truth of wrong from right
Cuz the eyes of a ranger are upon you
Any wrong you do he’s gonna see
When you’re in Texas look behind you
Cuz that’s where the ranger’s gonna be


I grew up watching Walker, Texas Ranger. Walker, Trivette, and Alex Cahill were all included in my weekend entertainment. I looked forward to watching them kick butt and fight crime each week.

So naturally I have a fondness for Chuck Norris. But even so, I don’t fully understand the recent obsession with him. I mean, you Google him name and a bazillion sites come up. It’s absolutely INSANE! Who knew a roundhouse kick to the face could bring such fame!

The best site you’ll find out there is the Chuck Norris – Google Search. Check it out. It’s pretty stinkin’ hilarious!

Monday, December 8, 2008

Jennifer Needs...

...a smack daddy (is this the same thing as a sugar daddy?)

...to play by 'the rules' (whatev, I ALWAYS play by the rules. It's a proven oldest trait.)

...to give birth in the next week (to WHAT exactly?!)

...a mortician (YIKES! Hopefully not anytime soon!)

...Help!

...a shave (that's what Super Shave Shower Saturdays are for!)

...Facebook (indeed. It's how I keep in contact with my friends who all live so FAR away!)

...a cane (come on, I'm not THAT old.)

...to loose some weight (i'm working on it.)

...your support (yes please!)


Thanks for the fun post idea Miss Strawberry Ruckus!

Sunday, December 7, 2008

No Such Thing as a Stupid Question

I have been told all my life that there is no such thing as a stupid question. And I fully intend to relay this principle to my students someday when I am a real life teacher, (which, FYI, is totally going to happen), because asking questions is an essential part of the learning process.

That being said, I also think there becomes a point when a question becomes stupid. I know this may seem contradictory, but really it is not. Let me illustrate with the following scenario:

A fellow Team Member (TM) calls me up to ask me a question. The question: what does the “CP:0” mean on SVT? (SVT is a system this particular TM uses daily). SVT is the one system I do not have access to and therefore I have no clue. So, I escalate the question. My superior also is clueless as to what “CP:0” means and suggests that the TM call our technology department for an explanation. I go back to the TM, who is waiting ever so impatiently on hold, and advise her to call technology. She then proceeds to inform me that she has already spoken with technology. They couldn’t give her an answer and referred her to my department. She then gets pushy and asks (demands) if I could find an answer and get back to her. Uh…okay. I put her back on hold so that I can escalate the question for the second time (because I don’t’ have anything better to do). I explain the situation to a different superior who explains that opening a ticket to research the meaning of “CP:0” would be a waste of everyone’s time, especially since the desired information is not crucial to know, nor does it impact the work process. So, I go back to the TM and inform her that unfortunately I am not going to be able to open a ticket. She then gets RUDE. She hotly tells me that she finds it funny that no one can tell her what “CP:0” means and then proceeds to call me worthless. My response: YOU ARE THE WORTHLESS ONE WITH THE WORTHLESS QUESTION. WHY DON’T YOU STOP WASTING EVERYONE’S TIME AND GET BACK TO WORK YOU ARROGANT TEXAN.

Okay, so I didn’t actually respond with such hostility. But boy did I want to. Thank you Holy Spirit for that extra dose of self-control.

So you see, I don't believe the TM asked a stupid question. It was perfectly fine for her to be curious. But her insistence in finding the answer to a question that really had no significance to the performance of her job, AND the way she treated me when I could not give her an answer was flat out STUPID. I mean seriously, get a life.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Xmas Questionnaire

I've been tagged by Katie!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? I'll have to go with the Hot Chocolate on this one...with a candy cane please!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? He always wraps his gifts in Santa paper, of course.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? I LOVE all colors!!

4. Do you hang mistletoe? I've never hung mistletoe, but there is always some at my parent's house. They are PDA experts.

5. When do you put your decorations up? As SOON as possible! Which is usually the day after Thanksgiving.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Uh...I'll go with the mashed potatoes and rolls.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child: A consistent favorite memory is waking up early and looking at all the treasures Santa left in my stocking! A specific favorite would be the year my sister woke me up at 1 a.m. to let me know we got a Sega. It turned out to be a Nintendo. Silly Sister.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I recognized the handwriting on the tags. It looked strangely the same as my dad's!

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? We always open one gift on Christmas Eve.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Lights, ornaments, bows, tinsel...the WORKS!

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Absolutely LOVE it.

12. Can you ice skate? I'm no pro, but I sure do love going round and round the rink, especially when the rink is outside!

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I look forward to my matching sister sweater every year!

14. What is the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Spending time with my family.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? My mom's homemade caramels and candy cane cookies!

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Christmas Eve shopping and lunch with my dad!

17. What tops your tree? An angel

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

20. Candy Canes​!​ Yuck or Yum? YUM! But only the peppermint kind.

21. What do you want for Christmas? Long Johns

22. Do you attend an annual Christmas Party? Not a particular annual party, but I usually attend at least one White Elephant Party.

23. Do you dress up on Christmas or wear PJs? Pajamas always and forever!

24. Do you own a Santa hat? Nope

25. Who do you normally spend Christmas with? My familia


**Now, I am to tag some others who will answer the questions and pass the tag along !!

Kari

Kassi

Amy

Leslie

You're IT!