Retarded Car

Ok, I know... I'm supposed to be packing and whatever. But I saw one of these on the road the other day and just couldn't stop laughing.

They call it smart fortwo. The name style pretty much indicates how cramped it must be. And I wonder if they thought about ever traveling anywhere with luggage. Doesn't seem too smart to me.

brb

Well, today was the magic day. We closed on our house. What a relief. I'll write more on the trauma of the weeks leading up to today, but for now, I just have to say that I'll be gone for a while.

I'm planning to sell the desk that my computer is on and will be breaking the computer down here soon.

It should be back up and running by mid-April.

So, keep me in your reader, and I'll catch you up on the hassle of moving day.

Looking Good on a Lousy Day

Today was beyond hard. The details aren't relevant, but trust me, it wasn't a pretty day. BUT, that's no reason why I can't be pretty!

I've been feeling just plain worn out lately. I'm not the only one. Pianomomsicle feels it, too. It's part of being a mom to a baby and having... well... basically anything else going on at all.

So, as a light-hearted break from some of my normal heavy stuff, I wanted to share some of my favorite "look alive" make up solutions for those days when you're feeling like dropping over dead.

Under-eye Concealer

My current favorite is a liquid concealer from Neutrogena. It goes on smooth and blends well. I use a color 2 shades lighter than my normal foundation because it gives a more natural look. Just blend in the foundation to the bottom area of the concealer and you have a nice fade into your face color. All of Neutrogena's products have built-in skin care elements, also. So, I feel fairly confident that this concealer isn't clogging my pores to no end.

Pressed Powder Highlighter

Physician's Formula has a great product to bring extra glow to your skin to help you look brighter and more lively. I learned about this product in college, but never tried it for myself until I was shopping for wedding make up. The first time I applied it, I was sold. The last powder I got was a neutral, solid color, and I was so glad to run out the other day so that I could get this one again.

Quotable

From Lifetime Guarantee by Bill Gillham:

"It's easy to praise the Lord when everything's cool, but you can "offer up a sacrifice of praise" (Heb. 13:15) only when it's not. A sacrifice costs something. It hurts to give it. Praising the Lord when you feel bad is not being a phony either; it's being obedient. Your heart can be in it even when your emotions are not."

I highly recommend this amazing book.

Friends are a Waste of Time

Last night, my pastor was talking about friendship and our great need for it. He mentioned that in our society today, we are always busy. We always have places to be, things to do.

Sometimes simply spending time with people seems like a waste. But this "waste of time" is the most valuable time we can spend.

Today, I walked down to my old friend Mary's house and "wasted" about 45 minutes. The other night, I "wasted" time on Kara.

Who do you need to waste time on this week?

Asleep in the Light

Last week, Shaun Groves posted about Larry Norman's death, wondering if the Christian music community would really miss him. He noted that other conviction-filled Christian musicians, such as Rich Mullins and Keith Green, are rarely referenced well these days.

Now, I don't know much about Larry Norman. My knowledge is limited to a song that dc talk covered with end times theology that I don't agree with, but Rich Mullins has been a favorite of mine for years. I remember seeing him in concert when I was a wee lass in junior high. I thought he was weird for performing barefoot. I would pay lots of money today to see him perform barefoot. Since he's dead, that won't be happening. But fortunately, I have a DVD of one of his last concerts that I can play over and over.

Anyway, Keith Green is one that I haven't listened to in a long, but I got out my Keith Green: The Early Years CD today, and jammed to the first few songs on the way home from the gym.

Man! This guy has some hard-hitting lyrics. The CD opens up with "Asleep in the Light." This song is one where he chastises Christians for not caring that others around us are dying.

But it's easy to rip on the church, right?

What I liked was that Green also isn't scared to offend non-believers. It seems to me like young, hip, emerging Christians of today hold un-believers up as the idol du jour. There are calls to make things relevant for the un-believer (read: cater to them). We consult non-Christians on how they would like to be reached for Christ, and then we sell books on the topic.

But the 2nd song of Green's album is called "Soften Your Heart," and it comes with lines such as,

"You're so proud of saying you're a seeker
But why are you searching in the dark
You won't find a thing
Until you soften your heart"

So, what I appreciate so much about Keith Green -- okay there are TONS of things I appreciate, and I learned most of them in the biography of him that his wife Melody wrote -- is that he's able to call a spade a spade whether he was in Christian circles or with non-Christians.

Cause after all, we all need the same thing: Truth.

Are You Serious????

Apparently my husband forgot about this post.

Let the Journey Begin

Today was carefree.

Without jackets, we headed to the Ohio River in Newburgh.

It's been a long time since we've been down there, and it was great to walk along the river petting dogs and playing in fountains, looking at overpriced artwork and beat up used books.

We stayed there for about 90 minutes, doing everything that we won't get to do for much longer.

It's supposed to snow on Tuesday. And we'll be gone in a month.

As I walked around in Newburgh, I thought about how much I'm going to miss it. This is my town, you know? This is where I grew up, went to high school, came home to during college, bought my first house, got married, had children.

And through all that there was this quaint small-town remnant along the southern part of the Ohio, one state before it merges with the Mississippi.

This downtown where I marched in parades and went for countless walks with strollers. Where I have taken pictures year after year, even exposing photography students to the artistic possibilities all around us when we're only aware.

This is the downtown with the tree that withstood the tornado, where Billy and I made a point to go on our wedding day -- a symbol that our home will be strong through all kinds of storms.

There were so many reminders of good times and special memories. It could be easy to be upset right now. To be uncertain of the future, trying to hold on to the past.

But today was carefree. It wasn't the sadness of loss, so much as the joy in the moment. The happy remembrances of years gone by and the eager hopes for years to come.

Because more memories will be made, no matter where we are. Other places will earn my favor and become attached to the beauty of a memory. And there will be other times to mourn.

Today was a time for laughing.

Jesus Does Have a Sense of Humor...

A little while ago, at small group, Billy and I somehow started quoting the Jesus videos. The rest of the group wondered what the heck we were doing, and I told them I'd send a link to the videos so they could check them out for themselves, but I realized that these are just so funny that everyone ought to see them. And since EVERYONE reads my blog...

Here's a taste of them...

Vintage21 Jesus Video 4



More can be found at the Jesus Videos myspace page.

Vanity and Values > The Girl Scout Impact

As I noted in my last post, I lost my wallet a couple of weeks ago. I kept hoping it would turn up, but alas... nothing.

So, I headed to the BMV for a new license.

For a variety of reasons, my pic turned out less than attractive. This is a bummer cause my last driver's license was totally (and I mean totally) cute.

Anyway, the main thing I was bummed about was how chubby I looked. I've been working out religiously for the last few months, using both weights and cardio machines. So, to look overweight still was a hard pill to swallow.

So, I did what any reasonable girl would do when she's upset about her weight: I ate a handful of Girl Scout cookies....and then I ate another one.

And this got me thinking.

The Girl Scouts say that their cookie selling program is a beneficial thing that teaches girls about commitment, hard work, and the entrepreneurial spirit.

But I submit that it's really teaching girls to take advantage of people by selling addictive products that are harmful to the consumers. I mean, really, in this day where most of America is obese, isn't there some kind of more useful product that they could use to teach the values they're trying to impart?

For instance, a kid from our local high school came by recently selling mulch. What a brilliant idea. Selling mulch is a good way to beautify the community and to not make people fat. Rather, spreading mulch is physical activity that promotes health. You get your heart rate up a bit, and definitely work out your arms and back. Not to mention the benefits of spending time outdoors.

So, why can't the Girl Scouts do something that's a little more beneficial?

Never Too Old to Learn

As my 29th birthday fast approaches, I'm feeling the weight of age in various. I look in the mirror and see maturing eyes. I get out of bed with a back ache. I get more weighed down with life and find less care-free fun.

But my recent trip to Huntsville reminded me that we never get too old to learn new things.

Here's some of the knowledge I have after this last week:

1. You need your driver's license for more than just driving.
I went to Huntsville this last week to find an apartment. We sold our house last week (how's that for a big announcement?) and I was eager to have a new home to look forward to. Unfortunately, all the apartment complexes require a photo ID before viewing their apartments. No one could tell me "WHY" they needed one; it was just company policy.

A photo ID was also required for me to use a guest pass that my friend, Kristin, got for me at her gym. So, I didn't get to work out this week, either.

2. The Ohio River Valley isn't the worst place for sinuses after all.
The Tennessee Valley, however, is. Headaches abounded in the Chia clan.

3. Built-in U-turns are ingenious.
The designers of closed-access roads everywhere would do well to learn from those who put together Memorial Parkway in Huntsville. Here, you have the best of both worlds with interstate overpasses and side streets that run parallel to the highway. But the problem comes when you really need to turn into a business on the other side of the interstate. Wait! No, problem at all. Simply continue to the next traffic signal and get in the U-turn lane.

4. It's not worth it to say what you're feeling when you're overly tired.
Let's leave it here: It's harder to heal hurt feelings than it is to just keep your mouth shut in the first place.

5. Christians aren't the only ones that do things wrong.
With Billy being in church leadership, a lot of our conversation has to do with ways the Church reaches out. Billy reads a lot of different blogs, and we've both read books on "doing church" (I detest that phrase, by the way). The frustrating thing about saturating oneself in such content is that you have to filter through so much stuff about how crappy the Church is -- from not understanding non-Christian's needs (uh...last time I checked, they needed Jesus) to not marketing itself to today's generation (whole websites are devoted to this concept). So, when we had to drive around in apartment complexes for 5 minutes before we found signs for the rental office, it was a relief to see that the problem is a "humanity issue" not a "Christian issue."

Book Meme

Freezing Jessica over at Pianomomsicle tagged me to do a book meme. How fitting, since I just so happen to love books.

Here are the rules:
1. Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages).
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people.

" 'I know intellectually that God loves me, but I've had great trouble feeling that He cares on an emotional level. It took me well into midlife and the experience of a significant crisis before I came to believe in my deepest heart that my God really loves me.'
"In truth, God is a comforting, responsive parent."

--The Power of Mother Love, by Brenda Hunter PhD

I tag Misty, Kara, Katie, Trish, and CS (who doesn't have a blog, but I know you read mine, and you can comment!!!).

A Return to the Day

Back in the day, I used to wear a Harley Davidson wallet on a chain -- oh yeah, I was hardcore.

Sometime nearing my college graduation, I decided that growing up included ditching the chain.

This weekend, I lost my wallet.

I have looked everywhere for this wallet, to no avail.

If it doesn't turn up in the next couple of days, I guess I'll have to replace it, and I'm seriously considering bringing the chain back.

Are You For Real!

Remember "magic brownies" from your college days? They are now available in stores!





Can't wait to try these!






HT: My hippie mom

Statues in the Station

How weird would this be?



HT: Jim

And the Winner Is...

So, none of you knew that I was having a contest. Heck, I didn't know it until today, but Misty awarded me with an Excellence Award today. So keeping in tradition, it's now my turn to send some love out, too.


My first award goes to Billy, as the hottest blogger award.

Next, is Stuck in Stuff by Dave Bruno. He gets the award for the most inspiring challenge. Go check out his ideas.

Lastly, my great friends Amanda and Wes get an award for the least frequent posting.

Top 3 Sentiments that Made Me Fall in Love Over E-mail

With Valentine's Day coming up, I have been thinking about love. With Billy in Alabama, I've been revisiting our days of long distance dating.

Put those two together and you get a quick post to see what exactly I fell in love with 2 1/2 years ago.

These are 3 of my favorite sound bites from e-mails that Billy sent me during the summer of 2005.

#3

"I think we both kinda have the idea that you don't date someone with out it being a preparation for marriage. Like we'd be intentional about dating as to focus it to prepare in that way. It would mean respecting each other and not having sex and if we felt we didn't want to marry the other person to break off the dating. (I'm really sorry for talking about marriage I know that freaks you out.)"

#2

"So the end point of this is that you are 1500 times cooler than ever imagined a girl could be. You are intelligent and funny and your faith is amazingly dynamic. Through the stories you share I see that you are forgiving and caring and even in like the four pictures that I've seen of you, you are very beautiful. (I really mean that, I know there's an insecure girl inside of you that doesn't think so. She probably tells you that you don't look like the models on TV. I don't really go along with the world's definition of beauty. I've kinda got my own and I don't know how to describe it other than you are it.) "

And the #1 reason I fell in love with Billy over the internet was the following sentence that he wrote as he was debating when to move our relationship forward to a face-to-face meeting. It kept me laughing for literally months afterward.

#1

"The romantic kid would drive all night to come see you; unfortunately so would the creepy, obsessed internet guy. "

Giving Girls a Real Choice

Sorry if my blog has been too full of abortion talk lately. But between raunchy celebrations of death and animal rights activists who won't defend the unborn human, it's been on my mind.

It's really sad that organizations like Planned Parenthood and NOW play abortion off as a women's rights issue. We're inundated with the message that they just want the woman to be given a choice.

But the truth is that most women who get abortions do so because they feel like they have no other choice.

I saw this a couple years back, as I volunteered as a crisis pregnancy counselor.

There were 3 main fears that push a girl toward having an abortion:

1. She was afraid her boyfriend would leave her if she carried the baby to term.

2. She was afraid her parents would kick her out of the house if they found out.

3. She was afraid that she would never be able to see her dreams to fruition.

I will admit that these are hard possibilities to look in the face. But I have a healthy handful of friends who have triumphed over fears and chosen to carry their baby in spite of it.

I myself did it, too.

What we've found is that motherhood (and particularly unplanned single motherhood) does more to show the strength of a woman than abortion politics ever could.

We've found:

1. That our relationship with the controlling man or the irresponsible father wasn't healthy. It was holding us back from finding fulfillment.

2. That education and single motherhood are not mutually exclusive. It's hard, but I finished school, and so many others have, too.

3. That being a parent is the most difficult and rewarding occupation.

It takes more energy, more creativity, more understanding, more sensitivity, more discipline, more determination, more of everything than any other field.

It also yields more love, more strength, more confidence, and more purpose than any other field.

4. That dreams don't have to die. They need only be modified to include more people.

5. That your natural family may desert you when you don't live up to their standards, but the family of God is loving. And there will always be people in a church somewhere that want to patiently help you succeed.

6. That hard working single moms deserve the government assistance that they get. And it's not a shameful thing to take charity for the sake of your family.

Women need to be told that they do have a choice, and it's not limited to sacrificing their child to the goddess of women's rights.

For another voice on this topic, check out Laura Anne's guest post on helping girls make an informed choice.

On the Murder of Cats

The other day, a neighbor of mine that I had never met stopped by to ask if I had seen a grey and white cat in my yard. I told her I had, as well as several others and I was afraid they were living in my crawl space.

She hoped that I would rescue these cats and allow them to be placed with a good family in a barn. She was quite attached as she'd been feeding its parents for a year already. The rest of the family had been captured and relocated; this grey one was the only one left.

I explained to her that I'd already called Animal Control, and they had a cage in my back yard. Honestly, I didn't care if Animal Control killed this cat or not. I just wanted it to stop living in my crawl space, defecating on my property and stinking up my house in the meantime.

She gave me the number of a woman who would come out to save these cats instead of kill them, and I agreed that I would call this woman.

Here's a bit of our conversation:

Jamie: Hello?

Me: Can I speak to Jamie?

Jamie: This is Jamie.

Me: Hi, I got your name from my neighbor who said you could come out to trap this cat in my yard.

Jamie: Are you the one with the cage in the yard?

Me: Yeah, I called Animal Control and they brought that out.

Jamie *sneering*: They're just going to kill it. Is that what you want?

Me: I don't really care. I mean, my neighbor wants them to be saved, so if you want to come out, you can. She said you could get these cats for me.

Jamie: Well, I can't come tonight, and I don't know how you can want these cats to be killed.

Me: Well, I don't want them to be killed. But I already have this cage, so if the cat goes into, then...

Jamie: I can put these cats in a home and you just want to call animal control and have them killed.

Me: Look, I'm telling you...you have my permission to come in my yard and save the cats if you want. But I have to get this cage back to animal control, and if the cat's in it in the morning, then I'll let them take it. If you want it, you can come and save it. I don't care either way.

Jamie *growing in intensity*: I don't understand why you want to let animal control kill this cat.

Me *getting flustered*: Oh my gosh! I'm not an evil person. I didn't invent stray cats so I could kill them! I just don't really care what animal control does. I just want them out of my crawl space.

Jamie: Don't you have a cover for your crawl space? Can't you shut it?

Me: Yeah, I do, but you know...the plumber that got in my crawl space last fall didn't tell me that he didn't close it. So, look...you can come or you don't have to. I don't care. I already have the cage, and it doesn't matter to me who gets the cat.

Jamie: I could take that cat to a home, and animal control is just going to kill it.

Me: Well, you know... 4,000 humans are killed everyday through abortion.

Her response?

"I DON'T CARE."

Something is seriously wrong with that picture.

Strange Things are Afoot at the BMV

So...I went to get a license plate for my new van today.

I found it funny when I saw identical twin women working there. I'm not sure why, but I always think of identical twins as 2 blonde-headed 7 year olds. It may have something to do with reading Sweet Valley Twins as a child.

The next thing that struck me as funny was the tight security that the BMV has its bathroom under. I kid you not.

This poor man had to use the restroom, and they made him sign a sheet and they walked him to the restroom and waited. How crazy is that? How can you go when there's a woman waiting outside the door for you???

This is what our taxpayer money is going to. Bathrooms under the security of the Wakefield twins.