Personal goals 2012

I made some rather flippant resolutions for the year 2010 and I’ve managed to accomplish some of them.  I can't find that I posted them so here's a refresher course:

2010 New Year Resolutions

1.        Play Bejeweled until I can consistently beat Katie, Kevin, Annie, Lisa, Elizabeth and Barbara, my fingers bleed or I achieve RSI/Carpal Tunnel
 

I have managed to be the top scorer at least twice in Bejeweled in 2011.  It probably helped that a couple of my competitors dropped me from their friend list, but I was able to beat Barbara, Kevin and Elizabeth during the year (and still retain our friendship).

2.       Buy a new bra before the underwire begins to poke my eye out

I’ve purchased several new bras this year and before the underwire escaped from old ones!

3.      Live vicariously through other people’s Face book statuses

4.      Continue to avoid housework, laundry and other unnecessary chores by being on Face book even MORE than I am now. 

 

Housework continues to be the lowest on the work roster, thanks to my spare bedroom being a great dumping ground for those “company’s coming over” visits.  Pack N Plays are fantastic hideaways for all manner of stuff (although I do recommend you empty them out before putting a child in for a nap!).

 5.      Clone myself so I can have someone continue to be committee Chair for the Cub Scout packs as no one seems to be stupid enough to want my job.

I did get “rid” of my Committee Chair job at the Pack, but immediately took on the membership job at the troop.  Yeah, I never learn.

6.      Purchase a printing press so I can give even more money to the government so they can pay for my health care which is already just fine thank you.

7.       Discover a way to make money for the time I spend on Face book while playing Bejeweled and Restaurant City

No progress on the printing press, although hubby’s work did change our insurance coverage, and we’ll still have to fork it all over again in a few years when the master health care fiasco takes over.  And, alas, I don’t yet make money from playing on Facebook.

8.      Learn to enjoy exciting and fascinating tasks like cleaning the toilet that I didn’t pee on, picking up toys and addenda that I didn’t leave out and washing clothes that I didn’t wear.

 

I don’t enjoy tasks that aren’t mine to complete, but I have learned that if it needs to be done, I’m about the only one that will notice it and actually do something about it.  And, I have a house cleaner come twice a month to clean up that toilet seat.

9.      Avoid teaching my children even the most slight hint of respect, ethics, morals or any of my opinions because, obviously they know everything already and I am a moron.

 

Item #9 has quite obviously been conquered – I have a 13 year old and an 18 year old.  Enough said.

10.   Donate all of my unused wealth to charitable organizations like the government who obviously needs more of my money.

11.     Be invited to and actually be able to attend one of Laura's fantastic Sharpie and Lip Gloss Rock Band Parties.

Laura has repeatedly invited me to her parties, but geographically it’s a bit of a drive for sharpies and lip gloss.  She however has accepted me as her understudy/side-kick in fighting demons AND has offered to help me re-vamp my style-less closet, so I guess I’ll need to add travel to California in my 2012 plans.  It should be said, as a warning however, that I do not possess talents in Rock Bank or Dance Central and will have to use my crime-fighting forte of organization and annoyance instead in our constant assault on the dark forces.

As for the 2011 goals that I accomplished; I didn’t set any actual 2011 goals or resolutions. So, in an attempt to be serious about changing my life in 2012 (before the Mayan predictions come true in December), I have set the following goals:

• Read the Bible in a year.
• Complete one of the books I’m writing.  I’m not sure I’ll be willing to try to get it published in this year, but that can be 2013’s goal (if the Mayan’s are wrong).
• Scan family/historical photos so they’re saved digitally.  I’d also like to get our family videos transferred to DVD for safekeeping.
• Lose 20 more pounds and keep it off.
• Have our last credit card paid off.
• Take shooting lessons.
•  Sell or give away some of the collected stuff (read: junk) and get it out of my life.

I hope that you set some realistic goals, work to achieve them and have a healthy and thriving 2012.  And, if the Mayan’s are right (even if they’re wrong) and the world ends in December 2012; make sure you know where you’re going to spend eternity.

The Voice of Truth

I’ve lost some friends this year and it’s left me feeling down, blue and struggling with my identity. 2011 has been a year of self-reflection.  This is not a post about one person in particular; rather it’s about the year’s accumulation of friendship issues I’ve had in 2011.  

I've been spending a lot of time taking stock of me, of what and who I am as a person and a friend.  I think I'm a good friend; not necessarily a likeable person, but I'm loyal, honest and true. I trust too quickly, too long. I fall fast, hard, forever. I spend a lot of time thinking through conversations and working things out. Even after people lie to me, talk about me, banish me, move away, disappear from my life, I worry about them, care about them, think about them. I hurt for their losses, remember birthdays, and recollect songs or memories.

I think our hearts stay connected to people even if we're not close anymore; it's how the heart works. Our brain remembers songs, words, feelings, jokes, events and connects them to people, places and things.  How can you not listen to a song and remember a person or a time?  Couples have special songs, private jokes, memories that are just between them; I think friends have those too.  Those connections make us happy or sad. How do you forget someone you've laughed with, cried with and shared experiences with? How do you stop thinking of that person?

Memories are funny things – they have hooks and reel us in. Before you know it, you're smiling or walking down that path and then it hits you. You can't share with that person because they're no longer in your life.  It’s like dying a bit every time it happens.  “Losing” friends is really kind of a misnomer – I know where my friends are; some of them just aren’t with ME anymore.  

I don't know how not to trust; how to turn that around. I don’t know how not to believe in people; to be tough and strong, not naive.  Most days recently I feel like just giving up – not in a suicidal way – but just not trying anymore to be a friend.  I feel like I fail more than I succeed, and the more I try, the more I fail.  

The bad stuff is easier to believe, the good things friends say are harder to remember.  It’s easier to accept the names, the accusations, the pointed fingers, the insults, than it is to trust the praise and applause.  It’s easier to knock ourselves out trying to be what we think people want than it is to just listen to God and be what He wants.  It’s exhausting.

Have you ever had something that you know you should just let go of, stop, quit, give up; but you can’t?  Do you avoid things, people; places that remind you of them, or do you just smile, buck-up and carry on?  Do you ask mutual friends to quit mentioning them or do you crave just a bit of information so you can move through your day?  Do you find yourself thinking of them and praying for them – for their health, accomplishments and welfare?

Why is it so hard to quit on other people but so easy to quit on yourself?  We give others the benefit of the doubt but drag ourselves through the mud (and through the wringer) while we contemplate our blame in the loss.

I don’t want to say that all my friendships have taken bad turns this year; I’ve made some new friends, strengthened some existing friendships and kept some old (I prefer ‘experienced’) friendships intact.  What is the difference in these relationships that I missed with the lost ones?  What variations kept these friendships while others crashed and burned?  Was it them?  Was it me?  Why are some able to maintain a friendship through thick and thin but others are only for a few seasons in our lives?  

I’m going to assume that the difference is not something I can discover or even change.  I’m going to have to assume that the difference is something that wouldn’t have mattered – the relationship followed the path it was supposed to and was only for a season; not a lifetime.

In trying to change my outlook on the losses, a song has been playing in my head (and, oddly enough on the radio) from Casting Crowns.  The song talks about listening to the voice of God instead of the voices of others that try to lead us astray or distract us from the voice of truth.  The chorus of the song says:

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
The voice of truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth 

So my challenge will be to listen to God’s voice through my struggles with my relationships and NOT MINE (or others).  I need to strive to listen to what God is telling me to learn; how I’m supposed to grow and change, based on HIS teachings, not others. 

Proverbs 2:1-5 (ESV)

James 4:8 

Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you.

Merry Christmas!

Norman Christmas Letter 2011

Greetings to all our friends and family all throughout the country!  Lots to cover in this letter but I’ll try to be brief.

First of all, let’s deal with the “Missing 2010” Christmas letter.  No, we didn’t fall off the earth, nor did we become hermits, nomads or peoples without a life.  What happened, in short, was technological adversity.  I had my usual witty and clever Christmas journal typed and photo-documented.  Side one I printed on the laser printer; side two, however needed color (for the pictures) and thanks to the wonders of modern equipment, the color printer would NOT PRINT.  By the time we got it working passably, it was March.  I have an issue sending out Christmas cards in March.  The good news is I have them all addressed for THIS YEAR!

Jaine is 7 this year and attends 2^nd grade at Redmond Elementary.  She’s taking gymnastics, reading above her grade level, loves horses, fairies, crafting and is a wonderful big sis for her little brother.  Hayden will be two on Christmas Eve and continues to be our miracle every single day.  He loves his mom & dad, his sister, the cats, Honey-nut Cheerios, Nutri-grain bars and trains.  I am truly blessed to be able to watch them three days every week.  We will be blessed with one more grandchild in May, 2012 as Jessica & Randy expect their first child.

James graduated from Redmond High School in June this year.  He travelled to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico for 12 days with his troop and hiked over 80 miles without incident.  He continues to make plans for school locally and is looking for work.

Blake completed a year of homeschooling last year and is attending his first year of Jr. High School (7^th grade).  He turned 13 in October, played baseball and football this year and traveled to Black Mountain Boy Scout Camp in July.  He also took surfing lessons during our trip to Long Beach (WA) this August.

Russ still commutes to Everett every day for his job at Snohomish County PUD.  This fall he flew to Boulder, CO for the annual Disaster Recovery exercise.  He’s also had meniscus surgery on one knee and will have the other knee repaired on December 30^th.  Old baseball injuries!  He’s still active in scouts and continues to help people with their computer issues.

Paige stays continuously busy with nanny-ing several children and cooking (her new business endeavor).  She’s active in scouts and church; Blogs, keeps up with genealogy and tries to scrapbook.

Our menagerie still includes (1) Boxer dog (Mustang), (2) cats (Princess and Callie) and one Bearded Dragon (Jette). 

I hope you are all happy, safe, blessed and surrounded by the ones you love.  Remember the reason for THIS season and God Bless you all.

Russ, Paige, James & Blake Norman

The Biggest Loser

I find it interesting that when someone has died we use phrases like “Rest in Peace” or “It’s (that person’s salvation) between God and (that person)”.  Salvation is not “between God and (insert unsaved person’s name here)”.  There is no salvation after death.  If you don’t believe in God during the miracle of life that he gave you, there are no second chances after that life has ended.  Every day, every minute, there is proof that a “higher power” than yourself exists.  If you ignore that proof or rebelliously claim that there are many roads to (g)od, then you fool yourself and deserve what rewards or retributions you receive in the afterlife. If you spend your lifetime telling people there is no God, you can be sure that there will be no God in your eternity.

There is no praying for someone’s soul after they’re dead.  You cannot change God’s mind about a lifetime of rebellion and blatant nose-thumbing through prayers, payments or trade-offs.  When you are dead and you refused God, he will most certainly refuse you into his eternal Kingdom.  God doesn’t poll an entourage or fan club, tabulate the votes, prayers and followers and then decide to declare the winner of his “salvation reality show”.  You either accept his salvation while you’re alive or you accept the reality of hell when you’re dead.

God is so powerful that he allows us, His creation, to have free choice and free will about our lives and our eternity.  He has given us every chance for redemption and provided the ultimate sacrifice for our lifetime of sin through the death of His Son, Jesus.

If you deny Him in life, He will deny you in eternity.

“But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 10:33).

If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we ^[a]deny Him, He also will deny us; (2 Timothy 2:12)

So, I’m not going to say that God CAN’T or WON’T change his mind or be compassionate to those who have rejected him.  I’m also not saying that I know the mind of God regarding this. But I can definitely tell you that everyone has experienced the grace of God and has made the decision to either accept his gift or ignore it.  Sure, there are those that are not mentally capable of making such decisions and children – but I’m pretty sure as God created them, He’s got the caveat covered on those people.  It’s not my decision and it’s not yours – it’s GOD’S.  And I think He’s made that decision pretty crystal clear.

Choose God while you live or spend eternity wishing you had.  That’s between you and God.

Dear Santa (the Mom edition)

I’m not funny, but reading a couple of blogs got me thinking about my Wish List to Santa, if I were to write one.  My letter isn’t nearly as funny as this one (Ironic Mom ) or her friend (Paige K), but it’s my best attempt on short notice.

Dear Santa:

I’m likely on your ‘naughty’ list this year, as in years’ past, but just in case you’re feeling generous, I thought I’d write you and give you my list.  Yes, it’s been a few years since you’ve heard from me – children, grandchildren and a husband tend to take up all my time these days.

I understand that there’s less than a week until Christmas, but if you could see your way to grant the following desires of my heart, I’d really appreciate it:

•         Please find a way to fit a handyman down my chimney (or at my front door) so that all the half-finished DIY projects can be completed.  And if you could make him look like either Zac Efron or Matt Bomer, it would make it extra special. 

•         I have about 20 pounds I’d like to lose, so if you could find a starving super-model that wants them, I’d gladly donate, free of charge.  I’d even share the weight with several needy models.

•        Next on my list is a job for child #3, who doesn’t quite have the motivation to find one himself.  He has many talents, including comedy, memorization of quirky movie lines, staying up until 2 AM, sleeping until 11 AM and punny phrases.  He doesn’t eat much but does require a constant stream of internet availability, so a job where he can play games all day would be a great fit.

•        I have several years left of schooling for child #4, and my request is that he would turn in his homework so that he can make passing grades; therefore not requiring him to flunk High School and live at home for the rest of my lifetime.  My sanity thanks you.

•        If you could work it out with Mr. Murphy, I’d like to request that he find someone else to constantly surprise with his attacks on our limited “discretionary” funds.

•         While we’re on surprises and sanity, I’d like to respectfully request that our government stop finding ways to spend my money for me.  I’m pretty good at finding ways to spend it without their help.

•        Yeah, yeah, world peace, a cure for cancer and harmony too; but I think some things are out of even your realm of power.

Respectfully,

You know who I am

Happy 100th!

This is my 100th post on my blog.  It's been an interesting journey from March 12th, 2010 to now and I hope my readers (all 5 of you) have enjoyed it.  I hope I've made you think and I hope you've learned something from the posts.

Here's to another 100 posts (and maybe a few more followers...)

Dear Santa (for Cub and Boy Scouts):

Dear Santa, all I want for Christmas is:

Outdoor Essentials

·       Pocket Knife (don’t worry, see the next item)

·       First Aid Kit (A little one, for little cuts)

·       Warm Clothing like Fleece or Wool

·       Raingear – Gore-tex or waterproof coat and pants for the snow and rain

·       Water Bottle (stuff that in my stocking)

·       Flashlight – like a “Mag” light or a really cool headlamp

·       Trail Food – Dried fruit and tail mix (or I can just raid the kitchen)

·       Matches and Fire Starter – like those bright orange match cases or flint and steel sets

·       Sun Protection – Way cool shades for sun or snow (like the sun will ever come out) and sunblock

·       Maps and compass – if I get one, it should come with directions so I won’t get lost

Now, if I really want to gear up, substitute one of these for that lame video game I will beat in two days…

Sleeping Bag -- +20 degree minimum

Sleeping pad – Thermarest or other

Stove – like a Whisperlite

Cooking Pots – so I can cook for my patrol

Purifying water pump and filter

Tent – nothing over 8 lbs

Gaiters

Waterproof gloves

Camp Stool – folding

Polypro Long Underwear – for summer and winter!

Dry Bag – for canoeing or boating this summer

Stocking Stuffers

·       Thermal Cup

·       Space Blanket

·       Poly/wool socks

·       Camp suds

·       Spork

·       Fuel Bottle

·       Carabineers

·       Batteries

·       Steel Wool

·       Folding cooking utensils

Thanks to Redmond Scout Troop 591 for the suggestions!