Name: Tricia
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
On and On and On and On
The list:
1. Do 87 loads of laundry
2. Change the sheets
3. Vacuum
4. Clean up around the house
5. Clean the fridge
6. Fill bird feeders
7. Clean cat bowls
8. Buy & plant flowers
9. Look at houses to buy
10. Move office stuff from Pastor's house
11. Organize spare room to accomodate church copier & supplies
12. Create staffing list and orders of service for Children's Ministry through June
13. Run nametags for children for the next 10 weeks
14. Label tags so children are grouped
15. Run errands
16. Look through, choose, compile, print & crop (from approximately 1000 down to about 200) photos
17. Create a scrapbook for The One Who is Leaving
18. Print & copy VBS fliers and registration forms
19. Copy skits for VBS
20. Schedule VBS meeting
21. Schedule workcamp meeting for adults
22. Schedule a workcamp meeting for youth to work on projects
23. Buy tshirts for youth
24. Buy dye
25. Buy buckets
26. Review all workcamp forms
27. Get transportation form completed
28. Get adult background check verification forms signed
29. Ask for insurance info on all youth
30. Make copies of all forms and send to workcamp powers that be
31. Plan youth group lesson
32. Find out where our Women of Faith seats are
33. Unload Women of Faith seats on someone else
34. Start planning women's retreat
35. Order women's retreat kit
36. Buy new ink cartridge for printer
12 down (in no particular order...can't figure out how to make Blogger do strike-thru), 24 to go!
1. Do 87 loads of laundry
2. Change the sheets
3. Vacuum
4. Clean up around the house
5. Clean the fridge
6. Fill bird feeders
7. Clean cat bowls
8. Buy & plant flowers
9. Look at houses to buy
10. Move office stuff from Pastor's house
11. Organize spare room to accomodate church copier & supplies
12. Create staffing list and orders of service for Children's Ministry through June
13. Run nametags for children for the next 10 weeks
14. Label tags so children are grouped
15. Run errands
16. Look through, choose, compile, print & crop (from approximately 1000 down to about 200) photos
17. Create a scrapbook for The One Who is Leaving
18. Print & copy VBS fliers and registration forms
19. Copy skits for VBS
20. Schedule VBS meeting
21. Schedule workcamp meeting for adults
22. Schedule a workcamp meeting for youth to work on projects
23. Buy tshirts for youth
24. Buy dye
25. Buy buckets
26. Review all workcamp forms
27. Get transportation form completed
28. Get adult background check verification forms signed
29. Ask for insurance info on all youth
30. Make copies of all forms and send to workcamp powers that be
31. Plan youth group lesson
32. Find out where our Women of Faith seats are
33. Unload Women of Faith seats on someone else
34. Start planning women's retreat
35. Order women's retreat kit
36. Buy new ink cartridge for printer
12 down (in no particular order...can't figure out how to make Blogger do strike-thru), 24 to go!
Monday, May 29, 2006
Weary
I had such high hopes for the long weekend...but my to do list is still a mile wide! How does that happen? I've been busy constantly...yet I feel like I have gotten nowhere. I really need some time off of work to get things done but that isn't happening any time soon. Hopefully I can get some things accomplished in the evenings this week...we shall see.
I hate being a grown up.
I hate being a grown up.
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Ah, the long holiday weekend
What a joy it is to not have to go to work!!!!
Things have been crazy busy in my life lately. We're getting ready for a huge conference at work, so that is taking up a great deal of my time. I've had to work late some and also work on the weekends to get things done in time. I know everyone hates doing that, but I REALLY hate doing that. I'm often very good at separating work from life but when I have weeks on end where they blur together, it's not good. But, so goes life.
The pastoral search continues. Our pastor's last Sunday is June 18th and we won't have a permanent pastor in place by then, so we will be lining up some other pastors to fill in in the interim. I'm really praying that we find the right person by mid-summer - not just for us, but also for him and his family. If he has children, it will probably be a difficult transition to move anyway but it would be nice if they could begin the school year here. I'm glad that is going to be how it works out for our current pastor and his family. It's so hard to uproot kids in general but to start school mid-year is just rough.
The career change plans - at least the ones to become a teacher - are on hold. The cut in pay is substantial and I really have to consider it. I feel like I have finally reached a point where I am not struggling financially as much...and do I really want to go back? If I were in a dual-income situation, it wouldn't be as hard a decision to make. But I'm not, and so it is what it is. Who knows what will happen down the road. So for now, I think I mentioned before that I am going to take some courses in children's ministry. We'll see where that leads. I already lead the program at our church but I'm interested in learning more and growing, both my skills and our program.
And the latest news - I've started looking for a house. I rent right now and love my place. I love my landlords - they have been nothing but wonderful. But a townhouse across the street came on the market last week and I really got to thinking. I could rent for the next 25 years or I can take a leap of faith and try to get into a home. I've mapped out several things that I want in a home and that I will not compromise on and called a real estate agent many people at church have worked with in the past. I told him it could be a long road, because I am in no hurry and I am going to be very specific. He said he has had clients who took two and three years to find something. And if that's the case, that's fine with me. I don't want to compromise on something like this - it's a very big deal! Michelle & I looked at two townhomes on Friday night. When we drove up, I wasn't sure about the neighborhood...and after I spoke with one of the neighbors, I KNEW it wasn't the place for me!!!! Not a great area, let's just say that. But I've got a list of 32 properties in my price range, two of which are in very nice areas. I may get a chance to see those next weekend...and we shall see.
So that's about it for now. My life seems to be in a constant state of flux at the moment...I guess it is what it is!! I'll try to be better about updating. Things are slowing down at work and hopefully, with summer arriving, things will take on a slower pace in life in general. I'm looking forward to some lazy days!!!!
Things have been crazy busy in my life lately. We're getting ready for a huge conference at work, so that is taking up a great deal of my time. I've had to work late some and also work on the weekends to get things done in time. I know everyone hates doing that, but I REALLY hate doing that. I'm often very good at separating work from life but when I have weeks on end where they blur together, it's not good. But, so goes life.
The pastoral search continues. Our pastor's last Sunday is June 18th and we won't have a permanent pastor in place by then, so we will be lining up some other pastors to fill in in the interim. I'm really praying that we find the right person by mid-summer - not just for us, but also for him and his family. If he has children, it will probably be a difficult transition to move anyway but it would be nice if they could begin the school year here. I'm glad that is going to be how it works out for our current pastor and his family. It's so hard to uproot kids in general but to start school mid-year is just rough.
The career change plans - at least the ones to become a teacher - are on hold. The cut in pay is substantial and I really have to consider it. I feel like I have finally reached a point where I am not struggling financially as much...and do I really want to go back? If I were in a dual-income situation, it wouldn't be as hard a decision to make. But I'm not, and so it is what it is. Who knows what will happen down the road. So for now, I think I mentioned before that I am going to take some courses in children's ministry. We'll see where that leads. I already lead the program at our church but I'm interested in learning more and growing, both my skills and our program.
And the latest news - I've started looking for a house. I rent right now and love my place. I love my landlords - they have been nothing but wonderful. But a townhouse across the street came on the market last week and I really got to thinking. I could rent for the next 25 years or I can take a leap of faith and try to get into a home. I've mapped out several things that I want in a home and that I will not compromise on and called a real estate agent many people at church have worked with in the past. I told him it could be a long road, because I am in no hurry and I am going to be very specific. He said he has had clients who took two and three years to find something. And if that's the case, that's fine with me. I don't want to compromise on something like this - it's a very big deal! Michelle & I looked at two townhomes on Friday night. When we drove up, I wasn't sure about the neighborhood...and after I spoke with one of the neighbors, I KNEW it wasn't the place for me!!!! Not a great area, let's just say that. But I've got a list of 32 properties in my price range, two of which are in very nice areas. I may get a chance to see those next weekend...and we shall see.
So that's about it for now. My life seems to be in a constant state of flux at the moment...I guess it is what it is!! I'll try to be better about updating. Things are slowing down at work and hopefully, with summer arriving, things will take on a slower pace in life in general. I'm looking forward to some lazy days!!!!
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Out There
Sorry, friends in the blog-o-sphere. My life is absolutely crazy at the moment. Unfortunately, even throughout the madness, there is not much new to report. I'm off for a long weekend starting tomorrow so hopefully you will find updates galore here throughout the weekend.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Sigh...
Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
Proverbs 13:12
Well, it looks like my plans are on hold for a while. I spoke with the professor again last evening and the cut in pay from what I am making now to a first year teacher's salary is as I expected - significant - and simply not an option for me the way things are right now financially.
He did encourage me to take the required exams, however, as the results are valid for up to three years. So I think I will study up a bit and try to take them over the summer/fall. I am also taking an online course in pastoring children next month, which will help me get back into the scholastic swing of things.
I'm decidedly disappointed but truthfully, this is what I expected. I've been encouraged by some to have faith and just leap anyway but I can't do that. I know that God will take care of me and work things out, but I also know that he wants me to be responsible...and the way to do that is not to jump into something I can't handle at this point.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
525,600 Minutes
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes,
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Moments so dear.
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure, measure a year?
In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights
In cups of coffee
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.
In five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure
A year in the life?
How about love?
How about love?
How about love? Measure in love
Seasons of love. Seasons of love
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes!
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Journeys to plan.
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure the life
Of a woman or a man?
In truths that she learned,
Or in times that he cried.
In bridges he burned,
Or the way that she died.
It's time now to sing out,
Tho' the story never ends
Let's celebrate
Remember a year in the life of friends
Remember the love!
Remember the love!
Seasons of love!
Oh you got to got to remember the love! remember the love,
You Measure in love know that love is a gift from up above Seasons of love.
Share love, give love, spread love, measure, measure your life in love.
Six hundred minutes,
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Moments so dear.
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure, measure a year?
In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights
In cups of coffee
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.
In five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure
A year in the life?
How about love?
How about love?
How about love? Measure in love
Seasons of love. Seasons of love
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes!
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Journeys to plan.
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure the life
Of a woman or a man?
In truths that she learned,
Or in times that he cried.
In bridges he burned,
Or the way that she died.
It's time now to sing out,
Tho' the story never ends
Let's celebrate
Remember a year in the life of friends
Remember the love!
Remember the love!
Seasons of love!
Oh you got to got to remember the love! remember the love,
You Measure in love know that love is a gift from up above Seasons of love.
Share love, give love, spread love, measure, measure your life in love.
"Seasons of Love" from Rent
As of yesterday, it's been a year since I began this blog. I really can't believe it - it's amazing how quickly time goes by. I remember being a kid and thinking that the summer was interminably long..and now a year flies by in the blink of an eye.
I have to say I'm thankful for this blog - for the people I have met through it and the people I've managed to finally stay in a little better touch with because of it! It's a pretty cool concept!
I wanted to post this yesterday but took the day off to spend with my mamacita for Mother's Day. We had lunch and shopped and generally had a nice day.
On another note, many people are asking what's going on with my career change, etc. Frankly, I am not sure at the moment. I have a lot of debt and that concerns me. I need to see how much of a cut in pay this would be for me, tempered with teh cost of taking the courses...and then make my decision. Everything - and I mean everything - is pointing me in this direction and I'm confident it's the right one. It's just this one little sticky wicket.
Anyone out there have $100000 lying around to help me achieve my dream???????? That would really help me out, thanks! : )
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Some Things Really ARE as Easy as They Seem
I spoke to one of the professors from a local university last night. Given my background, I would simply need to complete (and pass) 5 PRAXIS exams, petition the university to accept me into the Teacher Intern Certification program and I could be teaching by September THIS September! The caveat to this is that I would need to teach in an inner-city school for the three years that I am in the program but really, that doesnt bother me. He specifically recommended one that he said is nicer and more well-run than many suburban or rural schools. And there is the option of a more local, smaller city school district, as well as one in the area where I grew up.
It is possible that I could begin the exams as early as a month from now. But I am not sure that that is what I want to do. I feel like I should take some time and study a bit, since some of the concepts they may be testing me on may differ from my background in adult education. I feel like I should look at some of the other universities and colleges who offer this program and see what their requirements are (I know the testing will be the same). I feel like I should get my ducks in a row financially, as this most assuredly will amount to a major pay cut for me. So while I am thrilled to death that this dream really is possible and could be so simple to achieve, I think I need to be a tad bit more practical in my approach to it. I know there is a need for good teachers and I believe that need will be there next September as well. The practical side of me says this is the right approach
but the excited, instant gratification part of me is feeling disappointed.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Taking the Proverbial Bull By the Horns
Anyone who knows me is that I am not a terribly contemplative person. I come up with an idea, think it through for a bit and leap.
Sometimes this gets me in trouble. Other times, it's proven to be good way to be.
I've send emails to a couple local colleges to inquire about their Teaching Intern Certification. As far as I can tell, it looks like through this program, you can start teaching while taking courses to get your certification. That description is surely more simplistic than reality...and of course there is the issue of funding...both for me and the courses! Hmmm. That's the only "fear factor" I'm dealing with in this whole idea.
Anyway, in the meantime, I've also signed up to take an online course in pastoring children. I'm hoping by doing that as well I can ascertain if I can handle juggling course work, work, church and life, without giving up too much. I think I can, I think I can! I was really excited to see that I already own one of the two books for this course but haven't had a chance to get through it yet. What a great opportunity.
I have to admit, I am somewhat of a geek when it comes to learning. I absolutely love school - I love taking classes and learning. For me, lifelong learning is very important. And since getting my graduate degree in 2000, I haven't taken any classes or really focused on learning anything new at all (except for things in relation to my job or my faith - and really, I have learned a lot in both areas during that time). It's really hard to express my excitement about both the course I am planning to take and also this potential for teaching in the long-term!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But I am bubbling over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Coincidence?
I think not!
Yesterday, I emailed some friends asking them to pray about a career change I am considering and have started looking into. That afternoon during lunch, my devotional was all about change - how to know when God is bringing change, when to make a midstream correction, etc. It asked to focus a few questions to determine if you were running away from something or if, instead, it was time for a real change. My answers all pointed toward time for a real change.
I have a Mary Engelbreit daily calendar on my desk and when I came in this morning and flipped over to today, the quote was, "A teacher affects eternity; she can never know where her influence stops." (Henry Brooks Adams) And teaching just happens to be the career I am looking into...!!!
Monday, May 08, 2006
Farewell, Old Friends
Tonight was the series finale of 7th Heaven. I've watched that show since it began 10 years ago. It's funny how you actually feel a little loss when a series ends - like the characters have been a part of your life for so long and now they will be gone. There was a lot of debate on whether the show would be picked up on the new CW (when UPN & WB fold and regroup into one) or if there would be a spinoff. So there were a lot of announcements but not a great deal of tying up of loose ends. I'm just glad I was able to actually relax tonight and watch it!!
I have about 80 million things I want to post but I have some reading to get through before Wednesday so I will bid adieu to you and you and you...for now
I have about 80 million things I want to post but I have some reading to get through before Wednesday so I will bid adieu to you and you and you...for now
Friday, May 05, 2006
Ch-ch-changes...
I went to a seminar last night for singles, presented by New Life. I didn't know what to expect but it was really awesome. I would definitely recommend going if there is one near you!! There were about a thousand people there from all different backgrounds and locations, some as far away as Massachussetts. The speakers were excellent! Steve Arterburn is a really funny guy and I thought that John Townsend & Henry Cloud were great as well. They had a package where you could buy the speakers' books and also get an audio CD of the seminar and I was all over that.
There were quite a few things that stood out to me, as I am on the focused road towards life change...!! The first speaker talking about healing. And I have to be honest, I didn't really feel like this would apply to me. I thought it would speak to the people who have gone through a divorce or another similar sort of loss. But really, there are always things in our lives that we need healing from, even when you've shoved them so far back in your subconscious you can't rightly see what they are. But he talked about making choices in your life - to connect, to feel, to risk. And I realized that those things don't just happen - you truly have to MAKE a choice.
Another speaker talked about ways we hide from love and connection. He gave a few examples of different types of folks and I could see myself (and some others!) in the personality types. Recognizing why you do the things you do and act as you do is a good first step to changing things...it seems to be the whole issue of reflection, followed by concerted effort?
Finally, Dr. Cloud talked about how to get a date worth keeping. His book by that name is in my pile...and I thought it was all very interesting (I'm not giving it away - buy the book!!) He told a funny story that I could totally relate to about a woman who wasn't dating and who said that she was certain that if God wanted her to be married, he would bring her husband to her. But she never really left the house or did anything (hmmmmmm...sounding eerily familiar). So, as he pointed out, yes - God could bring you someone right to the front door. He can. But he might want some effort on your part as well...and perhaps God wants you to learn something about yourself by stepping out of your comfort zones and dating people. The other important thing he mentioned was to date without the end in mind - not to look at each date as a first step to marriage - because many won't be.
After the fateful date at the end of March and my spiral into feeling sorry for myself, I had commited that I would start putting myself out there more. I am truly that person he gave as an example. I go to work, do my church stuff, and that's about it. How in the world can you meet anyone that way? Duh.
The bottom line, though, is that it won't be easy. In fact, one of the women Dr. Cloud has worked with said the first two months were absolutely horrid and hard. And she had to work through some things about herself to get to a place where she could actually have fun stepping out and meeting new people. And two years later, she's engaged - when she never thought that would happen for her.
And so, as I endeavor to dip my toe into the murky waters of change...I add this as well.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Time Keeps on Tickin'
Indeed it does.
This week, while I'm still trying working on the physical margin, I'm also finding myself focusing a great deal on the time end of things. I'm finding that when I try to wedge in activities that should otherwise be relaxing and fun, that really even those things are adding to my stress. Which really seems ridiculous!
Way back in the fall, I was very happy to have paired things down and freed myself up for at least two evenings a week, plus at least one or two weekend days. But then some added responsibilities came up and suddenly I'm finding myself with nary a free moment again. I have something going on every night this week and had three events on Saturday - two simultaneously in different places!! I know what a toll this kind of schedule takes on me...I've been here before. And so, this time, I'm determined a change must come.
Last night, I told my home group that I was in need of a hiatus, at least through the summer. I really struggled with this all day but felt like I was doing my group a disservice by not being fully there for them - on Mondays or otherwise - because of my other responsibilities. Everyone was great about it and very understanding (thanks, guys!) and made me feel like it was ok. We're not dissolving entirely and have planned some gatherings each month to keep up in touch and together, which I think is a great idea. I feel like a great weight has been lifted from me. I love these people too much to not give them the time & attention they deserve from a leader and I feel like right now, this is the best alternative.
I also canceled out on one of my double-booked events. I feel badly about it but I just can't do it all. The book also suggested actually scheduling free time on your calendar. Seems like a silly idea but sometimes that is all you can do to actually take that time for yourself. And so it shall be!!