chickintheham

For two days now I've been dealing with a migraine. I'm wondering what is up with that. I thought the migraine had finally lifted this afternoon... but now as I sit in front of my computer... I'm not so sure my eyeball is secure inside my head. And why is my computer screen so bright.-I can't seem to figure out how to dim the screen. Does that make me stupid? I found the button to let me choose the option of adjusting the brightness but I can't find the buttons to actually change it.... ARGH!!!!!!!



Okay, I am now sitting at my desk with sunglasses on. As the great Spunkey once said... "If you can't go through, go around." I think that's what I just did.... metaphorically speaking. sorta.



So, did you know that if you live in Alabama.... on election day you will have the opportunity to vote on whether or not people in my county should have to pay their own sewer bills. I'm not making that up. So uhm, I don't want to pay my sewer bill . Until now, I didn't realize that was an option. I think I will vote no to that... No matter where you live in my state... you have the ability to vote on that as well. In fact, perhaps I will just vote no to all the amendments... I've made that threat before. Have I ever mentioned that my state needs a new constitution. Seriously, people in the state will be voting to amend the state constitution so that people in my county will need to pay their own sewer bills. Now doesn't that seem just a little bit crazy? Of course there is something going on with the local sewer people anyway... the company seems to be having financial woes... maybe this is the problem... people don't have to pay their bills. I actually have no idea what is going on... it just seems crazy that the state will be voting on it though... First, vote for who should be president... then flip that ballot over and vote about my sewer system... woohoo!



Don't believe me, check it out... here

“Books are my passion, not only writing them and every once in a while even reading them but just having them and moving them around and feeling the comfort of their serene presence.” Frederick Buechner

So what about my book problem? You know, I love books. I don’t always read them but I like to have them. I think Oprah may have solved this problem for me via Amazon’s Kindle. I’m not a gadget girl. In fact, one of the reasons I think I need a husband it to help me out in the world of technology… I’m falling behind fast. But, Oprah has introduced me to the Kindle. I think I need one of those. I think I’m going to ask Santa to help me get one for Christmas. I’m not sure Santa can afford to get it completely for me due to the fact that Santa has lots of folks to look after… But, perhaps he can help me a bit. That’s reasonable right? I’m so fired up about this plan. Part of me wants to wait a year or so to see if a newer version comes out or the price comes down… but, I’m a girl struggling now. If I wait, the madness may return. I may die in a mound of books and never be found. A kindle will be of no use then. Best to save my life now, don’t you think? I don’t know that I can replace all the books I already own with the kindle… but I can stop the intake of additional books.

I’ve also developed this plan to stop buying cds. I am a girl who loves music so I think this will be the hardest thing for me to do. But, I think I’m going to start going to mp3s for my new music. I made this plan last week. Saturday, I broke my new rule. Kate Campbell was at my library for homecoming and I totally fell in love with her song “Sorrowfree.” She wrote it for this summer’s Big Read which, of course, was To Kill a Mockingbird. If you like folk music and you like that book, you should check out that song. (It's on her MySpace which is linked above) Anyway, I wasn’t sure if was available on iTunes so I bought the cd. I had to have that song. I think it’s going to be on my list of forever favorites… others on my list of all time favorites include (in no particular order)

1. Love of God - Rich Mullins
2. After the Last Tear Falls - Andrew Peterson
3. Save Something for Grace -Eric Peters
4. God Believes in You - Pierce Pettis

So what would be in your list of forever favorites?

Anyway, I'm not sure I can pull of that not buying cds thing. But, I'm looking forward to giving the Kindle a shot.

It is no secret that in the past I have referred to myself as a self described OCD person. OR, that I was sinking into a grey gardens lifestyle. I truly believe that I was on my way to becoming one of those people who needed an intervention. Like maybe, by the grace of God, Oprah or TLC would show up at my door with some tough love. I had reached a place where I was feeling overwhelmed by all my stuff and I just couldn’t deal with it so I ignored it. But, also I couldn’t get rid of it. I have a history of getting rid of things only to seriously need them the next week. So, I got where I just didn’t get rid of stuff. Plus, I think I somewhat had a notion that my stuff was part of who I am… it was like my identity. But, the truth is, I lived in fear of people stopping in without warning and all my stuff had become suffocating. I’ve been talking to God about it for quite a while. It was on my list of miracles needed. Before my trip to Philly, I never would have considered being Little Edie for Halloween because I honestly had a fear of actually becoming Little Edie… just perhaps with a slightly different twist on fashion. And I had this weird fascination with the Collyer Brothers. And as a single person I somewhat feared that maybe one day I’d die and people wouldn’t be able to find me because I’d be buried in magazines, shopping bags, and coat hangers in the middle of my bedroom floor… hidden. Sort of like what happened with Langley Collyer. I don’t want that to happen.

But, then I went to Philly and for whatever reason when I came back home I just started cleaning out junk. It’s an absolute miracle and answer to prayer. I’m not putting pressure on myself… I’m not even setting goals for fear that I lose whatever it is that has inspired me to get rid of my stuff. It’s like that Episode of AbFab where Saffy has a date and Edina makes Patsy tip-toe around and whispers “don’t frighten Saffy!” That’s how I feel. I don’t want to bring back that overwhelmed feeling and give up. I must accept my baby steps.

I’ve managed to get my house to a somewhat better junky state. One I feel is akin to a normal person’s junky state…not Collyer Brother like at all. I’ve got miles and miles to go but “shhhh” I’m tip-toeing around that fact. So far, I’ve cleaned out lots of clothes and lots of trinkets that had previously just been sitting around. I’ve got surfaces people! Surfaces that I can easily dust. Praise God! I boxed up most of my ALA books to take to the library for their store. (That was about 75 – 100 books that previously sat in bags and stacks in my living room) I’ve got a box of CDs waiting to be taken to a CD store for resale. And, the best part has been going through all my old videos. Some of the videos were movies I had bought… But, many of them were just things I had kept unlabeled. The videos are sort of like boxes of chocolate. I’d put one in the VCR and I never knew what I was going to get. I’ve found some great stuff. I found Letterman’s 10th anniversary special. I found an interview of Jason Bateman on the Late Show with Craig Kilborn. I found old PBS specials on Gershwin and Sondheim. Previously, I would not have been able to get rid of that stuff. But, now, I simply watch the stuff then trash the tape. I’ve realized that I cannot be held responsible for archiving television. I’ve trashed about 50 unlabeled video tapes – Go Me! Previously, I had considered asking Santa to buy me the remaining season’s of the X-Files. I already own seasons 1 -4. And, I enjoy watching TV on DVD… but this is what I’ve realized. Netflix is my library. I can get whatever I want from them. As long as I’m a member, there is no need for me to dedicate my precious shelf space to TV on DVD. That was a Spunky inspired decision. She’s been doing that for years… only; I’ve just recently understood and accepted it for my own home. Materials entering into my home are under much more scrutiny than they once were. I’ve realized that perhaps I really was a girl with a problem and problems should be respected, right? I’ve told some of my friends … you don’t serve alcohol to alcoholics… don’t give stuff to a hoarder. If you want to get me something... and you aren’t sure what to get, consider giving me time – hang out with me at a movie or dinner or get me gift cards that can be used responsibly. If you give me stuff… please know that I’m a girl with a problem and I may not be able to commit to keeping it for long for fear of suffocating. Now, I still think that some of the best gifts are those that you wouldn’t necessarily get for yourself or quirky things. I’d still appreciate such things… I never would have understood the glory of glitter without such gifts. I’m just saying, I admit I have a problem.

But, I’m recovering. Thank you God!

I officially had a crappy day today. I honestly can say that and it's the absolute truth. For you see, when I arrived to work this morning I found there was a fountain of raw sewage water springing forth out of the lower level bathrooms which just happen to be across from my processing lab/office. So, within mere moments of the fountain springing forth... My crappy day had begun. 

This picture is proof that my cat loves me.... or at least values my opposable thumbs and their use for opening her food.

She used to fold her ears back by herself when she cleaned them but she no longer does that. I think she stopped just to spite me. This past weekend, she was sitting next to me on the couch and so I reached over and pushed them back. She gave me a look and then shook them back into position. So I scratched her noggin and cooed over her a bit and asked if she'd please let me take her picture with her ears back. She complied, but she made it clear that she was doing me a favor and I would owe her later.

Still, I feel I got this shot out of love.

Labels: Jessie

Saturday I went hiking with some folks (KAG and C and another friend of theirs) up Ruffner Mtn. Before I started the hike I began asking around about it. I wanted to know what I was in for and did I need sport skivvies on. No one could answer that question. However, for future reference, if anyone reading this is so inclined to hike Ruffner... no, you really don't. But, I would say you need hiking boots as opposed to tennis shoes, which is what I was wearing. And depending on how hot it is... you may want long pants because you will be walking through some brush. Now, Ruffner Mountain is really one of the foothills of the Appalachians. So, if you've seen the Mountains out west you may cry foul at Ruffner actually being labeled a mountain. Still, it was a hike on an incline. I was sweating profusely within about 5 minutes of the journey. Since I'm vain, I didn't care for that. I would prefer not to sweat. But, then I guess that would make me unhealthy, right? Better to sweat I guess. I just wish I was more ladylike about it.

Now, I would have guessed we hiked about 2 miles or so... but, according to the trail map. It was really on .3 miles. How is that possible? I've walked 2 miles before... many times. That trail seemed longer to me. Maybe that's because it was all up hill - both ways - or so it seemed. Still it was enjoyable and I'd recommend it to folks.

That's a picture of me at the top of the "Mountain"... and that's my lovely city in the distant background. KAG took this and I swear I wasn't really aware that I was in the picture. If I had known I'd have been smiling... and perhaps a little freaked out. But, at least it's not a close up of my glistening forehead and there are no visible sweat marks on my clothing so that's good. KAG said this was a good picture to be labeled Chick in the Ham. I think she's right.

After hiking we went to Whole Foods where I discovered dried green beans are YUMMY! and very bad for you. Not that I've done the research but I think dried green beans may be worse for you than say... fries from McDonalds. I may have to research that for curiosity's sake. Luckily, although, the beans are yummy... they don't appear to be something you eat fist full after fist full of. So that's good. I'll probably never achieve eating 1 serving at at time... which is good because 1 serving is 450 calories. Can you believe that!!! But, hey... they are a completely organic snack AND they are Yummy! Not quite as yummy as the ginger bread though. I bought a whole bunch of that!!!! and will probably be going back for more. Love it!

Labels: Hike, Ruffner Mountain, Whole Foods

Spunky sent me a video to make me laugh. It was cute!





Only, now I really really really want a lemur. Unfortunately, I just googled lemur as a pet and found they are a lot of trouble... So, maybe one of you should get a lemur. Then I could come visit. That'd be nice.

I'm tired and my butt hurts. Do you know why my butt hurts... because apparently I can't avoid bumping into tables and cabinets and so I'm all bruised up. AND I'm not happy about it. And, my hips are bruised because every time I go to the stairwell at the library, I turn to my side stick my hip out and crash into the door. I think instinctly, I believe the door will open for me if I push it with my hip. It never does. Yet, I haven't learned that lesson yet. How many times must I run into a door before I learn to use a door knob. I've been running into those doors for at least 5 years. I sort of wonder if the Circulation desk doesn't all stop to watch me crash into the doors now. It must be a funny sight. Clearly, I don't use the stairs very often or I would have learned my lesson by now. The thing is, the stairwell doors look just like the bathroom doors. Those doors do open with the push of a hip and I tend to use the bathroom more than I use the stairs... so it's instinct. Maybe I should start using the stairs more often. But, they aren't conveniently located. The elevator is right across the hall from my office. The stairs are all the way at the other end of the hall. I'm impatient. I don't have time to waste... Still, I probably should be taking the stairs... That'd be good for my health and eventually good for my hips.

I think I'm about to leave my office early today... because I feel like I haven't seen the outside world in 3 days... and I think that is somewhat true. So... I'm out of here... to go run some errands and experience some fresh air. Nice!

Labels: 17 kids and counting

Last night I went to see Andrew Peterson in concert. He's my friend. I have a sticker that says so. He just doesn't know my name. hehe. Anyway, I went to his FREE concert where he sang every song from his new CD. I love his songs. And I loved what I heard from his CD.... which I preordered weeks ago and won't actually get until next week sometime (fingers crossed). Until then, I can listen to it online. You can too. The second part of the concert was made up of requests. He started the segment with "Nothing To Say" which had I been the type of girl to shout requests out is exactly what I would have requested. After that, someone requested the "Queen of Iowa" which you know is a sad song. I'd heard Andrew speak a little about the song before but last night he gave quite an introduction and he had me in tears by the time he started singing. By the end of it I think I told God that I was going to need him to close with "After the Last Tear Falls," because I was an emotional wreck and I just love that song. Well, I don't know if it was Divine intervention or what but that is the song Andrew closed with.... and I flat out bawled my eyes out. How embarrassing. Thank goodness I was among friends. But, Andrew may want his sticker back. Although... he cried too... but then it was his song. Oh well. I never said I was cool.

What I took away from the concert... other than Andrew's music and stories, was a quote Andrew paraphrased from his memory. I asked him about it after the show and he said he wasn't sure it wasn't written anywhere but he once heard Mike Yaconelli say it at a conference. It goes something like this... Spirituality is nothing more than paying attention to what's around you. Now, that's me paraphrasing Andrew's paraphrasing. But, it was something like that. Anyway, I liked it because I always think of Spirituality along Rich's terms... which seemed to be about obedience. You know, "A spiritual thing is making your bed. A spiritual thing is taking cookies to your neighbor that is shut in or raking their front lawn because they are too old to do it. That is spirituality." which I always connect with "Closeness to God is not about feelings. Closeness to God is about obedience. It's just as simple as that." I don't know that I should connect them but I do. I was glad to get another perspective.

I didn't fully intend to really write about this. But, oh well. That's where I ended up. Maybe tomorrow I'll tell you what Jason Bateman and Craig Kilborn have to do with my closets. That was what I originally had planned to write about. oh well. Go read some Rich or listen to Andrew.

P.S. For Sweetie.... The song "Rocket" was totally written for our Astronaut. Do you remember Astronaunt Patrick Forrester?

Labels: Andrew Peterson, Rich Mullins

3




4

5

6 (Bonus - not on Facebook)

Here are your celebs to choose from

A) Mac Powell B) Roger Bart C) Liza Minelle D) Hugh Jackman E) Steven Weber F) Rufus Sewell

Don't Cheat !

Answers

1 - C Liza Minnelle, 2 - A Mac Powell (light blue shirt sitting down), 3 - F Rufus Sewell, 4 - D Hugh Jackman, 5 - E Steven Weber, 6 - Roger Bart

Did you get them all right? Was that a fun game? I seriously think I'm going to start taking unfortunate pictures of celebs from now on. It might be more fun that way. Don't you think?

Labels: Ben Folds