Office Chatter

A colleague was writing a letter to some outside counsel this week, and she misspelled the word inconvenience on the draft. Spell check immediately caught the error and gave her several suggestions.

However, the first suggestion was not the word inconvenience. No, actually, Microsoft Word suggested the word “incontinence” as the first choice. She laughed and had to share the story with the rest of us, and so for the rest of the day, we joked about that almost slip of the tongue.

Can you imagine if she had accidentally chosen that first suggestion from spell check and sent the letter?

Dear Sirs:

We apologize for any incontinence...

Hmmmmm...a bit too personal, isn't it? Hee hee!

Random Update...

1. I have slowly but surely found myself falling back into a former addictive habit. I know there are worse addictions out there, but still I don’t like having this habit, this need, if you will, in my life. I’ve got to cut myself off somehow and let go of this addictive influence. But the truth is that Diet Mountain Dew is getting me through the day right now, and I’m not ready for rehab or quitting cold turkey quite yet. Hey, do they make a caffeine patch? If not, someone should look into it.

2. I am quite captivated by the John Adams series that HBO made a couple of years ago. A co-worker recommended I try it on Netflix, and I have, and 2 episodes in, I am blown away. The personal sacrifices, the seemingly treasonous acts that our forefathers committed all in the name of freedom has me shocked and humbled. It was only through GOD’s grace that such a rag-taggle bunch of men formed a Continental Congress, built up a Continental Army, debated the issues in secret meetings and then finally agreed on going forward to seek independence from England. WOW! They did not take any step lightly. They weighed the cost, agonized over the decision, and it was only after months of discussion and further hostility by the British that the cause for independence gained ground and the Declaration of Independence was born. Now, I feel the need to do some more research on the subject. I’ll just add it to my list of “things to do.”

3. I went to hear St. Luke’s United Methodist Church Chancel Choir concert yesterday, and it was a fabulous, worship-filled performance. The chancel choir leaves at the end of this week for a European tour, where they will be performing their selections in various cathedrals throughout Austria and the Czech Republic. My friends, Barb and Lee, are in the choir, and I can’t wait to hear all their stories upon their return. Barb is going to scout out some touristy stuff for me, which will hopefully help me and my parents make some decisions for our own European excursion in 2010. We are currently looking into a river cruise down the Danube or the Rhine Rivers, etc. I like the idea of the luggage staying put and NOT having to change hotels every other night. Sounds like a good plan to me!

4. My 2 fellow England travelers are both potentially buying homes this summer. I am excited for them, but it has made for some interesting conversations. Everyone wants to know when I will be doing the same. Is it bad that I don’t have any desire to buy my own home right now? Because I just don’t. I asked my sister if I was crazy not to pursue a mortgage of my very own, and she reminded me that only in America is their a push for buying property. People all over the globe rent or lease space while home ownership is more rare, reserved for the upper class members of society. It was a good reminder for me. I know that renting may not seem like the wisest choice to some, but it is where GOD has me for the present, and hey, maybe it will keep me humble. Let us hope. Hee hee!

A Return to Life as We Know It

I confess: It has been pretty hard getting back to normal life after 2 weeks abroad. After a fortnight of savoring Great Britain's architectural delights, strolling through century-old gardens, surveying the incredible beauty of the English country estates, and stepping back into the well-worn pages of history, I came back to my neat and tidy life in my 1-bedroom apartment in Indianapolis.[sigh!] It has been an adjustment.

I go to work each day, come home about 12 hours later (exhausted), heat up something for dinner around 8 (or microwave a frozen entrée at work around 6), force myself to unwind and go to bed around 11 PM and get up the next morning before 6 to start the cycle all over again. Charming, isn't it? I've been more than a little disheartened. I didn't want to return to this old life I once was so fond of. It has been too quiet, too serene. Nothing adventurous about it. I was captivated by the land across the pond and longed to go back once more.

But now that I've been back in the States for a few more days, I think I'm starting to rebound and recover from the extravagances of my delightful English holiday. Maybe my life has been a little too quiet of late, but I think it's all a state of mind. I seem to have forgotten how to suck the marrow out of life. It doesn't matter where I am really. I need to be living each moment to the fullest. I need to return to that simple principle and enjoy each nanosecond.

Yesterday afternoon I went house/condo hunting with one of my fellow England travelers, Becky, and we had some laughs reminiscing about our adventures. Afterwards, I headed to Plainfield to attend the annual Reistad Ribfest. My coworker Heidi and her family host a fabulous picnic on the first Saturday in June every year. They serve the best ribs ever, and I'm not a big rib-eater, but Diet Girl had seconds last night because they were just incredible. In fact the whole evening was delightful--a smorgasbord of tasty treats, lots of wonderful conversation and boundless laughter. My kind of perfect evening!

Today I arrived at the IMA about 30 minutes before my volunteer shift, and so I popped my MP3 player in my pocket and took a stroll through the gardens. I was literally hopping down the steps of the formal gardens with Chris Rice's “Kids Again” resounding in my ears. I was in my element. I didn't care who was watching or wondering why a 35-year-old was so cheerfully giggling to herself as she revisited familiar haunts. But with the beautiful sky beckoning above me, the brilliant garden colors around me, and punch-happy tunes playing in my head, I couldn't help but be happy! And yet, I am remembering that happiness is always an option, always there as a choice.

Yes, it's nice to be back home. I miss things about England. I miss the cooler temperatures, the old buildings, the fine architecture, the incredible landscapes and gardens, the tasty puddings and desserts, the romance of being abroad. Those were delights I will carry with me for years to come. But I'm also glad to get back to my own circle, worshiping with familiar faces, eating out with the old lunch crowds, catching up with friends on email and over dinner, sharing stories with family, etc. I'm back, and this is where HE has me for now, and I want to consciously choose to be happy in this moment and any others that follow. Life is a gift, and I don't want to waste it.

Deep inside, I sense that while my blossoming adventurous spirit may be resting for the moment, it has come fully alive again. This time, a new chronic virus has attached itself to me. It's official. I've got the international travel bug now.

LOST in Austen

I have an affliction or perhaps better stated, I have a chronic need to see every production of a Jane Austen or Austen-esque film. Tonight I watched Lost in Austen courtesy of Netflix, and I was sadly disappointed. To tell you the truth, I think dear Jane would have been horrified and is perhaps even now rolling over in her grave.

I'm all for creative license, but this story got rather twisted in a hurry and never really settled back down. Basically by some freaky hidden door between the fictional Lizzie Bennett's house and the flat of a modern woman named Amanda Price, the 2 manage to switch places. With Lizzie gone from the Bennett household, Amanda tries to keep the Pride & Prejudice story line going. After all, she knows it by heart, but things go all awry. Mr. Bingley finds himself captivated with Amanda rather than with sweet Jane. To save her family's claim on Longbourn, Jane sacrifices herself in marriage to the horrid Mr. Collins. Caroline Bingley turns out to be a lesbian and makes a pass at Amanda. Whitcomb turns out to be less of a rake than we all thought and actually helps Amanda along. Darcy is, well, not Colin Firth or Matthew MacFayden, but he is still Darcy. He finds himself falling in love with Amanda, and Amanda is conflicted. Isn't he meant for Elizabeth? What's a girl to do when her favorite fictional character falls head over heels in love with her? SPOILER ALERT: He chooses Amanda over Elizabeth, and the 2 characters decide to switch places permanently. Sounds like every Austen fan's dream come true, right? WRONG!

Basically, I watched 3 hours of complete nonsense, and to cleanse my mental pallet, I need to watch the classic 1995 version of P&P as re-preparation for my trip to Great Britain in 13 days. I just feel I need more classic images of one of the greatest love stories in my head before I travel. I need to forget all the insanity rambling through my head and get recaptivated by this story once again.

In less than a fortnight, I shall be in the land of Darcy and Elizabeth for myself. I shall be touring the stately homes of the British aristocracy and the National Trust. I shall be meandering through gardens not unlike those of Pemberley or Rosings Park. Yes, I know that England is a modern country. I'm not expecting Bingley and Darcy to ride up to meet me on horseback any more than I will be expected to take the floor with a waltz at Netherfield. But I can't help but be captivated by an era long gone by...

I'm NOT a Trendsetter...

I do NOT consider myself a trendy person at all. My contributions to society at large have been few in number. Perhaps the only one I could name is my over-zealous use of the word "WOOHOO!" and how a lot of my friends use it excessively now as well. HA! Not much to speak of, is it?

I usually discover something MONTHS AFTER others have enjoyed it, i.e., Facebook, My Space, Twilight, etc. And when it comes to fashion, no one would ever dare call me trendy. I scoff at trends, and name brands or designer fashions are a hoot to me. I couldn't care less. In fact for years, I have secretly laughed at people who cared about such things. I just didn't care much for fashion. If I liked it and it fit well enough, I would buy it...some times in multiples. As in, I would often buy 3 or 4 of the same style sweater or top in an array of colors. It was easier that way.

Recently though something has changed. I still wouldn't call myself a fashionista, by any means, but I am starting to admit my love of beautiful things, and I'm starting to care a bit more than I used to. No, I've not become snobby about styles or buying things with the attitude that I've-got-to-have-that-because-so-and-so-made-it, etc. I'm just starting to let go some of that old tomboy practicality.

I love color, bright magnetic colors, and I'm learning to branch out and try new shades. I love fabrics. I'm obsessed with how things feel against my skin. And I like to feel feminine. I AM A WOMAN! Not that there was any doubt really, but I'm starting to spread my wings and embrace the beauty...the magic that is in beauty.

Whether or not I admit it or acknowledge it, I am a masterpiece made by the ultimate CREATOR of good and beautiful things, and SO ARE YOU. My GOD designed me just as I am, and I am fearfully and wonderfully made. This isn't news. It's a fact. Every one of us were created in HIS image, and HE is the ultimate beauty. The SOURCE of true beauty.

Psalm 139:13-16 [The Message]
Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
You formed me in my mother's womb.
I thank you, High God--you're breathtaking!
Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
I worship in adoration--what a creation!
You know me inside and out,
You know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
How I was sculpted from nothing into something.
Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
All the stages of my life were spread out before you,
The days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day.

*Oh Lord, You're beautiful
Your face is all I seek.
For when Your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me.*

*Taken from Oh Lord, You're Beautiful by Ray Boltz*

Just A Wee Bit Stressed

I've been one excessive workaholic lately, and there has been little time for else. My pregnant co-worker got put on bed rest 2 weeks ago, and ever since, I've been doing both of our jobs. (Read: beaucoup over time; breakfast, lunch and dinner at the office; piles of work to get through; trying to maintain a sense of humor; etc.)

I'm a bit exhausted right now, but other than that, I am doing well. I know that I will make it through this, and thankfully, I am not alone. I have co-workers that are trying to help me out as much as possible, and others that give me extra moral support. And besides all that, I know that GOD is right in the thick of things with me, and I have so much to be thankful for.

1. I have a job, and GOD continues to provide for my every need.
2. This over time business isn't forever, and July will be here before I know it.
3. I have only 26 days until I fly internationally for the first time and get that first stamp in my passport. WOOHOO!! OK, I'm totally ready to count down the hours now...
4. The sun was shining brilliantly out there today, and I got out of the office around 7 PM just in time to admire it for a few. Lovely!
5. Tomorrow starts the weekend, and I am determined not to come into the office this weekend. [Fingers crossed]

Yes, I am blessed. I have much to praise HIM for. I'm sure there are lots of other things I could name off right now, but I'm about to fade out here.

Good night! Sweet Dreams, my friend!

Twilight-Crazed

I didn’t mean for it to happen. I had no intention of becoming obsessed with another book series, but I was captivated from the first scene of the movie Twilight. I rented it one night, watched it once and promptly ran to Wal-mart to purchase a copy the next day because I knew I needed to add it to my collection. And that brief introduction to this fiction series has led me straight into my comfy chair reading the books well into the wee hours of the morning for several days straight this past week.

Don’t grimace, groan or roll your eyes. Yes, I’ve crossed over and gone to the dark side, but this is nothing new really. Those who know me well knew that I already had a vampire fetish. Have had one since I was a kid really. Vampires, werewolves, magic, superheroes, immortals -- it all fascinates me. Always has.

Stephenie Meyer's teen fiction series wasn't quite what I was expecting. A friend suggested I try the first book, and so I picked it up months ago and left it there on my bookshelf collecting dust until this week. I think I imagined that I'd make it through the first book, but I wouldn't need to read any further. I'd be bored or find the series mindless, but that wasn't the case at all. I found myself hooked by the passion, the love that existed between the 2 main characters, and I couldn't tear myself away from their hormonal angst. I had to see it through to the finale. [Spoiler Alert: OK, I knew they'd end up together, but still I had to make sure it all worked out.] I picked up book 2 the next day and less than 24 hours I was back in Books-A-Million plopping down over $40 for the final 2 books in the series, which are still only available in hardcover.

Stephenie Meyer is NOT Jane Austen, E. M. Forster, or Charlotte Bronte--3 of my favorites. She is also not Elizabeth Kostova who wrote The Historian (my favorite vampire book of all time), which is a compellingly deep novel that takes the reader on a swirling journey into mystery, history and legend. And just to be clear here, Stephenie Meyer is not really like J. K. Rowling either, to whom she is often compared. I'm a big fan of J. K. Rowling, who also lead me to the dark side on a previous spiral a few years ago. But while both series are character-driven, I see the 2 authors as quite distinct from each other. I like them both. Enough said.

The Twilight books have a certain amount of formulaic predictability to them but then again, not quite. The author misleads her readers quite often, and things don't always turn out the way you think they will. This reader was definitely caught off guard with book 4, and I appreciated those mental twists and turns. BRAVO!

The Twilight series is more than just a vampire blood lust story. Yes, it's passionate, maybe a bit too heated and steamy for the teenage audience it was supposedly written for although I guess you could technically describe it as an abstinence story, too, but I wouldn't advertise it that way. Still at the heart of the story is a tantalizing quest to pursue and settle for nothing less than the deepest love, to love another so much more than yourself that you are willing to give them up to keep them safe, to protect them from yourself if necessary. Maybe it's a bit twisted thrown in with the vampire and werewolf bit, but it's still a series with love at the core.

Funny, but Stephenie Meyer quotes Heathcliff and Cathy from Wuthering Heights several times in the books, but truthfully, I thought her characters reminded me more of Edward Fairfax Rochester [Edward] and Jane Eyre [Bella]. I bet Charlotte Bronte just rolled over in her grave. HA! Sorry, Charlotte! But perhaps, that is the appeal, the mysterious hold these books have on me. I'm still hung up on the Bronte sisters and their passionate pens. Yes, I'm a romantic sap...and somehow I still believe in true love even now.

Doing the Friday Happy Dance

I’ve been doing the Friday happy dance all morning. Picture Steve Urkel! It’s not a pretty picture since I can’t dance, but I’m filled with glee and don’t really care. Not sure why, but my heart is light and carefree despite the gloomy weather outdoors, and I’m mentally doing cartwheels and somersaults as I go about my day. Those cartwheels are quite a chore for me even though they are just mental cartwheels. See, I never learned how to do cartwheels. Seriously, my P.E. teacher worked and worked with me, but it never took. Honestly, I don’t think I missed my calling. It just wasn’t meant to be.

A N Y W A Y, I’m quite elated that today is Friday. No big plans for the weekend or anything, but I’m ready to catch up on the essentials that keep this girl ticking: sleeping, reading, writing and getting creative. Sounds good to me!

As an indication of my current mood, I just randomly composed new lyrics to the tune of “Good Morning” from the 1952 musical classic Singin’ in the Rain. Are you ready for this? I don’t know. I think you will be quite impressed, and it took me all of 15 seconds tops to compose this. This could be my first Tony Award nomination, and I’m sharing it with just a select few. Are you touched or what?

It’s Friday. It’s Fri—day.
It’s great to make it here.
It’s Friday. Yep, Friday.
WOOHOO!!

Just blew your mind, didn’t I? HA!

That tune brings back some awesome memories. Those of you who knew me back in my college camp counselor days may recall that I was quite a morning person back in the day, especially during the weekend retreats. When I was at Camp Spearhead and removed from the restrictive dorm life, I was in my happy place, and every morning, I would jump out of bed just glad to be alive and FREE. It was at this time during my life that I was often heard singing the “Good Morning” song to help wake up my fellow counselors and the campers. The campers seemed to like it. In fact, I remember taking musical requests on occasion as I cheerily buzzed about the cabin. Thinking back, I’m guessing that my fellow counselors probably wanted to strangle me to end my chipper morning tune, but to my knowledge, no one ever tried to kill me. At least, I never knew of said plot to end my reign of morning musical madness.

To Mary, Cris, Brandi, Suzanne, Moldy, Jeanette, Frankie and BBJ: If you ever had to enter therapy or seek any medical treatment due to my musical whims or first-thing-in-the-morning cheerfulness, I feel somewhat responsible, and I wish you a full recovery. I’m sorry. If it helps any, looking back, even I am curious where I got the strength and stamina to energetically bound about the cabin like I did. Seriously. Do you recall how much sleep we would actually get at camp on those weekends? YIKES! Nowadays, I wouldn’t say that I am an early morning person any more. I’m more a mid-day person these days. Well, maybe not quite mid-day...but I’m not usually bubbling over until after 9 AM if that is any consolation. Maybe I have mellowed with age? HA!

Happy Friday! Enjoy your weekend!

High On Life

I’m high on life today. It might have something to do with how I spent my morning here in corporate America. I brought my MP3 player to work today just because I could. I woke up exhausted this morning, and I thought that listening to some tunes while I worked might boost my dragging energy levels. I mean, it worked for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, didn’t it? WAIT! That was whistling, wasn’t it? Oh well, you get the point. So anyway, I was plugged in from 7:30 to 10 AM, and it has made all the difference.

There is a certain recording artist that always makes me smile. OK, there are really several that move me, but I have a certain bounce in my step and lightness in my heart when I hear one voice in particular. His music and his lyrics--they just get to me every time. I’m convicted, compelled to keep listening and inspired to carry on. I’m not going to mention his name. I’ve already given him a lot of free press on my blog, and I don’t want to give him a big head because of my excessive compliments and mentions of said brilliance. HA!

Free press indeed! As if I had millions of readers...let's be realistic here. The handful of you that read this regularly have endured my countless complimentary babbling on his musical flair in the past, and so I am trying to refrain from further gratuitous publicity. OOPS! I think I just did again. HA!

Well now, as I said, I’m high on life. I think I hear the birds singing, my heart is soaring, my head is in the clouds, and I’m resisting the urge to run outside and twirl on the grounds here at work belting out: “The hills are alive with the sound of music, with songs they have sung for a thousand years, ahhhhhhhhh…” [Barb and Heidi, you both would join me, right? Come on...]

GOD is good, and I’m grateful for the boundless joy HE has provided. I’d like to capture today’s joy in a bottle and save it like a sweet perfume to savor over and over again. Maybe by blogging about it, I have done just that.

I wish you a day filled with happiness, peace and joy! Embrace it.

Happy Anniversary to Me!

Yesterday was my first year anniversary for Weight Watchers. WOW! That is hard to believe, but it is a fact, a true and honest reality. Diet Girl has been on the WW flex point plan now for a full 12 months, leaving 78 pounds behind her. Truly exciting!

Let me sum it up in Weight Watcher terms for you: that is over 9 gallons of milk OR nearly 64 medium cantaloupes OR 15 sacks of potatoes OR 312 sticks of butter. YIKES! I don't miss that extra baggage on my frame, and before too long, I hope to send more pounds away in the same fashion, but I certainly couldn't have done this on my own.

GOD has been so gracious, and I am thankful for the stamina and endurance HE has sent my way. Thank you, LORD, for helping me work through this addiction to food!

I am grateful that my sister Barbara talked me into giving Weight Watchers a try. We started this journey together, and we've lost a lot of weight along the way. Together we've struggled, celebrated and encouraged one another on this momentous journey, and together, we plan to continue along this path. Thank you, Sis!

To celebrate my big or should I say getting-littler-by-the-week day (hee hee!), I thought about buying just 1 long john donut. I don't know if they call them long johns here in Indiana, but that's what we called them in Michigan where I grew up. They are wonderful long rectangular donuts with a smooth white cream or yellow custard filling and a delectable chocolate icing on top. Now I only said that I THOUGHT about purchasing the said deep-fried concoction, and honestly, that was all I did. It was just a thought, and so I kept my record going: 377 days donut-free and counting. And instead of gulping down a fresh donut, I had a 1-point chocolate treat courtesy of my co-worker and fellow WW member. To help me celebrate, she left the tasty snack on my desk complete with 1 pink birthday candle stuck in the center. It totally made me chuckle! I'm blessed with such supportive friends. Thanks, all!