My sincerest apologies to those of you living in the greater Lafayette area.
This recent disgusting weather we are having, my fault.
I seriously contemplated putting our winter coats away for the season.
My bad.
Isn't that Murphy's law or something? or something...
Lets all be thankful I didn't actually put them away.
And by the way, as a peace offering, I leave you with this....
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
A Taste of Spring
I was not anxious for warm weather. If we had to spend all of February snuggled up warm and cozy inside, while outside the world was under a blanket of snow, I would be delighted.
It isn't until I get a taste of spring that I start hungering for more.
Sunday... was tasty.
In fact, it was delicious. It was sunny and warm and glorious.
So glorious, that the Mills clan decided to head out for a walk.
In only our jackets. Our jackets people.okay okay maybe our mittens too.
It was fantastic.
Spring was in the air, and it made me want more.
Except I live in Indiana and the last great ice storm came in March. So I can't get my hopes up.
But we had a great time on Sunday... and I took pictures...
It isn't until I get a taste of spring that I start hungering for more.
Sunday... was tasty.
In fact, it was delicious. It was sunny and warm and glorious.
So glorious, that the Mills clan decided to head out for a walk.
In only our jackets. Our jackets people.okay okay maybe our mittens too.
It was fantastic.
Spring was in the air, and it made me want more.
Except I live in Indiana and the last great ice storm came in March. So I can't get my hopes up.
But we had a great time on Sunday... and I took pictures...
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Copy Cat
Everette has a blog, did you know that? A lot of the time, it is full of techno jargon, and nerdy stuff. Because Everette, is a big nerd. Don't worry, he knows that. That is what I love about him.
Anyway, he posted something recently and it is super duper cute, and about Jonathan so I am just going to send you over there to read it.
Anyway, he posted something recently and it is super duper cute, and about Jonathan so I am just going to send you over there to read it.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Lost in Translation
It all started with my mother (I am really starting to like saying that).
I have been translating for people all my life.
In fact I spend a great deal of my time translating for people.
Growing up, my mom in conversations with other people, tended to leave large details out of her conversations. Frequently, when I was around, I would step in, summarize what she was saying and explain it to the person on the otherside of the conversation with the extremely confused look on his face.
Sometimes when I am standing next to Everette, I hear him say something... odd. Then I feel the need to jump in and translate.
I cannot even begin to count how often I translate for Jonathan.
Recently, I was sitting at the table eating lunch with Jonathan. He was eating a turkey sandwich and peeled apple slices. He picked up an apple that was brown and spotty and said "desssskunk"
I asked him to repeat.
"deskunn" he said emphatically holding the apple.
Admittedly I was stumped.
"deskunn"
the skunk"? I asked.
No "desskunn"
"disgusting"? I asked...
"yeah"
"uhhh ok"
We continue munching our turkey and non-"deskunn" apples.
He picks up the same apple slice and says with great emphasis..."DesKUNNN"
I stare blankly until it dawns on me...
the "SKIN"!!!!
The apple skin! Jonathan is "deathly allergic" to apple skins. even the sight of an apple skin get's his gag reflex going. The boy cannot stand the sight of an apple skin.
Deskunn
The skin
Mystery solved.
I have been translating for people all my life.
In fact I spend a great deal of my time translating for people.
Growing up, my mom in conversations with other people, tended to leave large details out of her conversations. Frequently, when I was around, I would step in, summarize what she was saying and explain it to the person on the otherside of the conversation with the extremely confused look on his face.
Sometimes when I am standing next to Everette, I hear him say something... odd. Then I feel the need to jump in and translate.
I cannot even begin to count how often I translate for Jonathan.
Recently, I was sitting at the table eating lunch with Jonathan. He was eating a turkey sandwich and peeled apple slices. He picked up an apple that was brown and spotty and said "desssskunk"
I asked him to repeat.
"deskunn" he said emphatically holding the apple.
Admittedly I was stumped.
"deskunn"
the skunk"? I asked.
No "desskunn"
"disgusting"? I asked...
"yeah"
"uhhh ok"
We continue munching our turkey and non-"deskunn" apples.
He picks up the same apple slice and says with great emphasis..."DesKUNNN"
I stare blankly until it dawns on me...
the "SKIN"!!!!
The apple skin! Jonathan is "deathly allergic" to apple skins. even the sight of an apple skin get's his gag reflex going. The boy cannot stand the sight of an apple skin.
Deskunn
The skin
Mystery solved.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
For your listening ears
We interrupt your normally scheduled brainless dribble for a music break.
More and more, I am less impressed with artists as a whole. I am uninclined to actually buy an album that I love from the first song to the last. I am more pick and choosey.
Although... I still love anything Avett Brothers
This cafeteria style especially applies to Christian music...
But here are a few I am loving recently...
Christ is Risen-Matt Mahar
This song was inspired from this homily by John Chrysostom, it might be familiar to some of you.
I am New-Jason Gray
I do not know this guy, but I am digging this song...sorry for the advertisement at the beginning, barf.
Children of God-Third
It has been awhile since Third Day did anything I was REALLY excited about, but those kids at the end, are adorable... I am trying to figure out a way to do this at church.
Glorious Day-Casting Crowns
I have mixed feelings about this song... I love the lyrics, but it is a little "moody radio" if you know what I mean.
What Love Really Means-JJ Heller
ok so the first time I heard this song was early in the morning when I was getting ready for church, and I cried like a baby, then made Everette listen to it later that day.
I might actually say that I like her. This was her first single, and I loved it, we'll see how the rest goes.
No need to thank me, just doing my part.
More and more, I am less impressed with artists as a whole. I am uninclined to actually buy an album that I love from the first song to the last. I am more pick and choosey.
Although... I still love anything Avett Brothers
This cafeteria style especially applies to Christian music...
But here are a few I am loving recently...
Christ is Risen-Matt Mahar
This song was inspired from this homily by John Chrysostom, it might be familiar to some of you.
I am New-Jason Gray
I do not know this guy, but I am digging this song...sorry for the advertisement at the beginning, barf.
Children of God-Third
It has been awhile since Third Day did anything I was REALLY excited about, but those kids at the end, are adorable... I am trying to figure out a way to do this at church.
Glorious Day-Casting Crowns
I have mixed feelings about this song... I love the lyrics, but it is a little "moody radio" if you know what I mean.
What Love Really Means-JJ Heller
ok so the first time I heard this song was early in the morning when I was getting ready for church, and I cried like a baby, then made Everette listen to it later that day.
I might actually say that I like her. This was her first single, and I loved it, we'll see how the rest goes.
No need to thank me, just doing my part.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
My Pastor the Superhero
This is my pastor.
Dan S. Teefy (the "S" stands for Smokin' in case you were wondering...)
Please ignore the slightly cheesy smile. He is cursed with a generally cheery disposition, and he just can't help himself.
You might think I am being silly or exaggerating, but he really is a superhero. He has real super powers.
For one he can fly....
For two (yes, I really said "for two")
He drank from the fountain of youth, and while he appears to be in his early thirties he is really 65, a nice respectable age for a pastor. Alright, he is in his early thirties, but he definitely has the wisdom of a 65 year-old.
For threes (now I am pluralizing, you might want to sit down),
He has an indestructible immune system (his words, not mine).
For fours, He is a super dad.
His girls are 8 parts adorable, and 12 parts crazy adorable.
And they have super powers too.
For Fives
He married Wonderwoman (who happens to be quite possibly the very best friend I have ever had in my entire life--sisterS excluded of course).
He will also freely admit that he used his super stealth power to stalk her (in the most UNcreepiest way) across the campus of Illinois University to woo her with his Super charm.
For Sixes
And I think this is probably the most important. He will do your personal shopping for you.
SuperDan was in Chicago for a superhero convention, under the guise of our Denomination's Midwinter Conference. He will tell you they talked about church politics but I know they were practicing burning things with their laser beam eyes and bending steel with their super strength.
Anyway below is an email Wonderwoman sent out to fifty of her closest friends last week while SuperDan was away.
Hey ladies.
My husband is going to ikea tomorrow around 1pm. If there is anything (within reasonable size) that you would like him to pick up for you call him @ xxx-xxx-xxxx (did you really think I would give out the personal cell phone number of a real honest to goodness superhero?)
Sooo. She offered, and I called. I left Dan a message that sounded something like this...
Hello, you have reached the voiceBOX of Dan Tee.fey....
"Heeeyy Dan, I don't know if you know this, but your wife sent out an email offering your personal shopping services. uhh.. If you're cool with that, there is something I want from IKEA. But it isn't a big deal and don't spend a ton of time looking for it. blah blah blah." (any of you who have ever received a phone message from me knows it definitely did NOT sound like that, because I sound like a babbling idiot on people's voiceboxes. And when I say "babbling idiot", I mean I sound just like my mom. Seriously, I have left messages for family members that began with..."Hi, it's Megan, sooo this is going to be a Susan message, so I am really sorry, but, blah blah blah." Sorry mom, you know I love you! And just as an aside, aside for anyone who might be concerned that I just called my mom a babbling idiot, I will bet you five million dollars that when she reads this part she will laugh so hard that she cries and falls out of her chair, and she will then go on to read it to every single person she knows. My mom has been known to read my blog to strangers at parties.)
So anyway, back to SuperDan. Like any great superhero he rose to the occasion, because he loves a challenge, and he loves people. He is cool like that. And also for the record, he had no idea that Wonderwoman even sent that email out. Of course the one item I wanted was impossible to find, that even his x-ray vision was useless. He scoured and he searched for hours, he descended into the bowels of IKEA just for me (I am sure there is a sermon analogy in there somewhere). He went into the bowels of IKEA, and returned victorious! He drove home through treacherous road conditions (last week was Snowpacalypse, remember) to deliver, safely, my six white ceramic pots. I told you, it was really important.
So Thank you SuperDan. For everything. Everything you do, everything you are. And for trading in your superhero cape to lead our church with humility, and wisdom, and compassion. And mostly dragging your wife's sorry butt all the way over here to Indiana, so we could stay out late and eat pie!
Dan S. Teefy (the "S" stands for Smokin' in case you were wondering...)
Please ignore the slightly cheesy smile. He is cursed with a generally cheery disposition, and he just can't help himself.
You might think I am being silly or exaggerating, but he really is a superhero. He has real super powers.
For one he can fly....
For two (yes, I really said "for two")
For threes (now I am pluralizing, you might want to sit down),
He has an indestructible immune system (his words, not mine).
For fours, He is a super dad.
His girls are 8 parts adorable, and 12 parts crazy adorable.
And they have super powers too.
For Fives
He married Wonderwoman (who happens to be quite possibly the very best friend I have ever had in my entire life--sisterS excluded of course).
He will also freely admit that he used his super stealth power to stalk her (in the most UNcreepiest way) across the campus of Illinois University to woo her with his Super charm.
 |
| This is their actual wedding photo. How do do you resist a man dressed like that. |
For Sixes
And I think this is probably the most important. He will do your personal shopping for you.
SuperDan was in Chicago for a superhero convention, under the guise of our Denomination's Midwinter Conference. He will tell you they talked about church politics but I know they were practicing burning things with their laser beam eyes and bending steel with their super strength.
Anyway below is an email Wonderwoman sent out to fifty of her closest friends last week while SuperDan was away.
Hey ladies.
My husband is going to ikea tomorrow around 1pm. If there is anything (within reasonable size) that you would like him to pick up for you call him @ xxx-xxx-xxxx (did you really think I would give out the personal cell phone number of a real honest to goodness superhero?)
Sooo. She offered, and I called. I left Dan a message that sounded something like this...
Hello, you have reached the voiceBOX of Dan Tee.fey....
"Heeeyy Dan, I don't know if you know this, but your wife sent out an email offering your personal shopping services. uhh.. If you're cool with that, there is something I want from IKEA. But it isn't a big deal and don't spend a ton of time looking for it. blah blah blah." (any of you who have ever received a phone message from me knows it definitely did NOT sound like that, because I sound like a babbling idiot on people's voiceboxes. And when I say "babbling idiot", I mean I sound just like my mom. Seriously, I have left messages for family members that began with..."Hi, it's Megan, sooo this is going to be a Susan message, so I am really sorry, but, blah blah blah." Sorry mom, you know I love you! And just as an aside, aside for anyone who might be concerned that I just called my mom a babbling idiot, I will bet you five million dollars that when she reads this part she will laugh so hard that she cries and falls out of her chair, and she will then go on to read it to every single person she knows. My mom has been known to read my blog to strangers at parties.)
So anyway, back to SuperDan. Like any great superhero he rose to the occasion, because he loves a challenge, and he loves people. He is cool like that. And also for the record, he had no idea that Wonderwoman even sent that email out. Of course the one item I wanted was impossible to find, that even his x-ray vision was useless. He scoured and he searched for hours, he descended into the bowels of IKEA just for me (I am sure there is a sermon analogy in there somewhere). He went into the bowels of IKEA, and returned victorious! He drove home through treacherous road conditions (last week was Snowpacalypse, remember) to deliver, safely, my six white ceramic pots. I told you, it was really important.
So Thank you SuperDan. For everything. Everything you do, everything you are. And for trading in your superhero cape to lead our church with humility, and wisdom, and compassion. And mostly dragging your wife's sorry butt all the way over here to Indiana, so we could stay out late and eat pie!
Friday, February 4, 2011
A worthwhile thought
Every once in a while I come across something, I feel is worth repeating.. And since I have this blog, I am repeating it here. And since you were foolish enough to click on the link, you have to read it.
This is from a Bible Study I am currently in....
"...true conviction doesn't look for loopholes, and it isn't sad. Of course, we may feel grief when parting with something we enjoy, but if true conviction is present we will begin to look at that thing as something that was taking the place of God, something that was stealing from us. As we rid it from our lives we will be hopeful with anticipation, anxious to see what God will do in this newly-created space. We will not look for loopholes. We will be resolved. We will know that we are in a position to gain, not to be stolen from any longer."
-Kelly Minter
No Other Gods
Something to think about.
This is from a Bible Study I am currently in....
"...true conviction doesn't look for loopholes, and it isn't sad. Of course, we may feel grief when parting with something we enjoy, but if true conviction is present we will begin to look at that thing as something that was taking the place of God, something that was stealing from us. As we rid it from our lives we will be hopeful with anticipation, anxious to see what God will do in this newly-created space. We will not look for loopholes. We will be resolved. We will know that we are in a position to gain, not to be stolen from any longer."
-Kelly Minter
No Other Gods
Something to think about.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Surviving Snowmageddon
It is 8:30 PM and Everette is on the phone still working. A rarity even for him.
Jonathan is in bed, and dinner is cleaned up....mostly.
So I thought I would leave you a few tips on how to survive the BLIZZARD OF THE CENTURY: a.k.a SNOWMAGEDDON a.k.a. SNOWPACALYPSE
1. Go to the store and buy every egg carton on the shelf, 10 gallons of milk, and 12 pkgs of Double Suff Oreo Cookies (to go with the milk).
2. Check the weather for updates every 3 minutes.
3. Check the real time weather updates (i.e. look out the window).
4. Prance around your house yelling, "the blizzard is coming! the blizzard is coming!"
5. Realize it is possible that the power might go out. Check to make sure outward facial expressions reflect the solemnity of the situation. Squeal with delight, inwardly. The power might go out!
6. Begin to frantically do laundry in case the power goes out.
7. Strip your bed to wash your sheets, the pray that the power doesn't go out... until your sheets are dry and back on your bed.
8. Begin to fill jugs of water, because the power MIGHT go out!
9. Bathe yourself and your entire family, because the power might go out!
10. Sit and listen to the sleet pelt your window.
11. Peer out your window every 5 minutes to check if the snow fall has reached catastrophic levels,and wonder when the power is going to go out.
12. Slump your shoulders in disappointment because it NEVER reaches catastrophic levels.
13. Remember that you live in Indiana and snow storms are NEVER as bad as predicted.
14. Sigh. blow out your candle (that you lit, in case the power went out) and slink off to bed in your warm toasty fully powered house, because you know you have to shovel your driveway tomorrow.
15. Head outside the next morning to assess the situation... quickly realize you are standing on TOP of 4 inches of sleet and snow. on TOP of it people. It was like walking on a snow cone.
16. Put your shovel down to make that first cut across your driveway.
17. Fall on your butt because you completely underestimated the fact that the sneet (snow and sleet, people) is glued to your driveway, and it weighed 12 tons.
18. Go whine to your husband, who doesn't get a snow day because he works from home, that your back hurts and you can't shovel the driveway because it's too hard.
19. Sit inside all warm and cozy (because the power didn't go out) while your husband breaks up the sneet with a jackhammer and crowbar.
20. Feel guilty because he has a bad back too, and go out and help.
21. Regret not putting on a sports bra, because this is some serious cardio.
22. Feel triumphant because you and your husband with two snow shovels and a snub nosed regular shovel shoveled out your much longer driveway before your neighbor (who even started before you) did with his fancy pants snow blower.
23. Go back inside, drink 12 cups of hot chocolate (and 2 packages of Oreo cookies) and never leave the house for the next 3 days, it is Snowmageddon after all.
24. Open the fridge and wonder what in the crap you are going to do with all those eggs.
25. Go to the store because you are out of milk, and oreos.
Jonathan is in bed, and dinner is cleaned up....mostly.
So I thought I would leave you a few tips on how to survive the BLIZZARD OF THE CENTURY: a.k.a SNOWMAGEDDON a.k.a. SNOWPACALYPSE
1. Go to the store and buy every egg carton on the shelf, 10 gallons of milk, and 12 pkgs of Double Suff Oreo Cookies (to go with the milk).
2. Check the weather for updates every 3 minutes.
3. Check the real time weather updates (i.e. look out the window).
4. Prance around your house yelling, "the blizzard is coming! the blizzard is coming!"
5. Realize it is possible that the power might go out. Check to make sure outward facial expressions reflect the solemnity of the situation. Squeal with delight, inwardly. The power might go out!
6. Begin to frantically do laundry in case the power goes out.
7. Strip your bed to wash your sheets, the pray that the power doesn't go out... until your sheets are dry and back on your bed.
8. Begin to fill jugs of water, because the power MIGHT go out!
9. Bathe yourself and your entire family, because the power might go out!
10. Sit and listen to the sleet pelt your window.
11. Peer out your window every 5 minutes to check if the snow fall has reached catastrophic levels,and wonder when the power is going to go out.
12. Slump your shoulders in disappointment because it NEVER reaches catastrophic levels.
13. Remember that you live in Indiana and snow storms are NEVER as bad as predicted.
14. Sigh. blow out your candle (that you lit, in case the power went out) and slink off to bed in your warm toasty fully powered house, because you know you have to shovel your driveway tomorrow.
15. Head outside the next morning to assess the situation... quickly realize you are standing on TOP of 4 inches of sleet and snow. on TOP of it people. It was like walking on a snow cone.
16. Put your shovel down to make that first cut across your driveway.
17. Fall on your butt because you completely underestimated the fact that the sneet (snow and sleet, people) is glued to your driveway, and it weighed 12 tons.
18. Go whine to your husband, who doesn't get a snow day because he works from home, that your back hurts and you can't shovel the driveway because it's too hard.
19. Sit inside all warm and cozy (because the power didn't go out) while your husband breaks up the sneet with a jackhammer and crowbar.
20. Feel guilty because he has a bad back too, and go out and help.
21. Regret not putting on a sports bra, because this is some serious cardio.
22. Feel triumphant because you and your husband with two snow shovels and a snub nosed regular shovel shoveled out your much longer driveway before your neighbor (who even started before you) did with his fancy pants snow blower.
23. Go back inside, drink 12 cups of hot chocolate (and 2 packages of Oreo cookies) and never leave the house for the next 3 days, it is Snowmageddon after all.
24. Open the fridge and wonder what in the crap you are going to do with all those eggs.
25. Go to the store because you are out of milk, and oreos.
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