Bummer of a craving

It's Friday.
It's been a heck of a week.
It's sticky hot today.
Calls for a little taste of summer, I think.


What I really want:



How I'll settle:

I don't mean to whine, but

I seriously think in hell, everyone will have mosquito bites on their toes for eternity.

Maybe it's all the rain, but seriously - where did these monsters come from? They just appeared, overnight. And they're HUGE. And my toes, well... they're in hell.

Confession

I don't know how to make camping happen.
Keith and I planned to go camping last weekend. He had to work.
This weekend, he's going with the care group boys. I'm miffed.
July 4th weekend is our anniversary. We will camp.
I want an inland lake, because I want to swim with my dog.
I find campgrounds that look good, but they don't take reservations. And it's a bloody holiday weekend. People will be camping over the 4th starting this weekend.
Arg.
I want to be someplace we haven't been before, but drivable in 4 hours or less.
Any suggestions?

Normally, this would totally be Keith's job, but he just hasn't had any time for the internet lately. I'm trying to fill the gap and failing miserably. But I'm here to tell you - if it requires sleeping in the back yard, we will be camping next weekend. You have my word.

Unless it's real hot...

It's just a great day to be me

Doc called first thing this morning - passed the three hour test. (Way to go, pancreas - I knew you could do it!)

Then I bit the bullet and finally went to the eye doctor. It's been over 6 years since I had new glasses and my contact supply is pathetic. I've been stalling because it's just so dang expensive. Thank you, Walmart. Not only did you save me over $150 from my overpriced, Gucci wearing eye doc on "the north side", but you gave me a doctor who is pregnant and allergic to all the same things as me. I have 2 new prescriptions, new contacts, new glasses, a new process of cleaning and storing my lenses guaranteed to cut down on my allergies (if you're interested, I'll fill you in) and a newfound loyalty to the thief of small-town entrepreneurship.

The bosses decided to offer lunch on the house today as thanks for all the tails being busted around here lately. It included dirt dessert and about 20 too many gummy worms.

And as if this 72 degree sunny day couldn't get any better, I just had yet another encounter with our "intern" that made me laugh out loud. Moments ago, I boxed all my strapless bras to ship off to a bridesmaid (you know who you are) in need of... shall we say "support" (they should get there Monday!) I was pretty intentional about bringing them into the office in a plastic bag and boxing them up in a room alone. All very covert. So the box is sitting in the place where UPS always looks. Cue the "intern" (in quotes because I believe intern-sans-quotes implies some sort of experience/interest in the field). "Have you seen the shipment for cases come in yet?" Nope - haven't signed for anything today. Better track it. Exit "intern." Intern returns with the bra box. "I found this one - should I open it?" Oh... the only way to make this day any better is to forget describing how you can read a label and see who it's addressed to, forget describing that 1,000 CD cases is much heavier than a few bras, and just say "Why not? Might as well check, eh?" Guess we'll have to save that one for a rainy day.

Riddle Me This

Why is it that whenever someone new can't remember my name, by default I am automatically Amy or Heather?
Without fail!
The only exception is when people mishear me on the phone and call me Sharon.
What I wouldn't give to be something more exotic or exciting. But to replace boring midwest name for another boring midwest name - it's just... well, boring and midwest.

some random thoughts on Monday

I think with few exceptions, adults just aren't challenged enough. Sure, we're challenged with the day-to-day living and normal growing-older-changes. But when was the last time you were faced with a real "what do I stand for" challenge? I can't remember the last time, save not flipping off the idiot who played chicken with me in the left turn lane last Thursday.

Sunday's Sermon was all about "what message are you giving?" What's it mean to live as a priest (a la Malachi 1). It's an interesting question. I think too often, my response to a less than ideal situation is anxiety, anger, sarcasm. When it should really be more of grace, acceptance, truth.

This kid I know modeled such behavior for me. I'd retell the story, but I've already heard it thrice daily for the past week. You can read one of the many articles about him here.

I've also been completely sucked into a Christian Ficition novel (gasp!) that I NEVER would have picked up off the shelf if a friend hadn't placed it in my lap. If you need a role model and have some beach time this summer, check out Francine Rivers' Mark of the Lion trilogy. There's more there than reaches the eye, I swear.

I know these three thoughts seem quite unrelated, but in my head they all work together for one compelling conviction - being a Christian takes some work. And I've been freeloading for too long. Next step: do something about it.

Dear Pancreas

Look here. I realize that you have absolutely zero genes telling you how to function properly. But I'm here to tell you it's time to step it up a bit. And before you get all defensive about being singled out, I just want you to know that I have never written a letter to another organ, so that makes you special.

I know that being responsible for two bodies instead of one is a big deal. Especially when it's difficult just working for one. I've always known you were a bit weak and would probably need some support. I'm here to tell you I'll offer that support. Please don't require support from pills or injections. Isn't my loving encouragement enough??

If you need inspiration, just look at Heart or Lungs. They seem to be doing well, even with the current conditions. (Although I'd rather you not take any cues from Right Ankle - he's been freaking out for weeks now.) What I'm trying to say here is that this is new for ALL of us. And it takes a little extra effort. But the bottom line is we're in this thing together and the result of our effort will totally be worth it. So buck up, trooper.

The bad news is you failed a test yesterday. You were required to process a butt-load of sugar within an hour and you did a half-ass job. The good news is, you get a second chance. Next week some time, you and me, we'll go to the lab and sit for three hours while you work your little pancre-ass off. I want you to know that no one will be cheering harder for you that day than me. This is also your warning - you need to get in shape. Next week will be the same amount of sugar, but this time you get three hours to process it instead of one. I think you can do it. In the meantime, I'll do my best to keep a positive attitude because with you and me, it's all about chemistry, isn't it?

another reason I'm not Buddhist

You should read This article, inspired by this article.
And then watch this, just for fun.

I had thoughts about this I was going to jot down when I first began this post... but now I'm officially motivated to call it a day and get home. So, talk amongst yourself. TGIF.

just think if I had had a bad day

I went to Meijer last night. I should have just stayed home and poked my eyes out. Or grown my own food - it would have taken less time.

They're in the process of remodeling. That Meijer has been the same since I was a freshmen in college. Now all the sudden the yogurt (which used to be in the very last aisle) is temporarily in the produce section?! Don't get me wrong - I'm thrilled with the potential for an upgrade. All I'm asking for is a friendly little note in the very last aisle that says "You can now find yogurt in the produce section." Is that seriously too much to ask?

I thought my quick errand would take 30 minutes max. It was an hour because I walked the entire length of the store - all four corners - at least four times. Greeting cards are in the front?! Arg.

They're also working on installing more self-check outs, but they're all still express lanes. The two cashiers on my end of the store are adolescent males. I make it a habit to never stand in a teenage boy's line. They're at least twice as slow as any other human being on the planet. I was intrigued by some of the articles in Fit Pregnancy. Lucky for me, I had a chance to read them all before even putting my things on the conveyer. And then he wants to talk about the weather. It was all I could do to not shove him out of the way and scan my own groceries. "You don't have to look up the number for cherries - it's right on the bag..."

And the best part? I bought four greeting cards. He read them. All. But he didn't understand one of them. He asked me about it.

"I guess you just have to hope no one sends that one to you!"

I wasn't even in a hurry, but this is why people go postal.

Shining Happy People

We had a great vacation, but we kind of sucked at documenting it.
I'll show you instead what church looks like to me.
I stole this one from Hannah (she's on the far right) - it's our small group family at Captain Sundae at our spring retreat a few weeks back. It's warmer now in Michigan, I swear.
I think this picture is just great and this blog is the closest I come to framing anything these days, so here goes.