Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Dang equipment!

My goal this year is to find new reasons to use my video camera.  Last year, Alex's dad gave us this camera, and since then we have found one excuse to use it...just one.  Funny, that one time use was the day that his dad gave it to us.  We video taped (or should I say Alex taped) his brother's wedding.  7 months later, I am working to get it on a DVD to give to Scott and Karen as a belated Christmas gift.  Right on time, huh?  

I am not one of those youtube junkies, who think it is fun to video tape myself doing silly things and post it for the world to see.  I do not have any children- so I am not yet an annoying mom who tapes every single moment of their child's life.  I don't even have any pets to tape in an attempt to make it to America's Funniest Home Videos.  

So what should I use this dang thing for?  I would really love to have fun memories of my husband and I- so we could look back on these first few years of marital bliss.  But every time the camera comes out, the result is a silly dialogue going something like this:  "Say hi to the camera honey! Say hi"  "Hi camera...hee hee hee"  "Here we are hiking in (enter place here)"  "Isn't it gorgeous here!"  This dialogue is usually followed by a wobbly job at videotaping as we are hiking, making all viewers completely nauseous!  

So what is the use in this thing anyway?  How can we have fun videos to look back on that don't make us sick or completely embarrassed?  How do we put this expensive equipment to good use?  Any ideas?

Sunday, January 24, 2010

How to say no...

I've been wondering for a long time why so much time and energy is devoted to the art of saying "NO." There are books, magazine articles, seminars, etc. all on the topic of teaching one to say no. In the last several weeks, I have come to realize why all of these exist. I used to believe that if you just didn't want to do something it would be easy to decline. I realize now, that it isn't that we don't want to do it...I really want to be able to do everything that is asked of me...but at some level my sanity will suffer. Not to mention my relationship with God, marraige, friendships all suffer when I take on too many tasks. So the question of the day is: how to say no when all you really want to do is say yes. Today I am feeling overwhelmed with my many different projects. And I don't want any one project to suffer because I don't know how to prioritize. I felt so burdened this morning, I hardly managed to smile. Let alone carry on a polite conversation with any adults. Luckily, I got to spend the morning with children. It is easier to fake a smile when it is for a child! It is even easier to forget your troubles when you are surrounded by little ones who only have enough capacity to worry about which toy to play with first. As I left this morning, the realization that I didn't get to spend anytime with adults plagued me and I again felt sickened by the load that has been put on my shoulders. I'm starting to realize that it was probably God's plan for me not to have the opportunity to converse with anyone. My filter doesn't work as well when I am upset, unfortunately. But fortunately for me, God knows that and provides. I wonder if the art of saying no is like the "accesories rule of thumb?" Have you heard that...put everything one and then take one thing off and you are ready to go. This theory doesn't apply to me, as I rarely wear jewelry. But I used this line on a bride yesterday, and I am now curious how that might apply to my current state of affairs. Do I need to release one thing? Which one thing do I choose to say no to? Each thing is now entering my head and as it crosses my mind I keep thinking...but not that one...I want to do that one. So which one do I say no to? Which one can I back out of? Which one will cause the least amount of damage...on others...on myself...on my husband...? Any ideas?

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

I have been feeling so uninspired lately...thus the sporadic posting!  Today is really no different. Even as I type this, I'm still unsure what I'm going to write about.  Maybe today I will tell you about my husband.  He is a great man.  He humors me.  And even when he doesn't "get" me, he still "gets" me.  It is amazing that I get to be in this relationship.  He loves me unconditionally, even when I'm not the easiest person in the world to get along with.  I've been thinking a lot about this marriage thing lately.  Up to now, it really hasn't required a whole lot of work.  We just sorta go about every day life, coexisting side by side.  People say "marriage is a lot of work."  I just never believed it.  These days, I've been in a little rut, and I'm beginning to think that perhaps this is where the work part comes in.  But how does one go about "working" on their relationship. Don't misunderstand, Alex and I are very happy and in love.  But I'm thinking if we start "working" now, maybe we won't ever get to a point where we really need the "work."  Is this all clear?  I'm thinking the place to begin working on my marriage, is to work on myself.  My character.  I had this revelation yesterday, that I may be a selfish person. Weird, huh?  I started considering my motivation for all things, and wondering if even the things I do for others, aren't really for myself somehow.  So this is my new project.  To release this spirit of selfishness and refresh myself with tender-heartedness, kindness, lowliness of mind, meekness and long-suffering.  I will consider my motivation behind each decision I make and pray that it is out of the goodwill of others and not my own selfish gain.  So here is my charge: "When I do things, I will not let selfishness or pride be my guide.  Instead, I will be humble and give more honor to others than myself.  I will not be interested only in my own life, but I will be interested in the lives others."  (Phillipians 2:3-4) So this will be step one in my "work."  I'm also reading and praying through the "Power of a Praying Wife" by Stormie Omartian again.  Just as a daily reminder of what I am to be focused on.  Well thanks for listening to my rambling.  I guess this post was less about my husband than it was myself. Hmmm...do you see a selfish pattern?  Pray for me!

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

New Year's Resolutions

I am finally back from vacation and I have a significant cold as a lasting memory of the good times!  I completely forgot how cold it is up North!  It didn't stop snowing the first 4 days we were in Chicago!  And Milwaukee was in the single digits the entire time we were there!  I certainly enjoyed spending time with family and friends, but now back to reality.  Which includes job searching and achieving my many New Year's resolutions.  First on the to-do list is moving forward with this wedding planning business! I am dreaming up all sorts of new ideas and can't wait to share them with you soon!  My other resolutions include running a marathon in 2010 and paying off debt (see previous blog about Dave Ramsey!) I would love to hear your New Year's Resolutions.  Just comment and tell me what you are working on in 2010!  Happy New Year's and God Bless!