Eating Crow...or Buzzard

Yesterday started off really well. I had my to-do list and was feeling up to the challenge. The top of the list was to visit my local library to politely argue over a missing DVD. The said DVD was showing up on my account info. and I knew I had returned it. I even remembered looking in the case to make sure the disc was there. So, I walked up to the front desk cocked and loaded - polite, mind you. Of course, I got the one librarian who I knew to be rather brusque. She actually handled the situation really well, asking me to double check back at home, in my car, etc. I'm sure I was oozing sarcasm as I patiently explained that I had looked everywhere - and, don't forget, I even checked the case! After asking for the worst case scenario and being told it would cost $25, I lost a little of the patience declaring that I would NOT be paying for something I had returned. But, I dutifully agreed to check at home again and thanked her - politely.

I let the incident fade throughout the day and had totally forgotten about it. Well, after I vented my frustration to my loving husband after his long day at work, I forgot about it. And, then, what do you know?? My son comes over to me with a ..."So, you returned this to the library, huh?" (obviously, I had mentioned it in his presence, too.) He was looking for a movie to watch last night and found the *#@ DVD by the side of the TV- the same spot I remember taking it from and then returning it to the library!

So, today I'm off to the library again to apologize for my mistake yesterday and to sincerely beg forgiveness.

Confession is good for the soul....thanks for listening.

I Dare You NOT to Try These

I was having a chocolate attack yesterday and needed a quick fix. I came across this recipe on allrecipes.com and it really, I mean really, did the trick. And, so easy! These are dense, chewy brownies that just melt in your mouth. Go ahead, you know you want some. Let me know what you think.

Best Darn Brownies
2 sticks butter
4T good cocoa powder
2 c white sugar
4 eggs
1 c all purpose flour
2 t vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Melt butter in heavy pot on stove.
Add the cocoa and stir until smooth - just a minute or two.
Take off heat and beat in rest of ingredients.
(I beat the eggs separately and gradually added small amounts so as not to scramble them in the hot cocoa.)
Pour into an 8x8 inch square pan.
Bake @ 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes or until the old toothpick in the center comes out clean!
YUM!

He's not getting older...he's getting better

To the incredible man in my life- who happened to turn 46 today! I've been blessed to spend 30 of his birthdays with him (we were high school hearts :) Through all of these years he's taught me so much about faithfulness, unconditional love and perseverance (without complaining). I pray this day would be filled with all he holds dear: the presence of God, loved ones and sweet memories.

Happy Birthday, Old Man!

I love you!

It's Beginning to Look A Little More Like Christmas

What a great weekend. We finally got our tree up -which was pretty painless this year. The lights cooperated, no ornaments were broken. I got lots of shopping done, Alyssa has the cards under control, and to round out the weekend... a beautiful time of worship at church with Christmas carols and time to just sit in awe of God and His incredible plan. At one point, during one of my favorite carols, I looked around and saw the familiar faces of church family and just had an ahhhh moment. I'm striving to find the balance of focusing on the simple joy and beauty of this season and taking care of the not so simple tasks that go along with it. God is so good to provide just what we need at just the right time. And, thank you, God, that's all year long.

Going Home

I was away during Thanksgiving so I missed being able to blog all that I am thankful for. Thankfully, I can do that every day! And, being away, visiting with family, definitely made me more grateful and aware of the blessings that abound in my life.

I always love going "home". I love the familiar smell of my mom's house, playing the annual Scrabble game with my brother(who rarely ever loses), visiting the local Zesto(it's a burger drive-in place that has the best ice cream cones that all the locals call "a custard"), riding through the park to see the light display and just having down time to sit and talk about the cousin of my former Sunday School teacher who married so and so once removed... There's nothing quite like it- it's so simple- and that's just how it's supposed to be. And, I'm thankful for that.

How fitting that Advent should fall just after Thanksgiving. I'm ready to rejoice in the true reason for this season - and every day of the year. Somehow, going home helped me realize that.

Silver Bells

I heard it today – the first Christmas music in the material world. At first, I had to stop the grocery shopping I was doing to listen and make sure I was really hearing what I thought I was hearing. It was unmistakable – soft, background strains of holiday music. Amazing…it gets earlier every year.

As I get older, I realize that a pattern in my behavior is developing. I start out fine with the whole holiday scene, somewhat excited about it all as I revisit childhood memories and the excitement of decorating the tree, the smell of baking, the joy of giving just the right gifts. But as the weeks progress, I’ll admit, I fall into a mild depression. I get so tired of commercial after commercial bombarding me with what I need to make this the most special Christmas ever. Then, the fatigue sets in from trying to get it all done - and done just right. And, before long, I’m wasted and ready for the whole thing to be over, feeling futile in my attempts. As a Christian, I realize this is just representative of the struggle to allow God’s grace to be sufficient for me. I know the true meaning of Christmas. My struggle is in keeping Him first and foremost above the holiday stresses and materialistic interruptions. But, then, that’s really just my life’s struggle compacted, and magnified, into 4-6 weeks of the year.

I so want this Christmas to be filled with the things that really matter – love, laughter and, above all, time to be still and reflect on just what this time of year celebrates – my Savior, born in a manger, come into this world to die a horrible death so that I could be saved from my sin. He is the most precious gift and He is the celebration. But, then, shouldn’t that be a celebration everyday in my heart?

I plan on keeping you posted throughout this season on how I’m progressing in this quest – or should I say rest? Now, time to dig out that wrapping paper I bought on sale last year…xox- Robin

Puppy Love

We did it (yawn). Sean has been wanting a puppy for his own for as long as I can remember(did I say,"for his own?") So, in honor of his 13th birthday, Dad and Mom bit the bullet, so to speak. I feel like I'm living through babyhood all over again - the sleepless nights, cleaning up mess (although, he's doing really good, as far as puppies go), the whining just when I've settled into relaxation mode... I know we asked for it! And, honestly, I think it's all worth it every time I see the look in Sean's eyes when they're playing together or snuggled up on the couch. Just a boy and his dog - what can I say? Excuse me while I try to sneak in a nap!