Saturday, February 11, 2012
I found them!!
I found the pictures of making home-made laundry detergent!! That means I'll finally be able to get that darned posting up on here. Only friends and family get the recipe for free, though. I'm going to make a run at trying to make a few bucks on my soap, having a decent amount of marketing experience in the past...
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Love...What is it good for? (absolutely something)
Before I jump into my rant/topic for tonight, I have to give a quick life-update and shoutout:
It's technically my youngest daughter, Eva's birthday as I type this. 2 years ago today I was blessed for the 3rd time by seeing a piece of God's handiwork through procreation. (Eva, baby, that's daddy's way of saying I got to see you face-to-face and loved it)
I wish I could say that things have settled into some sort of rhythm with this whole SAHD thing, but nothing could be further from the truth. I still love it...well, I would love it if I could simply relax and focus on that being my job. Unfortunately, outside circumstance keep creeping into my life that take away that focus. Bills are due, with no money to pay them. Because of that, no one (except my wife) in my family will take the notion of me being a full-time student and staying home with the kids as a practical way of life.
I can't really blame them, I suppose. Perhaps it's because I haven't been putting my trust in God, where it should be full-time. I'll reach the point of 'almost-there-ness', only to have something pseudo-catastrophic come into our lives and I am reminded once again that the finances simply aren't working.
Money. Money isn't the root of all evil, contrary to popular belief. That saying is actually scripture from the Bible, but people often leave the first few words off. "For the LOVE of money is the root of all sorts of evil" is what it actually says and it's taken from 1 Timothy 6:10, located in the New Testament. The rest of the verse continues with, " It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs."
Ouch. Isn't that the truth? What's really interesting is if you were to ask your friends and family if they loved money, I'm certain the majority of them would respond in the negative. But they do. Read those same people that verse and see if they agree with it. Even if they don't 'believe', or 'have faith', they will. What folks (including me at times) don't realize, is the way love can be expressed.
But before you get into the area of how love is expressed, you must first define the term as it is used in common society. I have heard people use the word 'love' to describe everything from the person they plan on spending the rest of their lives with, to the newest song on the radio. Heck, I've even done that. So do I really feel the same way about a song as I do about my wife? Of course not (unless it's some old-school Controller 7). So why am I using the same word to describe that feeling?
I do it for the same reason we all do it: we've lost touch with what "Love" really means and even more tragically, how to express it. Sure, getting flowers for your wife every once in a while is a nice gesture, but it doesn't necessarily mean you love her. Well, at least not if we're using the biblical definition of "love". And just what is that definition is that, you ask? Let's look and see! (Wheeeeeee!!!)
Jesus taught that "Greater love has no man than to lay his life down for his friend." The Church, as well as secular society has twisted that into a masculine mandate that paints more a picture of saving your buddy from terrorists by jumping in front a bullet, than what Jesus was really trying to focus on...Your heart. To "lay down" your life for someone is, indeed, sacrificial. But it's not just in the life/death situations where it applies.
If that friend of yours, who you would take a slug for, asked you to help him move on Super Bowl Sunday (which is tomorrow, Go Giants!) would you do it? Probably. What if a month after the move, he lost his job and asked to move in with you? Would you let him? Would you be willing to put HIS (or her) needs in front of your own, in EVERY capacity? Can he wear your clothes? Can you take his calls at 2am to pick him up from the bar? Can you do all of that and more?
We've all done one or two of those things on occaision, sure. But making it a LIFESTYLE is a completely different story. The short answer to those questions is a resounding, "NO!" We simply aren't built that way.
There's a reason God's word teaches us that we must 'die to ourselves' and be 'born again' (in the spirit). Apart from the saving grace of Jesus Christ, who put the needs of YOU and ME in front of His own by suffering a humiliating and painful death, it simply cannot be done. When you surrender to His healing love and mercy and make Him Lord of your life, it is suddenly not of your own accord that you can do amazing things in the lives of others, but through power of His Holy Spirit.
E-mail me if you have any questions, as I'd love to share more with you. ;)
PS,
It's super late, and I didn't intend for this post to go on as long as it did, so I will have to edit it later on with the scriptural references in quotations towards the end.
It's technically my youngest daughter, Eva's birthday as I type this. 2 years ago today I was blessed for the 3rd time by seeing a piece of God's handiwork through procreation. (Eva, baby, that's daddy's way of saying I got to see you face-to-face and loved it)
I wish I could say that things have settled into some sort of rhythm with this whole SAHD thing, but nothing could be further from the truth. I still love it...well, I would love it if I could simply relax and focus on that being my job. Unfortunately, outside circumstance keep creeping into my life that take away that focus. Bills are due, with no money to pay them. Because of that, no one (except my wife) in my family will take the notion of me being a full-time student and staying home with the kids as a practical way of life.
I can't really blame them, I suppose. Perhaps it's because I haven't been putting my trust in God, where it should be full-time. I'll reach the point of 'almost-there-ness', only to have something pseudo-catastrophic come into our lives and I am reminded once again that the finances simply aren't working.
Money. Money isn't the root of all evil, contrary to popular belief. That saying is actually scripture from the Bible, but people often leave the first few words off. "For the LOVE of money is the root of all sorts of evil" is what it actually says and it's taken from 1 Timothy 6:10, located in the New Testament. The rest of the verse continues with, " It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs."
Ouch. Isn't that the truth? What's really interesting is if you were to ask your friends and family if they loved money, I'm certain the majority of them would respond in the negative. But they do. Read those same people that verse and see if they agree with it. Even if they don't 'believe', or 'have faith', they will. What folks (including me at times) don't realize, is the way love can be expressed.
But before you get into the area of how love is expressed, you must first define the term as it is used in common society. I have heard people use the word 'love' to describe everything from the person they plan on spending the rest of their lives with, to the newest song on the radio. Heck, I've even done that. So do I really feel the same way about a song as I do about my wife? Of course not (unless it's some old-school Controller 7). So why am I using the same word to describe that feeling?
I do it for the same reason we all do it: we've lost touch with what "Love" really means and even more tragically, how to express it. Sure, getting flowers for your wife every once in a while is a nice gesture, but it doesn't necessarily mean you love her. Well, at least not if we're using the biblical definition of "love". And just what is that definition is that, you ask? Let's look and see! (Wheeeeeee!!!)
Jesus taught that "Greater love has no man than to lay his life down for his friend." The Church, as well as secular society has twisted that into a masculine mandate that paints more a picture of saving your buddy from terrorists by jumping in front a bullet, than what Jesus was really trying to focus on...Your heart. To "lay down" your life for someone is, indeed, sacrificial. But it's not just in the life/death situations where it applies.
If that friend of yours, who you would take a slug for, asked you to help him move on Super Bowl Sunday (which is tomorrow, Go Giants!) would you do it? Probably. What if a month after the move, he lost his job and asked to move in with you? Would you let him? Would you be willing to put HIS (or her) needs in front of your own, in EVERY capacity? Can he wear your clothes? Can you take his calls at 2am to pick him up from the bar? Can you do all of that and more?
We've all done one or two of those things on occaision, sure. But making it a LIFESTYLE is a completely different story. The short answer to those questions is a resounding, "NO!" We simply aren't built that way.
There's a reason God's word teaches us that we must 'die to ourselves' and be 'born again' (in the spirit). Apart from the saving grace of Jesus Christ, who put the needs of YOU and ME in front of His own by suffering a humiliating and painful death, it simply cannot be done. When you surrender to His healing love and mercy and make Him Lord of your life, it is suddenly not of your own accord that you can do amazing things in the lives of others, but through power of His Holy Spirit.
E-mail me if you have any questions, as I'd love to share more with you. ;)
PS,
It's super late, and I didn't intend for this post to go on as long as it did, so I will have to edit it later on with the scriptural references in quotations towards the end.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Quick Update...
So I haven't been able to post nearly as often as I had intended. It seems like I had more time for things like blogging when I was working 50-60 hours a week. Who knew being unemployed carried such a full schedule?
Now, before you moms out there get all crazy, I realize that being a stay at home parent IS work. I'm finding out first-hand just how much work it really is.
I start school on Monday, which is something I haven't said in over 11 years. I wish I could say I was nervous, or was excited, or...or...something. Truth is I'm indifferent to the whole thing. I'm finishing my degree online, just like the commercials say. I doubt I'll be doing it in my pajamas like one particular cutie in an ad told me, but I shall do my best to enjoy the full experience of getting a college degree from the comfort of my home (and one hand in my pants, like Al Bundy)
I am working on a series of posts tentatively titled, "Lessons in Frugality". The plan is for these posts to focus primarily on little things to help save a buck here and there. For instance, I've started making our own liquid laundry soap (it totally rocks, btw) and I plan on doing some cost analysis for common household goods and the best places to buy them.
I do NOT, however, plan on becoming one of those coupon-nut jobs. I don't have the time for it, nor do I find the idea of sitting on 873 bottles of shampoo for the next millennium particularly appealing.
Nay, I just want to help the average Joe (or Jane) out there save a few bucks without sacrificing comfort. Or if my advice does change the comfort level, to what degree it does will be noted. (personal experience can, and will vary of course)
Tomorrow I'm off to get a new Springfield Armory 1911-A1 in a gun trade (my latest money-free obsession) so I'll be sure to throw some pics of it up soon. Until then, good morrow, sir! (or ma'am)
Now, before you moms out there get all crazy, I realize that being a stay at home parent IS work. I'm finding out first-hand just how much work it really is.
I start school on Monday, which is something I haven't said in over 11 years. I wish I could say I was nervous, or was excited, or...or...something. Truth is I'm indifferent to the whole thing. I'm finishing my degree online, just like the commercials say. I doubt I'll be doing it in my pajamas like one particular cutie in an ad told me, but I shall do my best to enjoy the full experience of getting a college degree from the comfort of my home (and one hand in my pants, like Al Bundy)
I am working on a series of posts tentatively titled, "Lessons in Frugality". The plan is for these posts to focus primarily on little things to help save a buck here and there. For instance, I've started making our own liquid laundry soap (it totally rocks, btw) and I plan on doing some cost analysis for common household goods and the best places to buy them.
I do NOT, however, plan on becoming one of those coupon-nut jobs. I don't have the time for it, nor do I find the idea of sitting on 873 bottles of shampoo for the next millennium particularly appealing.
Nay, I just want to help the average Joe (or Jane) out there save a few bucks without sacrificing comfort. Or if my advice does change the comfort level, to what degree it does will be noted. (personal experience can, and will vary of course)
Tomorrow I'm off to get a new Springfield Armory 1911-A1 in a gun trade (my latest money-free obsession) so I'll be sure to throw some pics of it up soon. Until then, good morrow, sir! (or ma'am)
Sunday, January 8, 2012
I think I'm too old for New Year's...
I believe it was T.S. Eliot who said the world would end, "...not with a bang, but with a whimper." That's kind of what ringing in 2012 felt like.
Normally, celebrating New Year's Eve has been something I look forward to. It's the one night a year where my wife and I pretend that we don't have children and can still party like we did 10 years ago. It's usually the morning after where we are reminded of our age. This year, it was the night of.
To start, our best friends had moved far away to Texas, so we were without our normal 'crew'. (I assume that's still a cool word to use in this type of application) So right off the bat, things were a bit outta whack. So we went to dinner with some back-up friends at a local restaurant that used to be one of the only fine dining establishments in our area. USED to be is the key word here.
To put it bluntly, Applebee's would have provided a more refined dining experience (see picture below for scientific data as to why Applebee's sucks). The steak was incredibly tough and overcooked (as always in my experience, since I prefer my beef to 'moo' at me) while the lobster was only visible to those with super powered microscopic vision. (that means it was small) The butter to dip the 'lobster' in was the only consistent food item on the plate. If Banquet frozen dinners had a steak and lobster option, I don't doubt it would be a tastier fare than this drivel.
*takes off food critic's hat*
The company was great, however. I could tell my wife was really enjoying some adult conversation with a woman her own age and my conversation partner was a friend of mine since 2nd grade, so we talked at length about the usual guy-stuff that comes up with old friends (women, beer, work; usually in that order)
During our dinner, I would look at a clock and remember that in years prior, I would be putting on my make-up, and getting dressed like a hussy, while getting my pre-game drink on. This normally resulted in memories such as this:
Something just didn't feel right sitting in a dimly lit restaurant, trying to enjoy some Sangria that tasted like it was poured from a can into a fancy glass carafe. I wasn't wearing mascara and getting my swerve on. Rather, I was trying to be cordial and well behaved, like Spencer Tracy or something.
Well, my friends, I am no Spencer Tracy. I like to SHOP at Spencer's, even though I know everything I buy there belongs in a dorm room from the 90's, and usually carries an expiration date to match.
Short story long, we tried to 'go out' after that, but it became clear that at 9:30pm, the night wasn't ready to begin, and we were ready for it to end already. So we trudged home, feeling a bit defeated.
Another couple came over to the house and stayed until late, but I just wasn't feeling it. No fireworks, sushi, debauchery, video games, guns, unabashed self-proclamations of greatness, nothing. I guess you could say this is all part of 'growing up', which is another reminder that growing up sucks. I wanna be a Toys 'R' Us kid forever. I finally get why Peter Pan wanted to fly around in tights all day and mess with a pedophile pirate. At least he didn't have to conform to anyone's notion of what an adult should be.
*takes off sociology professor's hat*
Oh well, hopefully next year will be better, and this Stella can get her groove back.
*note-this was the first image returned when I searched for 'stella gettin her groove back'...uh...I mean this is me and a picture I just took of myself...me. (it's for tha ladies)
Normally, celebrating New Year's Eve has been something I look forward to. It's the one night a year where my wife and I pretend that we don't have children and can still party like we did 10 years ago. It's usually the morning after where we are reminded of our age. This year, it was the night of.
To start, our best friends had moved far away to Texas, so we were without our normal 'crew'. (I assume that's still a cool word to use in this type of application) So right off the bat, things were a bit outta whack. So we went to dinner with some back-up friends at a local restaurant that used to be one of the only fine dining establishments in our area. USED to be is the key word here.
To put it bluntly, Applebee's would have provided a more refined dining experience (see picture below for scientific data as to why Applebee's sucks). The steak was incredibly tough and overcooked (as always in my experience, since I prefer my beef to 'moo' at me) while the lobster was only visible to those with super powered microscopic vision. (that means it was small) The butter to dip the 'lobster' in was the only consistent food item on the plate. If Banquet frozen dinners had a steak and lobster option, I don't doubt it would be a tastier fare than this drivel.
*takes off food critic's hat*
The company was great, however. I could tell my wife was really enjoying some adult conversation with a woman her own age and my conversation partner was a friend of mine since 2nd grade, so we talked at length about the usual guy-stuff that comes up with old friends (women, beer, work; usually in that order)
During our dinner, I would look at a clock and remember that in years prior, I would be putting on my make-up, and getting dressed like a hussy, while getting my pre-game drink on. This normally resulted in memories such as this:
Something just didn't feel right sitting in a dimly lit restaurant, trying to enjoy some Sangria that tasted like it was poured from a can into a fancy glass carafe. I wasn't wearing mascara and getting my swerve on. Rather, I was trying to be cordial and well behaved, like Spencer Tracy or something.
Well, my friends, I am no Spencer Tracy. I like to SHOP at Spencer's, even though I know everything I buy there belongs in a dorm room from the 90's, and usually carries an expiration date to match.
Short story long, we tried to 'go out' after that, but it became clear that at 9:30pm, the night wasn't ready to begin, and we were ready for it to end already. So we trudged home, feeling a bit defeated.
Another couple came over to the house and stayed until late, but I just wasn't feeling it. No fireworks, sushi, debauchery, video games, guns, unabashed self-proclamations of greatness, nothing. I guess you could say this is all part of 'growing up', which is another reminder that growing up sucks. I wanna be a Toys 'R' Us kid forever. I finally get why Peter Pan wanted to fly around in tights all day and mess with a pedophile pirate. At least he didn't have to conform to anyone's notion of what an adult should be.
*takes off sociology professor's hat*
Oh well, hopefully next year will be better, and this Stella can get her groove back.
*note-this was the first image returned when I searched for 'stella gettin her groove back'...uh...I mean this is me and a picture I just took of myself...me. (it's for tha ladies)
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