F5: Homes, Houses, and... Holy Habitations!

This week's Friday Five, posted at RevGals, is:

As some of you may know I am in the midst of my first home purchase. It is a new-build and so some of the fun was picking out upgrades and major decor items to my taste rather than walking into a previously owned home that needed to be upgraded room by room (pink and teal tiles in the bathroom, anyone?). As much as decorating is not my thing, I did try to embrace the moment because just how many times do you get to have a do-over on kitchen cabinets/floors/countertops?  And so, my questions to you this fine Friday involve your home past, present or future...

1) If you could, what room in the place you are currently living would you redo first?

If I could redo any room in the house I'm living in, I think it would have to be the porch.  Growing up on the farm, the porch was a gathering place in the house that was never big enough; it was where farming friends would stand and chat for "just a moment" or the initial welcoming location for family and friends over for dinner or games.  And, the house in which I am currently residing, has a (for lack of a better word) pathetic front entrance.  A spot to hang one or two coats - where only one person can comfortably stand at a time.  Yup - needs some expanding!  

2) What is the most hideous feature/color/decor item you have ever seen in a home?

Hands down, this item would be an old recliner chair owned by an old seminary friend.  The chair definitely had a character of its own - but was truly an eyesore!  The material was almost a valuer fabric - and sitting it in almost brought about the hibbie-jeebies.

3) What feature do you most covet? Do you have it? If not, is it within reach?

A fireplace and hearth.  Not one of the newer, ridiculous "gas ovens", but the true wood burning fireplace.  Maybe it's just because of happy memories of a childhood spent staring at the dancing flames, but there is something cozy and comforting about wrapping up in front of the fireplace and allowing yourself to just "be".  

4) Your kitchen - love it or hate it? Why?

I am impartial to the kitchen; I love that it is a gas stove - SOOOO much easier (and cost efficient) than electric... when you turn off a pot that is about to boil over, you don't need to worry about also removing it from the element.  The gas ceases, so does the threat of running over.  :)

5) Here is $10,000 and you HAVE to spend it on the place you are living now. What do you do?

I am not sure about the cost of renovations, but I have always been a big dreamer.  If I had $10,000 to put towards this house...hm... tough one!  I think, I would spend the money wisely and pull out all the dog hair/dust/grime/germ infested carpet in the bedrooms and put hardwood or some easily washable alternative.  

BONUS: Why do you think there was such a surplus of ugly bathroom tile colors showcased in all homes built from the 1950's right through the early 80's?

Ha ha ha ha... I LOVE this question! I tried going through pictures, but was unable to find any.  My grandparents lived in a house in a local, small suburb in which their main bathroom was done in a lime green colour.  Yup - serious!  The bathtub, toilet, sink, tile... all lime green.  Of course, it had aged so it wasn't a vibrant lime green, but it was AWESOME none the less.  They have since redone it, changing the colour to white, but honestly - if they made lime green tile, tubs, and sinks now - you better believe that the entire house would be done in it.  ....not that it's my favourite colour or anything ;)

Who Says That?!

This picture made me laugh, and yes, out loud!  It's kinda cute, whatever it is, don't ya think?

So, I called my family doctor last week, knowing that I was dry out of the prescription medication that I require - and this would be the first time I've been to see her since before leaving for Eastern Canada at the end of the summer.  

Woke up this morning feeling like this cute little green guy, the roads/weather sounded horrible, and staying in bed had a certain, attractive appeal to it.  So, picking up the phone, I call my doctor's office and the conversation went something like this:

"Good morning, Sickuare Medical Clinic, how can I help you?"

"I am calling to cancel an appointment with Dr. DrugsRMyFriend for this morning"

"And what is your name?"

"Ms. ImmuneSystemBGone"

"And what is your reason for canceling this mornings appointment?"

"I'm sick"

Yup, I actually told her I was canceling because I was sick.  After a few seconds of silence, in which my face turned a shade of lovely ruby (while I'm sure she sat puzzled on the other end), I embarrassingly said, "Never mind then - I shall see you in 45 minutes for the appointment!"

Argh, chalk it up to needing to laugh at myself - that's the only I got for trying to cancel a doctor's appointment with the rationale "I'm sick".  ha ha ha ha ha ha ha... who does that?  Me, that's who!!

F5: Cabin Fever!

Singing Owl, at RevGals posted this week's Friday Five by saying, Here in snow country we are settled in to what is a very long stretch of potentially boring days. The holidays are over. It is a very long time till we will get outside on a regular basis. The snow that seemed so beautiful at first is now dirty and the snow banks are piling up. Our vehicles are all the same shade of brownish grey, but if we go to the car wash our doors will freeze shut. People get grumpy. Of course, not everyone lives in a cold climate, but even in warmer places the days till springtime can get long. Help! Please give us five suggestions for combating cabin fever and staying cheerful in our monochromatic world?

Always having lived on the Canadian prairies where cold is... well... COLD, here are my suggestions for staying warm and sane!

5) Evenings (especially Friday nights!) are best spent curled up in a blanket, with a fresh cup of my significant other, Earl G. (spot of milk), in front of the fireplace.  The preference would be to watch the local NHL team, but as they are currently on the All-Star break, I suppose it will be a favourite movie instead.  

4) Games, cards especially - the glorious advantage to the world wide web is the ability to play Canasta or Crib with long distance family or friends.  And, always a joy to meet someone new with a slightly different strategy to the game.  

3) Drag out those unsorted photos and work on putting them creatively into that album you purchased a year ago, scrapbook, or make some generic greeting cards.  Very easy to do - and everyone has magazines, old flyers, cardboard paper, and glue!  

3.5) Write in one of these greeting cards and send a friend some lovely snail mail.  It is a cheerful thing to do, and I bet it would bring some warm cheer to your recipient as well!

2) Have a hot bubble bath.  This seems to help with anything and everything, but there is nothing like getting warm all the way through on a cold winters night.  Scented bubble bath, candles, and bath salts are always an added plus!

1) The number one thing to do during these long winter months?  Make a point of point of phoning someone that you haven't spoken to since Christmas (or before).  There is nothing like a conversation with a friend to make any long and cold night, just a wee bit more pleasant.  

Hm... thanks Singing Owl!  I am cooped up inside recovering from the events of yesterday, and I was slightly grumpy about it all.  Looks like there is more that I can do from a stationary position than what I first thought... hmmm... who can I send a card to?

Letter from the Pigs

***phone ringing***



"Hello?"
"Hello Chickagale, this is God speaking"
***shocked facial expression inserted here***
"Chickagale, please close your window and get into bed and warm your lil' piggies up. My peeps can't handle letters of complaint from your pigs this week..."

Just as a point of clarification, the bold is the "booming voice of God" and the picture of feet is definitely not my own foot, but yet, an accurate representation of the lil' piggies. :D

Oh, Damn Mug of Blessed Tea!

When I got sick Nov. 06, my mum did what any parent would do for their loved, adopted child... research, research, research! In fact, it often surprised me that she knew rules about cleanliness, sterile environments, and general "good health guidelines" for chemotherapy patients before I was informed by my doctor, no kidding! However, I regret to inform you, that one of the pieces of information she read said that green tea, which is extremely high in antioxidants, was recommended for cancer patients. These natural chemicals help to flush the body of toxins that are hanging around, and when going through something like chemo, there were more toxins than my body could physically handle.

So... every morning, my mum would get up early enough to boil a kettle of water and steep a pot of this blessed green tea. I promise you, the green tea was more of a fixture in our morning struggle to get out of bed and convince myself that I wanted to live and chemo was the best method to do so, than "discussing" alternative destinations for the car to go in the morning.

Every morning... I would saunter downstairs with my backpack packed: my blanket (it rarely came out, but I needed to know it was there, just in case I had to spend the night), a book (occassionally a colouring book), my computer, ipod, and Booker the Bear (often stuck out the top). And, waiting at the bottom of the stairs was my mum - proudly holding a travel mug of that damn green tea. Most mornings, I would try to "forget" the mug on the counter before we left, but somehow, she knew. She would soon appear in the drivers seat with the darn mug full of that blessed awful tea.

To humor her, I always had to take a giant gulp (as giant as one can when it's still boiling hot) before I got out of the car each morning. I would slowly sip on it as I waited for the blood results, waited for the nurse, and waited to have the treatment start. However, as chemo does, it wasn't long before I traded that mug for a kidney basin; not having much in my stomach from the night before, and only a few bites of breakfast, my brain connected the green tea, to getting sick.

Psychologists have published numerous papers that declare taste aversion as one of the most difficult learned behaviours to break... AND, I am case in point. To this day, more than two years later, the very smell of green tea causes my stomach to churn and that lingering acidic taste to develop in my mouth. I know that logically, it doesn't make sense. My brain is fully aware of the fact that the chemo drug mix lead to the nausea and vomiting... it wasn't the green tea. And yet, at the same time, it is linking green tea with being sick.

And so, tonight, as I lay awake into the wee hours of the morning, I owe you an apology - oh damn travel mug of blessed green tea; I'm sorry... all those times I cursed you silently under my breath and wrinkled my nose at the thought of having to drink, one...more...sip... it was never your fault! But rest assured, oh green tea, I am working frantically on taste aversion reversal - so that one day, real soon, I may savour your lovely antioxidant taste!!

Author's note: As those of you who know me well already know, I have considerable difficulty sharing my inner most thoughts and feelings in a blunt, "out there" sort of fashion. I am not someone who can "let it all hang", though I am getting better at it (thanks to the HolyMitredOne who lead by example through life). Anyway, all this to say that a very, very dear friend is offering themselves as lovely company, a consoling ear and an experienced heart... and while I long to take her up on it, for my heart is heavy and my head is spinning, we would be meeting over a cup of green tea (not actual green tea, but there is another necessary component needed in order to be able to talk through it, but to that, I have a slight learned aversion, similar to the green tea). It seems that green tea is the necessary common ground, but I don't know how to say, "Please don't walk away, I just can't bring myself to drink a cup of green tea... just a little longer? I'm trying and training, for I long to be able to drink it again... really I am...

Friday Five, the Inside E!

(reads, I'm the type of girl who will burst out laughing in dead silence because of something that happened yesterday... )

Although written by a young man, this song from "Rent" became an anthem for women of a certain age ready to be taken on their own terms. Maureen and Joanne love each other, but they are *very* different.

Songbird writes, whether it's new friends or new loves or new employers, what are five things people should know about you?

Hmmm... I had to think about these for a moment, but I think if there were 5 things that people should know about me, these would be them!

5) Is a two parter... a) I have webbed toes and b) no, I can not swim any better than someone with all their toes separated.  :)  I don't really know why this is an important fact about me, but a fun one - for sure!

4) I have a funny, yet bizarre sense of humor and, truth be told, I often laugh at myself more than anyone or anything else...like the time I went to a party and thought that someone had stole my other shoe as a joke.  I went through all the shoes that were at the back door, but because I was one of the later ones to leave... I resolved that someone else had taken my shoe by mistake and left their shoe for me.  So, slipping my foot into a very similar looking shoe sitting right beside my other one, I was surprised that the shoe fit.  The next day, I called my friend asking if anyone had reported a missing shoe and told him the tale of what had happened the night before.  A few weeks had passed, and the humor of a practical joke was wearing thin - I needed my pair of black shoes!  Deciding that I had to go and buy a new pair for a big meeting I was presenting at, I figured I would donate a bunch of my 'gently worn' shoes to goodwill.  Opening my closet door, apparently for the first time in weeks, there sat an identical pair of shoes to the ones sitting out in the hall.  After all that, it turns out I had worn a mix matched pair to the party in the first place.  I laughed for DAYS about it... who would do something like that?  Ohhh!!! Pick me!!

3) I have two code words/phrases: "I have to go and check on the chickens" should read, "I need some time to think this through, I'll be back" and "absolutely" should read, "FAT CHANCE of THAT HAPPENING!!"

2) Music and physical activity (namely team sports or a run) are very important aspects of daily life for me.  They are my ways of processing the days events, highlites or pitfalls.  And, typically these are the only two things that I can engage in to relax and return to rationality.  

And...t he number one thing that people should know about me is that I am often, as busy as a bee, as intellectual as an Edison, and as sweet as a spoon of honey, but as stubborn as a donkey's..... 

Enjoy the weekend all!  See you next week :D

Trained reaction... ENGAGE!!

I will admit, I have been awake for too many hours in a row.  I have always been one of those people who waits until the sun goes down and world is hushed before I try and start thinking through potential solutions to the unanswerable questions life brings.  And, as of late, there are simply too many things to try and think through before the mornings sunrise that I struggle to turn the brain off... and, morning always comes too soon.  

This morning, this particular morning, is different from all the rest and all I am left to say is that it astounds me to think how we can want something sooooo badly, and when it comes - how all we can do is run.  

With a few subtle differences to consider, I can not help but feel overwhelmed because it appears that this Christian band is singing my life song. 

I thought that hiding in the tall grass would make me invisible, and allow me to sit in this place of self protection, but I guess I whispered too loudly, crunched one too many blades of grass, or allowed my hearts tears to carry through the silence of the night for you have responded... and not only responded, but suggested coffee or lunch.  Not to be had 10 years from now when the hurt is washed down and the pain inside stops burning, but before you go back home in a week. 

And the running begins.  Not 100 miles an hour, but 200 miles an hour.  Yes, I know it's in the wrong direction, but what else can I do?  

Signed in love, from Whispers of the Grass

Author's note: a thank you goes out to my musical friend HGB for his help with this. I know that I will never be able to sing this to all those that deserve to hear it, but as I continue to crouch in the tall grass of the "back 40", may these words of my heart join the whispers of wind blowing through this void night and find the ears of those I owe it to the most. For until then, no words that my lips will speak will carry any meaning.

I fall a thousand times on my way away from you

I think I'm scared

The bruises on my knees are from a time of long ago of how

It used to be.

I think I'm lost

I think I don't know the way

If I used to be amazing, I'm sorry to deceive

If I used to by deceving, I'm sorry for the pain

If I've cost you this time,

Please forgive me.

I think I'm lost

I think I am afraid

I sacrifice what I have lost for what is soon to come

Or so it seems

I trade my soul so I can find a safe place to be

My hideaway

I think I'm lost

I think I don't know the way

If I used to amazing, I'm sorry to deceive

If I used to be deceving, I'm sorry for the pain

If I've cost you this time, please forgive me

I think I'm lost

I think I am afraid.

Pancakes, pancakes, yum, yum, yum!

Friday Five: Pancakes

Last week Sally gave us a beautiful, spiritually reflective Friday Five, so it's time for something light and fluffy (literally). It's inspired by the fact that as I write this my dear spouse TechnoGuy, with the assistance of daughter Ladybug, is making a batch of chocolate chip pancakes with two Christmas presents. One is the Knott's Berry Farm mix which came along with jam, boysenberry syrup, and biscuit mix from my aunt (we ended up with two sets, since my parents passed theirs on to avoid sweet and carb-y temptation). The other is the large size Black and Decker electric skillet he was thrilled that I got him online -- our trusty wedding present normal size one still works at going on 20 years, but the Teflon is getting worn, and he wanted more cooking space. So pull up a chair to the kitchen table and tell us all about your pancake preferences. 

It's been way too long since I've played a Friday Five, but I'd like to pull up a chair with Sophia, TechnoGuy, and Daughter LadyBug and share my pancake preferences!

1. Scratch or mix? Buttermilk or plain?
I have been known to search high and low for pancake mix that I can eat when purchasing food for youth retreats, just to make the food preparation easier on whoever is doing it, but being allergic to eggs (all parts of them), I typically try and skip the hour of reading all the ingredients on pancake mix in the store.  In case you ever want to try something slightly different, for each egg the recipe calls for, replace half a banana and a "swoop" of  milk mixed together!  If you are making plain pancakes, it will give them a slightly different taste, but it's too vague to identify the taste of banana.  Quite delicious!!  :D

2. Pure and simple, or with additions cooked in?
In the summer months, when wild fruit is growing wild 'round here, a few wild raspberries or saskatoons are my favourite.  Soooo berry!

3. For breakfast or for dinner?
Surprisingly, the only time I will make pancakes for dinner is that once a year, Shrove feast.  And the best place to eat them in the morning is definitely at the local Cathedral at the Friday morning breakfast for street and homeless people in the city.  I haven't gone yet this year, but the company is truly amazing.  

4. Preferred syrup or other topping? How about the best side dish?
Hm... this is a tough one.  Having endured all the nicknames growing up like, "Angie-myma" I think I actually have to say that my preferred topping was that of my Grandad's: a dazzle of liquid whipping cream, and sprinkled with brown sugar.  Mmmmmm...

5. Favorite pancake restaurant? 
I don't think that I can actually answer this one as I don't actually recall ever having been able to order pancakes in public.  Darn eggs!!

Bonus: Any tasty recipes out there, for pancakes or other special breakfast dishes? Bring 'em on! 

We have a family "secret" recipe for chocolate syrup; it is made with cocoa and a variety of other ingredients - and can be served hot or served the next morning cold.  It is sooooooo good and typically, a treat.  But you make toast, butter it, and then dip it in the chocolate syrup.  Mmmm... maybe that's what I will have for breakfast this morning.... hm... 

A Journey of a Lifetime

I believe that I have alluded to this journey before now, and if I haven't, then I hope that this brief explanation will make some degree of sense.  This past Advent season, I had the incredible blessing of walking a sister through Advent.  The journey was facilitated through a rather "P.S. I Love You" type fashion with cute, little, neon green envelopes and letters.  It was also met with the occasional little tangible reminder of that week's theme, just in case reminders were required as the weeks progressed.  

Regrettably, through a series of unfortunate events in my life, I was never able to send the final, Christmas Eve package.  I then thought that I could send it for Epiphany, however, that too fell through.  It will still get sent, I just don't know when.  And, as far as that goes... it is quite evident that this message was supposed to be delivered way before now - and probably not in the form of an afternoon blog entry - but I've got to work with what I have.  So... I am open to your feedback, please let me know what you think about this... 

I have a little wooden creche in which I have stuffed some fake straw from Michael's (the craft, expensive, superstore).  Underneath a small section of burlap, where the infants head would lay, there is a small piece of mirror.  

Why?

Well, because this sister's journey was about a deliberate walk from hectic chaos, to the side of the manger... to journey back to that incredibly silent and amazingly holy night to look into the innocent and loving face of our Saviour.  I have a theology of ministry in which each one of us is born with a tiny piece of mirror, often found in our soul.  This mirror is responsible for reflecting out to the world, the "image of God" that rests within us.  Because we are human, each one of us was created in love and made in the incredible image of God.  As we engage this seeking journey we call life, we reflect the piece of God within us to all whom we meet, and we learn a little bit more about God viewing the mirrors of those whose paths cross with ours.  

I am a firm believer of this.  That God resides in each one of us, reflecting the true essence of God back out to all of God's beloved.  This puts a very serious responsibility upon each one of us, in that we are always called to openly share the true love, mercy, grace, forgiveness, hope, faith and joy that God is.  Sometimes, we trip and fall and our mirror becomes cloudy and full of fingerprints, but we always have the long list of chances to fix this.  

Each one of us carries a slightly different reflection of God, and what a blessing that is!  It gives us the chance to ALWAYS engage this seeking journey.  Just imagine how crappy it would be if we met someone else with the same Godly reflection that we already knew or have seen... that would seriously stink!  We would just get sooooo bored of journeying because we would be seeing the same thing every few steps.  Can you say... BOOOOORING!! 

So, my sister, as the deliberate journey to the creche comes to an end and the journey from the creche into the world has only just began, I send you this tiny mirror as a constant reminder of the reflection of God that God has placed within you.  While it is often a terrifying experience to journey into the night, my prayer for you will always be that you may find that incredible sense of grace to walk with your head held high.  God has entrusted a very integral part of His awe-some being upon your mirror - that only you have.  There will be no one else to share this part of God with the world, so gather up your courage (already instilled within you), hold your head high, and walk humbly in the love that God has set aside for you and you alone.  Do whatever it is that you need to do first, but don't waste time feeling sorry for yourself.  There is a reason you are who you are... and God is calling you in a very deliberate way - right now.  

You know that Disney is an integral part of my life and while this quote is Disney in nature, I believe that it very much applies to your journey and Christian life, and so I pass it on to you (on behalf of someone else, much more incredible and awe-some than I); 

"There is something you must always remember: You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, 

even if we're apart... 

I'll always be with you."

Go forth in love and mission, my sister, Go Forth!  And, as you journey, Godspeed (May God be with You!)