Some days, it's a cat firing a machine gun...

Really feeling this today... Really...

The sound of a machine gun going off is, indeed, the sound of my high frustration level today...This, too, shall pass...

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Snail...

It doesn't matter how long it takes to get there. Just keep going...

Writer's Block...

Writing...

Yeah, going that well, as well as Mr. Poe's sunny outlook here. Sigh... Some days you're the pen; some days you're the block... just... just...well.
(Sigh)
This too shall pass, God help me, this too shall pass...

In Memory of Isabelle...

Maybe I was the last to find out this tragic new: Isabelle Caro is dead.

French Model in Anti-Anorexia Campaign Dead at 28

Isabelle Caro appeared on billboards to warn about disorder

Posted Dec 29, 2010 7:03 PM CST

(AP) – Isabelle Caro, a French actress and model whose emaciated image appeared in a shock ad campaign against anorexia, has died at age 28. A friend said she didn't know the cause of death but that Caro "had been sick for a long time," referring to her anorexia. Caro was featured in a campaign called "No Anorexia" in 2007 for an Italian fashion house. Images across newspapers and billboards showed Caro naked, with her vertebrae and facial bones protruding. She weighed about 60 pounds at the time.

Caro said on her blog and in interviews that she had suffered from anorexia since she was 13. She wrote a book published in France in 2008 titled The Little Girl Who Didn't Want to Get Fat. Caro also spoke out about her anorexia and her efforts to recover, and the menace of eating disorders on the fashion industry.

 I am saddened by this news. It brings to mind pointed, painful memories, "there but for the grace of God, go I" sort of things. It's just... sad. Rest in peace, dear Isabelle...

Knocking on that Door...

You feel like giving up. You feel like all of your efforts are in vain. It seems useless, pointless, hopeless. Day after day, you try to “do better,” yet convincing yourself the entire time that it’s never “good enough.” Sound familiar?

For most of us out there with food, weight and body image issues, this seems to be one of the loudest statements we scream the most. It’s frustrating to feel trapped, as if there’s no open door of hope, life and future. Yes, you have knocked on a lot of doors, haven’t you?

"Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”

Matthew 7:7

"And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”

Luke 11:9

But what about your door?  The door to your heart? Are you hearing any knocking going on there?

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”

Revelation 3:20

Yes, each one of us is guilty of turning a deaf ear to that persistent knocking, aren’t we? We can get so wrapped up in our issues, plans, desires and problems that we miss the whole point to it all: Jesus!

He is there, right now, waiting on each of us, loving us with a love we cannot fully fathom. But we need to respond and change our perspective about our efforts and God’s role in our lives.

In our efforts and pursuits to deal with our issues and attain our desires, have we really asked Him to be a part of them? It’s probably a safe bet to say that mostly, the answer is no.

God doesn’t want to frustrate us; He longs to help us with His love, with a real relationship involving us!

“God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.”

1 Corinthians 1:9

But we have to tire of our independent knocking. So, as we embark on a new year, filled with resolutions and new beginnings, let’s embark on opening that door, occupied by God. He’s there, waiting for our answer to His knock.

Resolutions

“That's why we are not discouraged. No, even if outwardly we are wearing out, inwardly we are being renewed each and every day.”

2 Corinthians 4:16

Feeling the pressure of the clock ticking, of the new year approaching?

Typically, New Year’s Eve/Day focuses on both celebration and extreme repentance. We may, indeed, “live it up” on New Year’s Eve, eating and drinking too much, engaging in various vices. However, with the strike of midnight and/or the glaring light of New Year’s Day and a new year, at that, we declare our newly turned over leaves and selves; this year, we’ll be different, better, changed. So, we embark on a new habit, diet, outlook, whatever. And maybe, we do quite well for the first few days. But then, something happens… We all know the comedy of a resolution; usually, we’re the punch line.

And somehow, we believe the lie that “it’s no use,” that we’re failures. But, regardless of what we do or do not do this new year, resolution or not, God’s always in the renewal business with us.

“Behold, I make all things new.”

Revelation 21:5

Whatever we feel resides inside of us: resolution, success, failure, hope, frustration, we need to realize that God is the Author of lives, not us, and certainly not any imperfect resolution. God is helping us, wanting us to succeed. When we fail, however, His Hand is always outstretched, determined to reach and aid us.

Look at New Year’s, yes, with hope, with optimism, but also with realism and a sense of humor. It’s an imperfect holiday, just like we’re perfect human beings. It’s fodder for entertainment, jokes; it’s a moneymaker, pushing products as well. But it is never the last word on your life and destiny.

 So, if you’re “resolute” with your resolutions, if you succeed or if your feel that you’ve failed already, just remember that you are right on time; it’s not too late for you. You always have a future, regardless of how 2011 starts or plays out! God bless and happy 2011 to everyone out there!

 “My future is in your hands…”

Psalm 31:15

Family Get Together: Damage Assessment?

So, how did we all do? Hope everyone’s had a blessed Christmas!!! So, what’s the damage assessment? For us here, things went fairly well. We’re all safe and sound, tucked into our warm home, trying to keep our cats from eating the torn wrapping paper.

We set out early- 5:45 a.m. early. That meant we woke up early (4 a.m.) A two hour plus drive to see my mother requires this action. Yes, I’ll admit to being an early riser; still waking up in pitch darkness with two curious cats winding around stumbling feet is an absurdity.

Grabbed three bags worth of Christmas gifts, one Chrysanthemum plant,

dressed in a Santa face and hat, and our own silly holiday headgear and we were on our way to our get together.

It went well. We opened our presents, took photographs and tried not to get headaches from our festive Santa headgear (the Santa headbands pinched, truth be told). And yes, all kidding aside, all “irritation” aside, we are so thankful for all of our blessings.

Counting our blessings…

Here’s a sampling…

We’re healthy, alive, and have the family and friends that we love still in our lives, (annoying or not).

We have the ability, energy, patience and provision to participate in this holiday (2 Corinthians 9:8).

We have freedom (Thanks to all who sacrifice, serve and protect the cause of freedom, so that we can have the luxury of being irritated by loved ones and holiday situations).

We have new mercies every single morning (Lamentations 3:22-23), not just this Christmas morning!

We have Grace (Ephesians 2:8-9) for when we’ve royally blown it and/or blown up at our Christmas/Family celebrations.

We have love, which persists even when we’re at our most ugly or tacky!

We have our two loving, comedic and wacky feline family members, Gracie and Glory, who have amazingly left our Christmas Tree vertical this holiday season; they bless our lives 24/7, (but thanks Girls; leaving our tree alone was your Christmas gift to us this year)!

We have God, Who gave us His Beloved Best, Jesus, to cover all of these bases- and then some (John 3:16)!

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Luke 2:10-14

God bless us all this wonderful Christmas Day!!! May each of us experience new, constant blessings every single day of our lives!

Back to interrupting our cats’ plans for making dessert out of that Christmas wrapping! A Merry, Blessed Christmas to one and all!!!