Days like today leave me wishing that there was a garden gnome center, where you could order a nice little garden and/or housekeeping gnome to come live with you. Wouldn't that be neat?
I'm beat - it's been a long day, so I am leaving the dishes in the sink, the laundry unfolded, my teeth unflossed and my lunchpack unpacked. It's time to unthink the day, unwind the stress and unwake my body.
Sleep tight. Don't let the bedbugs bite!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Time changes things.
It's been snowing. Finally. I woke up sunday morning to the most beautiful, fat tufts of snow quietly falling from the sky. Sigh. Why wasn't december like this? And why don't we have more peaceful mornings like this?
As parents, our mornings have for so long been scheduled. Everyone with small kids knows that saturday and sunday mornings are the best for waking up early and watching cartoons. It was great when the girls learned how to turn on the tv themselves. That would keep them occupied for a while. But then always came the one request (more like a mix between a direct command and a cat whining) for breakfast. "I'm huuuungry" just cannot be ignored!
Now the the two oldest sleep in every chance they get. We get up before they do on saturdays and sundays. And I always enjoy it slightly when they, somehow disgruntled, complain that we don't eat breakfast together anymore! Because now I'm the whining cat demanding breakfast while they are still cuddled up under the blankets.
Funny how time changes things.
As parents, our mornings have for so long been scheduled. Everyone with small kids knows that saturday and sunday mornings are the best for waking up early and watching cartoons. It was great when the girls learned how to turn on the tv themselves. That would keep them occupied for a while. But then always came the one request (more like a mix between a direct command and a cat whining) for breakfast. "I'm huuuungry" just cannot be ignored!
Now the the two oldest sleep in every chance they get. We get up before they do on saturdays and sundays. And I always enjoy it slightly when they, somehow disgruntled, complain that we don't eat breakfast together anymore! Because now I'm the whining cat demanding breakfast while they are still cuddled up under the blankets.Funny how time changes things.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
It's been too long
Hi there again...It has simply been too long since I've been here... shame on me. And I am not going to whine about why. You all know why. Time. Work. Family.
Christmas was wonderful - we set the table for 21 people, and every seat was taken! And on the 27th, we flew out to Hurghada, Egypt, to relax and celebrate Hasse's 40th birthday! While we were there, Teresa turned 12 (being born New Years Eve), and for her birthday we sailed on the Red Sea, she snorkeled with her fther and older sister, and we were so lucky to see dolphins! They really put on a wonderful show for us and jumped out of the water, and swam bellyside up.
Now the somewhat mundane life has us back in the treadmill, but we're treadmillin' away! Hasse and I have decided to try for a marathon in May... I know he will finish it, as he already has 5 marathons in the sack, but this will be my first - and probably my last! Currently, my training is good, my time is fine, and I'm still not injured. But slightly worried...
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Thanksgiving
The Americans are celebrating thanksgiving today. Canadians celebrated Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October, and although I am neither Canadian nor American, I am going out to eat a thanksgiving dinner with good friends tonight.
I know that my beautiful, American friend, Lauren, will ask us all what we are thankful for.
Here's my list:
I am thankful first of all for my Lord and Saviour. The fact that He died for me will never cease to amaze me. His grace has been sufficient for me in the past, and it will continue to be so in the future.
I am thankful for my wonderful family - my husband whom I love more than I can express. He takes care of me in every way possible.
I love our 3 daughters, all beautiful and sweet and giving us less to worry about than could have been expected.I love our extended family - every niece and nephew, every aunt and uncle.
I am thankful for good friends - both close and far away, friends who have supported me, encouraged me and sometimes even lifted me up in prayer when I really needed it - often before I even knew to ask!
I am thankful for having a job - although I moan and whine about it. Considering the number of unemployed teachers, I am thankful that I still have my job.
And least, but not last, I am thankful for my church family. They challenge me, support me and continually love me. I am a blessed woman.
Check out Lauren's blog (if you dare) on: www.ladaisi.blogspot.com
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
It's tough being a woman
... that's the subtitle to a Bible study on Esther, by Beth Moore. I would love to do a real study on it sometime, but right now, I am just breezing through it, sniffing up whatever stands out and seems to call to me.
And yes it IS tough being a woman, but I really don't like whining. Whining will get you no where in my book. I tend to be the "suck it up" type of woman, but time and time again, I fall into the whining pit myself.
I honestly think that being alive is tough. Being a human is tough. Whatever path you are on, life will be tough on you every now and then. And tha't why a study on Esther could come in handy. It could be enlightening to hear from some else how they got through tough times. And believe me, Esther knew tough times.
So far, the study has talked to me about standing in the shadow of other women - how hard that can be, trying to live up to someone elses standards and merits. And it dawned on me slowly that often, I stand in the fictive shadow of others. I never ask about their expectations, I just assume that I know what they expect of me. I assume that others expect me to be like so-and-so, but I never ask if that is true.
What a sorry burden I put on myself, and I have a feeling I am not the only one to do this. Take a minute or two to reflect on this... whose shadow are you in? Is it real or just based on your own assumptions?
And yes it IS tough being a woman, but I really don't like whining. Whining will get you no where in my book. I tend to be the "suck it up" type of woman, but time and time again, I fall into the whining pit myself.
I honestly think that being alive is tough. Being a human is tough. Whatever path you are on, life will be tough on you every now and then. And tha't why a study on Esther could come in handy. It could be enlightening to hear from some else how they got through tough times. And believe me, Esther knew tough times.
So far, the study has talked to me about standing in the shadow of other women - how hard that can be, trying to live up to someone elses standards and merits. And it dawned on me slowly that often, I stand in the fictive shadow of others. I never ask about their expectations, I just assume that I know what they expect of me. I assume that others expect me to be like so-and-so, but I never ask if that is true.
What a sorry burden I put on myself, and I have a feeling I am not the only one to do this. Take a minute or two to reflect on this... whose shadow are you in? Is it real or just based on your own assumptions?
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Dejlige efterårsting - Things I love about autumn!
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| Regn på min rude Rain on the window |
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| Græskar og de flotte, orange farver Pumpkins and their beautiful colour |
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| Paraplyer - især de med farver! Umbrellas - especially the colourful ones. |
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| Varm kakao - hot chocolate |
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| Kastanjer - chestnuts |
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| Stearinlys - candles |
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| Bagte æbler med marcipan - baked apples with marcipan |
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| Æbletærte - applepie! |
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| Dampende varm kaffe - steaming coffee. |
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| God ild i brændeovnen - a good fire. |
Friday, September 23, 2011
Midnight thoughts
I'm doing it again. The house is quiet, the kids tucked in, and I really ought to be sleeping. But my man is out of town, and my head is churning thoughts like my life depended on it! So here I am - awake. Writing in the early hours of the coming night. Trying to straighten out my hyperactive mind.
I had a conversation the other day that brought a drop of clarity and a glimmer of hope to me. I spoke with a women whom I know to be an ordained priest, but frustrated with what she defines as the "closed-box thinking" of the state church, she now works different projects and found time to see me. I am really glad she did.
It's no secret I have been down the last few weeks, feeling somewhat suffocated by my work situation and feeling a lack of recognition for what I honestly feel is good work on my part. So I sought out this particular woman because I had a hunch that she would know what to ask me about.
And she did.
And during our conversation, it once again dawned on me, that what I really long for, is for my life to be more than a desire to follow in the footsteps of Christ. That I still think of making a difference in the world as a matter of finding the right calling. It suddenly became so clear to me, that if Jesus was to physically set foot in my workplace, he wouldn't struggle with the same emotions as I do. He wouldn't really care about rules and regulations and following procedures. He would look at the children and their parents and see their needs - and he would start meeting those needs! He would act instead of placing himself in a position of holy waiting - like I so often do, as I think many of us do! We believe we must act, but only when God says go... but in reality, God sad go about 2000 years ago, as Jesus drew his last breath on the cross.
I want my life to be like this: reaching out as naturally as breathing. Bringing healing like I was fetching a cup of water. Offering prayer like I was administering ointments or placing bandaids over playground battle wounds. And I long to be in a place where I don't have to worry about rules and regulations, so I am still scanning the job adds, hoping to come across a job where making a difference concurrently will enable me to bring home a paycheck.
Why?
Beacuse I am still a mother with responibilities, bills and wishlists. Because in my neck of the woods, I cannot afford to leave the breadwinning to my husband and join the too-small corps of volunteers. So, that's my challenge for the next while.
Now it's time to turn off my computer, turn off the lights and the thoughts in my head. I need to sleep. Tomorrow brings with it what ever it will, and I need to be ready.
It's no secret I have been down the last few weeks, feeling somewhat suffocated by my work situation and feeling a lack of recognition for what I honestly feel is good work on my part. So I sought out this particular woman because I had a hunch that she would know what to ask me about.
And she did.
...what I really long for, is for my life to be more
than a desire to follow in the footsteps of Christ.
And during our conversation, it once again dawned on me, that what I really long for, is for my life to be more than a desire to follow in the footsteps of Christ. That I still think of making a difference in the world as a matter of finding the right calling. It suddenly became so clear to me, that if Jesus was to physically set foot in my workplace, he wouldn't struggle with the same emotions as I do. He wouldn't really care about rules and regulations and following procedures. He would look at the children and their parents and see their needs - and he would start meeting those needs! He would act instead of placing himself in a position of holy waiting - like I so often do, as I think many of us do! We believe we must act, but only when God says go... but in reality, God sad go about 2000 years ago, as Jesus drew his last breath on the cross.
Why?
Beacuse I am still a mother with responibilities, bills and wishlists. Because in my neck of the woods, I cannot afford to leave the breadwinning to my husband and join the too-small corps of volunteers. So, that's my challenge for the next while.
Now it's time to turn off my computer, turn off the lights and the thoughts in my head. I need to sleep. Tomorrow brings with it what ever it will, and I need to be ready.
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