Authored by Rickey Combs
Divorce is a terrible thing and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone but I’m so much happier now than I was 5 years ago when my husband and I were together. I was only 20 when we got married which is just far too young if you ask me and that’s what led to most of our problems in the first place. We were only married for about two and a half years but it was long enough for both of us to realize we didn’t want the kind of life we had. I moved out and started my own life here in DC and things have been on the upswing ever since! I got a townhome that’s 100% mine and a http://securitychoice.com/ security system at that; I even got the cat I’d been wanting for years! My husband and I are still friends and occasionally speak but he’s remarried now and I’ve been dating steadily since the divorce. I like having my freedom and look forward to where the next few years will take me!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Desiring God - Blog Tour
Stand up, speak up, shut up. John Piper would do well to remember this old cliché about public speaking. Brevity is not Pastor Piper’s strong suit. Such is the case with Desiring God on DVD.
John Piper is, without a doubt, scripturally sound. His speaking is always fundamentally solid, Biblically accurate, and filled with detailed research. One can learn much from the teaching of John Piper.
Biblical soundness aside, however, John Piper is, to say the least, wordy. His public speaking, like his extensive writings, is long and laborious. If two words are needed to make a point, John Piper uses four. The listener can easily be lulled into complete boredom with Piper’s incessant droning on and on.
John Piper is, without a doubt, scripturally sound. His speaking is always fundamentally solid, Biblically accurate, and filled with detailed research. One can learn much from the teaching of John Piper.
Biblical soundness aside, however, John Piper is, to say the least, wordy. His public speaking, like his extensive writings, is long and laborious. If two words are needed to make a point, John Piper uses four. The listener can easily be lulled into complete boredom with Piper’s incessant droning on and on.
That having been said, to be fair, I would recommend John Piper’s videos to anyone wanting to receive sound Biblical teaching. Accurate preaching of Biblical Truth is a rare commodity today, and John Piper certainly presents the Truth with great clarity.
I just wish he would make his point with less verbiage.
Obviously, given Pastor Piper’s enormous popularity, many people would disagree with my assessment of his lengthy writing and speaking style.
I received this DVD for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
Well I'll Bee
I received my first bee sting in many years. Actually I cannot remember when the last time I was stung. This is also the weirdest sting.
Dante and I were talking Cal to a summer camp yesterday. It was about a four to five hour drive. The hard part, it was mostly on double lane highway (you know one lane each way and not many passing opportunities). Any way, we are driving down the road and a big semi passed us in the other direction. All the sudden I feel something slam off my knee and then a burning sensation. Whatever it was came through Dante's window and bounced off me.
If it were not for the burning I probably would have just brushed off the spot and not given it another thought. I am very thankful for the burning. I start looking around and for a few miles I don't see anything. There is not a red spot and I don't see anything on the interior of the car, but because of the burning I kept searching. Finally I locate the nasty creature and he is still alive. He is on the floor by my feet. I believe he is a white faced hornet and he is huge. He seems to be trying to sting the carpet. I squish him until he stops squirming.
If I had not located him, I very easily could have taken off my shoes, which I do quite often on car rides, and then I would have been stung multiple times.
I tried to pick him up and throw him out the window but he was stinging the carpet so hard that he was embedded in it. I had to leave him. Later when we stopped I took the carpet out of the van and scraped him off. I have heard that a bee can sting you even after he is dead, and even if the stinger is no longer attached to the bee, as was the case here. It took me much longer than expected to get the stinger out of the carpet.
On the drive home I noticed that my knee was red and itchy. I don't think he got me hard but enough to have it burn like crazy.
Dante and I were talking Cal to a summer camp yesterday. It was about a four to five hour drive. The hard part, it was mostly on double lane highway (you know one lane each way and not many passing opportunities). Any way, we are driving down the road and a big semi passed us in the other direction. All the sudden I feel something slam off my knee and then a burning sensation. Whatever it was came through Dante's window and bounced off me.
If it were not for the burning I probably would have just brushed off the spot and not given it another thought. I am very thankful for the burning. I start looking around and for a few miles I don't see anything. There is not a red spot and I don't see anything on the interior of the car, but because of the burning I kept searching. Finally I locate the nasty creature and he is still alive. He is on the floor by my feet. I believe he is a white faced hornet and he is huge. He seems to be trying to sting the carpet. I squish him until he stops squirming.
If I had not located him, I very easily could have taken off my shoes, which I do quite often on car rides, and then I would have been stung multiple times.
I tried to pick him up and throw him out the window but he was stinging the carpet so hard that he was embedded in it. I had to leave him. Later when we stopped I took the carpet out of the van and scraped him off. I have heard that a bee can sting you even after he is dead, and even if the stinger is no longer attached to the bee, as was the case here. It took me much longer than expected to get the stinger out of the carpet.
On the drive home I noticed that my knee was red and itchy. I don't think he got me hard but enough to have it burn like crazy.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Husband's Mother
My husband's mother passed away several years ago, even before Cory was born. She was a funny lady that just wanted someone to dote on her exclusively. I remember the day that Dante told her we were pregnant with Cal. She became very upset and wanted to know if that meant that we would spend less time with her.
I do have a few fond memories of her, like her fondness of sugar free truffles, truth be told she loved all the sugar free candies. Each holiday I would start shopping for something new and different. It is funny, but to this day, I still take notice when I see an add for sugar free candies.
I do have a few fond memories of her, like her fondness of sugar free truffles, truth be told she loved all the sugar free candies. Each holiday I would start shopping for something new and different. It is funny, but to this day, I still take notice when I see an add for sugar free candies.
Driving
This weekend we will be taking an 8 hour car trip. We have not been in the car that long in many years. The last time would have been when Cal and I went to visit my family three years ago. Dante reminded me that that trip was even before Cal entered his new school.
That seems very hard to believe and I argued for several minutes before conceding that his statement was indeed true. I wanted to get back down for another family visit because several family members might not be with us next summer, but we just had things that took precedent over family which I have never been close.
That seems very hard to believe and I argued for several minutes before conceding that his statement was indeed true. I wanted to get back down for another family visit because several family members might not be with us next summer, but we just had things that took precedent over family which I have never been close.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Unplugged update
We are doing really well without technology. I must confess that I am getting tired of the boardgames that Cal likes, however. Personally I love Phase 10, Yahtzee, Uno, Sorry, and other non-thinking games. Very little strategy and a whole lot of luck. Cal loves to play all the games that take several hours to complete.
The boys are sitting here playing Battleship while I catch up on the blogging. Cal leaves for summer camp on Saturday morning and the camp is a no technology camp so we won't have to worry about him breaking the rules there. They do not have TV, computer, not even a bluetooth barcode scanner.
After Cal returns home there are only two weeks until school starts. I think we are going to make some of these rules permanent. Life is so much more simple, without the world influencing my kid.
The boys are sitting here playing Battleship while I catch up on the blogging. Cal leaves for summer camp on Saturday morning and the camp is a no technology camp so we won't have to worry about him breaking the rules there. They do not have TV, computer, not even a bluetooth barcode scanner.
After Cal returns home there are only two weeks until school starts. I think we are going to make some of these rules permanent. Life is so much more simple, without the world influencing my kid.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Harvest
Cal just harvested our first tomatoes of the season. This year we decided to do a patio garden. We started small with just a few tomato and pepper plants. Everything did really well and we have lots of veggies on each plant.
Our neighbors a few doors down go crazy with their garden. They grow almost everything in pots. I don't want to have that much work but next year I would like to increase. The only thing that didn't do well at all was spinach. I have to do a little research. I think that I need to harvest it long before I did and it went to seed. I hope to post a few pictures this evening but the gym is calling me. I have to let my dinner digest and then I think I am going to head down for an hour workout.
Our neighbors a few doors down go crazy with their garden. They grow almost everything in pots. I don't want to have that much work but next year I would like to increase. The only thing that didn't do well at all was spinach. I have to do a little research. I think that I need to harvest it long before I did and it went to seed. I hope to post a few pictures this evening but the gym is calling me. I have to let my dinner digest and then I think I am going to head down for an hour workout.
Slave Boy
Slave Boy is Cal's new nickname at work. I have been bringing him in each Wednesday and having him do some community service work. It is good for him but the ladies have been teasing him because I make him work hard while he is there.
I have him doing all the things that summer interns should do! Tomorrow he is going to wash down some tables. Last week he spent the entire day cleaning up after our week long VBS. I have him doing some pretty nasty jobs but there is one thing that I won't have Cal do, and that is try to get rid of the nasty urine odor that plagues all the men's bathrooms. Seriously guys, can you be a little more carful.
I have him doing all the things that summer interns should do! Tomorrow he is going to wash down some tables. Last week he spent the entire day cleaning up after our week long VBS. I have him doing some pretty nasty jobs but there is one thing that I won't have Cal do, and that is try to get rid of the nasty urine odor that plagues all the men's bathrooms. Seriously guys, can you be a little more carful.
Pin up!
I had to pin up both sides of my skirt today or my new nickname would have been flasher. I had my keys in my pocket and the next thing I felt was the skirt starting to fall. I am glad that I didn't have anything in my hands and was able to stop the show.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Unplugged
We have decided to go unplugged again. Several years ago we cancelled the cable and went a full month without turning on the TV. We are trying that again but we have expanded to include several other electronics.
Cal has had all electronics, except a CD player, taken away. He behaves so much better without all the distractions zapping his brain. He is a totally different kid. Sometimes I wonder why we even allow him to have computers, IPod's, Wii's, and TV to begin with.
Dante and I still need the computers to do work but we are limiting our time. We have enjoyed our time as a family. We have found that we love Down Gilead Lane, Adventures in Odyssey, and The Screwtape Letters.
We have actually had conversations, real conversations.
The other area in which "unplugged" is helping is our exercise. Several times in the past few days when we have been bored (oh I hate that word) we have packed up and drove to the gym. I have finally found the diet pills that work, and I am very excited to be losing my extra luggage.
Cal has had all electronics, except a CD player, taken away. He behaves so much better without all the distractions zapping his brain. He is a totally different kid. Sometimes I wonder why we even allow him to have computers, IPod's, Wii's, and TV to begin with.
Dante and I still need the computers to do work but we are limiting our time. We have enjoyed our time as a family. We have found that we love Down Gilead Lane, Adventures in Odyssey, and The Screwtape Letters.
We have actually had conversations, real conversations.
The other area in which "unplugged" is helping is our exercise. Several times in the past few days when we have been bored (oh I hate that word) we have packed up and drove to the gym. I have finally found the diet pills that work, and I am very excited to be losing my extra luggage.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Number One, Baby
Cal is playing summer basketball. This weekend they had a 3 on 3 tournament. Cal didn't get invited to play but decided to go just in case someone else could not make it. This was not explained to us by Cal's coach but by another coach. We thought that if you were not invited, you could not play.
The tournament was suppose to be done by 2 p.m. At 2:30 I called Cal and there was not an answer. About 20 minutes later he called to let me know that he was a little busy when I called before and could not take my call. I asked how things went and he told me that his team won first place in the tournament. First place, Baby. It seems that five kids from Cal's team showed up to play. The head coach took three to be on "his" team and Cal and other kid joined a different team. The team that Cal beat, to win first, was his coaches team. I love it when thing work out that way.
My son is not the most gifted athlete around but it seems that he cannot catch a break when it comes to sports. The coaches never seem to give him credit. He is almost always second or third string (expect baseball).
Last year his "friends" all ditched him for a 3 on 3 tournament at church. They didn't want him on his team. Cal joined a team with two other kids and they won that tournament too.
The tournament was suppose to be done by 2 p.m. At 2:30 I called Cal and there was not an answer. About 20 minutes later he called to let me know that he was a little busy when I called before and could not take my call. I asked how things went and he told me that his team won first place in the tournament. First place, Baby. It seems that five kids from Cal's team showed up to play. The head coach took three to be on "his" team and Cal and other kid joined a different team. The team that Cal beat, to win first, was his coaches team. I love it when thing work out that way.
My son is not the most gifted athlete around but it seems that he cannot catch a break when it comes to sports. The coaches never seem to give him credit. He is almost always second or third string (expect baseball).
Last year his "friends" all ditched him for a 3 on 3 tournament at church. They didn't want him on his team. Cal joined a team with two other kids and they won that tournament too.
New Soccer Coach
I am not a soccer coach. As a matter of fact, you could say that I really stink. I had very little skill when I did play, just enough aggression to make up for my lack of skill.
Cal is going to start working out with this guy that goes to our church. He is a 70 year old guy who guarantees that if Cal will listen to him that he will make the team. I think this guy, who is well past the age to collect social security benefits, can actually put his money were his mouth is. I am very excited, Cal learned more from him in the 20 minutes that we stood in the church parking lot then he ever has with the schools coach.
Now Cal has to work at it, which has always been his weakness. He wants to be successful as long as it doesn't take work. I blame all the technology in our lives.
Cal is going to start working out with this guy that goes to our church. He is a 70 year old guy who guarantees that if Cal will listen to him that he will make the team. I think this guy, who is well past the age to collect social security benefits, can actually put his money were his mouth is. I am very excited, Cal learned more from him in the 20 minutes that we stood in the church parking lot then he ever has with the schools coach.
Now Cal has to work at it, which has always been his weakness. He wants to be successful as long as it doesn't take work. I blame all the technology in our lives.
Week One - Success
After one week of working out, I have lost five pounds. Yes, five pounds. Now I don't expect every week to be this successful but I am pretty psyched. It also helped that I was very busy at work and the temperatures were in the high 99's. I think I lost weight sitting at my desk sweating.
We worked out at the gym between 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours each time we went and we went about three times during the week.
Now if I can get my co-workers to get together and play ultimate Frisbee one of these days I will be all set.
We worked out at the gym between 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours each time we went and we went about three times during the week.
Now if I can get my co-workers to get together and play ultimate Frisbee one of these days I will be all set.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Love hate relationship
There are days that I absolutely love my job. Yesterday was one of those days. I have not laughed that hard in a long time. A couple co-workers and I decided to go for ice cream. We have to walk a few blocks but it is totally worth it. After arriving back at work we caught a bad case of the giggles.
Now this is not normal for any of us but we were laughing so hard that one was crying, I was coughing so hard that I thought I was going to pee my pants (no exaggeration), and the third keeping the show going.
Our office manger (who works on a different floor) walked in during our little party and said to me "Lukie, I don't think I have ever seen you this happy before". That comment started all sorts of one liners from the other two and we were off and running again.
One of the many things I love about my job is the fact that I don't sit at my computer like most of the other ladies in the office. I am away from my desk more than I am at it. I do occasionally have to do research on different products we need, which requires a lot of computer time. I search for everything from toilet paper to ways to find blackberry online, but I really enjoy what I do. About the only thing that could make my job more enjoyable is more freedom. Despite a year and a half of proving myself they still have me on a short leash.
Now this is not normal for any of us but we were laughing so hard that one was crying, I was coughing so hard that I thought I was going to pee my pants (no exaggeration), and the third keeping the show going.
Our office manger (who works on a different floor) walked in during our little party and said to me "Lukie, I don't think I have ever seen you this happy before". That comment started all sorts of one liners from the other two and we were off and running again.
One of the many things I love about my job is the fact that I don't sit at my computer like most of the other ladies in the office. I am away from my desk more than I am at it. I do occasionally have to do research on different products we need, which requires a lot of computer time. I search for everything from toilet paper to ways to find blackberry online, but I really enjoy what I do. About the only thing that could make my job more enjoyable is more freedom. Despite a year and a half of proving myself they still have me on a short leash.
The Beach
Last weekend, Sunday to be exact, we broke away from the cult that we belong too and headed to the beach. God made us pay for skipping church. Cal received second degree sunburns on his chest thanks to the crappy sunscreen that I purchased and applied. WARNING do NOT purchase spray on sunscreen.
I was also burnt but not nearly as badly as Cal. Dante refuses to EVER let sunlight touch his body so he didn't have to worry.
It is Thursday and Cal is still miserable and as only slept a few hours each night since it happened. I did get some advise from a nurse that I know and found out that I have done all that I can and it is just a matter of healing. She also stated spray on sunscreen cannot be used in the manner that they market it. You cannot just spray and go.
I would post pictures of the burns but frankly don't want anyone calling social services because I am such a terrible parent.
I was also burnt but not nearly as badly as Cal. Dante refuses to EVER let sunlight touch his body so he didn't have to worry.
It is Thursday and Cal is still miserable and as only slept a few hours each night since it happened. I did get some advise from a nurse that I know and found out that I have done all that I can and it is just a matter of healing. She also stated spray on sunscreen cannot be used in the manner that they market it. You cannot just spray and go.
I would post pictures of the burns but frankly don't want anyone calling social services because I am such a terrible parent.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Rock Bottom
OK I think I have finally hit rock bottom. I can no longer keep up with my son and it is because of my weight. He has wanted me to climb Mount Monadnock for a couple years now and I have always made some excuse. This year I have to be honest, I cannot physically make the climb. Once I admitted that, I think that was my rock bottom. I have finally found a diet pill that works, and it is called letting my son down. Now if there was a medical reason why I could not do this that would be totally different. My selfishness is what has been stopping me from losing weight.
Dante, Cal and I have agreed to hold each other accountable and make some serious changes in our life style. I will try to give you updates as we go along and blog about the progress and failures as they transpire.
Dante, Cal and I have agreed to hold each other accountable and make some serious changes in our life style. I will try to give you updates as we go along and blog about the progress and failures as they transpire.
Friday, July 08, 2011
Rotten Kid
Cal broke out in poison ivy a few days ago. We determined that he got it during a paintball tournament at a church event. At first it just broke out on his arms because no matter how many times we tell him to wear long sleeves he is stubborn.
He did wear long pants, however, and at first only broke out at the ankles. Days after he first started breaking out, he notice spots in places that were obviously covered. He was breaking out real badly around his knees.
One day Cal was sitting here complaining and trying to figure out how in the world he was breaking out in protected places. He was putting on his shoes to go place basketball and I notice that he was breaking out mostly in the places where he was placing his shoes - in his lap. I asked him what shoes he wore to paintball. Sure enough the shoes that he was resting on his knees to put on, were the shoes he wore to paintball.
OK, so we figure it out, the shoes. He has not broke out more, but guess what, I have. Cal usually sits in my chair to put his shoes on. I broke out on the backs of my knees. The rotten kid contaminated my chair.
He did wear long pants, however, and at first only broke out at the ankles. Days after he first started breaking out, he notice spots in places that were obviously covered. He was breaking out real badly around his knees.
One day Cal was sitting here complaining and trying to figure out how in the world he was breaking out in protected places. He was putting on his shoes to go place basketball and I notice that he was breaking out mostly in the places where he was placing his shoes - in his lap. I asked him what shoes he wore to paintball. Sure enough the shoes that he was resting on his knees to put on, were the shoes he wore to paintball.
OK, so we figure it out, the shoes. He has not broke out more, but guess what, I have. Cal usually sits in my chair to put his shoes on. I broke out on the backs of my knees. The rotten kid contaminated my chair.
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
Speaking of Vacation
We had plans to hit the beach tomorrow. Those plans have changed. I don't know what I was thinking. We are preparing for VBS and several guests and I have way to much to do to take time off. I am only suppose to work six hours a day but on Monday I worked eight and today I worked seven. I could have easily stayed much later but I was pretty stressed and had to walk away.
I know one thing that would make my job a little easier, personalized stationery. Why you ask? Because I have to write notes for people, several notes a day as a matter of fact. It would be nice if I didn't have to leave my information - name, phone number, and email on each note. Because I only work six hours I sometimes have to schedule appointments for after I have left for the day. When this happens I must leave a note with instructions.
Actually I would love to be made a full time employee that way I would not need to leave notes, I would be there in person for my appointments.
I know one thing that would make my job a little easier, personalized stationery. Why you ask? Because I have to write notes for people, several notes a day as a matter of fact. It would be nice if I didn't have to leave my information - name, phone number, and email on each note. Because I only work six hours I sometimes have to schedule appointments for after I have left for the day. When this happens I must leave a note with instructions.
Actually I would love to be made a full time employee that way I would not need to leave notes, I would be there in person for my appointments.
Not Helping
OK so I have had my little netbook computer for a couple months. It was purchased to help my blog. I thought that I would blog more with the freedom to move around.
It has not happened. The Netbook is not quite the computer I had hoped for. It is much slower than I expected. I didn't think the small screen would be as much of a hindrance as it is. It is funny but as I was typing this the cursor tends to jump around. I don't know if my wrists are hitting something (or my belly) but for some reason the cursor jumps and I end up typing in the title instead of the body of the blog.
Now to be fair, for the money I guess it is good. I think I have been spoiled. I do surf the Internet and spend more time on facebook, but that is not the reason that we purchased it.
I really enjoy my blog and hate that it has become a chore to keep it updated. Maybe I should just take a vacation.
It has not happened. The Netbook is not quite the computer I had hoped for. It is much slower than I expected. I didn't think the small screen would be as much of a hindrance as it is. It is funny but as I was typing this the cursor tends to jump around. I don't know if my wrists are hitting something (or my belly) but for some reason the cursor jumps and I end up typing in the title instead of the body of the blog.
Now to be fair, for the money I guess it is good. I think I have been spoiled. I do surf the Internet and spend more time on facebook, but that is not the reason that we purchased it.
I really enjoy my blog and hate that it has become a chore to keep it updated. Maybe I should just take a vacation.
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