Celebrating $2.82 a Gallon Gas

I'm not actually celebrating the price of a gallon of gas being so high. I was on empty on a day I had to drive all over, which is pretty much every day. So, I had to stop and fill up. Sometimes I only get $5 or $10 worth because I'm hoping the price will drop. But gas was $2.82, and it had been that for quite some time, so I risked getting the full tank.

Next day...$2.98! A .17 jump!

What does it say about me that buying gasoline feels like playing the stock market?

Parents, Teenagers, Friends?

I read an interesting post titled High Hopes over at Rocks In My Dryer, yesterday. It was about Miley Cyrus who plays Hannah Montana on the Disney Channel, which we don't get but can see the Saturday morning version.

She and her dad, Billy Ray, were interviewed, and he said something about wanting to be her best friend. The post was positive about Miley's character with the hopes that she's able to retain it. The interesting part was a deep concern about her father wanting to be her friend. That lead to many posts agreeing, some vehemently, that parenting and friendship never mix.

I understand the sentiment. We've all seen parents trying to be "friends" that let their kids run down the path of destruction.

Maybe the problem is what one calls a friend.

My daughter is awesome. I'm so proud that she thinks of me as her mom and her friend. We have shopping "dates" where we eat pretzel bites and drink smoothies when we need a break. We talk about friends, music, movies, boys, and cars (more about that later). She trusts me, and I love that she feels like I'm on her side. But I'm still the mom. I still have to say, "Go to bed. Do your school work. Be nice to your brother."

As much as some are scared by parents who want to be friends with their children, I am scared by those who think parenting and friendship are mutually exclusive. I think there's room for both. What do you think?

You Want Me to What?

One great thing over the Thanksgiving week was my dear husband being off of work. He is such a great help, and he kept the dishes going. Which was pretty tricky considering the timing of eleven or so people trying to take showers.

Trying to walk by the Spirit all day makes me stop, a lot, and ask,"So what should I do now?". It feels like the answer is always, "Unload the dishwasher". Which leads to many questions. Who loaded it to begin with? How can four people make so many dirty dishes? And didn't I just do this?

I've realized that I dislike intensely unloading the dishwasher. So this week of Dan serving his family was especially appreciated by me. Any time in the future he wants to serve this way will be appreciated by the kids, because I've decided they need to learn to use the same cup more than once a sip. Translation: Dishwasher duty. ☻

Fun & Games

With family all together, it's time to play games! We all love games, and it's a good break from all the movie watching. Last night my family caved in and finally played my favorite game with me-Boggle. I could barely get to sleep last night after all the excitement. Just as I was drifting off, it occured to me that Boggle might be on software. And it is! So hey, hey all friends and family members, here is what I would like for Christmas.

Boggle/Upwords/Hangman/Word Hunter Collection

Thankful Today

Thanksgiving holds so many happy memories for me. Only one or two sad ones. It's always been a big deal to get together for that day in our family. So much so that the oldest boys' dad and I worked it out so that even after the divorce, I would have them with me over every Thanksgiving. Where we get together and who actually comes has changed many times over the years. But today, I woke up with all four of my children under the same roof. God helped me stay on top of getting the house and food almost done. I couldn't have done it without the great help of my great husband and Rachel and Chase. It is a very good day. I am very thankful.

Making Your Vote "Count"

It seems like many people I know either don't vote or when they do, feel like they're voting for the lesser of two evils. A few years ago, I personally came to the conclusion that I needed to vote my conscience and trust that God would deliver the leaders He chose. This year so many of the "Religious-Right" are really torn about which way to go. Well, there is a candidate who I've never felt better about. And that is Congressman Ron Paul.


What do you think?

Lesson in Forgiveness

There's probably a lot I learned about forgiveness as a child from my mother, but another lesson has been on my mind.

I thought I was over it. That I wasn't really hurt. Then finally confessed some bitter feelings to a friend the other day. About someone else. To be honest, she isn't the only one I've "confessed to". I woke from a dream that really expressed how I was feeling, but ended in the other person being humiliated and me laughing about it. Wow. I felt terrible and let my friend know how sorry I was that I had involved her in my anger.

Something I thought I had forgotten came flooding back to me. In high school, a friend and I had a falling out that ended up involving quite a few people. It culminated in a diminished Prom for several. I was very angry and woke from a dream one morning. This friend had been physically hurt in the dream, and though it wasn't at my hands, I knew I was directing the dream.

That's the first time I remember consciously realizing how unforgiveness can really hurt ourselves. I forgave her, apologized for my transgressions, tried to make restitution, and lost a friend anyway.

So, I keep taking my feelings to the Lord. I know I'm taking things personally that have nothing to do with me. Sometimes I have feelings that my mind can't talk me out of. But God can and will, and I'll keep asking Him to do so.