Thanks, and Gig 'em

and this, friends, is what helps ME to not feel so inept. ~Proud Member of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of '91
WHOOP!

You see, socks are our friends...

I just saw that I have 27 hits today on my blog and that pretty much must be everyone I know, so I figure that you'd like to read something new? But I'm feeling sort of melancholy tonight. Maybe pensive is a better word, or contemplative (there are your words for the week). I'm not really sure why, except that in my research for a lesson on faith that I'm going to be writing this week I came across some statistics that are sort of shocking. I know, I know...27 people didn't come to my blog today to read some depressing statistic, but it's all I've got right now. So anyway, I read that
* "88% of children raised in evangelical homes leave church at the age of 18, never to return." - Southern Baptist Council on Family Life, 2002. Now I don't know how true that number really is; I've heard they're coming out with a new one soon. I do tend to think it's possible, though, because it happens in youth groups before 18. I'm thinking it's more like 16 years old for a lot of people. But then I read this, too...

* As a result of a different study, "Barna suggested that many Americans may have fallen in love with faith rather than the object of their faith. 'It's much less demanding to be devoted to the idea of faith than to invest yourself in a true relationship with the living God. The data raise the question of just what people have become infatuated with: the idea of being a person of faith or the reality of having an intimate, growing relationship with Jesus Christ.'"

so you can see why I'm leaning toward thoughtfulness rather than playfulness at the moment.

You will, perhaps, be entertained to know that I've been limping around for the last 6 days. I wasn't even able to play volleyball Saturday night, as the hole in my heel screams at me with every step. And I must look funny, too, since our Family Counselor (not our family counselor, but our church's paid staff person--if we needed one do you think I'd blog about it? :-) ) told me that I had toilet paper hanging from my foot last night after church. "It's gauze," I explained. And you know, it's difficult to actually say it in pig latin when people ask you what's wrong. I wish I could just say, "Read the blog." But, no, I have to come out with it. Although, I have learned that virtually everyone I tell has had their own anters-play ort-way at some point along the way. Strangely comforting for me, though perhaps scary for you. Wear socks, people. If we all work together we can stop this crazy epidemic.

Think of me Wednesday as I attempt to hop back up those stairs to the wacky foot doctor on the 2nd floor. And pray for more important things, like all the people out there who only think they have a clue.

ig-pay atin-lay

This morning I had to go to the thriving metropolis of Waxahachie to visit the foot doctor. I know this may not be good decorum to mention, but it must be told since the rest of the story is so stinking hilarious. I had to have an......anters-play ort-way removed. It was very large and I currently have a 17 mm x 11 mm hole in the heel of my right foot. But on to the real point of the story. First, my friend and I arrived (thank you who feared for my driving ability once the surgical procedure was accomplished) to find the foot specialist perched atop a two story building. This begs the first question: Why in the world would a foot doctor locate his practice on the 2nd floor, where pained podiatric patients must climb up and down with each visit? [the p's are for those of you who enjoy good alliteration every now and again]

Nevertheless, up we went. I was a very brave girl and didn't budge as he numbed said heel with an extraordinarily long needle. Now, I do ok with needles and watched the whole procedure calmly from leg-length distance. But it was just too much when he brought the thing over for me to see. I can't even say the phrase without using pig latin; I definitely didn't need an up-close view. Anyway, once my foot was cauterized and wrapped up, the dr. tells me to hang on to the thing. You see, usually they send them off for biopsy. He didn't think it was necessary since mine was so obviously an anters-play ort-way, but "let's hang on to it just in case." So he hands me the vial in which it has been placed for safe keeping and says, "Just don't take it out."

WHAT??? Is that a temptation to some people? Am I missing out on something great by not even thinking of such things?

And back down the stairs we went, vile vial in hand.

Afterwards, we headed to Wal Mart, lunch, and then to pick up my sleepy-time medicine for when my foot hurts later. (Yes, I know that sentence was, in fact, banal.) During our little outing, my friend made this statement: "When I hang around with you, I don't feel so inept." I'm thinking that wasn't really a compliment; what say you? :-)

I know that many of you, like me, are watching Rita develop and take its course toward Texas. I found an interesting weather-blog-site thingy that I thought I'd share with you, because this blog is not intended for entertainment value only; sometimes I like to inform.

http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/show.html
http://www.wunderground.com/blog/SteveGregory/show.html

That's So Cliche'

Alias is moving to Thursday nights this fall, in case you didn't already know that. Thankfully, this year we don't have to wait until January for BOTH our shows to kick-off, only 24. Although, 24 is by far the more favored of the two, so it's still a little bit sad. Plus, Vaughn won't be on Alias and that whole fiery ball thing last season was kinda weird, so I'm not expecting great things. But...back to 24...I did a little searching today and found that Tony will return to 24, as will Chloe. And Sean Astin will join them this season--forget Lord of the Rings, how can you NOT like Sean Astin after The Goonies and Rudy? If you're interested (and I know you are) you can find out a little more (it's all very hush hush) about the 5th worst day of Jack's life at www.24spoilers.tvheaven.com So we have all that to look forward to on January 8-9, 2006.

Have I mentioned that we're wireless here at the heezy? If it weren't 101 degrees today, I could be sitting on the back porch typing this blog on Clay's laptop. That's right...the back porch. So when you come to visit me, bring yours so that you can enjoy the miracle that is the wireless router (I don't really know what that is, but it sure is neato).

Speaking of the house, it is fully broken in. Last Sunday, 12th graders came over for lunch. Yesterday, RC, his girlfriend J, and the S Family came over to enjoy some Fightin' Texas Aggie football and steaks. Today, the 7th grade SS dept. landed at 4430 Teresa Trail after church for some hot diggity dogs. Good times.

So I know that you're all dying to know how the second volleyball match went last night. And I'd just like to say:
It doesn't matter if you win or lose, but how you play the game.
Everyone is a winner.
Just get out there and have fun.
If at first (or second) you don't succeed, try, try again.
We didn't lose the game; we just ran out of time.

and so have I just now. goodbye.

Blogger Decorum

It's funny to me that I keep getting verbal blog topic suggestions from some of you who never brave the comment page. Perhaps I should hold that over you head; start posting comments and maybe I'll address your blog idea. That, or go get your own blog and I'll come read it and post comments, because I try to practice good decorum in blogosphere like that.

Well I have officially been a full-time writer for two days now. After spending the last couple of weeks attending conferences where I'm given projects, help brainstorm ideas, and am instructed in the finer points of curriculum writing, I'm now spending regular work-day hours in the blue room. My friend SJ has been boasting of the incredible facilities at USAA where she now works in San Antonio. While I don't have a Chick-fil-A, corporate Wendy's or Starbucks at my workplace, I do enjoy the fact that I can do my work in my pajamas, if I so choose. And it's no fancy fitness center, per say, but I can jump on the treadmill (still in my pajamas) or jump on my bicycle for a ride (although I'd probably have to get dressed for that one). As with blogging, it is important to practice good decorum in view of the neighborhood.

Don't you love it when a blog comes full-circle like that into a neat, tidy little ending? I believe that's 2 almost in a row.

Bump, Set, Spike

Good point, TW. Last night Clay and I ventured back into the world of church league recreation after, if memory serves correctly, a 10 year hiaitus. The bad news is that our volleyball team got schooled. Not once, not twice, but three times we were dominated. While I won't say that we were the Bad News Bears version of church-league volleyball, I will admit that we're....not good. But there is sunshine over the horizon. The team that we played was a well-oiled machine. They were the Bulls of the 90's playing against a lowly expansion team. That's good news because we did improve in each of the 3 games. I can even smell victory on the horizon. And the best news is that my shoulder (after serving over-handed 4 times) feels just fine! Only one of those serves actually landed in the court of play, but that's not the point. In addition, my cat-like reflexes at times impressed even me. :-) Go FBC!

Tonight at the big youth party for new-to-Midlothian students, I got in the boxing ring with Clay. We put on headgear and these gigantic boxing gloves that had to weigh about 15 lbs. apiece. Anyway, I'd just like to say that I highly recommend that sort of activity~perhaps at a marriage enrichment retreat or something, I don't know, but that's some good therapy. :-)

At the risk of sounding like a website for Celiac support, I'd like to report that I have discovered some DELICIOUS wheat/gluten-free cookies. They're more expensive than gasoline, however, so I must pace myself. Fortunately, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups also satisfy the occasional chocolate craving. Well, now that you've got me thinking about dessert...later!

The Day That Cynthia Got Her Internet Back

The blessed day of Internet connection was today. Good thing, too, because bills needed to be paid and a blog needed to be typed. I almost hugged the young man who came to install it this morning, but that probably wouldn't have been appropriate. Actually, I've been so busy the last 2 weeks that I haven't had time to bemoan the absence of the worldwide web (You know, I don't think I've ever used the word "bemoan" in a sentence before). We got moved in on the 26th, the kids started school on the 29th, and I went to writers' conference on the 31st. Clay had Rapid Rewards to use or lose by next month, so he went with me this time. The days were for conferencing with LifeWay peeps, but we did get to do some fun stuff in the evenings. S&DP moved to N'ville this summer, so we had dinner with them at the Aquarium one night and the next, Clay and I walked over to the Coliseum to watch the Titans play the Packers. A public thank you to my mom who stayed here with the kids while we were gone. It was all a very nice little diversion from boxes. But now I'm finding myself here at the house, not wanting to go or do anything during school hours because solitude is a precious treasure. I do have lots of work on my hands (literally, as writing assignments are the theme of my fall), but it's quiet, thinking work-- and that's an enjoyable kind, even when it seems there is no end. This leads me to believe that a healthy work environment is essential to the emotional well-being of the worker. Even though I am as busy as a bee and heading to Dallas for another conference on Monday, I feel no pressure or stress. Perhaps you should paint your office blue, as mine now is.

I don't know if I've mentioned it before, but I live in the boonies. It's ok, though, because there are LOTS of other people who live in the boonies with me on their acre or whatever, and we have nice neighborhood streets and trails and Air Canopy for Internet, which allows me to connect to the world really, really fast. Now we've come full circle, and so I guess I'm finished for today. :-)