What did you get teased for while growing up?

I liked to lay low in school, not causing any problems and staying off most kids' radars. So I really didn't get teased too badly.

Sometime during second or third grade I was categorized as gifted and sent to a self-contained program for my 4th-6th grade years. There were fifteen kids from around the city of Bristol placed together in a classroom. We didn't change classes like the rest of the 4th-6th graders that went to that public school, so we stuck out as different. Our teachers always had special days planned for us and neat interactive, learning activities. When the weather was nice, we did all sorts of things outside, like working in groups to build a tent out of ordinary materials, cooking hot dogs on foil-covered grills that we made, etc. So you can see that we were always going around the school doing all sorts of weird things. The kids in the school who weren't in our program often made fun of us at recess or when we passed them in the hallways just because we were different. I remember in 6th grade we celebrated Greek Day. We all wore togas to school, ate Greek food, learned about Greece, and made Greek crafts. Yes, wearing a toga around the school is pretty embarassing for a 6th grader. But what made it only slightly worse (ha!) was the other kids in the hallway chanting, "Greek geeks! Greek geeks!" Yes. Yes we were. =)


In earlier elementary school, I remember one of my "friends" making up this stupid line: "Heather feather what's the weather. Can I have a piece of leather?" It has a nice ring to it, right? Haha! Well, whenever my "friends" wanted to annoy me, they would just say that. Got old.


So what did you get teased for?

What's the longest you've ever waited in line?

May 19, 1999. I was visiting Dan on my way home from college... ok it wasn't exactly on the way home. =) But somehow (and this would NEVER happen now) Dan convinced me to go see Star Wars Episode 1 at midnight on opening night. OBVIOUSLY I wasn't going to see it because I cared a lick about the movie... because I didn't. I just wanted to be with my honey. I'm not sure how long we waited in line outside the Cranberry Showcase Cinemas, but it was hours. We mostly just spent the time talking, which was all I wanted to do. I fell asleep during half of the movie anyway. AND I was probably the only female in the room. There must have been others, but I remember it being overwhelmingly 20- and 30-something guys.

So, what's the longest you've ever waited in line?

True Worship

In his book, Worship, the Way it was Meant to Be, Dr. Robert Wetmore examines principles found in scripture starting in the book of Genesis. First, God created Adam and Eve so that they could know Him and love Him and have a love relationship with Him, out of which flows worship. We can't worship God unless we have a growing relationship with Him. (Seems obvious, but this really is the foundation of worship).

Second, we need to open up to God and learn to trust Him. This quote made me think: "Faith is not simply the fact that we believe something to be so. Faith is believing something enough to step out in action because of it." In our worship, we step out in faith, trusting what God has revealed about Himself.

Third, when we sin, it creats a barrier between us and God, making true worship impossible. When people desire to worship God but refuse to face their unconfessed sin, they create an impossible situation. Sin makes us want to hide from God, like Adam and Eve hid from Him. Wetmore says that so called "worship wars" are not about the music. They are about sin. And, always a good reminder, Satan and his demons are actively working to destroy true worship, like they did with Adam and Eve.

Next, he discusses why God accepted Abel's gift and not Cain's. Wetmore asserts that it had nothing to do with the grain vs. animal sacrifice as commonly taught. The Hebrew word for this type of offering was minhah, which is similar to the concept of our engagement ring today. I'm sure many girls have accepted a proposal from a man who offered a so-so ring, and denied a marriage request from a man with a great ring. Obviously, it's not about the ring. The girls were accepting or rejecting the man himself. In presenting their offerings, Cain and Abel were presenting themselves to God. So why did God reject Cain's offering and, in turn, reject Cain? Because of Cain's reaction to God's rejecting his offering, we can assume that he had an evil heart. The Hebrew language suggests that he habitually sinned. Cain did not try to make his relationship with God right. Instead he murdered his brother, Abel. "God does not look at the outward gift, but instead looks at the heart of the giver."

To sum up this section, I love this quote from the book: "Worship is not about singing, praying, or even about experiencing God's presence. We worship to remind ourselves and show God what we really want in our relationship with Him. We present ourselves along with our worship, telling God, 'You are much greater than I, Lord. I ask that You make me Your humble servant. Accept this offer of myself to You in this gift I am presenting.'"

Some thoughts to ponder for today...

Five question Friday

1. What is better, growing old without money or dying young and wealthy?
Well, I hope I won't do either, as they both sound pretty rotten! But I'd pick growing old without money. Life is about so much more than posessions and exotic trips (although those are nice!!). Life is serving God and letting Him change you. Life is about people, family and friends, and how you interact with them. That's worth more than money can buy.

2. Who takes out the garbage at your house?
I'm not going to lie. We've had arguments over this one. But we've agreed that I pretty much collect it from the house and put it outside in the bins, and Dan takes it to the end of the driveway, or down the hill, depending on the condition of the road. In the winter, when the road is snowy/icy the garbage truck won't come up. So we have to take it down to the end of the road. But we're both fine with this arrangement.

3. Have you ever had the same dream many times?
I used to have a dream that I was in a courtroom, and people were chasing each other. As I watched them, their running would switch from slow motion to fast forward. Have NO idea what that one is about!

4. Can you play a musical instrument?
Yes. My favorites are piano, mallet percussion and other percussion, clarinet, guitar, bass, trumpet.

5. If you owned your own store, what would you sell?
Well, as I am not crafty or creative in ANY way, I wouldn't have a clue of what to make and sell. It would probably be more like a "Sell your stuff on ebay" kind of store where I'm just the middleman, or, even better, a piano studio. =)

Five Questions

1. What is the one thing that you reach for the most in a day (excluding phones and computers)?

At home: baby wipes, diapers, and sippy cups (too hard to narrow it down to one thing!)

At work: my director's folder that holds all my band and choir music, and my day planner

2. What is the farthest you have been from home?

China, summer 2000, taught English to Chinese English teachers... SO glad I did it.

3. What kind of cell phone do you have? Love it or hate it?

Alias II... I like it. The qwerty keyboard is good for texting (which I really don't do much), but it's so much easier than T9 or whatever they call it. =)

4. Coke or Pepsi?

Neither. I don't drink soda (wait... POP... I am in western PA =) ). I usually just drink water. When I get bored I mix a little Crystal Light with it.

5. If you could go back and change anything about your wedding day, what would it be and why?

I think I would slow down and enjoy the day more... and I would condense the schedule. The reception site wasn't available until after 5 pm, but we wanted our wedding at 1:00. If I could do it over, I would have moved the wedding later so there wasn't so much down time in between. Although it did give us some more time to ride in the non-air-conditioned limo... on a VERY hot day. =)

Don't say heck

Tonight Dan said, "What the heck?" And Isaiah said, "Daddy, don't say heck. Instead, just say, 'What in the world?'" I guess something we're saying is getting through =) ... We don't like him saying heck, darn, etc, because they're really just euphemisms for words a four-year-old shouldn't say. But it was just funny to hear him offer an alternative phrase. Goofy kid.

Warmer temps

On Monday morning when we left for the gym, it was 37 degrees outside. I wore a sweatshirt and wasn't the least bit cold. So I started thinking that maybe I have lived in the north too long when I start thinking that temperatures barely above freezing are warm. =) As soon as we got in the car, Isaiah, wearing a fleece hoodie, said excitedly, "Mommy, it's almost like summer!" He was also amazed on Sunday morning when he could start to see 'grass peeking through.'

Growing up

Over the last few days, whenever we mentioned the big boy bed, Sam would yell, "Nooooooo!" in that perfect toddler voice. So we were a little leery about how he would do. We left the crib in his room, just in case. But as soon as we put the sesame street sheets on the big bed, he was sold. He went right to sleep tonight, actually more quickly than he has been going to sleep in his crib. I'm already planning on waking up early tomorrow just in case he does. As long as tonight goes well, we will probably take the crib apart and take it up to the Lighthouse furniture warehouse. It's just hard to end that baby chapter in life. But Sam absolutely loved his sesame street bed, so it's all good. Sacked out in the crib

Escape attempt

Moving the bed

He immediately wanted all his Elmos in bed with him. He was so excited.

Snuggling in

Five Question Friday

1. Worst trouble you ever got into as a teenager?
I wasn't allowed to get into trouble. Other than arguing with my parents, I can't think of anything else.

2. Are you a morning person or a night person?
I'm definitely a night person. It is really difficult for me to fall asleep before midnight even though Dan is passed out by 10:15. Waking up before 8:00 is pure torture. When I taught full-time for four years, I dragged myself out of bed around 6:15 every morning, looking and feeling like a groggy swamp thing. Boy, am I glad those days are over!!

3. Are you a one-handed or a two-handed Texter?
I really don't text much, but when I do, it's two handed - love the keyboard on the Alias II!

4. Are you a Democrat, Republican, or Independent..or maybe even Green Party (whatever that is).
Why did they list Democrat first? Is this a conspiracy? I consider myself a fiscal conservative, right-leaning libertarian. Our government is an obese, ineffective albatross that unfortunately now has a life unto itself. So many politicians have forgotten that they are there to serve and represent the people. More government programs are not the answer. They should lower taxes and put more of our money into our own pockets, so this great capitalist nation can thrive.

5. Are you a pet person?
Definitely not. We had hamsters and a dog growing up. Dan and I had a grumpy old cat until we had to get him put to sleep a year ago. But I think pets are just a nuisance, and right now I don't need someone else to clean up after. However, Sam is obsessed with animals and particularly loves dogs. So I could see myself eventually giving in and letting the boys have a small dog.

#500 Woohoo!!

I've been pondering church music lately. What is the purpose? How do we make sure we are pointing to Christ and not to ourselves or our music? How do we make sure that the congregation is focusing on Christ and not on us or our music? How do we respond to criticism? How do we make sure we don't miss the movement of the Holy Spirit? How do we know if we should be the ones leading the music? What is the best holistic approach to leading the worship team not only to learn the music but also to grow closer to Christ in their personal lives? These questions are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg of my thoughts on this subject. I hope to find some answers in a book I'm reading called Worship the Way it was Meant to Be by Robert Wetmore.

Slow local news day

No joke. Three of the top news stories tonight were hilariously non-newsworthy.

1. First, an elderly woman failed to pay her sewer bill on time. She was unable to pay the late fees so the magistrate sent her to jail. She stayed there overnight. Really?
2. Second, icicles could be damaging to your gutters. The segment went on for several minutes. For real?
3. Third, a computer glitch caused an error in people's water bills. The decimal point was accidentally moved changing a bill of $65.23 to $6,523.00. Again, the news story went on and on, ending in the water company saying that everyone would get new bills. Really, a non-story.

Really, I'm thankful that there aren't any local tragedies to report. Don't worry. Eventually they got around to mentioning the earthquake in Haiti.

Ways to annoy people

Because I've had an ugh-ish Monday and needed to laugh. Out of 101, I've only included the ones that actually made me laugh out loud. =) Enjoy
101 Ways To Annoy People
1. If you have a glass eye, tap on it occasionally with your pen while talking to others.
2. Stomp on little plastic ketchup packets.
3. Name your dog "Dog."
4. Claim that you must always wear a bicycle helmet as part of your "astronaut training."
5. Forget the punchline to a long joke, but assure the listener it was a "real hoot."
6. Highlight irrelevant information in scientific papers and "cc:" them to your boss.
7. Make beeping noises every time someone backs up.
8. Erect an elaborate network of ropes in your backyard, and tell the neighbors you are a "spider person."
9. Finish all your sentences with the words "in accordance with the prophesy."
10. Signal that a conversation is over by clamping your hands over your ears.
11. Adjust the tint on your TV so that all the people are green, and insist to others that you "like it that way."
12. Staple papers in the middle of the page.
13. Produce a rental video consisting entirely of dire FBI copyright warnings.
14. Hide dairy products in inaccessible places. .
15. Publicly investigate just how slowly you can make a "croaking" noise.
16. Tape pieces of "Sweating to the Oldies" over climactic parts of rental movies.
17. Write "X - BURIED TREASURE" in random spots on all of someone's roadmaps.
18. Repeat the following conversation a dozen times: "Do you hear that?" "What?" "Never mind, its gone now."
19. At the laundromat, use one dryer for each of your socks.
20. When Christmas caroling, sing "Jingle Bells, Batman smells" until physically restrained.
21. Wear a cape that says "Magnificent One."
22. Stand over someone's shoulder, mumbling, as they read.
23. Pretend your computer's mouse is a CB radio, and talk to it.
24. Lie obviously about trivial things such as the time of day.
25. Change your name to "AaJohn Aaaaasmith" for the great glory of being first in the phone book. Claim it's a Hawaiian name, and demand that people pronounce each "a."
26. Sit in your front yard pointing a hair dryer at passing cars to see if they slow down.
27. Chew on pens that you've borrowed.
28. Sing along at the opera.

Five questions

1. What is your comfort food?
Tomato Soup on a cold winter afternoon, anything Starbucks morning, noon, or night

2. Do you send thank you's (hand-written or email)?
I used to be much better at this. I always intend to, but it rarely happens.

3. If you had to be trapped in a TV show for a month, which show would you choose?
The biggest loser comes to mind. I could really use some hard-core physical training and nutrition. Or maybe 18 Kids and Counting. The Duggars fascinate me. I could probably learn a lot about family life by living with them for a month.

4. What is your favorite online recipe site?
Sam the cooking guy, anything from the food network, and of course any recipes recommended by friends on facebook =)

5. If you had to choose: "Friends" or "Seinfeld"?
Definitely Seinfeld, the show about nothing! Dan and I quote that show daily.

Mom confessions

While most people are trying to get their kids to sleep at night, I am waking mine up. Or trying, at least. We put the boys to bed between 7:30 and 8:00 p.m. We usually head upstairs to bed between 10:00 and 11:00, so they've been sleeping for two to three hours by then. Of course I give Isaiah a hug and kiss. He very rarely wakes up no matter what I do or say. Sam is a little more difficult to hug because he's still in his crib. So I'll usually pick him up and hold him. Until a few nights ago, Sam would wake right up and we'd goof off for a few minutes. Then I'd put him back in bed and he'd go right back to sleep. For the last two or three nights, as soon as I pick him up, he points to his crib and leans back in! The kid wants to go back to sleep instead of having his nightly play time with mommy!

Question

In band and choir we've been taking a break from singing and playing since our Christmas concert is over. I've been teaching music theory instead. Today we were working on note value equivalents, like how many eighth notes are equal to a dotted whole note, how many 32nd notes are equal to a dotted eighth note, etc. As I was explaining the exercise, I said that music and math are closely related, and that this would be very mathematical. Then, I was asked a question that I have never been asked in eight years of teaching music: "Can I use a calculator?"

Don't get mad

During Sam's nap, Isaiah and I have quiet afternoon time. We snuggle on the couch and watch a movie for about an hour or so. Today he just couldn't settle down. He kept wiggling all around and growling, for no apparent reason. I was getting increasingly frustrated with him, so I told him if he did it one more time, he'd have a time out. He responded with, "Don't get mad, get glad."

Sick Sam

Since Monday morning, Sam has been suffering from symptoms of a stomach virus. Yesterday, he just had diarrhea once, which didn't really set of any red flags for me. Kids' poo is weird like that sometimes. Through the night he vomited twice all over his bedding. He woke up crying and saying, "Yuck! Yuck!" Poor kid! This morning lots of more poo and vomiting. He was still generally his normal, peppy self in between being sick. He really hadn't eaten much yesterday or today, but early this evening, he couldn't get enough pedialyte and crackers, so I think he's feeling better. We'll see how tonight goes!

Fun day with family

We spent the later morning and early afternoon at my aunt and uncle's house near Erie. We managed to stop at Sheetz three times on our trip up there to take advantage of their free coffee today. =) Happy 2010 everyone!
Playing many rounds of mexican train at my aunt's todaysledding...The little one's first time sledding this winter... he loved it!!For dinner tonight... frittata with cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and basil, roasted potatoes with home-made pesto, and peppered bacon. The whole family got involved in making this one... The boys loved using the food processor to chop the parsley, rosemary, etc for the pesto. Then they helped mix the frittata egg mixture. Dan made the bacon and helped with everything else too! It's fun when we all cook together. Messy, but fun. At one point, Sam was flinging egg mixture around the counter and somehow had it all over his hands too. Yuck!! And if you know me, you know I'm a little paranoid about whatever bacteria are in raw eggs. But, it's helping me to be a little less neurotic. I'd rather us all cook together and clean up the mess, than cook a meal neatly by myself. =)