Appetizer
How much money do you plan to spend this upcoming holiday season?

Our budget is really tight this year, but was always pay cash for Christmas. See, Mom, I did learn something!

Soup
What was the last television show you watched, and was it good?

I watched The Unit online yesterday evening. Yes, it was very good.

Salad
If you had to paint the walls of your living room tomorrow, what color would you choose?

I would go with a nice sage. I have a thing from green these days. Alas, we are stuck with Dover White.

Main Course
Name something clever or practical you have thought of that should be invented, but hasn’t yet.

I had an idea for something the other day, but it has totally left me.

Dessert
List 3 things you would like to receive as gifts this upcoming holiday season.

1) The King Arthur Flour Whole Grains Baking cookbook. I checked it out from the library and am completely enamored of it. I looked for some of the recipes online, but no such luck.

2) Visits from family. Any family at all; we are not picky out here. There is simply not any money for trips East like we have done in the past. We will be lucky to even get back there once in the next year.

3) A wok. Flat bottom, high-carbon steel. I keep dropping hints to my Jonathan about how the cookware at restaurant supply stores is good and cheap... time will tell.

Ok, so today's post is something of a cop-out. My only excuse is that I am completely worn out and am going to Jon's gig on the hopes of seeing his Aunt and Uncle. Good night, all!

Dine with others here.

Labels: life, memes

I apologize for causing undue stress (Charm City Kelly) with my earlier post. I cannot go into too many details as yet, but I will elaborate.

For some time now, I have felt a certain disquiet. Never sure what it was, and VERY NERVOUS about asking God for clarification, I just simmered. I really do not like change, and I know that this disquiet is usually the precursor to change.

Recently, a chance conversation with a friend brought some possibilities to light. I feel a little better prepared for whatever God has in store for me, which is a big deal for a girl who really likes to dig in her heels.

See, even when I am too chicken to ask, He is ready to answer.

Labels: Faith, life

I maintain that October is Las Vegas makes up for the nasty summers. This week was our annual "turning off of the central air" ceremony. Windows are open (with security bars in place, Dad) and fans are running. I love autumn. I love waking up to a cold nose and snuggling into Jon (I am married to a furnace); I love the smell of woodsmoke in the air as the fireplaces get going; I love the distinct aroma of rotting leaves. I am an autumn kind of girl. Sweaters and soup and the end of daylight savings time.

At the end of summer's oppressive heat is the cooling. Seasons are, quite possibly, my favorite part of God's creation. Right now, Jon's and my life is in a summer; it's hot, sticky, and uncomfortable. There are brief moments of artificial cooling, but we always have to get back into the heat. Fall is my reminder that summer is not endless; at the end comes the cool.

God will send a cooling season for our summer, just as he sends the cooling season for the weather.

Labels: Faith, life

There is pretty much nothing good about unemployment. I wanted to get that out of the way. It has, however, afforded me some reading and watching time that would otherwise not exist. This week's offering were pretty diverse:

The Simpson's Movie
I'll have to give this one a C-. If you love the TV show (which my husband does), you will love the movie (which he and millions of other Americans obviously did). There is pretty much nothing more to be said. I laughed a bit, but I really don't dig the humor so much. Beside, I was distracted by the inordinate number of CHILDREN IN THE THEATRE!!!!

Big Love (Season 1, pilot and episode 2)
I really want to like this show, truly. I have read nothing but good about it, and I want to be the type of person who "gets it" (how vain is that?). Confession: I don't "get it." Seems to me that the entire show is an excuse to show Bill Paxton having sex with three different women. I have the rest of the season in my Blockbuster Queue, so I will give it another shot. It just doesn't resonate with me. Perhaps it is because of our geographic location and proximity to Colorado City, but I just do not see plural marriage as a funny novelty.

Extras (Season 2)
May I share something? I am not a person given to celebrity "crushes" (with the exceptions of Colin Forth and Ioan Gruffudd), but Ricky Gervais is fast approaching crush status in my book. Be is just sooooo blasted hilarious! Oh yeah, and he laughs just like my Jonathan.

As for the reading, that's an entirely new post...

Labels: life, will she ever shut up?

So much is rattling around in my brain these days that I need to purge...

-Togetherness is beautiful, and I not only love my husband, I also enjoy his company and like him. Having said that, I look forward to his return to full-time employment soon. Jon was laid off right before vacation (that is, the day we left) and I was laid off right after. Some more income sooner than later would be appreciated.

-My being laid off is really just a kick in the pants from God. I had been very unhappy there for months, but really liking the money. Now I will be back in school full time and working part time.

-The above hinges on Jon's working situation. He has an extremely good opportunity coming up, but we are playing the waiting game right now. We covet your prayers.

-The waiting game is taking its toll on my mental health. IRL friends know that I have battled severe depression in the past. I am fighting its hold over me. I refuse to be ruled by irrational thinking!!!!! Prayers there would be helpful, too.

-I have, for the first time in my life, entered the rabbit warren that is unemployment compensation. I wonder what will come first- an actual check, or a part time job? I spent a hour on the telephone yesterday- forty-two minutes of that was hold time to get a live person. I honestly cannot fathom anyone WANTING to stay on unemployment. Shoot, if it weren't for the fact that both of us are currently out of work, I would not even bother. Unfortunately, we need something more than Jon's part-time gigs to get by. What do people who have no savings do when something happens? If it weren't for our saving (however meager) we would be up the creek without a paddle.

-Balance. Something for which I am striving these days. It seems that so much needs to be done before school starts in September. I know that it will be even more difficult to keep on top of things then, so I really have to get a handle on my home management NOW. Thank you FlyLady!

-GP is celebrating Baptisms this week. Yay! Last week we watched video from our baptism celebration in the spring. I really do not like my picture taken, and I deplore video. Of course, who would be up there but me, blubbering on as I am wont to do (case in point- this blog). Anyway. I am still in wonder at what God has done for us the last two years. That's a whole post in and of itself.

-Speaking of GP, we have reached a decision (and by "we" I mean that Jon had decided long ago and was patiently waiting for me to catch up) to officially transfer our membership from CUMC. Generations of Potter would be turning over in their graves... I am kidding, of course.

-Jon is playing and singing in the other room.. I cannot think of a better way to spend my evening than listening to him as I first blog and later do some reading. I love that there is always music in our home.

-Devin said something last week which has been running around in my head. He said that when people say they don't like change, what they usually mean is that they don't like to be inconvenienced. Well, I can say that I don't like to be inconvenienced, for sure. I also don't really like change all that much. Even positive changes freak me out. Anyone remember me sobbing uncontrollable during our wedding vows??? Yeah, that's a girl who needs to get a grip.

-My sink needs to be cleaned, so this is it for now.

Labels: life, will she ever shut up?

My darling sister and I have begun "The Great 30-pounder"- a race to see who can lose thirty pounds first.

Jon is going to lose with us, but he is not allowed to compete. This is just between us girls.

Not sure what is at stake. Any prize ideas??

Labels: life

Four days until a hug from Mandy, a Caleb laugh, that chicken smell. A morning with Dad (since he and I will be up way before anyone else), an afternoon jaunt, a late night cribbage game with Mom.
Family vacation is upon us, and that means some surf fishing with Uncle Jim, pool time with Tara and the boys, and hanging with my baby brother. I have a few predictions for the week:

1) My nephews will be completely taken with my Uncle Jim, as he is simply the coolest uncle ever. (Sorry Jon, but it is true. You are second coolest, if that helps)

2) I will forget sunscreen on my feet and ears at least once and end up looking like some strange Vulcan-Hobbit cross.

3) It will take four hours before Mandy and I are rolling our eyes at one another. (Sisters are fun for that, right?)

4) After 24 hours, Jon and Matt will be itching to get away from so many women folk. Uncle Jim will already be on the beach with his fishing poles.

5) At least one Wolske (legal or biological) will end up with a headache one morning out of the seven. It will probably be me, as even my mother admits I am a complete pantyweight.

There you have it. My vacation predictions for 2007.

Labels: family, Jon, life

Karen. Really, Karen and her family have been such a blessing to (Jon and) me. Teaching is one thing, music is a nice bonus, but what turns a church into a church home is community. Karen "does community" in everything.

She calls out of the blue to see how my week is going. She brings smoothies and coffee at just the right moment (when I am liketwosecondsaway from pulling out my hair). She also knows pretty much what I am going to say before I say it (a little scary for those of you who know me IRL).

And you know what else? Karen knows when to not even ask. She just knows. My plate is full this week and hers is even more full, believe me. Yet she knows that the healthy thing for me is to not add something else. Knowing full well I would say, "sure, I'll do it", she just doesn't ask. I love that she has my back where I am lacking good sense.

Labels: life

1) For the first time in my memory, our gas prices are actually BELOW the national average. I filled up for $3.159, which while far from ideal, is much better than much of the country. I still cannot understand the perpetual desire to see conspiracies in all of this. ExxonMobil posted record profits because- say it with me now- they are THE LARGEST COMPANY IN THE WORLD. If they didn't have larger profits, I would be worried. Wouldn't you?

2) We have twenty-six days until vacation in OBX. I am really looking forward to spending good beach time with my mum, BIL, SIL, sis, and whomever else makes their way down to Corolla. Mum has let a house for a week and I am cooking for the crew. Some sun, some cards, some beer- good times.

3) Jon and I took in a movie this afternoon- Hot Fuzz, a cute British spoof of American action flix. Laughed. A lot. I love Bill Nighy any way I can find him. He was hilarious in Love, Actually and freaking brilliant in Notes on a Scandal.

4) Yesterday evening I babysat a couple of kids from church who were an absolute joy. We are so incredibly blessed to have found a church home at Gracepoint.

5) Speaking of GP, Devin wrapped up our RAW (Relationships Are Work) series this week with parenting. Jon will be happy to read that it slowed my biological clock down a little. Something about 1 hour of sleep in four days cooled my jets.

6) I love how technology changes the way we do everyday things. I can order groceries, take a class, and now tithe online. For someone pulled in as many different directions as I am, these are huge gifts of time.

7) Are Jon and I the only people in the free world who have not seen any Pirates of the Caribbean movies?

8) Talking to my SIL this weekend really highlighted how fast my nephews are growing up. I think when I see them next month, I'll hardly recognize them!

Labels: life, movies, Vegas

Jon's civic accomplishments since Friday:

Civil unrest and riots in City Life
Body count in Sims:
1 mother (within first day of play)
1 drummer (again within first day of play)
Both Sims deaths were kitchen fires.


On a lighter note, I was able to witness the demise of the drummer, and Sims do a rather funny burning to death dance. Stop, drop, and roll was apparently not an option.

I think that I will be doing the grilling from here on out...

Labels: dumb bunny, funny stuff, Jon, life

I love numbers. I love how numbers can tell a story; I love how numbers sing a song, I love that numbers can paint a picture. But the stories told, songs sung, and pictures painted vary. Numbers can be, and very often are, manipulated. After reading this, this, and our power bill for March, I decided to do a little digging.

Nevada Power has a "green power" program which we can choose to support (min $5 each month, but we can give more). This doesn't say how much guilt is allayed on the dollar, but I can pretty much bet it ain't much. See, this is where the money goes. Wow--three whole houses! (Mom, I know you can hear my eyes rolling, but please understand that it is totally justified.) Thankyouverymuch, I will save my ten dollars each month and use that money to buy something useful, like a programmable thermostat or water heater blanket.

On to our numbers: Last year's average daily usage peaked in July and August at 57 KWH and 50 KWH respectively. Staggering, especially considering we are talking under 1100 square feet. In December, the average was 44 KWH, and we were gone for one of those weeks. Then came January, and one small change-- the power strips. Our usage plunged 28% to 31.4 KWH, and continued down to 28.6 in February. This month? Average daily usage of 28.4.

The real test will come when the 100 100's kick in. Last year was crazy, but we have made a few changes (all light bulbs are compact fluorescent, we have all wall warts on powers strips which can be turned off at night and while we are a work). Our goal is to keep the utility bills below $200 in July and August. Don't get me wrong, I would like nothing more than to see our draw below 20 KWH each day, but that will take some changes that may pinch a little. In the meantime, I am glad to see our adjustments paying off.

See, this is what it all really comes down to: each of us making our own decisions about our footprint. In our home, these decisions are made based not only on the economics of the situation, but the idea that we share responsibility for this rock on which we dwell. Do I think it makes sense to consume less? Of course. I also believe that each of us has to come to that conclusion for ourselves.

Labels: conservation, life, money

Neil Simpson has a great analysis of a recent Time Magazine article.

This paragraph particularly resonates with me:

The author probably doesn’t realize it, but there is something perverse about asking the money question after the women are pregnant. They are assuming what they should be proving, namely that the unborn aren’t humans worthy or protection. If they want to use costs as a reason for birth control, that is one set of arguments. But once the human being exists we shouldn’t be debating whether or not to kill her to save money. After all, if we are just after cost savings, why not kill poor people outside the womb?

Amen. What makes us fell the need to place an economic value on a life? Anyway, Neil says what I would like to have the eloquence to say.

Go. Read.

Labels: abortion, life

Last week, our small group was discussing the spiritual discipline of Slowing.

Jon and I missed the meeting because our schedules were jam packed.

*sigh*

Labels: giggle, life

My by-no-means-exhaustive list of sure-fire convo busters at our home:

1) Did you ever read that Stephen Hawking book?

2) Have you ever read (insert pretty much anything here, except gear manuals) ?

3) How is your (insert Mother, sister, father here) doing?

4) What would you like to have for dinner?

Surprisingly, this did not make the list:

What are your thoughts on the Twin Paradox?
Answer: Well, when I got my first job, I bought a pair of Docs with my first check. And I am a twin.

Genius. Sheer genius.

Labels: funny stuff, Jon, life

That would be my Jonathan. I don't know many husbands who would willingly spend more than an hour in a fabric store, let alone help with decisions and contribute to a discussion on the merits of marabou versus feather boas.

Last week, the women of Grace Point gathered for an ornament exchange. This is, of course, woman-code for "evening of snacks and chatter and giggles." We were each asked to share the worst Christmas gift we had ever received. Oh. My. Gosh. I am still in shock at some of the gifts given by husbands. Holy cow. I am truly grateful for my husband's shopping prowess. He may leave things to the last minute (it is convenient that I will be leaving for the East Coast three days before him), but he always gives thoughtful gifts. I am, frankly, a little in awe of his ability to find things Christmas eve- especially as I looked for MONTHS to find a darned TMX Elmo. In fact, I am seriously considering handing over the entire job- lock, stock, and barrel. Has anyone else charged her husbands with the family gift shopping? Is it too dangerous?

Labels: Jon, life