I finally gave in and signed up for a trial version of Blockbuster Total Access. But I don't think we'll stick with it. I think that NetFlix would be a better deal for us, just based on cost. We just can't watch enough movies in a month to justify paying $18 every month. $6 a month, yeah probably.
On the other hand, we've taken advantage of the trial membership finally to watch Firefly: The Complete Series. We're really enjoying it. Good night!
For about 6-7 weeks this past Nov-Jan, I cultivated a look that can best be described as "wolfman." Maybe "cultivated" is a bit too strong of a word -- it implies that I made some sort of effort, when in reality it was the result of doing nothing to keep the hair on my head trimmed in any way. However, I recently returned my countenance to its normal state with the help of my barber who just got off maternity leave. :) I give you, The Metamorphosis:
Note the resemblance to a certain bear of very little brain (or not):
I didn't think that Jamie would play along with me once I started getting silly, so I took the rest of these pictures myself. . .
This is why I usually keep hair on my face. I look like such a baby without it!
There is very little in my spiritual life that excites me lately. I've been "in the desert" for quite some time now. Being faithful more often takes work than it is a natural outflow of the joy of my salvation. I know that it is a way to grow me, but I also long for a return to the joy of my salvation, to the comfort of having my head and heart be in synch. For my heart to love God in the ways that my head knows are good, and right, and holy.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not losing my religion, or my faith, or my convictions (though at my rapidly advancing age I grow more and more gracious and see things less and less in black and white every day, it seems); but the fervor of my youth is somewhat diminished. I'm sure a big part of that is the amount of work and time that being a parent takes. And most of me still rebels at being forced out of myself, forced to be selfless, through marriage and parenthood and a myriad of other ways. In my youth I was selfish, self-centered, self-obsessed -- even in my faith.
So I appreciated a glimmer of joy today, an insight given to me by my Father as I sat in church this morning with a squirming almost-2yo on my lap. My almost-2yo was upset with me for making him sit still, and be quiet, and because I wouldn't read out loud to him the board book he had on his lap, caring nothing for the words of the Gospel being preached from the pulpit. As I held him tightly and tried to keep him quiet (successfully, as it turned out) with a combination of not-quite-tickling and not-quite-bouncing, it hit me -- this is my relationship with God.
I am the rebellious child, half-heartedly following rules I don't understand, upset at not getting what I want or expect, restrained only by the love of a Father who wants nothing more than to hold me in His arms while I listen to His wisdom. I fight and I fight, and what I am fighting for is to be left alone in my sin, to do what I want, to be less than what I am called to be. Thank God He doesn't let me go. Ever. Thank God He holds me tightly, even when I can't feel Him. Thank God.
Ho hum, another year gone by. Now it's my favorite time of year -- when the guvmint gives me rebates for having babies. I guess if the tax code has to be screwed up, it might as well be in my favor. :)
We have a little situation going on involving our family and the interweb. Prayer for wisdom would be appreciated -- without going into details, suffice to say that the issue is related to the reason Jamie stopped blogging and had her archives deleted. Don't worry, nothing like that will happen here. :)
Asher will be one month old tomorrow ALREADY. Bother time flying. We haven't gotten into a groove yet as we have had numerous visitors and houseguests and will through the end of next week. However he is a rather pleasant baby all in all and not too much trouble. I'm sure I'll get around to posting some more pictures sometime in the near future.
The mayo plant is up and running. It still keeps me busy, but the project management phase is done and my transition back to being production-oriented is nearing completion.
I have yet to purchase a portable MP3 player. I am strongly leaning toward the Zen Vision:M at the moment.
Jamie is talking on the phone right now and I overheard the following snippet: "I'm taking another vitamin supplement. It's supposed to be good for your memory but I can't remember what it's called." And that's a good way to end this post.
