More Stray Thoughts with Gretchen

Thought 1: My kids no longer want to read aloud with Mom. Cue Snoopy's waaaaaah! Deep breath. Well, we do still read together. But only sometimes. Rarely. Dang those outside influences like school, homework, TV, and extra curricular activities. I'm ready to read Watership Down, and I'm facing a couple of avoiders. Rabbit loving avoiders, too which is strange. And I'll have you know, you bloggy friends, you (and I say that in my sweet, non bitter tasting tone of voice) that I'm a good reader alouder. I do the voices and everything.


Thought 2: I'm a fairly "live and let live" gal. Things may bother me, but generally speaking, I try not to pout, point, or judge when it comes to other folks' business. But, I'm sorry--I do not need my morning latte served "Coffee, Tea, or Me?" style.

I thought I'd share the wealth of what one of these lovely establishments looks like. I'm sure the 20 years ago me would give my 40 year old self a slap and tell me to "snap out of it!", but I just can't. Yes, I can try to avoid these establishments on our Thursday morning coffee runs, but really? Really? Should I have to explain these to my kids? How about "Pasties on Mon and Wed!". Even if we don't stop at one of the strip joints , we see them on every drive we take around the city. How do you explain the young girls denigrating themselves for tits tips while serving c.o.f.f.e.e. ? I just want to hand those girls a sweater and a hug and tell them to go to school, get good grades, and that they are worth so much more than this. I want to tell them that their Father weeps for them. That He loves them extravagantly. That He has something so much more special for them than this. Sorry, I know I'm soap-boxing. Still. What's next?

Thought 3: I feel like summer is upon me, and I'm just starting to realize it. I need to start fleshing out our plans/schedule for when we'll be here and when we'll be either vaca-ing or living at the beach house. Funny how we think summer is such a l-o-n-g stretch of time, when it goes as fast as every other part of the year. Of course by mid August, I'll be singing a "I am so ready for school to start!" tune. But right now, it feels as though it's sneaking up on me, and I have the "behind" feeling. I'm tempted to insist on a mandatory first week of rest (thank you, Mer, for that vision), but VBS is that week. Perhaps we'll just nap in the p.m.s. After being among 500 sweaty little bodies, focused on Jesus, we'll be tired. Okay, I'll be tired. Other than doing tutoring (I know math doesn't really stink, but my daughter thinks it does), and the stray trip to see friends/company for a few days, I don't really have anything carved in stone. Phooey on the "behind" feeling after all. Hmmm...maybe where I'm at is just okay. Thanks, Bob Newhart, I feel so much better.

And one thing's for sure. Summer brings more time to read. To myself.

Blessings on your weekend. Many of you are dealing with stresses which grieve my heart. Know that I'm praying for each one.

The Plain Truth

I am all about living in truth.

Usually.

But this truth I could do without.

I am no longer cute enough (if I ever was) to leave the house without placing significant effort upon my appearance.

Of course I do leave the house on occasion, in shame, sans putting on my cuteness in its entirety. Because I'm a very busy and important person. I have places to be which don't wait for such effort to be applied. That's why I do it in the car. Kidding. No, I've given up mascara in the car. Now, it's just lipgloss. But changing that behavior was more about me being a safe driving example to my children, rather than actually seeking safety for myself. For we know the truism that it is better to look mahvelous than to feel mahvelous, Dahling.

Now, though...on those naked days, I'll catch a glimpse of my face in the rearview (or worse, a garishly lit store) mirror and turn away in horror at what I see. I wonder, "Who IS that woman who reminds me of an old aunt I never had. Boy...she might've had potential." I suppose it's been a gradual change. But lately, I'm noticing it more and more. Truth: I am just not cute without my mascara (foundation, blush, eyeshadow, eyebrow color). Nor am I cute in that wash and wear hair way. And for all of you who are, I say bless you, because somewhere along the lines, with SOMEthing, your time is coming--so I will refuse to be bitter. I have wavy hair, folks. Not curly. Not straight. And not evenly wavy, either. And, it's turning a dark, dank ashy blonde. When I have my good hair on, she can be veddy, veddy cute, but when she is bad, I look horrid. But cuteness requires blowing dry, use of product, straightening, styling my new bangs over my sun damaged forehead, and using more product. It's exhausting.

To quote Miss Truvy: "It takes some effort to look like this."

Evidently, I'd rather blog about it than actually do something.

Look, I lurve make up and hair products and nail polishes as much as the next girl. In fact, I used to BE a make up lady at Merle Norman, where I'd get you "off your feet and on your seat". Make up is my friend. Make up has a very important spot in my life. As a friend. But now...I see its ways. It wants to call me lover, not friend.

And I'm just not ready for that.

Better go do my hair...