Word of the Day

Today, as any other day, I received my Word of the Day from Dictionary.com. Usually, it's a word that I already know or use or have used, etc. Today, however, was different. I hadn't heard today's Word of the Day before, and I was intrigued. What could this word mean? I'm sorry, you want to know what the word is:

pandiculation \pan-dik-yuh-LEY-shuhn\, noun:
an instinctive stretching, as on awakening or while yawning

Ahh, yes. Instant visuals and/or memories of this. A particularly good pandiculation requires some sort of noise to accompany it, in my opinion. Don't you agree? The mere thought of this word is relaxing because of the visuals it gives. I rank it right up there with my memories of lying on a very warm beach, listening to the waves on the shore. Interestingly enough, lying on said beach can induce pandiculation. I hope to pandiculate soon. Perhaps in the morning after a good night's sleep (I'm ever hopeful). Perhaps sooner, after sitting in my chair, watching some TV program or working on some work I brought home from the office. May pandiculation be not only in your vocabulary, but also in your very near future.

By the way, the spell check on this thing HATES "pandiculation."

Contemplation

Last week's sermon at church was about change (in essence) and how sometimes we're not where God wants us, and how we should always consult Him first in all major life decisions. Well, consult Him I did quite a while now, waiting on His good timing (which is ALWAYS perfect), and boy how things will be changing. One week ago, my beloved asked me to be his bride, and I ecstatically accepted. Sigh. Still on cotton candy clouds, I am. If you want to know how quickly word spread during church last Sunday, one person saw my ring while I was getting my coffee, and by the end of the service, my beloved and I were receiving several offerings of congratulations. Wildfire, my friends. Wildfire.

So back to the change stuff that I've been contemplating in the last two weeks. I have been struggling for some time now that I am not in the vocation I should be. Perhaps it's just me that thinks I need to do something different, or maybe God thinks that as well. If He's prodding me to move on to something better, perhaps that's why I'm floundering in the average. Change is scary, though, and most certainly always requires sacrifice. For years now, I've wanted to become a massage therapist. For one reason or another, I've not been able to pursue this. Yes, I've considered that maybe God doesn't want me to pursue this. And yes, I've considered that maybe it just hasn't been the right time, but the right time is fast-approaching. Money, of course, is an issue, but not insurmountable. I can pursue this change one of two ways: quit my job, and get my license quickly, or stay in my job, go to school part-time and get my license in a little over a year. I know which one I'd like to do. I'd like to get it over with as soon as possible. It's just a little scary to give up a salary, even a very small salary like mine.

My job is stressful. It's become even more stressful over the last two years. As much work as there is, I think the whole department could double in work force, but there's no way that will ever happen, especially with the suffering economy. I dread going to work most every day, even though I know what I do is a very worthy cause. If I left that job, I don't think my household would suffer in any way, nor would it put me in a financial bind for the 6 months it would take to obtain a massage therapy license.

So my friends, I ask that you join me and my beloved in praying about this situation. God's guidance is what I seek, and after talking with Him about it on numerous occasions, I feel He'd like me to share the burden so it's not quite so heavy on my heart. I'm sure that whatever is meant to take place will take place when God wants it to, as it always has in my life. If there's anything I know, it's that God puts me where He wants me, when He wants me there.

It has occurred to me to market my pursuit as an investment opportunity, offering my investors free massage therapy as repayment of their investment. Have table, will travel!

Sigh

Summer sun, gone so long.
Oh, for it to kiss my skin!
How I miss it so.

Hypothetically-speaking

I was ranting to my children about some topic this morning on the way to school, and said "hypothetically-speaking" at the end of a sentence.

"Mommy, what does hypothetically mean?" my dear youngest asked.

"It sort of means 'what if,'" I reply.

"Then why don't they call it 'whatifthetically?"

Good point. Heh.

WARNING: HIGHLY ADDICTIVE RECIPE AHEAD!

I'm sure most everyone has heard of this little autumn/Halloween concoction, but I'd not partaken of this delicious goodness until tailgating at the Mizzou/OSU game (congratulations on your Alma mater's win, my love). My sister brought some of this stuff to satisfy a sweet-yet-salty tooth. It tastes like a PayDay, and I'm sneaking in a bag of this stuff next time I go see a movie.

Mix equal parts Candy Corn and Cocktail Peanuts in plastic bag. Enjoy.


Disclaimer: Blogger not responsible for any weight gained from consumption of this recipe. Blogger not liable for any addiction formed to said recipe. If you gain weight and/or become addicted, step away from the bag ASAP, and seek professional help immediately.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Last Wednesday night, we discussed walking in the Spirit in our Bible study. Recently in my Sunday evening small group, we discussed walking in the light. Today, my son pretty much summed it up rather simply.

We were driving home from our weekend out-of-town, and as we were descending one of the many hills, we saw the panoramic view of a very beautiful knoll on the west side of the highway. (It's one of my favorite spots to see anytime I drive by it). There were "Jesus clouds" - you know. . . the ones that have rays streaming down to earth through the clouds. One of these rays of sunshine shone upon that knoll, illuminating it in a most fascinating way. All the land and hills around it were in shadow from the clouds. I pointed out the scene to my children, and they, too, were in as much awe as I. Tim then said, "That light is Jesus. It's like there is no sin there. The darkness around it is sin. We don't want to be in the darkness because we can't see Jesus' light. I want to be in the light!" We all agreed that we want to be in the light, too.

I find it amazing that God touches me through my children. How often I find myself in the dark. And for no good reason! There is certainly nothing in this world that compares to walking in the light. I would much rather have this gentle reminder from Him through my children, than have Him wrench me out of darkness as he's done before. What a blessing He gave me today through the very profound observance of my son!

More Meanderings

*So, we're supposed to flee from temptation. What do we do when we're so tired from running that we just can't flee anymore? What then?

*No one looks good in fluorescent lighting.

*You never really do forget how to ride a bike.

*Stalling is an art form. Just watch any kid who doesn't want to go to bed at night.

*No matter how many time choices I put down for parent/teacher conferences, I always end up with a time that I didn't pick and that I have to rearrange my schedule for.

*The weather has been ideal lately. I could live with weather like this.

*I don't look forward to Mondays, but am thankful I'm given another day.

*It's already October??? Hey, Kelly, how many days of school are left until summer vacation?

*Speaking of summer vacation, I hope I'll be seeing sand and surf again someday soon.

*The Tigers are undefeated! Next weekend's game against the OSU Cowboys will find my fella (an OSU alum) and I at the game, cheering against each other. This is a first. I'm glad, however, that he is loyal to his alma mater. I think this indicates something about his character.

And last, but not least. . . .

*Sure, the grass might be greener on the other side of that fence, but it's still just grass.