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Monday, February 27, 2006
What Reality Show Would I Be On?
Laugh. Out. Loud!
CAN you imagine me on Survivor??!! No bikini big enough, toting my inhaler, using my hairy legs to strike flint
and start the fire! Oh, my sweet Lord! Thanks for keeping me off the island!
What about The Amazing Race? Now that is a little more my speed, except my partner and I would surely be the first
team out. My speed is tortuga, you know! But I would love to see more of the world, and I love that Travelocity
gnome!
American Idol. I would b-slap that Simon. And break glass for miles around. Don't think so. Now, if
they had a Night With the Stars lip syncing competition, I'd be there, baby!
Skating or Dancing With the Stars. Not enough rehab in the world....... I'm pitiful!
Big Brother. Now that's something I might consider. I am afraid that I would go postal and kill someone or
start doing Howie imitations and turn to the Dark Side.....(or did I already do that?)!
Project Runway. AAHHH. A chance to design beautiful stuff. I would only do it if it was the Plus Size
Edition. Those skinny models make me ill to look at, those hip bones and ribs poking out everywhere. They need
some girls with meat on their bones!
I think the reality show for me hasn't been invented yet. Idea: One room school house, grades 1 - 12, city
kids/country kids together.
Five teachers competing for the Master Teacher title and money for their schools, the kids competing for scholarships
to college or magnet/arts schools. AND all in turn of the period clothing with no technology and authentic texts.
NO plumbing or air conditioning. Little House on the Prairie! HA!
Reality is scary! And so is my imagination!
Possum Pleasure
Okay, I have sat here for nearly an hour in contented pleasure, observing the rodent meanderings of my sweet pet, Possum.
Possum is a Golden Syrian hamster, and is such a darling. I so enjoy watching him cautiously wander around my desk,
whiskers flying as he sniffs his way around my jungle. He and I both were surprised at how high he managed to climb
up my embellishments stacks! When he tumbled down before I could catch him, it scared ME to death! Didn't phase
him! He may be a rat, as Susan and my Mom say, but he's close to my heart.
He doesn't complain. He poops in his own space and is very clean. He washes himself constantly, so he's a
fellow of good hygiene habits. He doesn't shed, and eats anything I give him. He loves applesauce!
I just adore his variegated fur colors and his glossy little black eyes. I often wonder what the heck he thinks
I am! I am so glad that I brought him home with me, because Josh and Eric both have also become quite attached to him.
For us folks that suffer from pet allergies, he is a blessing!
The Lord has designed some very cool things, hasn't He!
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Carrie Underwood's song
I have been reflecting on songs that just "say it" to me. I heard this on WMIT this evening and the dam
finally broke. Her song became my prayer, and I am so thankful for that moment.
Lyrics for Song: Jesus, Take The Wheel
Album: Some Hearts
She was driving last Friday on her way to Cincinnati
On a snow white Christmas Eve
Going home to see her
Mama and her Daddy with the baby in the backseat
Fifty miles to go and she was running low on faith and gasoline
It
been a long hard year
She had a lot on her mind and she didn't pay attention
She was going way to fast
Before
she knew it she was spinning on a thin black sheet of glass
She saw both their lives flash before her eyes
She didn't
even have time to cry
She was sooo scared
She threw her hands up in the air
Jesus take the wheel
Take
it from my hands
Cause I can't do this all on my own
I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
To save me
from this road I'm on
Jesus take the wheel
It was still getting colder when she made it to the shoulder
And the car came to a stop
She cried when she saw that baby in the backseat sleeping like a rock
And for the first
time in a long time
She bowed her head to pray
She said I'm sorry for the way
I've been living my life
I know
I've got to change
So from now on tonight
Jesus take the wheel
Take it from my hands
Cause I can't
do this all my own
I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
To save me from this road I'm on
Oh, Jesus
take the wheel
Oh, I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
Save me from this road I'm on
From this road
I'm on
Jesus take the wheel
Oh, take it, take it from me
Oh, why, oh
Jesus, Take the Wheel...
This week has been so draining. Trying to come to terms with my brother, his choices, and how I feel about it all.
I have given him over to the Lord, asking Him to put a shield around him, and Deana. I ask the Father to protect
and keep them, not to make things easy, but to make things right.
I will miss him when he's gone.....his life has driven my life for way too many years. But that has to come to
an end. It is time for him to learn to stand on his own two feet and to finally learn to make the choices that adults
make. It is not going to be easy, but it is right.
Stacy Julian posted this on her blog today, and I know God meant this for me. I have stopped asking for what I
want, but instead for what God wants. And I have been shown that this move is right. So, I have peace.
Peace.
it does not mean to be in a place
where
there is no noise, trouble
or hard work. it means to be in
the midst of those things and still be calm in
your heart.
I am at peace. I hope you are, too.
Lord, be with the two of them. Help Fred to witness to them,
and them to be open to blessings and Grace. Give Fred tolerance. Give them humility and appreciation. Give
Fred the words that You would have them to hear. Open their hearts and minds to receive your grace. Thank you,
Father. Your love is boundless. We are not worthy.
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Bloggers' Challenge: Your Most Embarassing Moment?
Well, this couldn't be more appropriate!!
Blog Challenge: Your Most Embarassing Moment.
Do you have one? When did it happen? What were the circumstances? Journal your heart out and make a fun 'embarassingly
funny' layout all about YOUR MOST EMBARASSING MOMENT.
My most embarassing moment (among many) happened last night at the new Target in Arden, NC. I drove my mom and
my niece Brittany there after dinner with Susan at Texas Roudhouse. I must say, I just adore Target! I love going
in there and looking at all the eclectic stuff!
Colors and patterns everywhere, bright and shiny displays. I was talking to Britt about how many 2peas post about
Target as if it is Nirvana, the place of inspiration and treasure. Well, I admit it, I am one of those peas! But
I received a wonderful scrapbooking surprise as I turned down the office supplies aisle: walking toward me was a face
I had just that afternoon looked at on her blog, http://www.tuesdaysfrog.com/journal.html. Joanna Bolick, Memory Makers Master and CK Hall of Famer. I just read another wonderful article by her in this
month's Creating Keepsakes magazine when it came today. But I couldn't really enjoy it...I am so embarrassed by my reaction
to her!
This is Joanna at work. She lives in Fletcher, why I ran into her at HER Target!
 Unfortunately, I made a real idiot of myself. I babbled things I don't really remember, although I do remember telling
her son Cole that I had a hamster!!!!
Where did that come from?? I get the chance to meet a scrapper/photographer that I really admire, and I talk to
her two year-old about my HAMSTER! Oh, Elaine, you're mental......
"I am not a stalker!"
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
"Dearest, loveliest......."
My husband Eric is my lobster, my soul mate for life. We both felt bad that money is so tight right now, and we
both let Valentine's sneak up on us without doing something for the ones we love.
When I went to bed, I saw this note on my pillow, addressed to "Elaine Lobster, my dearest & loveliest"! It
melted my heart.....this is what my darling wrote.
Isn't he the sweetest thing, ever! I love my lobster, my Eric, my sweet heart.
Valentine's Day, 2006
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
My North Carolina Collage
For my "UR 2 Cre8tive" class with Stacy Julian, I had to create a collage
from clippings torn from a non-scrapbooking magazine. I chose the autumn edition of Our State magazine. The colors
and pictures are awe-inspiring.
When I came home from school this afternoon, after Valentine's Day hoo-haa
all day, Spanish class, and faculty meeting, I felt drained. I have a lot of grading to do, lessons to arrange, and
all I felt like doing was sleeping.
So I determined to complete my collage and hang the rest, at least for
tonight. I was only supposed to spend 15 minutes on the collage. I did spend that much arranging it and making
picture choices, but I spent about 15 minutes putting it together. I want it to survive being in my creativity journal.
The pictures spoke to me as they formed the collage, connecting me with
my journey across bridges, mountains, seasons. It is all an expedition, making connections with nature, with my strength,
my inspiration, with my understanding of my self. Many different voices call for my attention and time, but it is all
"still life", ebbing and blustering as life will.
I enjoyed making this collage. I don't recall every having made
one voluntarily before. I found peace and contentment through this expression, a wonderful ending to a long, loving
day.
8:59 pm est
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Update on My Brother
Well, last week, he was threatening to set off hitchhiking to Seattle. (We live in North Carolina.) We lived there
when he was five, so I don't know what he is thinking. He has no money, and has no hopes here of changing his financial
situation. He is hopeless and desperate. (Long story short, he is paying child support for three children he dearly
loves, but is kept from seeing the youngest two by a spiteful ex. Working like a dog in construction all week to wind
up with $40 in your pocket is finally brought him to the edge.)
Anyway. My husband and I have been paying all of his bills for the last 18 months, which has become a real hardship.
So, my brother and I are looking for him a place that he can get a better paying job, with benefits for the first time.
He is resolved to leave the state and had planned to just "drop off the Earth", never to be heard from again. After
much argument, tears, and sadness, I believe that I have convinced him to stay in touch. I believe that leaving is the only
option open to him, but I don't want to lose touch with him.
So, again, I ask for your prayers for my brother. I cannot say where he is going to wind up, but I know it will
be a better place for him if he will give himself over into the Lord's care and His plan for his life. This is going
to be very hard, on all of us.
I ask you to pray specifically. I am.
Please pray that God our Father will:
- provide him a job that is steady, with good, decent co-workers that can witness to him
- provide him a safe, healthy home to live in
- put a shield around him, to cast off people who would offer him drugs or other temptations to slide back into that world
- open his heart to feel the peace and contentment that a personal relationship with God can give
- impress on his heart the need to stay in touch with his real family, but to sever all ties with
the "friends" who do damage to him
- inspire in him the desire to walk the path of a real man, one who walks with God.
I know that God answers prayers. I see it in my life daily. Please help me pray that my brother can find this
knowledge, too.
Thanks for your support. May God bless you richly, in all the small details of your life.
God walks with me always, but sometimes He has to carry me.
Truth/Lies About Elaine Waters
I blog-lifted this from one of my favorite and most productive scrap
blogger, Bonnie Rose, who lives in Minnesota.
Let's see how well you know Elaine Waters! I'm going to tell you ten things about myself. Six
of them are true, and four of them are lies. Now you may think you know the REAL me, and bless those of you who
still love me anyway! (Hey, I heard that!) See if you can guess. The person who comes the closest and groupwises
me your answers first will win (yes, WIN) a surprise package of CREATIVITY VITAMINS just for you. You won't have
to share them with anyone!
So.........
1. I was once arrested for spitting off the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.
2. I was married once before I married my husband Eric.
3. My favorite colors are green, blue, and brown.
4. I once slapped a German man in leather shorts on the bootey when he stuck said part into my face.
5. I have lived in seven states, two countries, and four timezones.
6. I have had very strange conversations with the woman a famous actress played in a very controversial movie. (Sally
Fields, the movie Sybil)
7. I am deaf in one ear and that is why I sometimes stumble around.
8. I once wrote very bad poetry that was put to beautiful music by a very bad boyfriend.
9. I had a dinner engagement with Alex Haley, author of Roots, and his socks were broke down (bad elastic)!
10. I speak Spanish fluently, but pretend I don't, because my accent is sooooo bad!
Okay! If you think you know the truth from the lies, email me your answers. The first who gets them all right
will win the Creativity Vitamins.
I'll post the answers by Friday! Enjoy!
Sunday, February 5, 2006
Great Expectations Revisited
When you are a child, your family has great expectations for you. They look
at you in all your innocence and sweet contentment, and see wondrous things for your future. I look at this picture
of my younger brother, who fell asleep standing up, leaning on trusted brother David's lap. Look at this sweet child...
such a precious face, with not a care in the world. With all of the
traumas he suffered at birth and in his earliest months, we all believed God spared him to accomplish great things with
his life. Who could know?
Who could know that, no matter how much we loved the child and love the
man he became, that his life would take such a distant and sad path from our Great Expectations....
Who would have known that drugs warped and defeated our dreams before they
even began....twelve years old is too young to lose your dreams!!
Now, every day is a challenge against depression, temptation, addiction.
Every day for our family is a tremulous walk with fear, mistrust, anger, sorrow....& love.
Who could have known, looking at such a sweet sleeping baby that the man
would suffer such agonies of crushed spirit and loss of his children, self-esteem, and pride?
Who could have known that a child born with kidney and spine birth defects, that seemed
in all ways a miraculous survivor, would become someone that, in my deepest, quietest thoughts, I wished could just die and
be released from the torment of his life....except that his eternal torment would be never ending!
These days, our Great Expectations have tarnished. It is a small victory to talk with him
on the phone and know that he is sober. It is a thrilling victory to share a family dinner or trip to a movie.....like
normal people do. Normal...
When great expectations shatter, the smallest victory over meth, alcohol, depression are moments
to savor, to yearn for, to pray for.
My greatest wish for my beloved brother is for him to find peace in our Lord Jesus. Through
him, he can find sweet innocence, sweet contentment once again.
This is my precious little brother Bob, and his Greatest Accomplishment
and Expectation, his daughter, Brittany Elaine.
If you read this, please say a prayer for my brother Bob, a sweet man who is walking
a solitary path of sorrow and addiction. Lift him up to the Lord in your prayers, for I know He has great expectations
for all believers. Thank you, Lord.
Wednesday, February 1, 2006
OOOHHH! I am in LOVE with Word Clouds!
I was browsing my blog feeds and went to "Wendy Knits." I found this amazing journaling tool! The site is
called SnapShirts, and it Rocks!
Isn't this amazing!? Their site came here, read through ALL the words on my blog and created this Word Cloud for
me! This is my cloud in Times and kelly green.
This is my word cloud in Helvetica and kelly!
I am going to go back and order a tee shirt with my word cloud on it! Amazing and unique. Just like moi......LOL!
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I'll make changes to this site on a regular basis, sharing news, views, experiences, photos...whatever occurs to me. Check
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