Random Dozen

Joining Linda over at 2nd Cup of Coffee for this weeks Random Dozen.

1. What was the last song you listened to?

I wish I “loved” music more, however I much prefer the peace and quiet of quiet! Silence is golden in my book. If I am in the car I either don’t have the radio on or I am listening to talk radio.

2. Have you ever had “buyer’s remorse” over anything?

I lack the shopping gene. I shop out of necessity rather than for enjoyment. I will say that if I buy something and I get it home and I don't like it it goes back to the store. But now that you mention it, the brown shoes I bought at the Wal-Mart that I wore all over San Francisco that don’t fit and can’t take back. I am remorseful over that one!

3. What is something in your life that you are thankful for now that you didn’t think you would be at the time of the event? (Something that seemed ill-timed, inconvenient or hurtful which turned out to be a good thing)

My answer is a spring board from a previous Random Dozen question. The Pivotal Moment of my cancer diagnosis was a blessing in disguise. I was not able to accept this blessing for many years. With much time and spiritual maturity I can now thank God for that difficult experience. It was at this time that I really learned to completely rely on God for His provision. I learned that trying to control something that can not be controlled is pointless (honesty I still struggle with this one sometimes). I learned that it is at our darkest moment when God shine the brightest. I learned that nothing is impossible for God! I learned that God can and will use even the darkest day for His Glory if only we will have the obedience to yield to His perfect and pleasing will.

I would not be the person that I am today if I had not gone through that experience all those years ago. Did I see it as a blessing at the time? No I did not! Has it become a blessing, well God is good in all things and He has refined that dark time into a blessing as only He can!

4. Do you watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade every year? If so, do you have a favorite float or balloon?

When the kids were little we watched faithfully every year. However as my children have gotten older it has not been such an important holiday tradition. However I do love watching the parade and if I had to pick a balloon I would say I love the old balloons like Rocky and Bullwinkle. My all time favorite moment of the parade is the very end when Santa comes riding in on his sleigh. It kicks off the holiday season for me.

5. Share a quote, scripture, poem or lyric which has been an inspiration to you lately.

This week our Bible study is focusing on Isaiah. Specifically chapters 40 through 55. There is such a wealth of comfort. The first words of chapter 40 are:

Isaiah 40:1 Comfort, comfort my people says your God!

Here are a few of the verses that kept popping off the page at me.

ISA 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
  I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

ISA 43:2 When you pass through the waters,
   I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
   they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
   you will not be burned;
   the flames will not set you ablaze.

ISA 43:3 For I am the LORD, your God,
   the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

I particularly like this one and the reference to the gray hair!

ISA 46:4 Even to your old age and gray hairs
    I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
  I have made you and I will carry you;

and since I can’t (or wont) copy the entire book of Isaiah I will share just one more!

ISA 49:16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;

6. This is meant to be a fun question, and this is a G-rated blog, but please share a “guilty pleasure,” something that you enjoy that’s probably not the most edifying, time-worthy or healthy thing you could be indulging in. Did I mention--G rating?

I have this sweet little orange pumpkin sitting on my table.

Well the other day I was at the Ingles and they had their Halloween candy on clearance.

  

My sweet little pumpkin is now filled with Candy Corn (yet another Random Dozen flashback)

I think I may have to change my answer about Buyers Remorse because I really wish I had not bought these because now I can’t stop eating them.

7. What Thanksgiving food are you looking forward to?

Creamed Peas, it remind me of my Grandma!

8. What is your favorite book to read to children, or what was your favorite childhood book?

When I was a little girl I loved Pippi Longstocking, but sadly I was never able to interest my own daughter in this wonderful series.

When my children were little they loved Dr. Seuss…One Fish Two Fish, Cat In The Hat, Green Eggs and Ham, Horton Hears A Who and the Berenstain Bears…Bears on the Moon, Spooky Old Tree, Old Hat New Hat. In fact now that it comes to mind I am off to find the box that they are stored in so that I can start sharing them with my sweet little granddaughter.

9. Do you collect anything? (Feel free to post a photo.)

I am not sure how it started but I have accumulated a large collection of bookmarks. One day I may sit down and count them all, but if I had to estimate I have probably over 100 maybe even more. Over the years I have gotten them on church retreats, bible studies, Emmaus Weekends, as gifts and I have picked them up on our travels to various places.

 

I have a favorite though.

My sweet DS made this one for me when he was five years old.

10. Gift bags or wrapping paper?

Gift Bag! I have to answer in the affirmative !

I went to a baby shower this past Sunday afternoon. I also stopped at my ever faithful Wal-Mart on the way there for a gift. I got a large gift bag for $3.00 and a package of tissue paper $1.00 and two minutes in the driveway before I went in to shove everything down into the gift bag and I am a happy girl. No tape or scissors necessary!!!!!!

I do have wrapping paper but if I can use a gift bag then I will always choose that option!

11. Share an after-school memory from when you were younger. What was your routine like on an average day?

Again no warm fuzzes here!

I would come home from school and look for the note on the kitchen table. It would be a list of instructions.

My little sister and me were latchkey kids before there was a term for latch key kids. Mom had to work so before she would leave for work she would usually get something underway for dinner that evening. When we would get home from school there would usually be a note on the kitchen table with very basic instruction for us to follow. When mom walked through the door our dinner was at least underway a little bit.

1. Call me when you get home.

2. Take (whatever was for dinner) out of the frig.

3. Begin the preparation for whatever was for dinner.

4. Set table.

5. at 5:30 turn the oven on to 350 degrees.

6. at 6:00 put ______ in the oven.

12. True story: Once, in a job interview, I was asked this question and told there would be no clarifying; I simply had to answer the question: “When you’re fishing, do you feel for the fish?” So what about you? When you're fishing, do you feel for the fish??

True Story: My husband used to be an avid fisherman. He still enjoys fishing from time to time He even had a fishing boat when we first got married. I remember one specific fishing incident when I had my pole in the water and I actually got a hit on the line. I struggled to pull the fish from the water. The Pole was straining and bowing over to nearly touch the water. By this time my husband had dropped his pole and moved over to me to try to help me reel in the massive fish I had hooked. I was so excited. He is yelling instruction at me. I am continuing to reel in my fish. With great effort we both managed to get the pole out of the water. To my surprise there was not only one fish but two hooked at the end of my pole. I continue to reel in my fish and my husband continued to yell instruction at me. In my fish euphoria and obvious inexperience I continued to reel in my fish. I am reeling and reeling and reeling and then……

SNAP!

The fishing pole flies from my hand as the tension on the line became so tight and then the fishing line just snapped. The fish fell back into the water joined at the mouth still on the hook.

Y’all, I was traumatized for the rest of the day and for some time after that. All I could think about were those poor fish swimming around in the lake stuck together at the mouth on my fishing hook!

 

Blessings and Happy Random Dozen

Robin