Random Dozen

Joining Linda over at 2nd Cup of Coffee for this weeks dose of randomness…hey it gives us all something to post about on Wednesday’s, I’m just saying…

1. How good are you at delaying gratification?

If I do say so myself…I ROCK! I am all about savoring the experience, or waiting for things to develop. I am not about instant anything, except for when I’m surfing the web or checking my emails then I want it in seconds. I enjoy thinking about the experience or anticipating something and then letting it marinate and savoring every moment when the actual experience arrives.

Mmmm Mmmm Good!

2. Maybe a marshmallow wouldn't be too difficult a temptation for you. What food (or anything else) would be most tempting?

Chocolate anything, waiting for brownies to cook, or for a chocolate cake to cool so you can frost it, but then the good thing about a Mocha Latte’ is that you have to drink it immediately to fully enjoy the experience. I’d call that the best of both worlds.

3. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being saintly) how patient are you?

I think I would give myself a 7 or maybe even an 8, but that has been painfully achieved with many many difficult experiences. I have learned that trying to control a situation and wanting things to happen NOW and then NOT understanding why they DON’T happen in MY time table is a heart broken.

Patient expectation is the key.

Disclaimer: I do have a very hard time waiting if I have not seen my grandbaby in a while. If it has been longer than 7 days since my last visit I get down right anxious and my behavior reverts back to a toddler stomping my feet and whining “I want it NOOOOOOOW!”

4. Have you ever waited for something in life only to be disappointed upon realization of the goal/object/etc.

Hmmmm….on the totally not important scale it is a huge bummer to go to a movie that I have been waiting to see and then it is not a very good movie, that is a BIG  disappointment.

I will say I also had more than few moments of disappointment over the summer as I waited patiently for my garden to produce and then to have certain things such as my cucumbers, zucchini and my big tomato plants not turn out as expected. That was a disappointment. I had my heart set on zucchini bread and I think I yielded a total of one edible zucchini. Not to mention getting near giddy with excitement when I saw a ripe tomato awaiting me on the vine only to pick it and turn it over and the whole back side is black and eaten away by some vicious garden crud, totally disappointment.

But then that was really a two fold satiation. Life circumstances prevented me for being able to get my garden in at the appropriate time, but I did get a ‘mess of beans” and some really good cherry tomatoes and green peppers, so ya live and learn. Let’s just say I am anticipating next spring with great expectation.

5. Are you a person who takes shortcuts?

That depends…most of the time I am a creature of habit. I will take the same route back and forth just out of shear habit. I am not about finding the shortest distance or shaving a few minutes of my commute.

I have also learned that in the kitchen and in the garden that good things come to those who wait. There is no rushing in gardening or bread making.

6. Which line is hardest to wait in?

If I have to pick one I will say the DMV or standing in line to vote. But I will say that several years ago I had a big change in my attitude where waiting in line for anything is concerned. I made the decision that I can in fact control my thoughts and my actions even thought I may be waiting for what seems like a really long time. How I react to these types of situation is an outward reflection. I can’t reflect what Jesus teaches if I am not willing to be humble and wait my turn.

7. Did you wait to discover the gender of your unborn child until its birth?

Yup! We did not have a clue what we were expecting until delivery day for both of my children. The cool God thing is that I had an inkling in my heart both times which I know now was the gentle voice of God whispering a secret in my ear. I kept that secret to myself and waited to find out if it was true. My gentle whisper was right both times.

 
8. Are you more patient with children or the elderly?

The elderly! Taking care of an elder loved one does a lot for transforming your opinions on things of this nature.

9. Did you ever sneak a peek at a present?

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER! I had some significant trust issues early on in my marriage and I was snooping around one afternoon and found the receipt to one of my Christmas gifts. It totally spoiled the surprise not to mention made me feel like a horrible wife. I never did it again!

10. What is the longest you've ever waited for anything?

I’m still waiting and it’s been a really really, really, really long time…

11. Who has more patience, you or your significant other?

Me!

12. Which of the following songs about waiting is your pick for the best? (OK, you may substitute another, if you like.)

A) Anticipation by Carly Simon
B) The Waiting by Tom Petty
C) Right Here Waiting for You by Richard Marx
D) Wait for Me by Rebecca St. James

Since the only song on this list that I am familiar with is A (not a music aficionado y’all) I have to go with A.

Blessing

Robin

Great questions this week Lid!