Who’s Running This Place?

July 19th, 2012

I know I was all "up in a tizzy" yesterday about my old cable company and it probably wasn't the best place to air my frustration.  So, if you were wondering if I'd lost my ever loving mind….I didn't.  I was just bursting with frustration and writing it out really made me feel better.

Sometimes, just saying it outloud or writing your feelings down..helps.

Last night as I crawled into bed, I could hear a rumble/argument going on in the next room.  I tell people all the time that I didn't have FIGHTING kids, and I really didn't.  They got along well most of the time growing up.  Also, I didn't allow them to get into knock-down drag-out fights.  I tried to help them work out any differences and believe me, they had plenty of those.  Disagreements are just part of life!

So, instead of barging in on them….I let it go.  I could hear back & forth banter and some of it sounded pretty heated.  It took a lot of willpower not to intervene, especially when it escalated to cry-talking.  I didn't know who, just that the argument had managed to reach real emotions.

Which is what arguments are about anyway.  Real emotions that rear their ugly head and beg for release.  Everyone's not equipped to sit on them or stifle them down in a heart closet.  Sometimes….blurting them out and spilling them for the world to see is all you can do.  Like me, yesterday regarding the cable bill issue.

King David experienced a few blow ups during his lifetime.  In 2 Samuel 13, David's own son, Amnon, crossed the line when he pretended to be sick and raped his beautiful sister Tamar.  After he finished with her, he literally threw her out and locked the door.  Nice guy, huh?  When Absalom (Tamar's other brother) heard this he hated his brother Amnon.  Who wouldn't, right?

Absalom let it fester.  Don't we all?  He devised a plan to get him drunk and then ordered his men to kill Amnon.  The message delivered to the King was that all of his sons had been killed.  When his nephew, Jonadab spilled the truth about the rape and Absalom's hatred for Amnon….David flipped out!  He ripped his clothes (they do that a lot in the Bible, huh?) and fell down on the ground.

I imagine he was pretty overwhelmed.  Falling out and losing it seem to be a natural response to such horrific news.  As a mother, I can't help but think David was blaming himself.  Why did I?  Why didn't I?  All the crazy thoughts that go through a parents head.  David probably had them all.

Troubles come in life.  Bad things happen.  We're only human and while our issues may not be as terrible as David's….they're still issues.  It's up to us to handle them in a way that honors God.  I don't recommend blogging or posting on Facebook your anger (sorry y'all) when you're upset.  It doesn't solve anything and more than that…it only ignites more pain.  People get their feelings hurt.

This morning I asked about the argument.  Both gave general answers and seemed to have it worked out.  Just as I had hoped.  Reminding me….let go and let God!  He doesn't need me running everything!  HE IS IN CONTROL!

Whew!

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Goodbye Crummy Cable Company

July 18th, 2012

WARNING

BIG FAT GIANT ANGER AHEAD

 

Ever have one of those moments where you try to take care of "business" and no matter how many hoops you jump through….you can't get it done?  Yea, that's how my morning has gone.  For weeks, we've been making a cable change.  Why?  Because as much as I love watching tv (which I rarely do) and using internet (which I do a lot), I can't come to grips with paying $186.07 a month for service.  So, when the nice door-to-door dude rang my doorbell IN JUNE…my ears were a perkin' to the possibility of BETTER SERVICE FOR HALF THE COST!!

Oh yea!  Happy dance!  Did you hear me?  I said, half of what we were paying!!

Needless to say, we jumped on the new deal and started the ball rolling.  Which must have had lead in it because the whole process was a drag along nightmare.  That was June.  It's July 18th and we've been using our new cable provider since July 3rd!  So, it took a good long month to get the good deal benefits.  Which is another story.  One that consists of 47 million calls to Norris (the door-to-door dude) to get an appointment for installation.  We'd get an install date, no one would show up.  Three times, people!

Don't ask.  It was crazy train, and our whole family rode along begging to get off.

Moving on to the reason I'm all flustered and hot under the collar today.  I didn't pay the bill to my old cable provider on the due date because we were in the middle of having a switch.  My thinking was that I would pay the final bill all at once with the pro-rated days added in.  It shouldn't have been any days but the dates kept being pushed back by the "no show's" of the installers.  Am I making any sense?  I waited to pay the bill….not just decided to quit paying them.  I wanted a clean ending to our account.

The new cable was installed on July 3rd in the late afternoon.  The old cable provider was closed for the holidays, which put us at ending service with them after the 4th.  No biggie.  I called them on the 5th, asked how to end service and wrap up our bill (which by this time, they'd sent me a new bill with another months amount due on it).  The nice lady told me that in order to end service I must bring in all equipment to the office.  Once that was done, we could close down all account services.

Ok, cool.  (I have no car)

On the 6th, my son took in all the boxes, remotes & cords belonging to the old provider.  Service was now ended.  The bill would be finalized and sent to us soon.  I waited a few days and called the old provider for a final payoff amount.  That's when the "run around" started.  No one could tell me a final payment.  I could see that I owed the past due bill but they were trying to charge me the next months bill too.  Even though I only used the service from July 2nd — July 6th.  I explained that I would need to pay the pro-rated amount of usage for those days. They agreed but couldn't tell me how much that was.

She'd have to call me back.

Today…I had waited long enough.  So, I called.  When I explained to the 2nd person they put me through to my reason for calling….Gwen (that's her name) decided to get really jerky with me and talk to me like I was asking her to solve a Calculus problem and without the help of a fancy calculator!  Hello, customer service nightmare!

Nothing was accomplished with this (my 4th time of calling) conversation.  I felt so frustrated…I really wanted to cry.  My head is pounding!  I still don't have the final amount.  So, I just mailed the past due bill and will wait (because one of the brilliant statements from Gwen?  It takes several months for them to figure out all this sort of thing!)!  Whaaaaaaaat?

Listen, here's how I see this.  If Cinergy Metronet wants to take several months to figure out how much I owe them for their service of 5 days (which I wasn't even using…since my new cable was clicked on July 3rd!).  Cool!  I'll wait until then to pay them for it!  Thanks, Gwen!  You're winning!

The moral of the story?  Be prayed up when you call cable customer service!  Oh, I kid.  It's don't switch cable providers!  No, kidding again.  I don't have a moral to this story because I'm still mad and headachey!  Next time you're on the phone with a (less than understanding) customer rep.– good luck.  It might be a test of faith.   Or an attack however you want to look at it.

So, Cinergy….Kiss it!  Kiss it, real good!

Signed,

Never Coming Back!

Ps- you want to hear something really funny about this situation?  The company my hubby works for (IT) deals with this cable provider almost every single day.  They (hubby's company) give them so much business it's crazy.  Not only were we paying an outrageous amount for our service…we were also handing them tons of customers on a regular basis!  In my book, they are the epitome of crummy business!

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Clean Up, Young Man

July 17th, 2012

During the clean-up of Israel by young King Josiah…his workers (Hilkiah the high priest) came across a copy of The Revelation of Moses.  For years the king had been on a mission to bring back his neighborhood/temple to a place of acceptance and honor to God.  He despised the filthy shrines, the Asherah groves, the altars, the many god and goddess figurines and anything that wasn't in step with God and His holiness.  King Josiah knew, all of it had to go!

When Hilkiah found the book and shared what was written inside….King Josiah pretty much flipped!  He was distraught.  Enough so, that he jumped up and ripped his robes.  He knew that his people had been a part of exactly what God was warning about in the book of God's Revelation.  He called several of his closest aides and gave them the mission of praying to God and asking Him what they could do in light of all the clean-up of Israel and Judah.  King Josiah was convinced that God's anger must be off the charts against them. Why wouldn't it be?  

The king understood….God had every right to be upset with them.

Sadly, you and I don't always think like that…do we?  Little sin here….sneaky white lie there.  Rated R movie here….gossip about a co-worker there.  Divisive behavior here….mean spirted response there.  Aggressive behavior here…

You get the picture, right?

We live, pretty much however we want.  Most of the time.  Except on church days.  We try to behave then and honestly, who doesn't want to be seen as holy on Sunday?  We've conditioned ourselves to Christ-like behavior.  Don't tell me you don't know how to turn on the "good girl" behavior!  I know all about it, I'm an expert!

It's easy to slip into sin as a lifestyle.  Each person has the ability to turn their head the other way or justify something they want to do, as harmless.  I wonder how the people King Josiah found himself cleaning up after got started in their deep sin.  I'm sure it was innocent at first.  Maybe a little bracelet of protection at first then oh, an altar of worship.  Every little detail, justified in some way or another.

Ever justified a wrongdoing?  Yea, me too.

The more I live (and I'm getting on up there) the more I see of people watering down God's holiness.  It's becoming more and more acceptable to customize God's word and what He expects of us.  No longer is there a limit to how far anyone can go in what's acceptable and not.  

I remember growing up and flipping out when a church member wore spagetti straps (GASP!) to morning church.  Today, tank tops are considered clothes (not to me, by the way) and flip-flops are appropriate church shoes.  Now I know what you're thinking…niether of those are sin issues and you're right.  But that's a sample of how accepting we are as a society.

Smoking and drinking are hot topics in Christian circles too.  It's not sinful to most..but it is a little off-setting if you think about it.  How awkward would it be to have someone share the gospel with you while smoking a cigarette and holding a drink in their hand?  I think it would be a little odd.

Followers (Christians) are to be set apart.

Our behavior, actions and lifestyle are all a part of our relationship with Christ.  It's important for our outside to match our inside.  I'm not going to mention any names… but there is a Christian worship leader who thrives (out in Twitter, blogland and Facebook) on being edgy.  He likes to use shocking language and totally pushes the envelope on touchy topics.  He's very popular and while I'm sure his ministry is rockin'….I find him a little raunchy!  I mean, I get it..he's trying to reach people.  His messages are oftentimes right in line with what the world likes to accept as normal.  I feel convicted when I read some of his comments/blogs/tweets.  Not the kind of convicted that causes me to repent but the kind that says….IS THIS GUY IN LOVE WITH THE SAME JESUS AS ME?

That's just me.  I'm safe.  I've always been that way.

What is it that God expects of you and me?  Is it risky dangerous outlandish behavior to get other's to follow Christ?  I don't think it is.  Does He call us out of our comfort zone to follow Him?  Indeed, He does.  Does he ever put us in a position of sin in order to do so?  NEVER!

For King Josiah, God saw that his heart was completely line with His and promised that He would protect him as long as he obeyed.  The king trusted God and along with his followers committed to God's Covenant publicly.  They agreed to the change.  No more Baal shrines, no sex-and-religion shrines and no more followers of any gods besides the ONE TRUE GOD.  This is what God expects of us.  He wants holiness, honor, righteousness….trust & faith.

What needs to go?  What do you need to clean out of your life?  Just like Josiah, you can sweep through and remove whatever doesn't belong there.  Don't hold back.

His Word…is true!

FYI: The scripture I was reading today was 2 Chronicles 34.  King Josiah was in his early twenties when he went to work cleaning up his kingdom.  You can start — no matter how young or old you are, right now!

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Friday the 13th? Is That You?

July 15th, 2012

I'm not superstitious….at all!  But our trip to Indy on Friday the 13th was a true test of my belief system (not my faith in Christ) just the fact that crazy stuff goes on at weird times. 

It was a wild ride, to say the least.

I've mentioned a time or two that I HAVEN'T LEFT MY HOUSE all summer.  The trip to Tennessee in June (weekend wedding) has been the extent of my traveling journeys.  I was super psyched about going to Indy for the night with my hubby and our girls.  It was a last minute plan.  Our girls had concert tickets for a show on Friday night right downtown…so I thought tagging along and staying at a great hotel in the area would make for a fun weekend.

The girls have been working hard all summer and this was a chance to get-away with them and enjoy ourselves. 

The morning should've been a sign that there was trouble on the horizon.  I learn slow….so no to that idea, mm'k?

–Hubby backed into son's car.  No damage, just a charged up beating heart that got me kick-started into stressin' a little early.

–Drove 35 minutes in the HOTTEST car I've ever ridden in and that was just the first few miles of our trip.  Who knew such a hot ride awaited us?  Hubby spent an hour working on his car in a Walmart parking lot (and if I know him…he was pleading with God to make that sucker work) while the hot afternoon sun beat down on him.  We sat in a Subway restaurant wondering where in the world he was.  Good news–he got it working and off we went!  Whew!

–Interstate crazies!  I kid you not…the traffic was like a scene out of a wild movie.  People were hogging up the left lane, driving slowly and the "lead foot driver's" were weaving in and out of traffic…coming in on you from the right (because everybody knows…they are the only cars on the road that have somewhere to go, right?) nearly causing several accidents.  It was  T E N S E !!

–Missed the turn to head downtown Indy.  Rerouted back through the industrial area.  Then drove around trying to show the girls the way to their concert from our hotel.  It was a bust.  But we tried anyway. I'm learning, some things just have to be experienced on your own. I worry way too much!

–Arrived at our nice expensive hotel and it seemed like total chaos. The valet guys were running around and cars were parked all willy-nilly. This isn't the sort of place where you unload yourself and trudge into the hotel. But that's sort of what we had to do. I don't know why…but this really got under my skin and stressed me out. But, I had no idea what I would face once inside that lobby.

–While hubby is checking us in at the desk, I wait over near the doors. All of the sudden, it was like someone had opened the floodgates of a NFL football game arena. Tall, sweaty boys (young men)…HUNDREDS OF THEM! I am not exaggerating when I say hundreds…came walking across the lobby in droves. All heading to the elevators. Which is where we were heading too. Except they overpowered us and walked all over us. They pushed past us as if we were furniture to get their turn on the elevator. Me nerves? Were frazzled! It took us 20 minutes just to get to our room.

–The plan to enjoy the pool/hot tub while the girls were gone to their concert? Yea, right….did you read that last paragraph? Hundreds of football boys beat us to the punch! frown

The whole day was a challenge. I told my family that I was feeling uber stressed and that I was sorry. I had these big hopes for fun and escape but the craziness of the day seemed to push all that in a corner. Dang my high-strung personality!!

All was not lost.  After the girls left, hubby and I hit the streets.  We shopped around town a little bit and then decided to look for some place to eat dinner.  I knew I needed something a little different than usual and that's when some guy steps out of a bar & grill type place and says, "Hey, we're selling our appetizers for 1/2 price and they feed two people…wanna come in?"

Best decision, all day!  We had a great dinner and were all alone until we finished and started to leave.  The food was great, the service fantastic and the environment soothing!  It was just what I needed to "chill the heck" out!  We walked back to the Marriott our hotel and relaxed for the rest of the night.

We slept in, had Starbucks for breakfast and hit the mall for some shopping!  Oh I almost forgot. Not only was there a NFL football camp for high school boys going on….we were also bombarded with a Cheerleading competition going on closeby.  There must have been a gazillion of the little painted-up-faced girlies with every member of their family running around Indy.  Everywhere we went, cheer girls & their entourage.  We shopped on.

I didn't say we were quitters! 

We ended our day with PF Changs because that's what we love to do when were downtown. Eat lettuce wraps! Worth the wait, cause that's what we had to do. I thought I'd be nice and ask for a booth instead of a table. We waited, we waited and then kept waiting. The hostess tells us WE'RE NEXT and then comes back to say that the manager gave our table away. What are the chances?

Is it me?  hehe!

Ally & Gates riding the luggage rack back downstairs.  We take all opportunities to party.

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A pose before they head out to see Vampire Weekend ( a band ).  Which they loved.  Both had a great time and were glad they came.  Me too!

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These benches were so cool.  We decided that everyone should decorate their house with cool ottomans and lounge chairs.  It's chic!

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What I came home with–It's important NOT to get too worked up over little things.  If you let every little troubling detail invade your mind/heart/feelings eventually you'll be left with disappointment.  Our flesh is mushy and we can't always fight off the garb that comes our way.  God knows this and reminds us in scripture, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart…LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING…in all your ways, acknowledge HIM and HE WILL MAKE YOUR PATH STRAIGHT" Proverbs 3:5-6.

So next time you plan something exciting…don't set yourself up for stress.  Go with it, trust the Lord to handle the little stuff and HAVE FUN!  Even when some Dukes of Hazzard driver cuts you off.  Smile and wave!  You're going to get where you're going eventually!

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NO NO NOOOOOO!

July 13th, 2012

It's no secret, I like being a mom. There are so many reasons why….it's challenging, rewarding and just downright fun! Plus, you get to spend all your young energetic years raising these punks who turn into these really crazy amazing people someday. It's awesome!

Even if you make some mistakes along the way.

I knew having a son was extra special (not saying my girls are a bore) from the moment I found out I was pregnant with my sweetboy. Everyday since then, he's managed to keep me on my toes in some way or another.

It's not uncommon to hear me saying, "No..no..noooooo, don't do that!" And yes, he is a 22 year old adult. Testosterone. It's a powerful thing! If you're a mama of any boys…you know what I mean. They have a certain way of doing things and we girls, well…we don't usually do it like them.

Guys tend to be impulsive, experimental & curious! Oh and tons of fun! If you haven't noticed, husbands are just grown up sons. They are a sneak peak into what you're life would look like with boys (for those of you with girls only). 

So, I thought I'd share some of my NO NO NOOOOOO moments from this last week with my guys. Surely, you'll find them funny challenging endearing OK, you'll crank up your prayers for me! 

Scene 1– Gavin comes in and asks his dad (who shaves his own head) if he'll buzz his hair off with the clippers. Ever the helpful one, my hubby grabs his clippers. Outside they go and I hear the buzzing & giggling (yes, they joke around and laugh about everything). 

So, I snapped a couple pictures to capture the moment. (I realize..this is not necessary!) They decide that I deserve to be "messed with". Which I should've mentioned is common guy behavior when it comes to girls. Especially moms. They love picking on moms!

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I went back to cleaning my kitchen, when the door opened up and I hear my hubsand ask him to have MOM CHECK IT to make sure he didn't miss any spots. I think he looks fine and then he turns his head…..Uhhh, wait a minute. "You missed a big streak!"

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Then he turns his head the other way…and my mouth drops open. "Huh, what? How did you not see this huge spot?". They laugh and I do what I always do–say, Nooooooooo! Fix that!

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Guys. They are pranksters! In almost every opportunity they are given.

Scene 2– The old hot tub lid. Remember, we replaced it with our own white trash version of a lid. It's still working! Something had to be done to get rid of the old one. It was so heavy and full of water that Governor Ahhhnold couldn't have moved it and it was in our back yard. Key word: NOT IN THE GARBAGE! But my guys have a plan.

I call it the CHOP & HALL!

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He chopped it, to death!  He literally went all "ain't never met a thing I can't chop in half" on it.  Which worked, since they could then do this—>

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Buhbye, old smelly wet heavy ugly hot tub lid!

Scene 3– I've been up early every single morning since school let out (thank you summer school 2012) and this morning I baked some muffins and kissed the girls goodbye and laid back down on my bed to watch the Today Show.  Hubby came in and said his goodbyes and I heard him open the garage door to leave.  He cranked up, started backing up and then, silence (the garage is under my bedroom).  I turned the tv down, listened for….something.  Nothing.

Soon he comes in and says….Gavin parked behind me!

Anybody else done this?  Yea, it's not a good thing to hop in a car (IN A GARAGE) and just back on out.  ALWAYS LOOK BEHIND YOU, PEOPLE!  ALWAYS!  You will hit something, I promise!  In this case, everything is okay.  Thankfully he wasn't going fast enough to wreck both cars, he just bumped it!  Yikes!

My reaction?  Well, I did what most wives/moms would've done…I jumped out of bed like a nightgown ninja and freaked out!  I think it was punishment for laying back down.  You know, they train mice to NOT DO certain things with painful or stressful stimulations.  I think I'll stay up from now on.  Haha!

Risk and danger just oozes from the pores of (my) dudes and I like it.  It keeps me on edge and reminds me, I need adventure in my life.  Try new things….step out in strange territory….be brave.  Only do it with the mom compass engaged, somebody's gotta yell…."No no noooooooooo!" when things get out of hand!

Psalm 127:3 "Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children are a reward from Him."

 

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Cleaning My Facebook House

July 10th, 2012

 

I've noticed some things lately that just don't belong in my life.  Or on my Facebook page.  It's almost like they've snuck in past my personal security system (my good girl conscience) and blanketed me with their presence.  Stuff like; certain friends on Facebook that say whatever comes to mind without a filter, movies/shows/ads with crude humor, or even Pinterest pins.

 

I can't remember LIKING this one particular Celebrity page on Facebook, but I know that I did it because it regularly shows up in my feeds.  Every single post is something juicy or smutty about a celebrity!  Each time I read the junky headlines and look at the posted picture, I feel a heavy weight on my heart.

Sound crazy?

I guess the best way to describe it is conviction.  I feel convicted!

The stuff they post is first and foremost, gossip!  Not only is it blabber fodder for insider tid-bits on stars but it's always smutty and inappropriate.  Often the writers wrap it up all pretty with a concern or a question.  You know, to make it look like they're genuinely concerned for said person and JUST WANT YOUR OPINION!

It's a set up!

I can't find a good reason to remain friends on Facebook with anyone who spreads gossip (I wouldn't want to do it in real life, would you?).  So, I'm cleaning house.  Maybe you need to do the same.

When you log onto your computer, do you have to push past stuff that makes you feel uncomfortable?  If so, remove it!

Matthew 12:34  "Jesus says, For whatever is in your HEART determines what you say".

Are you posting words that someone might find offensive?  I'm not talking about your political views.  I mean, do you find crude photo's or funny sayings harmless?  I'm not here to beat up on you…but have you really thought it through?  

Each of us (as Christians) have a responsibility to shine bright for Christ.  If we're talking out of line and posting shady pins off of Pinterest….we aren't doing any shining for God.  We're leaving a dirty stamp of sin for everyone to see.  It's almost like the person who says they go to bars so they can be like Jesus and hang out with sinners.

It just doesn't work!  So, join me….clean house!

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