I enjoy being a girl, Part 2

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I was thinking today about when I first graduated from high school and the different branches of the military would call my house, asking for me, and then they proceeded to try and convince me to enlist.  (I know that many kids get called at this time because it's a prime recruiting time...)
Needless to say I always enjoyed sparring with these gentlemen who would try and talk me, the most girly person, into joining the army.  Don't get me wrong, I am very very grateful for the men and women who serve our country I just had some issues with the whole idea.
I have had a fascination with gender/gender roles for a while now. And even though I was raised post-women's lib. I don't really agree that men and women are indeed equal.  Hear me out on this...I don't believe you can compare apples to oranges and call them the same, logically this doesn't make any sense.  Men are great but they stink at birthing babies, I have yet to hear of that being accomplished...We are just plainly not the same!
So when I thought of myself joining the army for instance, I thought to myself, "I would be subjected to boot camp, being yelled at for not being able to do a push-up, and running miles a day with a pack on...etc" And I would have to ask if I would get special privileges when I had my period...Of course they would say no.  But I don't see any men getting punched in the stomach, and have something injected in their bodies to make their lower back, and inner thighs cramp up, and then asked to run a do push-ups.
Again, we're not equal.
I really really have problems with institutions that try and equal out gender.  I think it is a lie Satan has introduced into the world to emasculate men, and create women who are either ashamed of their femininity or abuse it for gain.  Let apples be apples and oranges be oranges.
**I think that you can still be feminine and serve in the military, however I wish that the military would respect your right to be feminine...

Four Daughters

Today's movie is Four Daughters from 1938.  Honestly the people starring in the film are were not that famous so I won't go into it.  The movie is about four sisters all ranging from late teens to early twenties who live with their father who is a musician and trains the girls in there perspective musical talents. A young man (and a musician) comes into town seeking help to get his large piece of work finished and requests help from the girls father.  This young man is very charming and each girls seems to have a crush on him.  But he falls in love with the youngest who falls in love (sort of) with a boy who needs help and so it's kind of a love triangle.  Sometimes I can't explain these very well but it's a really good story line and they made 2 other films to follow this one, Four Wives, and then Four Mothers.  I have seen them all and they are all good! This series is not very well known but I love them.
**I watch a lot these movies on the Turner Classic Movie channel. But all my movies are available for rent on Netflix.com or to purchase at Amazon.com.   I just say this so you know where to get them or see them if you want to. Enjoy!

"AM"

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I was thinking today as I was working about how different I am this time around.  I've been working in retail since I was 16, but I haven't been doing it for about 3 years now.  I put myself through school by working in retail and for that reason I really wouldn't knock it.  But I used to be pretty popular when I worked back in the day, and this time around I'm really very quiet and keep to myself.  There is so much drama swirling around me and I just can't take it...but last time I was totally in the thick of it.  This doesn't mean that much most people get more mature with age... But I was thinking about when I was young and I was always thinking about what kind of person I want to be...I am always drawn to very outgoing people, I wish I could be one of you...But always in my mind I would be taking mental notes of how I could be like this or that person.
Sometimes I still think about that "oh I wish I could be like..." but then I just laugh at myself cause now I just am. I am just me and you can't make a fish a bird.  And I quite like being a fish too.  Happy new week!

Great Book

This is kind of a weird topic but I just wanted to do a plug for this book...Taking Charge of You Fertility by Toni Weschler.  It was important to me to start "planning a family naturally" which right now means preventing a pregnancy naturally...I tried to go on birth control briefly, but not all women can handle the hormones and the change that can happen during the process.  My body reacted adversely to b.c. almost instantaneously.  But I was on the verge of getting married and I needed to find something to work before the big day! So I found this book and a whole world opened up to me. Taking Charge of You Fertility is so informative about the way your body works, how to prevent a pregnancy or how to become pregnant.  It's been so great for me to understand what's really going on and have all my questions answered!

P.S. We've been married almost 6 months and the natural way is working great and my body is happy and healthy!

Two Things

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Yesterday I was feeling overwhelmed with all the things on my plate...
Two things made me feel better...
One...the supporting and encouraging blog comments from you ladies who have been there and have come though it! Thank you all very much!
Two...I asked my husband to run out and get me my shampoo when I was at work, he did but he also had a vase of sunflowers and a sweet note waiting for me when I got home.  Thank you Lord for picking me a good one!
I wish I could share the flowers with you girls too!

Desk Set

My movie selection for this week is called Desk Set. This film was made in 1957 starring Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn.  Tracey and Hepburn were a classic on and off screen couple, and in this film they are simply charming! This film is about the introduction of technology into the office setting and the effects it has on people's jobs.  Hepburn works for a big company and is basically like a human google, but Tracy introduces a computer (which a 1957 computer is really entertaining to see) in to the office and she and her employees think they will be fired.  It's hard to explain but that is the background to a love story between two people who should be enemies.  It's cute and entertaining (I really love old movies when they show the latest and greatest technology and they think "this is it!") Other really great movies starring Hepburn and Tracy are:
Pat and Mike
Woman of the Year
Adam's Rib

3rd week

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Going on week three of working...I have to say I am not doing a good job juggling everything I have to do. The laundry has been suffering the most.  I've never been really good handing a lot on my plate at once, emotionally I get overwhelmed and physically I am beat.  I'm not sure what to do in this situation but I know that "this too shall pass." I'm thankful my husband husband understands that I want to be a stay at home "wife-then mommy"  so that's what were working toward.  But I need God to help me with the patience and the energy and the calm nerves.  I don't know how to make it all work...

Me

1. When do you feel happiest?
~When I'm at home, around my family, and there's laughter.


2. How do you take care of yourself?
~I'm always in need of down-time...I'm pretty low energy so if I'm busy all day I really need a time of rest and quiet.  So I get that by taking a bath, reading a book, or watching an old movie.

3. Are you internally (by yourself) or externally (by others) motivated?
~Both, I'm really hard on myself, but I also have great parents who raised me well and out of my respect for them I live a life that shows them that I respect what they did for me.

4. What do you do for fun?
~For fun? I love to watch old movies, but my husband and I like to be outside...so my favorite thing to do right now is go for walks with my hubby. Also Make-up is worthy of a mention of fun...cause I love it!

5. What intimidates you?
~People...I can read a lot of people but there are some people I can't read who I stay away from (which makes my husband laugh because I am really obvious about it) Also some other people I can read, who are very "in your face" kind of  people, again I obviously stay away from them too...I'm noticing this more and more and how really obviously awkward I am around some people.


6. What is something you're proud of?
~I'm proud of my family...proud of my parents, sibling and their families, and my husband and my new family on his side.  I'm so thankful God provided me with such wonderful examples!


7. Finish this sentence. I never _____________.
~Complain...BA HA HA HA yeah right... I never eat fish.

8. Favorite vacation spot.
~Um...Disneyland!


9. Today is a (rate from 1 - 10).
~7

10. Finish this sentence. If you knew me really well you'd know _____________.
~You'd know that I still struggle with shyness and social issues.  I really have been put in a spot now where I have to be social as a "pastor's wife" But when I'm around my family, I let them do all the talking and I am very quiet. That is nice for me.

A Lesson I Wish Would Just Stick...

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You know God is truly a Master Composer!  Here's the thing...I doubt He's working, I question Him daily, I pretty much accuse Him of forgetting me. AND then He does something completely wonderful, He out of nowhere sends a life saver...With a stroke of His hand He makes the impossible possible.  Think about it, hasn't he always come through in the past? I wish I could remember this...remember how many times He has come though for me.  Please Lord, don't let me forget!

Day Off!

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Pancakes and The Price is Right = Awesome morning! 

Now I have a ton of work to do for my husband (the youth pastor) I'm going to be his "secretary" today.  He's happy I like pancakes so much! I hope you all have an awesome Wednesday!

He Cares...phew!

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Psalm 121

A song of ascents.

 ¹ I lift up my eyes to the hills—
       where does my help come from?

 ² My help comes from the LORD,
       the Maker of heaven and earth.

 ³ He will not let your foot slip—
       he who watches over you will not slumber;

 ⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel
       will neither slumber nor sleep.

 ⁵ The LORD watches over you—
       the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

 ⁶ the sun will not harm you by day,
       nor the moon by night.

 ⁷ The LORD will keep you from all harm—
       he will watch over your life;

 ⁸ the LORD will watch over your coming and going
       both now and forevermore.

 Sometimes I don't know how God feels about me.  When I'm scared about the future I don't know if God cares...I know in my head He does, but some times my spirit feels so far away that I have my doubts.  Yesterday on the way home from work I said a teary prayer to God asking Him for help in a situation (which He answered later) and also to tell me how He feels about me, I came across theses verses...Thank you Lord for watching over me!

Father Goose

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This week's movie selection is called Father Goose. It stars Cary Grant and Leslie Caron, made in 1964.  This movie is set in WWII in the pacific islands....but it's not a war film (the war is just the background).  Cary is helping the British forces by inhabiting a deserted island where he can spot enemy planes and report them to the British...seems simple until a plane crash strands a School teacher (Caron) and her young students, all girls, on Grant's island.  It's really fun the way Cary Grant interacts with all the little girls on his island!  It's a fun film! Enjoy!

The Girl Card

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So in honor of my last post about reading Jane Austen books, I decided to talk about the Girl Card.  Some of you girls were afraid that I would take away your Girl Card for never having read Pride and Prejudice, but I will say, I have no right to do that because if someone was going to take away my Girl Card it would be because I don't like Chocolate.  Yep...membership suspended right? I prefer steak and bacon!  So Other than the not reading Jane Austen books, what are some very un-girl things that you do?

Jane, why did I ever leave you?

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I started reading Pride and Prejudice again and there's so much meat in it...

I love being challenged, having my vocabulary expand, and reading lines like  

"Undoubtedly, there is meanness in all the arts which ladies sometimes condescend to employ for captivation."

It's so hearty and lovely, and I find something new every time. Like that line which was a great "ouch-you got burned-moment"...trust me! 

Jane Austen...you are just the best!

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

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My movie selection for this week is called Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.  It's a musical made in 1953, with Jane Russel and Marilyn Monroe.  I know a lot of people don't like Marilyn, but I like her and I think she is great in this movie.  In the movie you follow 2 friends (Russel and Monroe) while they cruse to Europe where they are going to sing.  Jane Russel plays Dorothy, the smart one, and Marilyn plays the less smart and diamond crazy one, this combination gets them into trouble! I just like it, it's fun and the clothes are wonderful! Enjoy!

p.s. I have no idea what the title has to do with the movie (I think they just thought it was cute?) sorry brunettes~I used to be one of you too...

Workin' Girl

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I just got home from my new job...phew, I work in a maternity clothing store now and boy does it get busy! I'm learning new things daily about being pregnant and breast-feeding etc... My husband is a little nervous about me working there and getting the "baby bug" (but I've had the "baby bug" since I was 10).  I really like it though, we even get to try on the clothes with fake bellies (it's so fun!).  I'm thankful that God gave me this job and that He knew where I'd fit!

He Has Risen!

 

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Every Easter morning since I can remember on Easter morning when we woke up in our house we'd come out and my dad would say "He has Risen!" and we say "He has risen indeed!" It's a great tradition especially with young kids because they want to see their Easter baskets etc....but if the first thing to say is about Jesus...perspective.  Now I just love to hear it!

HE HAS RISEN!

No Greater Love

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 John 15:9-17 (N I V)

 ⁹"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. ¹⁰If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. ¹¹I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. ¹²My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. ¹³Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. ¹⁴You are my friends if you do what I command. ¹⁵I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. ¹⁶You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. ¹⁷This is my command: Love each other.

Thank you Lord for the price you paid on this day! 

April Fools!

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(April's traditional flower is the Daisy)

I am soo not a prankster, mostly because I know I would get mad if someone got me bad...so I won't dish it out cause I can't take it!  I think I got my parents once when I was little...but running into their rooms and yelling about something when they haven't even woken up yet is hardly an accomplishment.  Do you guys have any good April Fools pranks?
By the way Happy April! This is one of my most favorite months...because in California the weather is the most pleasant and sunny! I hope this month brings you new blessings!