Boiling Blood

Blood! Boiling Blood!


You know that You Tube video with the kid who says "blood" in a funny and really cute way? Well if you don't, check it out here: Not Funny Blood


Even though, yes, this video is very funny to most viewers...the part I would like to highlight is that from the kid's perspective it's "not funny." It is very serious indeed.


Well I am in a "serious" situation now and my blood is boiling. It's one of those situations where I see things one way (one very simple and logical way, might I add) and someone else sees it completely differently, and is not responding how I think they should respond. My hairs are raised and my blood is "boiling." And I am not laughing, but I feel like everyone else is. (Well I can't say everyone...Patrick is standing by my side...it's one of those huge perks of this whole marriage thing...always having someone on your side. I do have to give him props. Thanks, Sweetie! :)


Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation? I'm trying to talk myself down and it just doesn't seem to be working! I keep thinking, "If only they truly understood my heart in the matter and saw things from my perspective!" The tricky part is that I don't know this person very well at all AND we're in a professional relationship, so there's lot's of "cordialness" and "red tape" that are preventing me from saying what I really want to say. After a quick self-diagnosis, I would say I'm assuming way too much. I really don't know how this other person is taking what I'm saying, or why they're saying what they're saying. I have no right to assume that he/she is thinking negatively of me and reacting in this way out of spite. In all honesty, this sticky situation could be just that... an innocent sticky situation. AND heaven forbid, I take a moment to try and see things from his/her perspective! (what?!) Oh, and did I mention that this situation has mostly been in email and an occasional phone conversation? Another huge trigger for misinterpretation! Just what I need.


Speaking of what I do really need....that is your help. What do you do in these sticky situations? How do you talk yourself down? Are there Bible verses you bring to mind or prayers you say? It's bedtime and I need to lower my heart rate so that Patrick can get some sleep without a fuming wife at his side. (those air traffic controllers really need their sleep...let me tell you!) Thank you for listening and for your thoughts. I'm starting to feel better already.


Moral of the Story: If you're in a sticky situation and you feel misunderstood, take some time to step back, breath and really reflect on the situation. God will show you what to do...and if not immediately, He'll at least provide an outlet for your frustrations in a friend or perhaps a soul mate...or maybe even a blog ;)

I'm not in Michigan anymore

Here I am, sitting in the closet....again. This has been happening a lot lately due to the crazy weather affecting much of the Mid South these days. Talk about tornado alley!! I didn't sign up for this! In fact, I don't really like it at all to be completely honest with you. Tornadoes scare me, and here's something interesting. We barely had any tornadoes in MI when I was there and we had a basement to hide in when the time came. We have TONS of tornado warnings and actual tornadoes here and there's NO basement. Just a measly kitchen pantry that Patrick, Moses and I have to cram ourselves into when we hear the sirens. Our neighbor fears that the cans of food will hit us in the head if a tornado does come. I fear that we'll forget to grab a can opener in the case that we are, heaven forbid, stuck in there for a long period of time. How ironic would that be?!

Mo and I hiding out during a tornado warning

My view in the kitchen pantry

This time Patrick is at work so it's just me and Mo. I really don't think he minds at all, as he loves to be in small cramped spaces. Me, on the other hand...I think my butt is going numb and I worry about making sure I have "everything I need" in here in case something does hit ground in our neighborhood. How do you determine what you need, though? I mean if a tornado does really come, is there anything that would really help me in that situation (besides my faith in God)? Nonetheless it is our mission to create an "Emergency Kit" to store in the pantry so that we do have all the "essentials" without having to think about it in the time of action. Here's the list we came up with:

1. Can Opener
2. Flashlight
3. Blankets
4. Shoes
5. Granola bars
6. First aid supplies
7. What else?

Oh, and here's a list of what we'll grab on the way in:

1. Purse/Wallet
2. Shoes
3. Clothes (if it's the middle of the night of course)
4. Cell phones/charger
5. Moses

That is if there's time :/ But like I said, I have a feeling if a tornado really does hit we won't be so worried about having "everything" we need. I'll be happy if we survive together. I know God will take care of the details.

I just emerged to check the weather situation and it's eerily quiet, it seems. Siren is still going off.  I even saw a neighborhood cat in our back yard. Take shelter, Kitty! Apparently the bad storm is about to hit in 10 min. Nerves? What nerves? God is my strength and He is in control. NOT to say that these tornadoes are His will. No, no, no. However, He WILL make good out come out of whatever happens and He IS holding us in the palm of His hand.

Not to say I don't just wish it would stop. Please?

Moral of the Story: No matter what size of the tornado in your life, whether it be literal or psycological, trust in God and He will make sure you have everything you need...even if you do forget to grab the can opener!

What to do...what to do...

So I'm at a turning point in my little old life. It's nothing MONUMENTAL...but nonetheless, it is an action that needs to be taken that will change my day to day activities. Here's the thing...notice I said "needs" to be taken...not "wants" to be taken. If you know me (and now even if you don't!) you know that I despise change. Anything that requires me to move out of a particular zone of comfort makes me squirmy, makes my armpits itch (if you will) and makes me ultimately come up with any excuse in the book NOT to do it.

Okay..so this isn't me, it's my husband - but you get the idea. Are YOUR armpits itching yet?!

Here's what I've got so far in the way of excuses:

1. If I do this said "action" (which is not being revealed for security purposes of my livelihood) I will not have the chance to interact with as many people throughout the week. 

2. I will lose the relationships I have so lovingly created at this "said place." 

3. My husband and I will have to live a little tighter in the money region of our lives unless I am able to bump up my graphic design freelance activities.

4. I won't be able to bump up my graphic design freelance activities.

5. I will become a hermit who watches old Cosby episodes by day and yearns for human interaction by night while my husband goes out into the "real" world and brings home the bread.

6. Heaven forbid...I will have to earn a new clientele and build new relationships and new credibility and new self esteem in a way, because all that I have built up at "said place" will be non-existent.


Okay...that's limiting enough. And now for something completely different! I will address each excuse with the ever-present truth that lives within me (aka my crack at a Godly perspective) and let's see where we end up.

1. If I do this said "action" (which is not being revealed for security purposes of my livelihood) I will not have the chance to interact with as many people throughout the week.

 Actually, it is me who has complete control over how many people I interact with throughout my week, not my circumstances. If I want to meet more people, why not go to a cafe or a coffee shop or the grocery store or the bank or the gas station or the library...the list goes on. People are everywhere. All I need to do is get off my butt and go meet them!

2. I will lose the relationships I have so lovingly created at this "said place."

For each loving relationship I have so lovingly created I have a lovely phone number to go with it (and if I don't yet, then I can get it before "said action" takes place.) Would it really kill me to rely upon purposeful interactions with these individuals instead of the "oh, I just happened to run into you so I'll talk to you" method??? I think not.

3. My husband and I will have to live a little tighter in the money region of our lives unless I am able to bump up my graphic design freelance activities.

In all actuality we can handle living a little "tighter." The truth of the matter is there are a lot of people out there who survive on a lot less than what we would have even if I am not able to bump up my graphic design freelance activities. Which leads me to my next point...

4. I won't be able to bump up my graphic design freelance activities.

The only reason I haven't been able to bump up my graphic design freelance activities is because I've been too busy with "said action" to actively pursue these activities!! Problem solved.

5. I will become a hermit who watches old Cosby episodes by day and yearns for human interaction by night while my husband goes out into the "real" world and brings home the bread.

Again...I control the amount of "hermitishness" I become NOT the "hermitishness" (yes, I will say my made up word again!) controlling me. God put us on this earth to interact with each other (and, I believe, to also watch a Cosby episode here and there) and I will not let this change take away my ability to interact with others.

6. Heaven forbid...I will have to earn a new clientele and build new relationships and new credibility and new self esteem, because all that I have built up at "said place" will be non-existent.

This is the point of life! To create "new clientele," "new relationships" and "new credibility" at every turn; to have my self esteem based upon the rock that is Jesus (how He loves us!) and not what others might think of me. God did not put us on this earth to be comfortable, but to GO and love all types of people. Truth be known, I am using this "said place" that I am tied down to now as a scapegoat...something to cowardly rely on...because I am scared to have to create my own relationships from scratch. (or "from a scratch" as my sweet little second cousin would say) It's okay to be scared, but it's not okay to let my fear control my actions. No way. No how.

Hokay...I don't know about you, but at the conclusion of all of this a few phrases come to mind.

"Man up, Bambi!!"

"Just do it."

"Everyting will be ahrighy!" (my attempt to spell out how the Jamaicans say "Everything will be all right")

It's true. Everything will be all right if I just do it and man up, Bambi! I'm not saying my fear of change is gone. All I'm saying is that it should not be my focus in this matter of life. In fact, even as I contemplate what to type next and the consequences of those typings, my stomach is in knots and I feel the worry creeping up my backbone. Lord, only YOU can help me overcome this doubt. Only YOU can give me the strength to shut the mouths of these lions as you did for Daniel (Daniel 6:10-23).

I WILL pass through this turning point in my life and come out on the other side...armpits itching and all!

Moral of the Story: No matter what fears you face, our God is bigger, and if you seek His guidance you will find the courage to do what you knew you needed to do all along.

Birthday Blessings

I'm sitting here and it's almost my birthday (we're talking a matter of minutes).  I'm SO excited!!!  Birthdays were always a big deal in my family.  Mom and Dad did a great job of making my sister and I feel extra special on each of our extra special days.  Streamers hanging from the door, soap writing on the mirror in the bathroom, fine china pulled out for breakfast and don't forget the birthday tablecloth accompanied by our choice of birthday dinner.  Not to mention queen for the day and lovely gifts :)  Oh yeah.  We had it good.  Scratch that...GREAT!  Needless to say my hubby has a lot to live up to as he's my family now and my birthday is so quickly approaching.  Not to worry, though, his amazingness is no less in the birthday department.  He started out my birthday week with an amazing bottle of ice wine in our new Riedel glasses (ps: totally worth the extra dinero if you're a wine drinker like us)  Beautiful flowers yesterday to remind me that my birthday is  just around the corner. I feel entirely special and my day is JUST about to begin :D Even though I do miss my family and friends on this first birthday in Memphis away from them all, I'm so blessed to have a man of God who is so eager and able to show his love for me. Better sign off for now.....3.....2.....1......HAPPY BIRTHDAY ME!!!!

Moral of the Story: Count your blessings, for I'm sure they outweigh your trials.

The First Post of My Blog!!

...said with a booming voice like that of, "The first gift of Christmas!" from The Polar Express...

Let me just say that there are mixed emotions right now. I've always wanted to start a blog.  In fact, I think I've started several different blogs in my lifetime...but THIS is the first time I have actually posted something of significance.  Thus: Excitement!!  Now enter: Nervousness, Expectancy, Worry, Squimishment, Dullness, Disappointment.  See?  In one statement I have played through my whole blogging experience without even posting my first post.  Let me explain.  I'm nervous that no one will even read what I'm writing (ps: who cares?)  I'm worried that if anyone does read what I'm writing they'll think it's stupid (and again: who really cares?)  I'm squimish as I sift through my brain trying to figure out what is worthy enough of a topic.  I'm dull because I have no earthly idea of what to write...and I'm disappointed because even if I did write anything I feel like it might be pointless (talk about a complex!)  Oh the pressure.

But back to the point of this blog: Sunny Side UP.  Derived from "chin UP," "Man UP" and what the heck...maybe even "Fess UP."  Mostly I hope to encourage others by relating to them and also to help myself work through the tangled mess of thoughts in my head...always ending UP with a positive moral of the story.  I know it won't be easy, but I'd like to commit to this mission nonetheless, because that is why, I believe, we are here on this earth.  To be a positive light to the world...pointing UPwards to Christ, our Lord and Savior.  I hope to point to Him in the way I live my life because not only did God give me life from the beginning...He sent His son to give m Eternal Life...that's life forever...in Heaven...the best place EVER!!  All this despite the fact that I'm a sinner and keep on messing UP over and over again.  He sees my mistakes and still loves and forgives me when I turn to Him.  And that's just skimming the surface...Whoo!  Can I get an Amen?!

Now...I could go on and on, but in fear of my first blog scaring potential readers off due to long-windedness, I think I'll end on that high note...and with a sense of accomplishment, I might add.  I've officially posted my first post. *phew!*

Moral of the Story: The first is the worst, so logically it can only go UP from here.