Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Thirty-Three

This month I became older. 

This month was a hard month.

For the past 32 years, I figured by 33 I would have my life together.

It feels more confused and tore apart than ever before.

I need to remember the saying that to make something better you have to tear out all the old.  Maybe in the remodeling stages of my life, the tearing out process is over and the rebuilding is soon to begin??!!

Anyhow.

This was the first year I dreaded my birthday. 

I told my mom I wanted a tea kettle for my birthday.

I love my tea kettle.

Which makes me sad.

Only an old person would get excited about a tea kettle.

But I do really, really love my tea kettle.  And I use it. A lot.

My siblings had all chipped in and bought thick fleece for a blanket for me and Tricie knotted it together.  This made me want to cry.  When I move it will be like taking part of them with me and when I sleep they will be keeping me warm.

We had my birthday dinner a couple days before my actual day.  So when Tuesday rolled around and it was just a normal work day, I was really dreading it.

But I have amazing co-workers who made it great.

Everyone remembered.

Brandon wished me a happy 53rd.  Thanks.so.much. Brandon.  {Insert sarcastic font here}

Norma treated us to Cinnamon Rolls.

Eugene gave me a Tootsie Roll.  Which made me smile.  Then I realized he gave everyone a Tootsie Roll.  Let's pretend he did it in honor of my day :-/ 

Doug took a picture of me which then Mike blew up and printed.  It was taped on the wall with a note "Happy 37th Birthday Julie"  To which I promptly changed to '27th'. 

That night I had 15 dozen cutouts to make so I ran over to mom's to use her kitchen.  She surprised me with dinner and (a second) angel food cake- my favorite- with DQ ice cream.

What was expected to be a miserable day ended up being pretty good.

What is so hard for me is to look around and see most everyone else my age is married and settled while I'm still trying to figure out what I want to be when I 'grow up'. 

Then I thought about it.  Growing up is boring.  I'll just take life as it comes and laugh through every moment.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Small Valentine

Last Thursday was Valentine's Day.

Some years it bothers me that I'm single and other years it doesn't.

This year wasn't the best of years.  Just days after turning another year older and then waking with a migraine didn't set me in the best of moods.

Certainly not in a mood to help at a 2nd grade Valentine party.

After drugging up on Advil and chugging caffeine, hoping the headache would subside a bit, I drove up to the school.

The party was so much fun, dipping snacks into a chocolate fondue and playing games.

While we were passing out treats and rearranging desks, I heard one boy say to another "You don't deserve a chair." 

I was fired up when I heard this.

I can't stand when kids are mean.

 I was picked on in school and I knew how the other boy felt. 

His eyes dropped to the floor and he just stood there digesting the thought that he didn't deserve a chair. 

I went over to the mean kid and made him walk over and apologize and say something nice.

After he apologized I walked him back to his desk and told him "Everyone is fighting a battle. Be nice to everyone." 

Not sure if he understood it.  But hopefully it sticks in his memory.  

I resolved the situation and let it go.

What touched my heart was when the little boy who was picked on soon walked up to me and tapped me on the elbow.  He handed me a Valentine, smiled, and walked away. 

I slipped the Valentine in my pocket and enjoyed the rest of my day.

It made me realize that sometimes sticking up for the underdog or doing a small gesture of kindness can go a long way.

The little boy will never know how much that little Valentine meant to me. 

Instead of being sad, it made me smile the rest of the day.

Monday, February 4, 2013

My Sweet Valentine: JulseyMarie

Whatcha gettin' your sweet Valentine this year?


How 'bout some chocolate?


Or more chocolate?
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
Check out JulseyMarie for some fun ideas for your sweet Valentine! 
 
Whether you ship Chocolate Truffles to your mom, Chocolate Cookies to your sister, Caramel Chewy to your bestie, you can know that she will be delighted on Valentine's Day!
 
Your son might enjoy some Chocolate Chips and your hubby might enjoy some Super Stuffed Chocolate Chip.  Either one would show how Monster -much you love him!  
 
Order by Saturday, February 9th for Valentine delivery!
 
A white box filled with goodies wrapped in red or pink tissue will be delivered to your honey at work or your friend at home with a simple Valentine inside with your requested message! A simple way to show the ones you love how much you care!



 


 
 
Roses are red
Violets are blue
Sugar is sweet
and cookies are too!
 
 
Enter LOVE13 for 15% off all JulseyMarie products!




Sunday, February 3, 2013

Ask

I timidly walk to the throne.

I'm scared. 

I'm unworthy.

I'm so, so small in comparison.

I reach out and touch the hem of His robe.

I feel a hand on my shoulder.

I turn.

It's my Brother.

I relax.

I tell Him I need to talk to the Father.

But I'm unworthy.

For even on my best days

I'm as filthy rags.

He says He can help.

He pulls me into His arms.

And tells me I'll be okay.

That He has been walking with me

all along. 

He goes to the Father.

He tells Him I'm weary.

He tells Him I'm weak.

He tells Him I'm in pain.

He tells Him what I need.

He tells Him what I want.

I stand with my head down

away from the throne.

Knowing how unworthy

I am

To speak to the Father.

The creator of the heavens and the earth.

Soon my Brother returns.

Places His hands upon my shoulders

Looks me in the eye

And reminds me that He loves me

Enough to have died for me

Nothing can change that

Or make Him stop loving me

Or wanting good for me.

He gently turns me

towards the throne

He guides me to His feet.

Instead of turning me away.

He reaches down

And picks me up.

He curls me in the crook of His arm.

He wipes my tears.

He waits while the sobbing subsides.

He lets me rest.

Then Father tells me my Brother

has told Him my fears.

He tells me to leave those aside.

To worry no more.

I tell my Father I need help.

I'm so tired.

So weary from this journey.

Even my physical body cries out in pain.

He tells me that He has a plan.

And He does have good for me.

To doubt that no more.

He holds me some more.

While the sobs turn to whimpers.

He reminds me that my Brother has been carrying me.

Even when I couldn't see Him

through all my tears.

Even when I was frustrated

And didn't want to talk.

He sets me down.

Tells me to journey on.

That good is right around the bend.

To never give up hope.

To anytime come to Him for comfort.

To never fear.

Always knowing

That He will pick me up

And hold me in His arms

Anytime.

I just need

to come

and ask.