Just so you can remind yourself in that all-important squash game...
Friday, January 25, 2008
A Head Scratcher...
On a recent visit to an unnamed Christian bookshop, I found these:
Just so you can remind yourself in that all-important squash game...
Just so you can remind yourself in that all-important squash game...
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
More from John Newton
I've begun to read John Newton: From Disgrace to Amazing Grace. It's fascinating so far, bringing out the complexity of Newton's life and conversion. It wasn't an overnight sensation, by any means!
When he finally decided to go into ministry, these were the goals Newton wrote for himself:
To know nothing but Jesus Christ and him crucified that I may declare His unsearchable riches to sinners... to insist much upon the great essential points of the glories of His person and offices, His wonderful love and condescension, His power, faithfulness and readiness to save, the grandeur of His works, the perfection of His example, His life, passion, death and resurrection.
The result of such worthy goals was to be rejected for ordination in the Church of England for six years. As Jonathan Aitken puts it: "His trouble was that he was suspected of the heinous crime of 'enthusiasm'."
May we all be as enthusiastic.
When he finally decided to go into ministry, these were the goals Newton wrote for himself:
To know nothing but Jesus Christ and him crucified that I may declare His unsearchable riches to sinners... to insist much upon the great essential points of the glories of His person and offices, His wonderful love and condescension, His power, faithfulness and readiness to save, the grandeur of His works, the perfection of His example, His life, passion, death and resurrection.
The result of such worthy goals was to be rejected for ordination in the Church of England for six years. As Jonathan Aitken puts it: "His trouble was that he was suspected of the heinous crime of 'enthusiasm'."
May we all be as enthusiastic.
Upsetting Oneself
On reading my blog title below, I did a double-take. Had I committed a grammatical faux-pas?
Nosey? Nosy? And honestly... honest???
Ok, I admit that I was wrong with the honest. However, I checked the dictionary, and apparently it's ok to spell nosy either way.
I wish someone would tell my year 6 teacher...
Nosey? Nosy? And honestly... honest???
Ok, I admit that I was wrong with the honest. However, I checked the dictionary, and apparently it's ok to spell nosy either way.
I wish someone would tell my year 6 teacher...
Friday, January 18, 2008
So much to do, so little time...
My husband has taken the kids out today, and I am left by myself at home. Being the procrastinatory type, here are my options for things to do:
Things that need to be done:
* Cook meal
* Clean bathroom
* Clean toilet
* Put away 4 baskets of washing
* Iron pretty but creased dresses for Boo
* Tidy up kitchen
* Organise children's ministry program for the year
* Put away rogue toys that seem to disappear under the lounge
Things that could be done:
* Finish cross-stitch birth sampler for Boo
* Tidy and sort kids' rooms
* Fix up kids' packs for Sunday
* Finish busy book covers for kids
Things that probably will be done:
* Watch the cricket and/or DVD
* Mess around with Facebook
* Write in blog
* Eat unhealthy snacky foods
I am a dreadful procrastinator!
Things that need to be done:
* Cook meal
* Clean bathroom
* Clean toilet
* Put away 4 baskets of washing
* Iron pretty but creased dresses for Boo
* Tidy up kitchen
* Organise children's ministry program for the year
* Put away rogue toys that seem to disappear under the lounge
Things that could be done:
* Finish cross-stitch birth sampler for Boo
* Tidy and sort kids' rooms
* Fix up kids' packs for Sunday
* Finish busy book covers for kids
Things that probably will be done:
* Watch the cricket and/or DVD
* Mess around with Facebook
* Write in blog
* Eat unhealthy snacky foods
I am a dreadful procrastinator!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
I'm not nosey, honest!
There are times when you wonder why things happen.
Over the past two days, hubsband and I were privileged to go to not one, but three eateries of various levels of gourmet-ness. (Now there is a sentence full of appropriate grammar and spelling!) The phenomenon that floored me was the loud conversation we encountered in each location of a slightly disturbing nature. All three conversations occurred within less than 24 hours.
Scenario 1: Our beautiful coffee and alone-time was shattered by the woman swearing like an absolute trooper. It was hard not to hear how upset she was that her family wasn't very supportive about her decision to leave her husband and kids for her own self-actualization. After all, it was apparently the best thing she'd ever done, so why didn't they show approval?
Scenario 2: A family afternoon tea was broken by a man swearing like an absolute trooper, proclaiming loudly that women "do yer head in", and generally resenting his ex-partner's attempts to know what is happening with her children while he bought them expensive presents.
Scenario 3: Two small children discuss loudly the five houses they live in at various times of the week or year, depending on whether they're with mum, dad, or the partners of said parents.
It was rather strange that three such conversations occurred at volumes too loud for polite deafness, and within such a short time period. I'm thinking that the moral of this story is that I don't get out enough, and my little intact family is somewhat of a novelty in the wider society.
Perhaps another moral of the story is to select cafes in which the tables are more than half a metre apart...
Over the past two days, hubsband and I were privileged to go to not one, but three eateries of various levels of gourmet-ness. (Now there is a sentence full of appropriate grammar and spelling!) The phenomenon that floored me was the loud conversation we encountered in each location of a slightly disturbing nature. All three conversations occurred within less than 24 hours.
Scenario 1: Our beautiful coffee and alone-time was shattered by the woman swearing like an absolute trooper. It was hard not to hear how upset she was that her family wasn't very supportive about her decision to leave her husband and kids for her own self-actualization. After all, it was apparently the best thing she'd ever done, so why didn't they show approval?
Scenario 2: A family afternoon tea was broken by a man swearing like an absolute trooper, proclaiming loudly that women "do yer head in", and generally resenting his ex-partner's attempts to know what is happening with her children while he bought them expensive presents.
Scenario 3: Two small children discuss loudly the five houses they live in at various times of the week or year, depending on whether they're with mum, dad, or the partners of said parents.
It was rather strange that three such conversations occurred at volumes too loud for polite deafness, and within such a short time period. I'm thinking that the moral of this story is that I don't get out enough, and my little intact family is somewhat of a novelty in the wider society.
Perhaps another moral of the story is to select cafes in which the tables are more than half a metre apart...
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Tagged again!
I've been tagged for another meme, so here be the answers to my questions, arr... (and it's not even Talk Like a Pirate Day!)
1. Were you named after anyone?
My second name comes from a scottish weed, apparently. (My parents thought it was rather romantic)
2. When was the last time you cried?
Yesterday when I was watching Amazing Grace.
3. Do you like your handwriting?
I used to, and then I began to type more than write and the whole thing went a little pear-shaped.
4. What is your favourite lunch meat?
Turkey
5. Do you have kids?
Yes
6. If you were another person would you be friends with you?
Um. Depends when you get me.
7. Do you use sarcasm alot?
No. Like I'd ever use sarcasm. Really!
8. Do you still have your tonsils?
Yes.
9. Would you bungee jump?
No.
10. What is your favourite cereal?
I'm a Crunchy Nut.
11. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off?
Sometimes.
12. Do you think you are strong?
Physically I'm a wimp. Emotionally perhaps a little more robust.
13. What is your favourite icecream?
Anything without nuts.
14. What is the first thing you notice about people?
How much better groomed they are than me.
15. Red or pink?
Pre-baby: Red. Post-baby: Pink. Not sure why. Perhaps it's an early sign of senility...
16. What is the thing that you like least about yourself?
The fat that's hung around since baby number two.
17. Who do you miss the most?
My grandfathers.
19. What colour pants and shoes are you wearing?
Brown trousers, bare feet
20. Have you ever re-gifted?
Once. Never again.
21. What are you listening to right now?
My daughter not being in bed, where she's supposed to be.
22. If you were a crayon what colour would you be?
A skin-coloured one.
23. Favourite smells?
Roses
24. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
My mother
25. Do you like the person who sent this to you?
Definitely!
26. Favourite sports to watch?
Cricket (until the latest test, that is), Tennis, and the Olympics
27. Hair colour?
Brown with grey patches unfortunately appearing!
28. Eye colour?
Brown
29. Do you wear contacts?
No.
30. Favourite food?
Chocolate. Until I've eaten too much of it, then anything green and healthy.
31. Scary movies or happy endings?
Happy endings.
32. Last movie you watched?
Amazing Grace - well worth another watch!
33. What colour shirt are you wearing?
Brown
34. Summer or winter?
Winter in Sydney, Summer in Lithgow
35. Hugs or kisses?
Hugs.
36. Favourite dessert?
Chocolate self-saucing pudding with ice cream.
39. What book are you reading now?
The Low-GI cook book.
40. What is on your mousepad?
Pastel stripes and a Kikki-K logo. I splurged.
41. What did you watch on tv last night?
The In-Laws (movie with Albert Brooks and Michael Douglas. It's Christmas non-ratings season!)
42. Favourite sound?
"luv yoo maam!"
43. Rolling stones or Beatles?
Beatles
44. What is the furthest you have been from home?
Inverness, Scotland, or Vancouver, Canada. I guess Scotland is further away.
45. Do you have a special talent?
Finding illustrations for abstract concepts, puzzle solving. Also for holding large amounts of trivial and useless information in my head (usually to answer the question: where did I see that actor before?).
46. Where were you born?
Aberdeen, Scotland
So there you go. I tag Cecily and Kaylene. Happy Meme-ing!
1. Were you named after anyone?
My second name comes from a scottish weed, apparently. (My parents thought it was rather romantic)
2. When was the last time you cried?
Yesterday when I was watching Amazing Grace.
3. Do you like your handwriting?
I used to, and then I began to type more than write and the whole thing went a little pear-shaped.
4. What is your favourite lunch meat?
Turkey
5. Do you have kids?
Yes
6. If you were another person would you be friends with you?
Um. Depends when you get me.
7. Do you use sarcasm alot?
No. Like I'd ever use sarcasm. Really!
8. Do you still have your tonsils?
Yes.
9. Would you bungee jump?
No.
10. What is your favourite cereal?
I'm a Crunchy Nut.
11. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off?
Sometimes.
12. Do you think you are strong?
Physically I'm a wimp. Emotionally perhaps a little more robust.
13. What is your favourite icecream?
Anything without nuts.
14. What is the first thing you notice about people?
How much better groomed they are than me.
15. Red or pink?
Pre-baby: Red. Post-baby: Pink. Not sure why. Perhaps it's an early sign of senility...
16. What is the thing that you like least about yourself?
The fat that's hung around since baby number two.
17. Who do you miss the most?
My grandfathers.
19. What colour pants and shoes are you wearing?
Brown trousers, bare feet
20. Have you ever re-gifted?
Once. Never again.
21. What are you listening to right now?
My daughter not being in bed, where she's supposed to be.
22. If you were a crayon what colour would you be?
A skin-coloured one.
23. Favourite smells?
Roses
24. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
My mother
25. Do you like the person who sent this to you?
Definitely!
26. Favourite sports to watch?
Cricket (until the latest test, that is), Tennis, and the Olympics
27. Hair colour?
Brown with grey patches unfortunately appearing!
28. Eye colour?
Brown
29. Do you wear contacts?
No.
30. Favourite food?
Chocolate. Until I've eaten too much of it, then anything green and healthy.
31. Scary movies or happy endings?
Happy endings.
32. Last movie you watched?
Amazing Grace - well worth another watch!
33. What colour shirt are you wearing?
Brown
34. Summer or winter?
Winter in Sydney, Summer in Lithgow
35. Hugs or kisses?
Hugs.
36. Favourite dessert?
Chocolate self-saucing pudding with ice cream.
39. What book are you reading now?
The Low-GI cook book.
40. What is on your mousepad?
Pastel stripes and a Kikki-K logo. I splurged.
41. What did you watch on tv last night?
The In-Laws (movie with Albert Brooks and Michael Douglas. It's Christmas non-ratings season!)
42. Favourite sound?
"luv yoo maam!"
43. Rolling stones or Beatles?
Beatles
44. What is the furthest you have been from home?
Inverness, Scotland, or Vancouver, Canada. I guess Scotland is further away.
45. Do you have a special talent?
Finding illustrations for abstract concepts, puzzle solving. Also for holding large amounts of trivial and useless information in my head (usually to answer the question: where did I see that actor before?).
46. Where were you born?
Aberdeen, Scotland
So there you go. I tag Cecily and Kaylene. Happy Meme-ing!
It never rains but it pours...
This was the view outside our living room window during this afternoon's big storm:
The local council hasn't seen fit to install kerb and guttering in the lane next to our house, so every decent downpour does this. Notice the air conditioning unit sitting nicely in the lake...
The local council hasn't seen fit to install kerb and guttering in the lane next to our house, so every decent downpour does this. Notice the air conditioning unit sitting nicely in the lake...
Thursday, January 10, 2008
The Busy Girl's Guide to Exegesis
Well, sort of.
One of my favourite aspects of studying at bible college was the chance to look at some of the biblical texts in their original language. I loved studying the New Testament in Greek, discovering the nuances of meaning, the living language that popped up on every page. However, being a little undisciplined, my in-depth studies have dropped off quite considerably since I graduated.
Today I discovered a great resource called ReGreek. It's a quick and simple way to read passages from the New Testament and keep up my Greek studies. There's a daily reading to help you look at sections of the New Testament you may not previously have studied. As you read, hovering the mouse over a particular word gives you the appropriate grammatical information. No need to sit down with piles of books around!
One of my favourite aspects of studying at bible college was the chance to look at some of the biblical texts in their original language. I loved studying the New Testament in Greek, discovering the nuances of meaning, the living language that popped up on every page. However, being a little undisciplined, my in-depth studies have dropped off quite considerably since I graduated.
Today I discovered a great resource called ReGreek. It's a quick and simple way to read passages from the New Testament and keep up my Greek studies. There's a daily reading to help you look at sections of the New Testament you may not previously have studied. As you read, hovering the mouse over a particular word gives you the appropriate grammatical information. No need to sit down with piles of books around!
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
A new year, A new quote.
When I began to write the blog, I thought that it would be good to have a little quote in the sidebar - something to sum up certain aspects of my life for the year.
Today, I was finally able to watch the movie Amazing Grace, and although certain aspects of Wilberforce's Christian commitment seemed to be underplayed, there were still a lot of good portrayals of lives of faith. In particular, there was a great quote from John Newton. It was something I believe he said many times during his life:
It's going to be my "thought for the year" for 2008. Happy New Year!
Today, I was finally able to watch the movie Amazing Grace, and although certain aspects of Wilberforce's Christian commitment seemed to be underplayed, there were still a lot of good portrayals of lives of faith. In particular, there was a great quote from John Newton. It was something I believe he said many times during his life:
"Although my memory is fading, there are two things I remember clearly: I am a Great Sinner, and Christ is a Great Saviour" John Newton in Amazing Grace
It's going to be my "thought for the year" for 2008. Happy New Year!
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Getting Crafty at Birthday Parties
It's Boo's birthday party soon.
This is not a new idea, but I thought I'd post my take on the party bag. I'm really not into the readymade plastic lolly bag thing, and although I know the noodle boxes have been around for years, I was quite happy with this effort. It's amazing what a touch of ribbon will do.
On the down side, I would have liked some slightly nicer tags, but as it was impossible to find nice cardboard in town I was forced to rummage around in the archives. My original idea was to reuse the ribbon on the tags, but I'd foolishly purchased only a single spool (note to self: do not try thinking tasks in the middle of Christmas shopping day). So I used stickers of a certain Nickelodeon character instead (one of Boo's favourites). The end result isn't quite as classy, but I don't think the kids will mind...
Note to self: Next time, use double-sided tape so the ribbon doesn't fall off.
This is not a new idea, but I thought I'd post my take on the party bag. I'm really not into the readymade plastic lolly bag thing, and although I know the noodle boxes have been around for years, I was quite happy with this effort. It's amazing what a touch of ribbon will do.
On the down side, I would have liked some slightly nicer tags, but as it was impossible to find nice cardboard in town I was forced to rummage around in the archives. My original idea was to reuse the ribbon on the tags, but I'd foolishly purchased only a single spool (note to self: do not try thinking tasks in the middle of Christmas shopping day). So I used stickers of a certain Nickelodeon character instead (one of Boo's favourites). The end result isn't quite as classy, but I don't think the kids will mind...
Note to self: Next time, use double-sided tape so the ribbon doesn't fall off.
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