A virtue that I struggle with, and one that God has been steadily working on in my life, especially in these past months. I struggle with being patient both with people, and with God. Today my patience in both was put to the test.
I have now had Valencia for almost 6 months (hard to believe!) Having a seeing eye dog brings a great deal of attention, which has its advantages and disadvantages. I have discovered that one of the most frustrating things to me is lack of knowledge concerning laws about service animals. I have now encountered resistance to Valencia's presence in a public business 3 times. Once at a Thai restaurant. Over this past weekend at DSW. And today when I went to get a pedicure.
In the first two occasions, I attempted to remain calm and polite, but became extremely frustrated extremely quickly. However, my family has an established relationship with the people at this salon, is that what you call it? The lady we go to for pedicures is a very sweet person who likes our family. In the previous situations, I was ready in a few seconds to just have them call the police and be told that they were wrong. But I really didn't want to give these people all that trouble. So, mustering every ounce of patience I could, I very carefully explained, several times that no, I was not going to leave Valencia outside, even though people are sometimes scared or allergic to dogs, because federal laws in this country say that Valencia is allowed anywhere the general public is.
In the end, after several consultations with the owner, it was conceded that yes, Valencia could wait patiently next to the spa chair during my pedicure. And I have been rewarded with very pretty toenails, and no unnecessary police encounters.
Patience test #2 arrived today when I came home and discovered on facebook that a friend from high school is now engaged. This is not a huge surprise, she and her now fiance have been together for over 2 years. But that darn petty little part in my brain says "You've been dating for 2 months longer than they have, you should be the one to be engaged first!" But the world doesn't work that way. God's timing is different in everyone's lives, but the one thing that remains the same is that His timing is perfect. It is not time for me to be engaged, not matter how much longer Tad and I have been together than another couple. I need to accept this and be happy for what God is doing in other's lives, and what He is doing right now in my life.
This second one is a major work in progress. I suspect it will be one God and I are working on in my life long after I get engaged. There's always something more to want. I need to learn contentment. Please pray for this in my life, it's something I should perhaps consider making a New Year's resolution. Also, any suggestions on books involving patience and such would be appreciated.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
Weekend in Nevada
My parents, Stephen, and I just got back this afternoon from spending a long weekend with my dad's family in Nevada. My dad grew up in Boulder City, Nevada, about 45 minutes outside Las Vegas, and my grandma still lives there. My two aunts and cousin had all arrived earlier in the week and were there for Christmas.
We piled into my dad's Camri Friday morning, dropped Nigel off at the petsitter's, and set out on the 5.5-6.5 hour drive. There was snow in the mountain pass, but sdaly none left at my grandma's house. I was hoping it would snow enough on Christmas for some to stick so we could see it. No such luck, oh well.
Friday was my mom's birthday (what a way to spend your birthday, driving for 6 hours in the desert) and Saturday was my Aunt Diane's birthday, so we celebrated by going out for dinner at the only restaurant that was open Friday night, Big Horn. It was a nice Italian/Mediterranean place. We had a fairly large group with my aunts, cousin, grandma and our family friends the Lindebergs. I got veel parmesan, quite tasty.
Two favorite quotes of the evening
#1 "They had me at lamb cabobs" Stephen
#2 My cousin Stephanie: Hey
Our Waiter: What?
Stephanie: It's my mom's birthday
Waiter: I know (ref
Stephanie: I eating it *referring to the birthday cake*
After dinner we went back to my grandma's house and had cheesecake and hung out. My parents and Steve and I spent Friday and Saturday night in the old hotel in Boulder City, since the 3 bedroom 2 bathroom house was already a bit full. It was also good to get a little break from the craziness. My cousin Stephanie, now 15, has physical and intellectual disabilities. She is very sweet, but loves attention and doesn't mind being loud to get it. It was kinda funny, over the course of the weekend I went from "Lindsey", to "Aunt Lindsey", to "Lindseya" (what she had been calling Valencia) to "Aunt Lindseya" haha
Saturday my Aunt Lauren's friend Courtney flew in from Reno to visit and then drive back with Aunt Lauren on Sunday. We hung out, played a couple games of Apples to Apples and Uno and watching Mama Mia. Sunday morning Aunt Lauren and Courtney left, and Aunt Diane and Stephanie left for the airport not too long after. The 4 in my family moved in over to my grandma's house and spent the day relaxing there, and playing Yahtzee. And we drove home this morning.
I love getting to see family, but am glad to be home again. I'm also getting mildly antsy about being back on campus. And don't even talk to me about grad school applications, ugh. I have a lot to do this week.
We piled into my dad's Camri Friday morning, dropped Nigel off at the petsitter's, and set out on the 5.5-6.5 hour drive. There was snow in the mountain pass, but sdaly none left at my grandma's house. I was hoping it would snow enough on Christmas for some to stick so we could see it. No such luck, oh well.
Friday was my mom's birthday (what a way to spend your birthday, driving for 6 hours in the desert) and Saturday was my Aunt Diane's birthday, so we celebrated by going out for dinner at the only restaurant that was open Friday night, Big Horn. It was a nice Italian/Mediterranean place. We had a fairly large group with my aunts, cousin, grandma and our family friends the Lindebergs. I got veel parmesan, quite tasty.
Two favorite quotes of the evening
#1 "They had me at lamb cabobs" Stephen
#2 My cousin Stephanie: Hey
Our Waiter: What?
Stephanie: It's my mom's birthday
Waiter: I know (ref
Stephanie: I eating it *referring to the birthday cake*
After dinner we went back to my grandma's house and had cheesecake and hung out. My parents and Steve and I spent Friday and Saturday night in the old hotel in Boulder City, since the 3 bedroom 2 bathroom house was already a bit full. It was also good to get a little break from the craziness. My cousin Stephanie, now 15, has physical and intellectual disabilities. She is very sweet, but loves attention and doesn't mind being loud to get it. It was kinda funny, over the course of the weekend I went from "Lindsey", to "Aunt Lindsey", to "Lindseya" (what she had been calling Valencia) to "Aunt Lindseya" haha
Saturday my Aunt Lauren's friend Courtney flew in from Reno to visit and then drive back with Aunt Lauren on Sunday. We hung out, played a couple games of Apples to Apples and Uno and watching Mama Mia. Sunday morning Aunt Lauren and Courtney left, and Aunt Diane and Stephanie left for the airport not too long after. The 4 in my family moved in over to my grandma's house and spent the day relaxing there, and playing Yahtzee. And we drove home this morning.
I love getting to see family, but am glad to be home again. I'm also getting mildly antsy about being back on campus. And don't even talk to me about grad school applications, ugh. I have a lot to do this week.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
A Christmas Story
Twas Christmas morning and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, except Lindsey and Valencia. Rain was falling lightly outside as they made their way downstairs, and fed Valencia breakfast. The sun managed to find it's way through the clouds as the rest of the family stumbled sleepily out of bed.
When all 5 family members had gathered round the lit Christmas tree, Christmas music playing in the background, the present opening began. There was candy and books and a new dress and bath products galore. While the puppies and kitties amused themselves with their own new toys, the family had a breakfast of oatmeal, cranberry orange bread, and Mayan hot chocolate.
As soon as their plates were empty, the happy little family set to work to prepare Christmas dinner. Into the oven went the turkey, onto the stove went the cranberries, into the fridge went the rolls. While their dinner baked and simmered and rose, Lindsey and her mom set out to finishing their batch of sugar cookies.
The house smelled wonderfully of Christmas dinner when the grandparents arrived. The family shared more presents and talked and laughed until the dinner was ready. The conversation lulled as they enjoyed their turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, jello salad, and Martinelli's. They waved goodbye to Dave as he made his way to Rancho Cucamonga to spend a few days with his dad and family there.
Too full from dinner to think just yet about dessert, the rest of the family did dishes and watched Elf.When the dishes were done, and they were a little less full, they gladly dished up the apple and pecan pies. Having finished their movie and their pie, the grandparents gave hugs and headed home to their kitty Muffin.
The four remaining family members watched as they drove out of sight, and heard them call "Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night."
When all 5 family members had gathered round the lit Christmas tree, Christmas music playing in the background, the present opening began. There was candy and books and a new dress and bath products galore. While the puppies and kitties amused themselves with their own new toys, the family had a breakfast of oatmeal, cranberry orange bread, and Mayan hot chocolate.
As soon as their plates were empty, the happy little family set to work to prepare Christmas dinner. Into the oven went the turkey, onto the stove went the cranberries, into the fridge went the rolls. While their dinner baked and simmered and rose, Lindsey and her mom set out to finishing their batch of sugar cookies.
The house smelled wonderfully of Christmas dinner when the grandparents arrived. The family shared more presents and talked and laughed until the dinner was ready. The conversation lulled as they enjoyed their turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, jello salad, and Martinelli's. They waved goodbye to Dave as he made his way to Rancho Cucamonga to spend a few days with his dad and family there.
Too full from dinner to think just yet about dessert, the rest of the family did dishes and watched Elf.When the dishes were done, and they were a little less full, they gladly dished up the apple and pecan pies. Having finished their movie and their pie, the grandparents gave hugs and headed home to their kitty Muffin.
The four remaining family members watched as they drove out of sight, and heard them call "Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night."
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
New Beginnings
We're always being told to step out of our comfort zone right? I don't know if that's supposed to be applicable to blogging, but it is to me. I have used xanga for 5 years, and I dislike change, but a change was necessary. So goodbye xanga, hello blogspot.
I am always thankful for the constants in my life, the things that don't change. one such thing is the happiness and sense of togetherness in my house at Christmastime. As a senior in high school, I feared that once I went away to school, Christmas at home wouldn't be the same. And of course, it isn't. How can it be? I don't live here full time anymore. But that's not the part that matters. What matters is: it's still my family, it's still Christmas, and the reason for Christmas remains the same.
We had some "technical difficulties" with our tree this year. Last year we decided our (artificial) tree should have colored lights in addition to our usual white ones. About a day after I got home for Christmas break, half of the white strand stopped lighting. My dad tried several things to fix them, but to no avail. So we got more white ones from Rite Aid...which didn't work. The poor tree looked pitiful with just the colored lights on it. Becoming very frustrated with the patheticness of our tree, my parents went down to City Lights and returned with new white lights (that work) and new GIANT colored bulbs. We spent time this afternoon re-decorating our tree, and it now looks as a Christmas tree should.
My mom found the whole ordeal nightmareish and depressing, I see it as one of those family experiences that isn't so fun at the time, but is great to tell as a story later. :)
Merry Christmas
I am always thankful for the constants in my life, the things that don't change. one such thing is the happiness and sense of togetherness in my house at Christmastime. As a senior in high school, I feared that once I went away to school, Christmas at home wouldn't be the same. And of course, it isn't. How can it be? I don't live here full time anymore. But that's not the part that matters. What matters is: it's still my family, it's still Christmas, and the reason for Christmas remains the same.
We had some "technical difficulties" with our tree this year. Last year we decided our (artificial) tree should have colored lights in addition to our usual white ones. About a day after I got home for Christmas break, half of the white strand stopped lighting. My dad tried several things to fix them, but to no avail. So we got more white ones from Rite Aid...which didn't work. The poor tree looked pitiful with just the colored lights on it. Becoming very frustrated with the patheticness of our tree, my parents went down to City Lights and returned with new white lights (that work) and new GIANT colored bulbs. We spent time this afternoon re-decorating our tree, and it now looks as a Christmas tree should.
My mom found the whole ordeal nightmareish and depressing, I see it as one of those family experiences that isn't so fun at the time, but is great to tell as a story later. :)
Merry Christmas
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
