12/27/2008 - Chocolate makes me...

... desperately want to snack unhealthily between meals.

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Now playing: The Killers - A Dustland Fairytale
via FoxyTunes

12/22/2008 - Are unexpected gifts better than expected ones? Should we do away with one or the other?

Unexpected gifts are better. But expected gifts have their place. Gifts are good, unexpected or not.

12/21/2008 - What is changing in your life right now...

Perceptions, Relationships, Expectations.

Everything.

12/21/2008 - Days events

The past week has been full. It's been a roller-coaster emotionally, some real down times, but some good times thrown in. Last night a group of my cousins got together for dinner and an evening of fun. Time spent with them is therapeutic for me, and I thoroughly enjoy times like last night. I find myself unconditionally accepted to a greater extent than even some more immediate family interactions. I'm so grateful for the wonderful people who make up my extended family. They are profoundly important to me.

As we move into the last few days before Christmas it is very tempting to get caught up in the pursuit of possessions, turning life into some kind of contest. It is good for me to be reminded that experiences like the family time yesterday are far more important to me than any stuff that can be bought or sold.

Today is another busy day, teaching Sunday School this morning. (rather nervous about that) Lunch at Grandpa's, Steelers game in the afternoon, then the Church Christmas program will be held this evening.

Merry Manic Christmas Season to all

12/16/2008 - What was your favorite childhood toy?

Short of admitting that one of my favorite toys was a Raggady Ann doll, I'm not sure what to say. Don't have too many memories of playing with toys when I was growing up. Spent more time wandering around outside. From the more masculine side of things, I was never very far from my baseball mitt as a teen.

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Now playing: R.E.M. - Everybody Hurts
via FoxyTunes

12/11/2008 - Normal is...

... a word that means the way it usually is.
... something to enjoy when you occasionally experience it.
... the way I wish every day felt.
... how being depressed feels after a while.
... something to escape.
... something to strive for.
... something to be proud of.
... something to be ashamed of.
... what we make it.

12/10/2008 - Day's (first in a month) events

Well, it's been a long couple of weeks. Some of the things that have occupied my attention over that time.
- A Dinner Party for close friends
- Week of revival meetings at our church
- Dinner at an Indian restaurant in honor of wonderful SIL the first.
- A week of vacation
- Guests at our house over Thanksgiving
- Birthday party for SIL at her parents house
- Lunch with entire family on day before Thanksgiving
- Able to help with transportation for and spend time with wonderful SIL the second
- Thanksgiving dinner that had its anxious moments
- Supper and Games with my family
- Black Friday shopping with lovely wife and wonderful SILs
- Party with BIL/SIL and friends while they are home from College
- Thanksgiving meal with extended family, somewhat subdued experience
- Week of working way too much. (66 hours for the week)
- Accepted responsibility for some of the administrative tasks in our church.
- Supper and Long discussions with an old friend
- Movies / Shopping with lovely wife and wonderful SIL the second
- Setting up the Christmas tree with lovely Wife and both wonderful SILs
- Calling an old friend on his birthday
- Another day off to try and recover from the loooong week at work.

So that brings us to today. More has gone into each of those things than I can recount here. Overall, life has been more positive than sometimes. Thanksgiving brought some busy times, but there was a lot of good family interaction. Wouldn't trade that for anything. There's been bad things, like working too much, but they've usually been balanced by good things too.

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Now playing: The Killers - Neon Tiger
via FoxyTunes

12/10/08 - Why Now?

'Cause I have most of the day off, and am trying to get some of my thoughts in order. Who knows... maybe a real update to come...