happy heart day '09

(there's actually one less of these now... shhhhh)



and ripley hopes you all get a good nap today.




now I get to work on taxes.

xoxo,

m.y.

it's like we were in college. except we didn't know each other in college.

a couple of nights ago, the husband and I showed up at Rudyards to see a really lovely Swedish band play. the place wasn't packed at all, which made me both delighted and sorry - delighted because I got to sit in the front and feel like these talented people were playing FOR ME, sorry because they're really good and I'd like them to have the satisfaction of playing to a room of energetic people their first night in Houston. the show wasn't supposed to start until ELEVEN. at night. and there were 2 opening bands. we wondered at the audacious thought of heading out to a bar to see a Swedish band so late on a school night... wild times!

but first, we hit my dear friend Sara's unveiling at The Drake. she's been undergoing a makeover for the past 6 months and working so hard!:

us at the beginning of a night full of hope and promise:



here are a few friends from Saturday night group:



Sara after the reveal... she was so beautiful! truthfully, she always has been to me - she's very classy and so warm. for the 'Before' picture, they made her wear the most shapeless thing ever, she couldn't wear makeup or fix her hair, and they instructed her not to smile.



Ernest escorting her out:




me with Sara:



and Ernest:



I was so happy for her! and so proud of what she accomplished. what a precious lady she is to me.


M and I had, like four hours 'til our band was supposed to play, so we came home to grab a bite, chill out, and change clothes. I'm pretty sure I flipped between The Biggest Loser and A Very Duggar Wedding, much to my husband's chagrin. Eventually, we headed into the night to Rudz and got there in time to see the second opener News On the March... I liked them very much! Something of the barbershop quartet in these people, and they sounded really good and tight (sorry for the darkness of these photos, but I wanted to keep the bar-feel):






and then Loney, Dear got up there. and woo-hoo!



here is a terribly awfully fuzzy clip of them doing their thing. the reason it's so blurry is because I didn't want to be the person holding up their camera to record the band, but they sounded so good I really wanted to chronicle it somehow so I had the camera down in my lap and was trying to be nonchalant. I'm very cool.



me with Emil Svanängen (who strongly resembles a guy M works with... so now Emil is also known to me as the Indie M. Cook). my smile is so big it looks like it's eating the rest of my face.:



I was obsessed with this song of theirs for awhile... and it still makes me want to jump around, I won't lie. it's kind of a jam. the girl, Malin, isn't with them on this tour and we wondered if there was a mystery there, so M and I were snooping around online to try to find out what happened... we didn't find anything.

M and Chris:




I got a t-shirt, which I wore all day yesterday. Emil sold it to me. what a fun night. and we stayed awake through the whole thing.


-m.y.

family weekend...

much of my family converged in Hico this weekend to accept some personal things from my Papa and Yaya and get the ball rolling on emptying their house so a tenant can move in. their rooms at the health care facility obviously can't accommodate all of the things a family tends to collect in a home over the years, so a lot of things had to be given up. they seemed pretty at ease doing it - I think my Yaya is just relieved to be 'getting it done' so they can move on and not worry so much. it all went really well, and it was wonderful to see so many of my family all together for the day! so many fun, sweet kids and precious babies!! observe:

my cousin M with Yaya:



M's good boys:


R & Yaya:



me with R's cuddly baby, Ross:



R's handsome redhead, Blake:





thankfully, there were enough babies for everyone to have a turn:





my cousin's wife, K, and her adorable twins:



their oldest daughter, sweet Alyssa:



my sister-in-law is pretty.



and here's Morgan... she was fun, crazy energetic, semi-wild, in love with Mama Mia, and I couldn't get enough of her.







Lulu, look at this pecan!



I'm skeptical of what you wish to do with my pecan.



Mama & Yaya on the swing:



Yaya's fur... which I did NOT bring home with me:


my cousin and her husband, and my dear auntie:

Yaya's backyard:

and, of course, the Texas sky.

it's hard that Christmas most likely won't ever be in that house again. I grieve with my grandparents their loss of freedom, the frustrations of growing older and having your health decline. but they're enjoying the care center - the staff there treat them so well - and we're all being brought together in new and different ways because of this and having to grow into different roles. Though we all have our own lives and families, there's a lot of love between us and times together are becoming more precious, I think. I'm blessed to still have all of my grandparents with me... so really, there's much to be thankful for.

-m.y.

we scored free tickets to A Bronx Tale last night...

thanks to S & E.  it was so nice to go see a good, tight show like that.  I came home missing the theatre.

maybe I'll get to return to it one of these days.

-m.y.

fighting the funk.

lately, I've struggled with my emotional barometer.  you know how it is - you know you're in a funk but you can't seem to shake it... you know you should go run or work out, because it's guaranteed to make you feel better, but you don't.  and then you just feel like a blob with no discipline.  you know you should eat better, but Texas Tamale Company is on the way and wouldn't a Baskin Robbins chaser make the afternoon brighter?  you know you should actually appear to work at work and not read Watchman and magazines on the job.  you know that fear about your job and the future is debilitating, that trying to control things too much seems to actually hinder and that God has always steered your ship faithfully, but the vaguely panicked feeling won't seem to go away.  you know you should be in serious prayer.  but you're not.

welp, I took steps toward the other side of the funk this weekend.  Saturday morning, after my husband left to volunteer at his high school's yearly Latin tournament, I got my shoes on and went to our nearby park.  I walked the 3 miles mostly, just running the final lap.  it felt good to be outside and moving, jamming to the tunes in my ears.  I kept feeling tugs inside and I got the sense God might like to have a little time with me... so I called my mother instead and walked around the track trying to talk to her and keep up my pace....

I met B2 for yummy tofu and veggie lunch, and a stroll around the Village.  it was such a beautiful day.  again, just being outside and walking around was good for my soul, as was spending time with B2.  we hadn't had some touchstone time in awhile, and were way overdue.  Saturday night I hit my meeting, and when the leader this week introduced the topic by saying, "Well, I don't know about all of you, but I've really been in a funk this week...", I smiled.  that's why I show up every week, to be reminded that I'm not unique and to gain strength from the people around me who aren't afraid to put themselves out there.  turns out a lot of people were feeling blah and blue for all sorts of reasons:  various fears, post-holiday letdown, economic woes, job loss, family challenges, the 11th anniversary of the death of a husband.  one older gentlemen, who we haven't seen for awhile, shared that he'd come to tell us that he's been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, that he'd just had his first cancer treatment but is on his 'last lap'.  he told us to be careful for what we ask for - Bob had apparently had a heart attack when he was 41, and was always worried he'd die suddenly and not have time to 'get ready'.  so, he said, now he has been given the time, and he is taking it.  of course, he said all of this very calmly and matter-of-factly.  as some of us wiped away tears, our leader sweetly remarked at the honor of having walked alongside the people in that room for so long.  even I, who've been there only 5.5 years (a drop in the bucket compared to most of them), feel the same  - that I've been privileged to know and be known in that community.

so all of this culminated in my answering the God-tugs in one way Sunday morning by testifying/confessing at church.  Mike McA was talking about Jesus, and His lordship in our lives, and who we say He is, and repentance.  I was overcome thinking about the past - the thankfulness I feel to have been delivered and changed so amazingly, the memories and messages that pop into my head sometimes that still bring deep pangs of shame, and even a couple of things inside me now that are festering and in need of exposure to light.  repentance is life-giving, and I know this.  it's still scary to face the church like that, but I honestly do believe very much in confession and being 'known', whether publicly like that or in more intimate company, as awkward and uncomfortable as it can feel.  I'm positive there are people there feeling the same things.  and what to do with your experience but share it in the hopes that others will feel freer to do the same?  when we got home I emptied my heart into my husband's loving, compassionate ear, and the things that felt so big and gross were suddenly... not as big.  not as big at all, and different with him looking at them with me, affirming and encouraging me.  and I thanked God all over again for teaching me about love and Himself through my husband.  then I laid down on the couch with a blanket and slept like a baby...

and woke up, and went to see Gran Torino*, and slept like a baby again all night long.  I dreamt about a large house, some people I work with, and a girl band.  one of the first thoughts I had when I woke up was the scripture, "in my Father's house are many room.  if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you."

I don't know that I'm done with my time in this particular funk, but I'm definitely on the move and that feels so much more natural and right.  

* has anyone seen Gran Torino??  I confess, I enjoyed the movie as a whole and I'm glad I saw it, but was completely befuddled.  I thought the writing was pretty awful and the performances on the whole reeely unpolished and sometimes comical... when it shouldn't be.  It all felt a little too deliberate and I wasn't quite sure what to take away about race and prejudice.  I was distracted by the language and racial slurs... again, the words too deliberate come to mind.  I felt like they must've had Complete Listing of Racial Slurs and were bent on using every one of them in this film.  Not that there weren't some affecting scenes... and I did giggle a few times at Clint Eastwood's crazy-gruff character (he was reminding me of Henry Fonda throughout a lot of the movie).  But when the film ends with Mr. Eastwood himself brokenly crooning a song about 'Gran Torino' I gave up and laughed out loud.  it was all just so weird to me. then I poked around online and read that 'only gross and bourgeois, uppity jerks won't love this move'. I paraphrase a little.  thoughts?  other opinions?

     

-m.y.

FPU!

the husband and I will be facilitating a financial peace university class at our church beginning Saturday, February 21st.  it's a 12-week course with a bonus lesson on giving, the cost is about $100 for the books and all materials, and the class will run 1p-3p.  I've already written about it but FPU, instructed via cd by d. ramsey, has had a huge impact on us.  we were still engaged when we began it last spring, and to be on the same financial page and sharing the same information and goals has brought us together and added sweet, shared victories during this first year of marriage.  the class covers the following topics (lifted from the website):

1. Super Saving - In this lesson, Dave explains the Seven Baby Steps that will guide you throughout FPU.  You will also learn the three key reasons why you should save money—and why you must start now!

2. Relating With Money - This lesson will teach spouses how to communicate and work together toward success.  Also, singles will learn the importance of teamwork and parents will find out how to teach their kids about money.

3. Cash Flow Planning - Unlock the secret of developing a monthly spending plan that really works.

4. Dumping Debt - It’s time to debunk the myths that most people believe about debt! In this lesson, Dave Ramsey reveals the truth about the credit lies and gives you a plan for walking out of debt with confidence.

5. Credit Sharks in Suits - What is a credit score, anyway? Join Dave as he unpacks your credit rating and shows you how to handle collectors when they call.

6. Buyer Beware - Dave Ramsey draws on decades of experience to reveal the power and influence that marketing has on your everyday buying decisions. Let the buyer beware!

7. Clause and Effect - In this lesson, Dave walks you through the world of insurance, carefully explaining what you need — and what you need to avoid.

8. That's Not Good Enough! - Discover the seldom-used secrets of buying only big, big bargains—every time!  Before you know it, you’ll be saying “That’s not good enough!”

9. Of Mice and Mutual Funds - Dave breaks through the jargon surrounding long-term investing and empowers you to make your own decisions about your investments!

10. From Fruition to Tuition - Dave walks you through the maze of retirement options and helps you figure out the right path for you.  You will also learn how to plan for college so your kids can graduate debt free!

11. Working in Your Strengths - This lesson will show you how to avoid dead-end or mind-numbing jobs and provide tips for job hunting, writing a résumé, and acing an interview.  Plus, you’ll learn tips for finding extra jobs if you need cash to attack your debt snowball.

12. Real Estate and Mortgages - Dave draws on over 20 years of real estate experience to teach you how to win when buying or selling your home.  Plus, he’ll dissect all of the common mortgage options available today, showing you what to choose—and what to avoid.

13. The Great Misunderstanding - Warning! This lesson will challenge the way you think about money.  Dave will show you how generous giving can completely revolutionize your attitude and improve your finances, business and relationships.

here's a link to a preview of the class that's been posted on YouTube...

Dave's personality isn't for everybody, and some of the things he says can feel pretty confrontational.   I can only say that the content of the lessons are valuable, and we've been blessed by following the program.  We're paying aggressively on our last remaining debt apart from our mortgage, and during the time we've been collectively attacking debt - which is really only since June of last year - we HAVE experienced peace with regard to money, and our charitable giving has actually increased.  Not that there haven't been struggles... doing the budget, especially the first time, wasn't pretty.  :)   

If you know of anyone you think might benefit from this class or you think your family would like to participate, please contact the church office at reception@swcentral.org or 713-667-9417.  or feel free to give me, M, or our friends the Browns a ring if you have any questions about the course.

-m.y.

wonderful lunch.

what a joy to sit across from you, M! so good to learn more about you and hear your stories. I love how you talk about God, your trust in Him and the way you seek His leading. You make me want to know Him more, and I'm happily thankful for our time together today. I'm so excited for you and all that's ahead.