Yet again, inspiration strikes when I'm clipping coupons today. While there's nothing even remotely spiritual involved in this activity, maybe I'm actually quiet enough to experience higher thoughts (ha-ha). First, let me preface this post with some back information...If you keep up with me on Facebook, you know that the tv show "Hoarders" absolutely makes my skin crawl, I have a literal visceral reaction to it. Nonetheless, I'm driven to watch and yell at the people who transform homes into hell-mouths (old Buffy reference, look it up). I cannot fathom how the filth and netherworldly stench does not send them over the edge. If I had my own personal religion, this particular offense could be just cause for ex-communication. Seriously people, this is how much it freaks me out!!!
OK, I've released it. Now I return to my original point; self-control. And as usual, I do things backwards and am beginning with the last Fruit of the Spirit first (Galatians 5:22-23). I fully acknowledge that I'm no psychologist, but I have learned from viewing this weekly horror-mentary that many people create a hoard because they cannot say no to "good deals" or purchasing an insane amount of things they feel they need for reasons of security. These 2 examples are the most rational among the multitude of reasons given, but it made me consider my own ways. How many times have I purchased something in an attempt to save money, only to throw it away? How many times have I purchased extra amounts of anything, just to let them sit and collect dust? Ashamedly enough, too many times to mention! With humility, I thank the Lord that I am not in a state of mind where it's an impossibility for me to throw things away, but I have become acutely aware of my need to practice more self-control!!!
Does this mean I'm out of control? I don't know. If people were to come in my home and look around, they would say no. I like everything to be clean, I take out the trash, and my home has no offensive odors smacking you in the face upon entrance. However, since this has been brought to my attention, it's obviously something I need to improve upon. For the last 2 weeks, I've been making a conscious effort to purchase ONLY the things I had on my list from the grocery store. I accomplished it with no deviation this week, and I managed to save 60% at Harris Teeter by exhibiting greater self-control. I cannot say that it was easy, but dang it felt good!
This is just the beginning of my journey on the path to more complete expressions of self-control. Apparently, against such things there are no laws. (ha-ha)
How about you, girls? How do you manage yourself successfully?
Comments? Questions? Tips? Feel free to share.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Peter Cetera
OK, this is a break from what I'll normally be posting, but it was too long and detailed for FB. Keep in mind that I'm totally outing myself for this one, but I have to do it because I received yet another gift-wrapped opportunity to laugh at my ridiculous self last night!
Picture it: I'm getting ready to go to bed and the face of Jack Wagner magically appears, aka Frisco Jones, the love interest of every girl above the age of 10 back in the day. Clearly, I had no choice but to see what he was doing on my tv. We have a history, so I was compelled to catch up with him...Anyhoo, as it turned out, he was the poster boy for another Time Life music collection from the 80's. I was instantly transported to another time, where I was 11 years old again and at a sleepover with friends. We were all camped out in our sleeping bags and glued to VH1 just waiting for our favorite love songs to come on. Don't even pretend you didn't do it too! But then, Jack Wagner introduced the song that brought it all back, "Glory of Love" by Peter Cetera. Did I mention that I love him?
However, the introduction didn't take me back to a sleepover memory, I was catapulted into the spring of 1997 when I was working in the former HomePlace store at Cool Springs (across from Kroger's). It was there that I had my fateful encounter with this mythical creature. It was a normal morning, everything was pleasant and in order at my little register. Yes, I was playing the role of a cashier that day, complete with a green apron...stylin' kids! Out of nowhere, a heavenly scented breeze reached my nose, and when I looked up, the face of Peter Cetera was gazing back at me. I had never experienced a celeb freak-out moment, and seeing as though I had met quite a few for having worked at Asylum, it was really no big deal. This day would put me in my place though! So like I said, the face of Peter Cetera is gazing back at me, and I immediately lose the ability to speak, couldn't even say hello to the man! It was then that my face decided to betray me and make my apparent weakness even more obvious, I could feel my cheeks turning bright red and my body temperature shot up exponentially. All I wanted was a re-do, because this was NOT the way I had planned this meeting in my mind. He and I deserved better! (HAHAHA!)
While I was entertaining the thoughts of our upcoming wedding, and how the invitations would look, his very pregnant girlfriend came and stood next to him in line. Bubble completely busted! As he paid for the infant bath tub, I was at least able to speak to his girlfriend, who was lovely by the way. Our hands touched for 1 nano-second when I gave him his credit card and receipt, and then I gave him the bag. It was now or never, I had to profess my undying love. I managed to eek out something along the lines of "Have a good day.", and he just smiled at me. I was DONE!! Do your hear me, people? D-O-N-E! I think I floated home that afternoon, and after I told my mom what happened, she horse-laughed at me because she knew how monumental it was that I had a meltdown at the mere sight of him. So maybe it wasn't the glory of love right then, but it's what I've got to hold onto. And Peter, wherever you are, I still love you.
PS: little tidbit of info, we share the same birthday. Who cares about a 32 year age difference when fate obviously meant for us to meet?
Your turn, girls!
Picture it: I'm getting ready to go to bed and the face of Jack Wagner magically appears, aka Frisco Jones, the love interest of every girl above the age of 10 back in the day. Clearly, I had no choice but to see what he was doing on my tv. We have a history, so I was compelled to catch up with him...Anyhoo, as it turned out, he was the poster boy for another Time Life music collection from the 80's. I was instantly transported to another time, where I was 11 years old again and at a sleepover with friends. We were all camped out in our sleeping bags and glued to VH1 just waiting for our favorite love songs to come on. Don't even pretend you didn't do it too! But then, Jack Wagner introduced the song that brought it all back, "Glory of Love" by Peter Cetera. Did I mention that I love him?
However, the introduction didn't take me back to a sleepover memory, I was catapulted into the spring of 1997 when I was working in the former HomePlace store at Cool Springs (across from Kroger's). It was there that I had my fateful encounter with this mythical creature. It was a normal morning, everything was pleasant and in order at my little register. Yes, I was playing the role of a cashier that day, complete with a green apron...stylin' kids! Out of nowhere, a heavenly scented breeze reached my nose, and when I looked up, the face of Peter Cetera was gazing back at me. I had never experienced a celeb freak-out moment, and seeing as though I had met quite a few for having worked at Asylum, it was really no big deal. This day would put me in my place though! So like I said, the face of Peter Cetera is gazing back at me, and I immediately lose the ability to speak, couldn't even say hello to the man! It was then that my face decided to betray me and make my apparent weakness even more obvious, I could feel my cheeks turning bright red and my body temperature shot up exponentially. All I wanted was a re-do, because this was NOT the way I had planned this meeting in my mind. He and I deserved better! (HAHAHA!)
While I was entertaining the thoughts of our upcoming wedding, and how the invitations would look, his very pregnant girlfriend came and stood next to him in line. Bubble completely busted! As he paid for the infant bath tub, I was at least able to speak to his girlfriend, who was lovely by the way. Our hands touched for 1 nano-second when I gave him his credit card and receipt, and then I gave him the bag. It was now or never, I had to profess my undying love. I managed to eek out something along the lines of "Have a good day.", and he just smiled at me. I was DONE!! Do your hear me, people? D-O-N-E! I think I floated home that afternoon, and after I told my mom what happened, she horse-laughed at me because she knew how monumental it was that I had a meltdown at the mere sight of him. So maybe it wasn't the glory of love right then, but it's what I've got to hold onto. And Peter, wherever you are, I still love you.
PS: little tidbit of info, we share the same birthday. Who cares about a 32 year age difference when fate obviously meant for us to meet?
Your turn, girls!
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