Posts made in August, 2010

wordless book tales from my rocking chair

Posted by Caroline on Aug 30, 2010 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

James is here at Baylor…

and Robert and Elizabeth are coming this weekend.
We’re off to a good start.

Robert told me he’d pay me to go to all of the Baylor football games,
but Elizabeth’s reasoning is what’s going to get me to stand in the heat for the Bears this Saturday:

“at least come to the football game for a little bit so we can take a picture”- Elizabeth.

So much in life we do for the picture
[how often do I really stand back to back to James?]

Regardless, pictures are catalysts for memories.  From this picture I can remember how I realized my borderline absurd tendency to wear yellow (4 days in a row), James’s “purposefully ridiculous” giant yellow watch, how almost odd it was to have James drop my new place…I could go on, but I’ll spare you.

Pictures are going to fill the wordless book that I flip through and recreate exaggerated stories (unintentionally but inevitably) when I’m in my rocking chair.

I’m thankful for family and pictures and pictures of family.

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Haven: noun.

Posted by Caroline on Aug 22, 2010 in The Backpack | 1 comment

Haven: noun. any place of shelter and safety; refuge; asylum.

my new room= my new haven.

I’ve never been more excited about moving.  I guess now that I’m a senior (senior?! surely not so…) I’ve accumulated the perfect furniture, decorations, and a well stocked bookshelf (one of my not-so-secret goals in life), that moving was inexpensive and rewarding.

Yesterday Clayton asked me what was going to make this year successful, and it got my thinking about how many practical things can genuinely affect how we feel about daily tasks and stresses.  Here are just a few:

-keep a clean room– organization, knowing where things are, order.  I honestly think my haven is going to aid this year immensely!

example: I bought a second desk that is going to be called my focus desk (and yes, I realize it sounds a bit like a time-out chair for kindergartners).  The desk is to remain empty– clutter is a killer of all productivity for me.

-exercise– the rumor is true.  It makes you feel better.  Spinning classes here I come!
-live on a budget– it is written and ready to begin.  Whenever I spend money, guilt from sits on my shoulders like a heavy box.  Why carry needless guilt? Oh Dave Ramsey, you make sense.

but here’s the kicker: while I can do these practical things, the foundational truth is this: how I am spiritually affects everything –attitudes, motivation, kindness, desire for growth in other areas, etc all go down the drain when I don’t daily commune with the Lord  (doesn’t this point to how we’re wired? We are created by God and for God, right?)

I find myself dancing in a circle; I’m stoked about my room and motivated more than ever to stay organized, exercise, eat right, spend right, study right, and I could go on… and on… But just like that list, those “successes” can only take me so far.  Take my room:  It offers a home, a place to study and rest, a place to grow, but it’s still just a thing. It can only do so much.

My heart’s haven must be in the presence of the Lord, or my little room will just be a place of escape.

For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. Psalm 32:7

My goal:  that my little haven and new personal growth “kicks” might help my heart find and remain in the haven the Lord created in his presence.  That, I think, might be what it takes to have a successful year.

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I love my brothers

Posted by Caroline on Aug 19, 2010 in Family, Uncategorized | 0 comments

On James’s last night before Baylor, he spent time with just Robert.  From the tales they both tell about their brother-time, I think James’s word choice of Shenanigans and adventure was right on.

IHOP, Shenanigans in Walmart, and a great adventure, all after midnight, time well spent with Robert Gear, best brother I could ever ask for.

After their adventure into the wee hours, Robert woke me up with pure excitement to tell me all about it.  I’m not sure how much I retained at that hour, but I’m confident countless memories were etched into the little brother’s mind. Memories to be stored forever.

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we look like we’re in jail…

Posted by Caroline on Aug 16, 2010 in The Backpack | 0 comments

but the fact that we’re so happy reveals that we are…

at Fun Acre batting cages along with the entire city of Springfield. plus some.

p.s. batting cages are a PERFECT way to generate humility.  The tough-guy-macho-man who repeatedly struck out on slow pitch would definitely agree.  ESPECIALLY after Robert repeatedly dominated it.

pps summer nights are dwindling.  Sad. sad. saaad.
Rule:  thou shall not dwell on approaching fact.

Back to the Wack in TWO days.

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25 Cents

Posted by Caroline on Aug 15, 2010 in The Backpack | 2 comments

Organization is a positive word.  It makes you think of simplicity and order and peace.

However, the act of organizing implies something very very negative (or so I’m learning).

I’ve spent all afternoon not only packing for The Wack but also trying to have a rhyme and reason for where I put every single thing (brilliant, huh).  If you know me well, you know I get on these kicks every once and a while– and rightly so– especially here at home.  Nothing gets put in drawers while in Springfield, so I often get in trouble for my room oozing out into the hall.  Disturbing, right?

Very.  This afternoon I started getting frustrated, because to have a need to organize assumes you have stuff that doesn’t logically fit into a certain place. So much effort is spent on finding the tools to get our lives in order, when in reality, it’s because we simply have too much.

I don’t have a solution, except I’m determined more than ever to not accumulate and let go of what I have with a giving spirit.  Tomorrow I’m giving away my cruiser bike.  Step one!

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal… [and where you have to have garage sales and where things stress you out and cleaning is really just rearranging things you don't need...]

Now an about-face to contradict my anti-stuff rant:

look what 25 cents can do!  My dad picked up the old frame at a garage sale for 25 cents and painted it.  Today Walgreens happened to have free 8×10′s, and done!  more stuff, yes, but at least it’s creative and personal?

Project number next in the works:

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