Musings & Memories Montage Telling My Stories and Discovering Your Stories
Happy New Years from NYC 12/31/07
Well the craziness has begun down in "The City." We were down there last week, the Saturday before Christmas. The place is an energy buzz. I'll put up photos shortly. In the mean time, you might enjoy enjoying New Years Eve the same way we will ... via the Internet! No, we're not actually crazy enough to be down there (yet) but I am keeping up via Earthcam's Streaming Video.
Enjoy, Have fun! pam
Pam is a Texan living on the Southern Fringes of Upstate New York. She enjoys messing with people's minds by consistently offering up proof that all of New York state is NOT New York City.
You know. Bullet points. Outline. Updates from my life. Different random points about kids, Christmas, church, cars (life without them), coffee shops, snow, and R E S P E C T. Oh and health, friendships, Manhattan, etc. (What? you thought I could keep up the k sound for the entire list?) And there's even a "if you laugh ... God sees" story. I'm sure you're going to relate to some point along the way here.
Health first:
Billy is doing much better. Yesterday, we hiked about 1.5 miles (in the snow) over to the church (last week just walking to the end of the drive was still painful). I only walked to the church. He made 1.25 round trips before a pick-up became involved. Yes, one of the church members went out to fetch him. So he walked about 3.75 miles total.
Today, Billy went to the doc. The doc is happy. All is well. Ok, all is nearly well. There's still a little more healing to do but ... all is well.
I'm feeling aches in all my joints now. I'm doing a lot of slow breathing and stretches, some ibuprofen, and thinking I'll probably break down and go see a doc after the first of the year. Some days are good, some days are a bit tender, some days ....
Have you ever:
Been the first to understand something cool, tried to explain it, and get no one to understand exactly how cool it is? BUT you go on and you keep reveling in it's cool-ness and you grapple and struggle and come to an understanding with the impact of being so cool that no one understands you .... AND THEN BAM .... out of the clear blue, one of the people you've talked to suddenly gets it. NO BUT WAIT ... they don't get it the way you now get it ... they get it the way you got it when cool was new to you. Anyone who's ever home taught their kids should be able to relate.
The whole scenario is called "Scouts, Pioneers, & Settlers." Scouts go out first into pristine surroundings. They know it's going to be rough. They prepare as best they can. Pioneers come next ... fiercely independent and resourceful. Then come the Settlers who've read alll about it and understand exactly how they will conquer the world and what the Pioneers did wrong and ... Yeah. Settlers are a pain in the whoo-ha. Getting them to slow down and listen is difficult. They tend to be spoiled & pretentious (because they've read allll about it, etc).
Settlers tend to die off faster than the Pioneers because ... they think they know it all already, they've decided it will be easy etc etc etc etc. The ones who do survive probably have a pioneer spirit, listen well, seek out guidance ... OR... they've survived because they settled near pioneers and seasoned settlers who know search and rescue techniques.
All I'm saying at this point is "sigh." I've been here and done this before. I'm always in that little crack between the Real Pioneers and the True, Absolute pain in the who-ha, Settlers. Right this very instant, in Second Life, I'm watching the less experienced settlers die off left and right and, now, now, this person whom I've talked with before ... who did not get it before ... now ... after reading allll about it.... "Sigh"
I can tell you this right now: I am about to get sucked into something ... I can hear the whirlpool ... it's nearby. It sounds a lot like me in a teaching capacity. Imagine that. If this new "wanna be settler" slows down and listens, there could be some really great things that could happen, though. Really great. If not, I'm not going to participate. I have an aversion to watching settlers die.
Have you ever ... Listened to someone explain something, researched it, thought it could work out -- if you ever needed it ... then you reach a point were it could actually be handy but ... ? Well ... when we first moved in, the landlord tried to tell me about a bus system. I had already done the research. I knew about the bus. I've seen the bus pass me (going the other direction) while I was out walking.
It makes this long circular route that takes a little over an hour to travel. It only runs one direction in the circle. To make it simple, let's say the bus runs in a counterclockwise direction. Pretend my home is at the 12:00 position and all my fave locations are at the 1:00 & 2:00 positions. This means I can walk to my fave locations more quickly than I can ride the bus around most of the loop. But lately ... I've actually wanted to go the same direction as the bus and go much further than I am willing walk. I keep saying, "I need to call and confirm some details about the bus." Well ... there's always something more going on and, besides, it's not a crisis that I go that way, yet.
But today, while Billy was out, he did some exploring around and discovered the bus system for himself. He loved it. He collected all the info that I'd been planning to call and collect. Life is good. Every hour. In front of my house!
Kids & R E S P E C T
Having your kids call me by a title does not mean that you have taught them how to show me respect. In fact, it does not mean that you, yourself, have respect for me. This is not the first time for this event to happen to me. It looks like this: Parent to (often nearly grown) child, "Call her Miss Pam." Me to parent, "No, I prefer to be called Pam" Parent to me, "No, they will call you Miss Pam." Me to parent, "No, it's my name and my name is simply Pam" Parent to me, "They are my children and they will call you Miss Pam. It's respectful" Me to parent and entire audience (always an audience), "It is my name and you are being disrespectful to me." Parent to me, "But they are my children ... .... " etc
Now, usually, these are the types of kids that already understand respect means 1) look a person in the face when you talk to them (without contempt), 2) give a straight answer, 3) enjoy people as unique.
How is it that parents can raise their children to do these things but cannot themselves extend to me the same courtesies? AND how is it that they think that because I have a name preference for myself that I am denying them the right to call their children their own. I never question the parent/child tie. It is not about whether the child is related to the parent. It is about what I should be called.
However ... I have come to a solution ... I have found a title that I think goes with my name and my station in life on this planet while waiting to leave and go on to my heavenly rewards.
If you MUST require your child to call me by a title, the correct title is Princess. Princess Pam. End of discussion.
If you or any organization you are associated with, are blessed by one or more talented, hard-working, willing teenager who is taking on responsibility you are not even remotely capable of accomplishing ... I have a suggestion for you ...
SHOW RESPECT TO THE TEENAGERS IN YOUR LIFE AND ORGANIZATION.
OK THAT IS NOT A SUGGESTION ... IT IS AN ORDER FROM PRINCESS PAM.
Just let me assure you ... that there are people in my life who are about to be sent to the guillotine if they don't drop and kiss the feet of certain teenagers I know.
Nothing infuriates me more than jealous, self-righteous (yet often ignorant), adults passing judgment on teens who are accomplishing miracles with equipment that is second-rate, second-hand, and are performing in less than desirable conditions.
If you spent time with me in the last 10 days, examine your attitude and your knowledge ranking. Check your assumptions at the door. Basically, if you spent time with me in the last 10 days, you probably shouldn't talk to me for yet another 10 more days. Apologies are being accepted by email. There are two exceptions, no three. Okay, basically, If you spent A LOT of time with me in the last 10 days, you are probably safe. If you said things to me in passing, or I hustled you out of a small room, chances are exceeeeeedingly high that you're on my "adults who don't know how to show respect and feel insecure around accomplished teens" list.
And, Daddy, if you're reading this and you, in your leadership responsibilities, are suddenly God-Blessed with this type of young person, .... well I know I can count on you to defend, guard, and encourage them. Still, I know you know this ... but, still, I'm going to remind you ... this type of teen is very often the hinge-pin of organizational growth. On top of that, it's just a travesty against a Child of God to use a teen as a scapegoat (especially when said teen is working in such conditions that most adults would refuse by siting the conditions as "a prime example of being set up to fail").
oh well ... I'm going to take a break here and let you mull this all over. What? You thought I was upset about kids who didn't respect me. Pooh. I've not seen one of those in a very very very long time. Yes, I do consider myself very blessed. But, I find I very often receive from children and teens what I hand out.
There's so much more ... I'm a little less Texan this year. Yep I'm afraid it's true. Snow. Snow and I'm not freaked out. And as another fellow Texan now living on the Southern fringes of Upstate New York pointed out to me, we are not running around trying to photograph the one falling flake of snow. Yep. Multiple inches of snow and the city isn't shut down. It's got to be over 12 inches and it's ice capped and yet the roads are clear and things are going on pretty much as usual. Pictures? Ummmm yeah ... uhh well ... I uh ... sort of.
Tell you what. Pictures tomorrow. I'll tell you about the Christmas play at church, the snow, my three Second Life coffee shops ... yes three ... it's gone from one to two to one to three so many times in the last month that my head is spinning. And there so much more ... I might actually have to blog all week.
Have fun, Enjoy, Princess Pam
Princess Pam is a Texan living on the Southern fringes of Upstate New York. She has added a few blankets to her bed this last week and is (once again) surprised to find that wearing three layers of clothing is not difficult and can feel cozy ... very cozy. Very very very cozy ... even after walking over a mile. Also, she is considering replacing the word "very" with "exceedingly." "Very" is feeling used and over-used.
1. I see a loving son who cares so much for his wife that he sent me a text message to remind me that Nov. 30 was his wife's birthday.
2. I see a reminder that I left my cell phone at home and couldn't call Sam on her birthday. Well that and I was fairly sure that by the time I got home, she was sufficiently entertained by her husband.
3. I see a new addiction. This is my first experience creating cards using stamps and art papers.
4. I see a lady who has a heart for the women in our church and went to the trouble of creating an opportunity for a new ministry for fellowship and outreach.
5. I see more ladies from our church who added adorning suggestions to her idea. We are now looking forward to a full year of stamping and scrapbooking.
6. I see my disappointment that the catalog that went around at our get-together didn't have stamps in it that would create a Christmas card with a strong Christian message.
7. I see my disappointment driving me to search the web for Christmas stamps that landed me here: The Stampn'Place. They have numerous Christmas stamps that are not bashful about saying "Jesus is the reason for the season."
8. I see how the search reminded me of Dr. Dobson's recent interview with Ashley Tarter in which she explains the beginning of her campaign "It's Ok Wish me Merry Christmas." She was experiencing an overwhelming sadness that her son might grow up to live in a day when the country no longer knows of the Christmas season -- that it would be completely wiped from our culture. So she, just one person, has started something that is growing more and more.
9. I see how the search reminded me of this guy that my husband loves to follow. I encourage you to join my hubby and myself in expressing Stuart Shepard's sentiments: "Merry Tossmas!" Ya'll!
10. I see how the search led me to discover "Jews Against Anti-Christian Defamation." And I wonder -- How is it that the most persecuted religion in the world understands what we Christians want to deny, passively allow, and even blithely encourage in some ways: Christians are being persecuted more and more with every passing day RIGHT here IN the USA.
11. I see a reminder that my son has married a lady who will take great joy in knowing that there's all of this behind her birthday card. I know she believes, like Ashley Tarter, one person can make a difference and she doesn't mind stepping forward and she encourages others to do so also.
12. I see a challenge ... I don't have an envelope for the card. Hmmmm ... Wait ... I might !! I have these Christmas cards that I bought last year for this year ... I think this would be the season for pulling them out of storage!
Okay, I'll see ya'll later! I'm going to grab the cards and walk down to the cafe next to the post office .... etc ... Ya'll go explore the links I left you. You will be encouraged, stunned, and amazed.
Oh wait! Also! I see a black wool coat that a friend of mine really encouraged me to pick up at a thrift store for the mere cost of $6! And then she and I were out a few weeks later and we walked right into a hot pink cap that matches the color on this coat ... it cost ... are you ready? ONE Dollar!
My daughter-in-law will be so proud. She loves thrift stores and great deals.
Have fun, Enjoy, Pam
Pam is a Texan living on the Southern fringe of Upstate New York. She experienced something new yesterday. The ground was kissed with a dusting of snow and she just smiled and went on with business as usual. She did not frantically break to take photos. It was just a teaser of things yet to come. It was not her one and only chance for the entire winter season. Besides ... she was already running late to church.
Do you wonder where the lady who started this blog wandered off to? Remember sh e always seemed to have so much she wanted to say ...
Sometimes I wonder where she is. But again and still she mostly feels inclined to be quiet.
Tonight much of my quietness comes from pain. I actually have my right hand wrapped up so that i will use it much less. Yes, it's that repetitive motion thing catching up with me. I'm feeling very motivated to just take up audio posts.
But still I wonder what I would tell you. Would I tell you of the things I'm not getting to do? Would I tell you about everything that is on hold -- waiting for other people? Would I dare to dream out loud?
Someone was trying to encourage me the other day: "So? You're hesitating because you're bound to look odd? But you tell me that people already think you are odd. So, why not just revel in your uniqueness?
Now, I have to tell you ... it seems mighty wrong to be approaching fifty and still find myself worrying over how I am perceived.
But that is only part of what keeps me quiet. There is so much I would like to discuss with you ... but I've not yet finished discussions with other people who are more closely involved. It would simply be wrong for others to find out how I feel or think about a joint project by them reading it on my blog.
So I feel intensely boring here. I think shortly though I'll be able to talk about some other things -- provided the hand behaves.
Have fun, enjoy, pam
Pam is a Texan living on the Southern fringe of Upstate NY. Today she listened to her neighbor cheer for Texas A&M. No, the neighbor is native New Yorker. She graduated from there. Yes, she was key to Pam getting our little place to live. No, Pam didn't go to A&M with her. It's a really long story.
First you should know that the weather was typical for Texas. Slightly cool and a touch humid. It was always above 70 degrees indoors from the heat of the kitchen stove. And so you should be able to guess that there was no lack of food. Texans Hate to run out of food when guests are involved. No Texan ever prepares for the minimum expected guests. So ...
We had a dozen mouths to eat one exceedingly large turkey ... ohh and that was one scrumptious turkey ... oh I'm being corrected ... It still is one scrumptious turkey because we still haven't managed to eat it all. There were 4 trays of dressings aka stuff'n. Candied sweet potatoes, Mashed potatoes, Red potatoes. Corn casserole -- the recipe was well known by two families from opposite sides of Texas (300 miles apart). Jellied cranberry sauce right from the can and fresh cranberry sauce which only adults knew how to eat. Two crates of Clementine oranges. The every popular, impossible to skip green bean casserole (with them onion thingies on top). And then I think it's time to move on to the deserts.
OH MY GOODNESSS....
Well of course Texans have to have Pecan Pie -- chocolate. And cherry-covered cheesecake, blueberry cheesecake, lemon icebox pie, strawberry cheesecake, peanut butter fudge, and the obligatory experimental pie. Ice cream and frozen yogurt were also available ... but they went largely untouched.
Of course, Texans can never leave the Thanksgiving scene without a rousing game of ... err ... uhhh (Darling what was that thing called) ooh Age of Empire on a network of six pc's.
We also fixed the local government. They are blissfully unaware of this event until Wednesday of next week. I'll let you know how that goes.
So I think that's about it. I hope ya'll all had a wonderful day.
Have fun, Enjoy, pam
Pam is a Texan living on the Southern fringe of Upstate New York. She figures the fact that she can have Thanksgiving with so many Texans is one of the reasons this place is enjoyable.
Well when he's good, he's really pretty good. When he's hurting, he's HURTing. I'm praying tomorrow goes really well. Today was pretty good. We got a lot completed and started towards tomorrow's lunch.
Turns out the man who's cooking up the turkey had hand surgery a couple of days ago. It seems like everything we do these days, we are with the walking wounded.
Sooo ... the family that is hosting the lunch is sending round the van to pick us and our food up at around noon ... then we pick up the man with the bird ... then we finalize the dishes and eat.
Billy's thinking of eating only a little and eating slowly ... with it all spread throughout the day. I think that's an excellent plan.
I hope ya'll have a very excellent Thanksgiving.
Have fun, Enjoy, pam
Pam is a Texan living on the Southern fringe of Upstate New York. She would never make it as a full time scullery maid and cook's assistant.
Yeah ummm I have a Christmas Tree. It's about 3.5 feet tall. I don't have my Christmas Ornaments. Maybe VioletKey will get the ornaments sorted and sent over. But It might just sit here and be pretty and green. My first concern is ... I think I'd like to rediscover my apartment. I wouldn't mind having a clean apartment and a simple little green tree.
We've been moving this that and the other around ... but not very well since Billy is in pain. It's not constant pain but it is a "zap all your time and energy" kind of pain. So ... pretty much things are shoved around ... and really not pretty at all.
I'm hoping that by Christmas, everything will be all sorted out.
ok
Have fun, Enjoy, pam
Pam is a Texan living on the Southern fringe of Upstate New York. Tonight she's wondering what her day tomorrow as the scullery maid will be like -- she's agreed to assist Billy with prep for Thanksgiving dinner.
I'm either keeping secrets, not ready to reveal my plans, behind on my plans, or letting go of ideas. So in the mean time let me share with you what the side of the road has been collecting and holding on to for weeks.
Items that have been accumulating beside the road for over 6 weeks. They finally demanded to be "collaged."
Have fun, Enjoy, pam
Pam is a Texan living on the Southern fringe of Upstate New York where every day offers up a reason for meditation on my surroundings.
The wedding went very very smoothly yesterday and the rehearsal dinner was highly eatable. (Homemade goodies all around!) I suspect we all put on mmm 2 or 3 pounds a piece. Oh and then we all had another piece of cake this morning at church.
The best overheard line was said by one of the groom's brothers to the groom (scroll down).
Oh man! She's already got you trained!
Have fun, Enjoy, pam
Pam is a Texan living on the Southern Fringe of Upstate New York. She counts herself as exceedingly blessed.
Claiming the "Emergency/ Hardship" Exemption 11/17/07
Last year in NaBloPoMo there was an exemption for missing a day posting. It went something like this: If there's an emergency or some circumstance far beyond your control that prevents you from posting, AND IF you blog the following day AND talk about what happened, THEN you're still in.
I have no idea if there's the same rule this year ... but I'm going to claim it anyway ... besides ... I have something to tell you.
OK. Yesterday was Billy's second surgery. When we woke up, he started being very resistant to me going with him. His basic premise was that he wouldn't be any fun, I'd be bored, I'd be alone ... and on and on and on and on and on ... and besides, "you could help a little with the wedding."
I pouted, got over it, and stayed home. All I did the whole day was hang out with people that I like and fold crepe paper streamers. I promise ... I'll get a pic today so you can understand what I'm talking about.
Billy finally went into surgery. We called it a day at the reception decorating event. I snagged a friend and she took me out to dinner ... um she drove and entertained me and I paid for dinner ... it was an excellent trade. While we were at dinner, a very very very loopy man called me claiming to be Billy. Since he still exhibited the trademark humor of Billy, I accepted that it was indeed Billy.
Then my friend and I went to the wedding rehearsal. My friend is helping with the video. I found out that the brother of the groom, who is one of the groomsmen, is also the photographer. I don't know what the story is ... but this group of people attending the wedding is one of the LEAST camera toting bunch I've ever encountered ... so I'm taking my camera today. I'll see if I can just get some candids and some mood shots and ... then I can just hand the RAW's off to the brother who should be able to fix them up.
I might consider sending my camera to the shop. But that's another story.
Sooo after the rehearsal dinner, my friend and I went and picked up her daughter. Then we went down to the hospital to see my Billy. Now, this is NOT "We whipped around the corner and picked up her daughter and took a quick spin to the hospital." Remember, I live on the Southern fringe of Upstate New York. So it was 15 min to her daughter and then another 45 miles or so to the hospital.
We saw the loopy man. He was not happy and very easily distracted. I did get a really good hello and a really great good-bye. And I had to be content. So we left.
So we pulled up to my house by about 11:15pm. No power. No power anywhere. So my friend and her daughter waited while I gathered up a few things and I left. There wasn't going to be any power at her house either but at least she still had some emergency backup power and had water. And besides ... we were just all happier together ... long story but ... let's just say that her daughter was busy worrying about me ... and this way there was less for her to worry about.
But no power meant no post. Sooo ... there's my saga. Oh we did wake up to power and at the cafe this morning I heard, "Somebody took out about 3 power poles over on such and such county road." Somebody had a harder day than we did.
Ok now for the rest of the "did you get your husband back?" story. The very very very short version is ...
Yes, I did get the hubby back. About 4am this morning my real Billy returned to his own body (he started to feel really great) and after he issued some threats ("If you don't manage to find a way to get me released by 10:30 am, you'll be stuck with me until 6pm"), he was indeed released from the hospital and retrieved by another very good friend.
The man is home, very happy, feels fantastic. Oops! I lie! He is NOT at home. He has gone to help yet another friend cut up cooked chickens for the wedding meal tonight. Don't ask me to explain how the man can look like death warmed over the night before and then be rip-raring ready to run less than 12 hrs later. All I can say is that he is indeed his father's child. His dad was like this. Oh and, also, his dad always tried to remove all of his IV's etc and get out of bed in recovery. As did Billy.
Ok I have to run now!!!
Have fun, Enjoy, pam
Pam is a Texan living on the Southern fringe of Upstate New York. Today is the first wedding she has attended in New York. The ceremony is in a church that is very very old and the reception is at a farm.
Long day. Helped a friend decorate for her son's wedding. Went to a church business meeting. Making twisty crepe paper chains -- the kind that are folded. Billy & I made final decisions re health ins & benefits package for next year. I think the main purpose of that yearly exercise is to make you insane. Tomorrow is Billy's second & Last surgery.
The End
Have fun, Enjoy, pam
Pam is a Texan living on the Southern fringe of Upstate New York. She's out of witty sayings.
I'm not sure exactly what the change will look like but ... it is a foot. My little coffee shop that I love so much may morph. It's a rather huge big deal.
I'm waiting for some pieces to move into place ... and I'm evaluating what I will do.
Okay no this is not just about a game! This is about my RL art, my RL writing, and community. I'll tell you more as the story unfolds.
In the mean time ... There's a huge amount of other RL stuff going on this weekend. Well starting tomorrow. I'm helping a friend decorate for her son's wedding. Then Billy goes in for stage two of his trama ... probably an overnight stay. Then the wedding. Then helping with the Christmas Child project at church here and there.
Ooooh let me tell you! The Christmas Child Project ... wow wow wow. People are very generous and there's been a very nice stack growing and growing all week ... and there's still four more days left for collecting. Usually the largest days. It's causing a small storage challenge for the wedding but ... we're figuring it out and everyone is stepping up to the plate to help out and it's just amazing.
Deciding how I'm folding, doubling, mutilating or spindling the coffee shop will have to keep until Monday. I leave you with a few pics.
Sooo I must sleep, now.
Have fun, Enjoy, pam
Pam is a Texan living on the Southern fringe of Upstate New York. She is thankful to belong to a church that does know how to do one thing right: Accomplish projects in harmony ... everyone doing some part. Amazing.
Okay ... this is what I did when I wasn't hashing and rehashing Health Insurance plans with the hubby ... or ... trying to finish that research project I'm not talking about ... or ... logging into SL too late for my meetings.
It was actually a fairly interesting day out on the web ... wanna see?
Have fun, Enjoy, pam
Pam is a Texan living on the Southern fringe of Upstate New York. Today she prepared for winter by removing the screens from the windows and washing the outside glass ... all the better for shooting the snowbirds -- with a camera! ... the one's with wings! Really ya'll ... follow me here!
How much scripture could you memorize .... 11/12/07
If you thought we were losing our freedoms, how much scripture would you memorize?
Well frankly, I find The Twelve Rules of Christmas provided by the Rutherford Institute for the defense of Christmas down right inspirational.
I've been doing a little research on a few things and excuse me while I go to Biblegateway.com and track down the exact verse that's been trying to seep from the back files in my brain towards conscious awareness.
2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
5 But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.
2 Timothy 4:2-5
Well ... while you can, Have fun, Enjoy, pam
Pam is a Texan living on the Southern Fringe of Upstate New York. She has always said, "It is entirely possible that those sitting out on the fringe have a better view of what is going on in the middle." She believes this especially applies to clusters of people.
Seems Our Carlessness is Quite the Discussion Item at Church 11/11/07
I'm not quite sure what to make of it. The irony is that unless we go to church, we seldom need a car. Our financial status also seems to be of concern to many. I'm a little amazed and amused. When these two items really were a major issue in our lives, we were in a church that was largely oblivious -- and we were, frankly, not unusual. But I do want to address a few common misconceptions that seem to exist among our friends and family all over the world.
First, while we are not as "privileged" as many, we are far from panic mode. If there is anything I have learned in the last seven years, it is how to be content with little. Verrrry Veryyyyy Veeeeerrry little. Like so l
Telling My Stories and Discovering Your Stories
