We now resume our regularly scheduled programming...

My precious laptop has been returned in good working order, so I can re-enter the blog world with gusto. Of course, I just spent the last hour fussing with my template and background, totally screwing it up, so you must now live with my meddling for a day or two. Once I get completely frustrated it's best if I walk away from a project for a while. I swear I'm not a drama queen.

I always pay attention to news items involving alcoholism, and here is one I found the other day.

Sadly, I found it on FailBlog, where it's mostly being made fun of. And I get that the irony of this man's actions is funny in a small way. But it mostly made me sad and angry with this guy. Sad that he is so wrapped up in his disease that he can't even show up sober for a DUI hearing. Angry that he is such a hideous human being. But I must add grateful to that list, because I truly am grateful that I didn't end up like this man. I could have. I so easily could have.  When we sang Amazing Grace in church yesterday, I cried, because I am that wretch. Thanks for saving me, Jesus.

This & That

Catalog Living - Hilarious captions on catalog photos.

Thinking every other Christian has it together - I really ♥ Jon Acuff. He's truly funny and points out the common flaws we Christians all have without being mean. This post touched me, because it addresses all the fears that I have about being a writer. He also talks about that dangerous Christian comparison game, where we think others have it all together and we're the only dorks not getting it.

Off the Grid

My laptop - yes my brand new stinking laptop - is on the fritz. Don't know if it's got a virus or what, but it has to go in the shop soon. I haven't had a chance to do that yet, so I'm only online using the family computer right now, which I hate. TC had a vicious intestinal virus yesterday so I'm not in a rush to take him out in public today. Hopefully I'll get the laptop fixed soon and be back to entertain you.

Overheard

"Every day is an anniversary and every meal is a banquet." ~ a very grateful alcoholic in a meeting

TC ~ "Mom, do you know what goes with New York City?"
Me ~ "Ummm. No."
TC ~ "California. And when you mix them together you get Afoonia."
Me ~ "Afoonia?"
TC ~ "Yes. That's where we play soccer."

My One Word

If you've never heard of My One Word before, then go check out their site before you read the rest of this post. (click the pic)

My "one word" for 2011 is actually two words.  (Yes, I'm cheating.)  Reckless Abandon.  A few weeks ago on an episode of The Biggest Loser, Jillian Michaels was encouraging one of the contestants to not give up. She told him to pursue this (weight loss, getting healthy) with "reckless abandon."  That stuck with me for days, and I kept thinking about it again and again.  I realized how many things I have not pursued in my life because of fear of failure.

I want to be a writer.  But I am afraid I won't be any good.
I want to witness to others about my Jesus. But I'm afraid they won't listen.
I want to lose weight. But I sabotage myself over and over.

If I want to do these things, then I must set aside my fears and pursue them, regardless of what could happen that will hurt.  My One Word isn't about making promises about what I will do this year.  But instead, anytime I feel that fear, I will remind myself that I want to pursue these goals with reckless abandon.

Overheard

TC ~ "Mom, do you know what this do-es? (pointing at the breadmaker) You put anything in there and it turns it into bread."
Me ~ "Really?"
TC ~ "Yes, except-es cars and houses."

Tom ~ "I left my keys in my truck." (He drives a Honda mini-van.)
Me ~ "Do you call it a truck to make yourself feel better?"
Tom ~ "You have no idea.  It's like putting on a dress every day."
(Before you feel too sorry for him, let me add that his work truck is a Ford F750 that eclipses everything else on the road.)

For Bloggers: Blogs of Note

The gal over at Storing up Treasures is helping others to promote their blogs by featuring various bloggers.  She has hundreds of followers, so I figure she knows something I don't about this. :)  Go check her out!

Storing Up Treasures: Blogs of Note

Overheard

"God didn't bless America so we could live comfortable, extravagent lives."
This morning, (paraphrased)  Pastor Bob reading from a book on missions.

"If we took, "Do not fear," as a mandate from God, and not just a suggestion, today would be very different."
Jon Acuff, Stuff Christians Like

You can't be old and wise if you aren't young and crazy. ~ Facebook quote going around.

The One With Good Intentions

I decided to start 2011 off on the right foot and went to a meeting this morning. You'll recall that I have been slacking in meeting attendance since I gave up my home group, and there's nothing like New Years to motivate you to temporarily do the right thing. I've gone to this particular meeting many times, but never felt like it could be my home group because it wasn't exactly like my old home group. Which is a pretty lame excuse, right? It's amazing how often I need to get the heck over myself.

Anyhoo, the meeting was really good. It was a bit like the gym after Near Year's.  Lots of new faces, all with good intentions. I'd love to see them all again next week, but I know many will lose interest. I'm determined to keep with the Saturday meeting.  I figure it can be my temporary home group until I find my 'real' one. (Said with full knowledge that it will likely become my real group, because I will never get around to following through on a thorough new home group meeting search.) (I know. I'm ridiculous.) (What's with all the parenthesis?) I chatted with a guy after the meeting and made a point to say, "See you next week." More for me, than for him, because I need to get myself there.

So we rang in the new year with friends last night, and toasted with sparkling cider at midnight. We joked this morning in the meeting about Amateur Night. None of us ever needed a holiday as an excuse to drink.  Every night was New Year's for all we knew. A holiday wasn't any different than a Tuesday.

I have a food hangover today (I was powerless over the chocolate covered bacon that Tom made for the party), but otherwise am excited that it's a new year.  I love a new fresh start. Happy New Year ya'll. :)