A Complicated Life

Lots of people know my dad. My mom, too, but mostly my dad. 
I was abused as a child. Not by my parents, but it's created some incredible tension in our relationship.
Yesterday I had lunch in a local diner, and as I was leaving I ran into a minister from our church. He was having lunch with someone who's recently moved to our city to work in adoption ministry.
I was making casual conversation and mentioned that my brother was adopted. One thing led to another and my dad's name was mentioned. The newbie knew my dad. The minister, who knows my story, got that "a-ha" deer in the headlight look, and I started to panic. The minister knows my dad.
We were having one of those conversations with our eyes, while the newbie rattled on about how great my dad was and memories he had of him. I said something inane like, "Yeah, I get that a lot" and excused myself.
By the time I got to my car I was shaking, and I couldn't even figure out why. Then it dawned on me. I have a lot of respect for this minister. My husband and I work closely with him at our church. If he knows my dad will that alter his opinion of me? Will he choose to see me in the same light my dad does? Will he think less of me because of things I have shared about my difficult family relationship? Will he choose "their side" over mine now that he's put 2 and 2 together?
So I called him and posed this situation to him. He assured me that it doesn't change his opinion of me. I believe him . . . mostly.
Family complications.

linking up at Writer's Workshop

Thankful Thursday #32

Today we take our ds to college. I am excited for all of us. He is embarking on the next step in his life journey and we get to continue to be part of his growth and development.
It's a little cheesy, but I wanted to do something to honor him.

S is for his smile which makes me happy.
A is for his amusing personality.
M is for his musical ability. 
U is for his unique perspective on things.
E is for his empathetic heart.
L is for the laughter he brings to my life.

Today I am thankful for the past 19 years I've had living with Sam everyday. I know it will be a challenge letting him head out on his own, but I am proud of the man he is becoming and know that this is just a new path in our lives.

I love you, Sam.

Thank you, God, for the gift of my son.

linking up with Grace Alone

Wordless Wednesday -- Packing for College

for more images go to Wordless Wednesday

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY . . . August 21, 2012

Outside my window . . . clear blue skies and temperature of 62 degrees. Winds from the north. It's a glorious morning -- so unusual for us in August!

I am thinking . . . that I just can't fix everything. The good part of this realization is that I'm not supposed to be able to fix everything. Struggles are how we learn, and if someone else solves all of your problems then you are learning. 

I am thankful . . . a good weekend. I haven't had a weekend that felt so positive and relaxed in a very long time. It was truly a blessing.

In the kitchen . . . last night we tried Chicken Caprese. It was quite tasty. Tonight we are going out to celebrate with ds as he gets ready to leave for college.

I am wearing . . . cotton pj pants (with pink elephants!), a big white t-shirt, and my sage bamboo shawl.

I am creating . . . afghans, afghans, and more afghans!

I am going . . . to do yoga. Then a little housework, followed by a trip to the mall with dd.

I am wondering . . . how hard it's going to be dropping ds off at college on Thursday. I have great faith in him, but am surprised by his uneasiness.

I am reading . . . Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. Quite interesting!

I am looking forward to . . . getting through this transition week and back into the school routine.

I am hearing . . . birds and cicadas.

Around the house . . . I'm catching up on odds and ends of stuff, but I still have a lot of order to workout.

I am pondering . . . why the tv show "The Mentalist" is so intriguing for me, but I just can't get into "Perception" the same way.

One of my favorite things . . . is laying by the pool. Those days are almost behind me for this summer. It's nice to look forward to next summer though.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . taking dh to college, the usual routine stuff, and getting acclimated to a house without ds.

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing . . . 

dh sanded and repainted this set

that belonged to my mother

when she was a little girl.

Our kids played with it all through

their childhood, too.

for more visit The Simple Woman's Daybook

August Joy Dare #1

"Enter the password: 'Thank you!" . . . Thank Him. Worship Him!

--Psalm 100:4

August 13th -- 3 gifts green

1. grass watered by a late summer storm

2. the polka dot plant on my desk

3. sticky note reminders

August 14th -- a gift in a ring, curve, sphere

1. a new ring to remind me of good things

2. the arch of my arm as I swim laps

3. the beauty of blueberries

August 15th -- 3 gifts ugly-beautiful

1. recognizing and reconciling difficult things

2. improving from a virus

3. exhaustion from hard emotional activities

August 16th -- 3 gifts of family

1. getting to "choose" your family

2. laughter

3. understanding

August 17th -- 3 gifts in the morning

1. productivity

2. peace

3. kindness

August 18th -- a gift red, read, written

1. the hummingbird feeder

2. this blog

3. this post

August 19th -- 3 gifts in church

1. thoughts from Thomas Merton

2. old hymns

3. refreshment of my soul

Share at: a holy experience, one thousand gifts, Facebook, #joydare, #onethousandgifts

More Monday Menus

It's Monday again, so that means Made by You Mondays. In honor of my bestie, LBB, and the fact that I've had NO time to be crafty lately, here are some more menu/recipe ideas for everyone.

Day #1 -- Chicken Caprese

Lettuce Wedges

Foccacia

Day #2 -- Grilled Tilapia

Fettucine Alfredo (side-dish version)

Baby Peas

Day #3 -- Black Beans & Rice

Tortillas

Tossed Salad

Day #4 -- Hamburgers

Baked Beans

Chips

(yes, this was on here last week,

but we never had them,

so they're back!)

It's a short week (menu wise) because we're taking our son to college on Thursday.

Black Beans & Rice

3/4 cup onion, chopped, and sauteed in 3 T. butter or olive oil
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 15-oz can whole kernal corn, drained
2 15-oz cans diced tomatoes
1 t. salt
3/4 t. garlic salt
1/2 t. coriander
1/2 t. oregano
3/4 t. coarse ground black pepper
3 cups cooked rice

Saute onions in oil. Add remaining ingredients, except rice, and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Stir in rice. Heat through. Serves 6-8 as a side dish, 4-6 as a main dish.

From last week:

Rice Jardin

3/4 cup or one medium onion, chopped
1 lb. zucchini, thinly sliced
3 Tablespoons butter
1 cup canned whole kernel corn, drained OR fresh OR frozen
1 cup canned, diced tomatoes (I like the ones with basil, garlic and oregano) OR fresh tomatoes, diced
3 cups cooked rice
Salt and pepper to taste

Saute onions and zucchini in butter until tender. Add remaining ingredients (except for rice), cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir vegetables and rice together. Serve as a side dish for 6 or a main dish for 4.

Happy Eating!

linking up at Skip to My Lou

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

linking up with SouleMama