"Drove up to hillside manor sometime after two a.m.
And talked a little while about the year
I guess the winter makes you laugh a little slower,
Makes you talk a little lower about the things you could not show her
And its been a long December and there's reason to believe
Maybe this year will be better than the last..."
-A Long December by Counting Crows
I'm packing up TN and saying my goodbyes. It is so strange not to know when I'll be back. When's the next holiday? When will my holidays begin to be tied to the church and people will have to come to me instead? I'm heading to Johnson City tomorrow for the New Years Bash at Brooksie's. Lots of old friends! Then the long lonely drive back up to Chicago happens. I'm thinking I'm not driving all 10 (er, 11? 12?) hours all in one day. That just doesn't sound like me. So we'll have to see how far I get! Ha!
All in all it's been a fabulous break. I got to sleep in a lot, get lots of quality family time, see a few flicks, waste time on the internet playing silly games, and read a book for the fun of it. I got to celebrate with friends and family at two weddings. Congrats Lindsy and Elliott!! Congrats Dad and Andrea!! They're dropping like flies theses days. And yes, friends, you will all owe me by coming to whatever wedding celebration I'm up to after attending 20+ weddings and being in 3 (and counting.... yay Emmie in April!!).
Katie and Caleb
Sonya and Brad
Rebecca and Taylor
Kari and Dwight
Jared and Pam
Kimberly and Timothy
Sarah and Ben
Rebecca and Taylor
Tyler and Stephen
Jeff and Ashley
Jess and Chris
Nikki and Adam
Elena and Rob
Toby and Kristin
Lindsy and Elliott
Dad and Andrea
(upcoming) Emmie and Zane
(upcoming) Kelly and Lucas
(upcoming) Rouselle and her Canadian
***did I forget anyone?***
I've loved the unique individuality of each and every one of them. I've cried at most of them. I've been inspired at most of them. I've loved celebrating new beginnings with you all.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Christmas Update
How was every one's Christmas? I had an absolutely amazing meal that my big brother made. Meals like that... mmm... I am happy I am not a vegetarian. Sorry to those who are... but out of respect for you, I won't list details. But know that it was delicious. Got some fun presents (a nice long winter coat, a little olympus camera, some awesome dvd's, a flat wallet, a pedicure with my step sister and other little fun things) and spent good time with family. Couldn't ask for more!
Also, as a Christmas present to myself I unsubscribed from all the emails I get daily or weekly and always automatically delete. I am quite enjoying my present. You should all try it. One of those things about living simpler? Yeah, its fabulous.
And on that note, I've been going through boxes in my dad's basement. I have SO MUCH crap. I've know this for a while. The realization of it struck me again though, after living fairly simply up in Chicago. Of course, I'm bringing about 4 boxes of random stuff back with me in Henry. A lot of stuff is for the kitchen or stuff to decorate the apartment or make it more like home. Some of it is just pure random though. (A good bit of "randomness" went into a box for goodwill or the trashcan... I promise.)
I'm heading up to Johnson City for New Years to see a bunch of friends from college. I'll spend the 1st hanging out as well and then head back for the windy city after that. I'm not ready for the sub zero temperatures (it was 68 here today...). I am ready to be back in Chicago, though. I think bit by bit it is starting to be my home. :)
Also, as a Christmas present to myself I unsubscribed from all the emails I get daily or weekly and always automatically delete. I am quite enjoying my present. You should all try it. One of those things about living simpler? Yeah, its fabulous.
And on that note, I've been going through boxes in my dad's basement. I have SO MUCH crap. I've know this for a while. The realization of it struck me again though, after living fairly simply up in Chicago. Of course, I'm bringing about 4 boxes of random stuff back with me in Henry. A lot of stuff is for the kitchen or stuff to decorate the apartment or make it more like home. Some of it is just pure random though. (A good bit of "randomness" went into a box for goodwill or the trashcan... I promise.)
I'm heading up to Johnson City for New Years to see a bunch of friends from college. I'll spend the 1st hanging out as well and then head back for the windy city after that. I'm not ready for the sub zero temperatures (it was 68 here today...). I am ready to be back in Chicago, though. I think bit by bit it is starting to be my home. :)
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
Remembering to Hope
"Jesus wept."
It's the simplest sentence in the entire bible. Also the most profound.
It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Shopping, watching Christmas movies, addressing your stack of cards, baking cookies... even a little visiting with friends and volunteering thrown in there so you feel you are really catching the meaning of the season.
I went to a "Grace for the Wounded" service last night. It was eye opening and it made cry. How easily we forget that the Christmas season isn't all white snow and savior's birth for everyone. A lot of people have been wounded by their families in profound and deep ways. A lot of that wounding took place at Christmas, the time when families gather together.
Three people got up and apologized. One was a woman. One was a man. One was a minister. They represented all women who had ever wronged someone, all men who had ever wronged someone, and the entire church and its representatives for ignoring the problem or adding to the list of wrongs.
Anyway, it was certainly something. I am going to try to remember this when I have a congregation someday. Help me to remember that we are a broken people. All of us to some degree. And that we need a little grace and a little healing.... especially this time of year. Me included.
It's the simplest sentence in the entire bible. Also the most profound.
It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Shopping, watching Christmas movies, addressing your stack of cards, baking cookies... even a little visiting with friends and volunteering thrown in there so you feel you are really catching the meaning of the season.
I went to a "Grace for the Wounded" service last night. It was eye opening and it made cry. How easily we forget that the Christmas season isn't all white snow and savior's birth for everyone. A lot of people have been wounded by their families in profound and deep ways. A lot of that wounding took place at Christmas, the time when families gather together.
Three people got up and apologized. One was a woman. One was a man. One was a minister. They represented all women who had ever wronged someone, all men who had ever wronged someone, and the entire church and its representatives for ignoring the problem or adding to the list of wrongs.
Anyway, it was certainly something. I am going to try to remember this when I have a congregation someday. Help me to remember that we are a broken people. All of us to some degree. And that we need a little grace and a little healing.... especially this time of year. Me included.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Christmas movies make me smile...
Greetings!!
Well, we had snow here in TN for one day. Then it all melted away and we had weather in the 50's. So spectacularly bizarre! Apparently when Kevin, KJ, and I left Chicago to go to Texas, TN, and California, we took the cold weather with us. Strange, isn't it?
So I've been bumming around for a few days. My best friend and I went shopping. I found boots for Chicago! Waterproof, black, furry on the inside, calf length perfection! I am quite excited. To top it off, my mother got me a fabulous black coat from Land's End for Christmas. It is warm... and I LOVE it. God bless down jackets and their cozy warmth.
I've been chilling in the lazy boy, too. I recorded a bunch of movies on mom's TIVO and have been watching a few movies a day. Let's see... I've watched A Family Stone, A Lot Like Love, Just Friends (and thought of how much my coffee shop friends used to quote it - George...), A Christmas List, A Boyfriend for Christmas (it was Hallmark - I couldn't resist), and Enchanted. I still have yet to watch Elf, White Christmas, It's a Wonderful Life, Holiday Inn, and Meet Me In St. Louis. So much to do...
Perhaps I'll take a break and update this blog... give it a makeover for the new year? Yes, I think I shall.
Well, we had snow here in TN for one day. Then it all melted away and we had weather in the 50's. So spectacularly bizarre! Apparently when Kevin, KJ, and I left Chicago to go to Texas, TN, and California, we took the cold weather with us. Strange, isn't it?
So I've been bumming around for a few days. My best friend and I went shopping. I found boots for Chicago! Waterproof, black, furry on the inside, calf length perfection! I am quite excited. To top it off, my mother got me a fabulous black coat from Land's End for Christmas. It is warm... and I LOVE it. God bless down jackets and their cozy warmth.
I've been chilling in the lazy boy, too. I recorded a bunch of movies on mom's TIVO and have been watching a few movies a day. Let's see... I've watched A Family Stone, A Lot Like Love, Just Friends (and thought of how much my coffee shop friends used to quote it - George...), A Christmas List, A Boyfriend for Christmas (it was Hallmark - I couldn't resist), and Enchanted. I still have yet to watch Elf, White Christmas, It's a Wonderful Life, Holiday Inn, and Meet Me In St. Louis. So much to do...
Perhaps I'll take a break and update this blog... give it a makeover for the new year? Yes, I think I shall.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
My Christmas Cards are RED, with a star of course!
Okay friends. If I have your address, hopefully you will be seeing a card from me soon!! Yesterday I finally wrote my Christmas letter and printed it on my Christmas paper and folded it up and put in my Christmas cards and put them in their little envelopes with all your names on them. That's how much I love you. It's true.
And if you didn't get one - that's because I don't have your address. So give it to me, okay!? And remember that I still love you. Even if you didn't get a fabulously folded Christmas card/letter(/picture) combo from me. :)
And if you didn't get one - that's because I don't have your address. So give it to me, okay!? And remember that I still love you. Even if you didn't get a fabulously folded Christmas card/letter(/picture) combo from me. :)
Your RED is a slacker - sorry!
I'm sorry I've been neglecting you all - my readership.
But really... I doubt that many are reading. Aren't you all too busy? You should all be busy hanging out with me. Or shopping/making things for Christmas. Right??
Anywho, Merry Christmas!!!
I just watched Family Stone. You should watch it for it is superb.
But really... I doubt that many are reading. Aren't you all too busy? You should all be busy hanging out with me. Or shopping/making things for Christmas. Right??
Anywho, Merry Christmas!!!
I just watched Family Stone. You should watch it for it is superb.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
a letter, a prayer, a thought or two on my call
Almighty God,
You never cease to surprise and amaze me. All of the things that made me a little different, a little odd, a little outcast... are now all of the things you are using for ministry. Did you plan it? Have you been slowly crafting me for this my entire life? Have I really been so blind? ...thinking that you didn't have a hand in my writing and poetry, in my being raised in the south with family in the north far away, a red headed white female, and even being an HSP (a "highly sensitive person" - a psychological term for deeply thinking and perceiving individuals who need their down time to deal with the world's input). Here I was feeling that no one understood me, but you were making me so that I could understand others. (God, isn't that another prayer? Let me not seek so much to be understood as to understand...)
My God, you amaze me. Truly, I had no idea that your plan was so grand. I had no idea I was so uniquely connected to my brothers and sisters. I had no idea how different and beautiful they all could be. I've seen the despair, Lord. I've heard the cries, Lord. But you filled with me hope so I could respond. You gave me a voice to speak. You gave me an understanding heart.
Was this your plan all along??
Sincerely, Amen, etc.,
Your Alison
You never cease to surprise and amaze me. All of the things that made me a little different, a little odd, a little outcast... are now all of the things you are using for ministry. Did you plan it? Have you been slowly crafting me for this my entire life? Have I really been so blind? ...thinking that you didn't have a hand in my writing and poetry, in my being raised in the south with family in the north far away, a red headed white female, and even being an HSP (a "highly sensitive person" - a psychological term for deeply thinking and perceiving individuals who need their down time to deal with the world's input). Here I was feeling that no one understood me, but you were making me so that I could understand others. (God, isn't that another prayer? Let me not seek so much to be understood as to understand...)
My God, you amaze me. Truly, I had no idea that your plan was so grand. I had no idea I was so uniquely connected to my brothers and sisters. I had no idea how different and beautiful they all could be. I've seen the despair, Lord. I've heard the cries, Lord. But you filled with me hope so I could respond. You gave me a voice to speak. You gave me an understanding heart.
Was this your plan all along??
Sincerely, Amen, etc.,
Your Alison
Friday, December 05, 2008
Another Productive Use of My Time
Send your own ElfYourself eCards
I apologize in advance to the parents (L, Blu, TNT, Brooksies). I had to have a little something to deal with finals. So this was a rather productive use of my time, don't you think? They are "my" babies after all. :D
Gay Marriage is... RED? How about fuscia?!
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/c0cf508ff8/prop-8-the-musical-starring-jack-black-john-c-reilly-and-many-more-from-fod-team-jack-black-craig-robinson-john-c-reilly-and-rashida-jones
GO WATCH THIS NOW!!!
It just made me smile in the midst of exams. It is hilarious! And genius.
...perhaps I will share the other genius revelation that I received Monday. It will appear in the form of the lonely blog discussion ACT III! Look forward to it. You just might be enlightened...
GO WATCH THIS NOW!!!
It just made me smile in the midst of exams. It is hilarious! And genius.
...perhaps I will share the other genius revelation that I received Monday. It will appear in the form of the lonely blog discussion ACT III! Look forward to it. You just might be enlightened...
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