Ummm... You Want That Double Spaced?

I am working on a project in word right now. Well, not really right now, I just stopped because I remembered a funny story about word. So, work - wait! - I'll be right back.

When I was about 13, I had already learned to type, but was still not that literate about the typing lingo. Truth be told, I didn't have a clue! I was also attending a Bible Study, which was lead by my youth pastor and his wife.

The study was good -required homework - I liked it. For one of the books we read, The Cross and The Switchblade, we were required to write a four page paper response about how it had impacted us. There was a brief discussion about not worrying much about the length, because he (the youth pastor) wanted it double spaced. This struck me as extremely odd. WHY? Didn't make much sense to me. It seemed like it'd be a waste of space, which translates to a waste of paper. (Totally grew up in Santa Cruz!) But oh well, I'd do whatever he said.

I worked on that paper for what seemed like ages. Four pages is a lot to write about, particularly when the topic is all about how the book changed your perspective/life/thoughts/desires...

After I'd finished a dear friend came over and I asked her to read the paper. She was in the study as well, and reminded me that I needed to double space the work. I told her I had double spaced it, and she respond that I had not. After I explained and showed her that I indeed HAD double spaced the paper, she showed me what double spacing meant. You all know already right? I had been double spacing each time I needed to hit the space bar.

The paper ended up being eight pages double spaced, and even though the youth pastor commented that I had really written a lot, I was embarrassed enough to never tell him why.

Gnowfglins

I need to let the world (okay, okay, three people in the world.) know that I love http://gnowfglins.com/. Seriously, I've loved every single thing I've made from that site. I think you'd love it too. (You being my sister and sister-in-law, and Krista if she's still following me.) On your mark, get set, go. You'll be glad you did.

Memory Lane

This afternoon I went for a bike ride. A long ride, without a dog in tow, which means I was able to admire everything around me. I expected to observe the world around me. The people. cars, beach, and birds. What I wasn't expecting was the flooding of so many memories.

First, I rode by my old church building - and I recalled the weeks and weeks I taught Sunday School. A very happy memory. I was about 17. I felt deeply safe and connected. That was before I knew that even Christians could be back-bitting, hard-hearted people. Clearly, I wasn't reading my Bible with enough care.

And then I recalled the lovely little boy I had most weekends during that time. He was a sweet fellow. I loved play parenting on the weekends. I would sometimes buy him clothes. Which was such fun. I even bought a carrying front pack for him. That was before I knew about the Eden Mei-Tai wrap. Or that most front pack carriers place a lot of pressure on the pelvis, and that the Moby, Eden, or the African carrier is better.

I little farther along, I rode through my great-grandmother's mobile home park. And I had this clear memory of using my great-grandmother's wheelchair to race around the park with my older brother. He was always like that - making boring things, like visiting a stuffy home after a sad end - fun. This morning I had a long, delightful talk with his wife. A good friend and better sister. I miss them both.

I guess this got me in a memory kind of mood, because awhile latter, passing Twin Lakes Beach, I remembered the parties my friends had there. Most weekends I was working, and thus, couldn't make it. Part of me was disappointed then, to be missing all the fun, but not all of me was, even then. Now, looking back, I'm sure working was a better thing to be working.

Then I was riding past a Mexican market. And it made me think of popsicles. I love popsicles! And that reminded me of a time when it was hot, so hot, and I along with my sisters went to visit my very first brother-in-law at work. He was a wonderful man, full of attitude and fun. This particular day, on his break we walked over to the gas station which neighbored his place of work and ate popsicles together. I miss that man.

And finally, as I passed a little shop I remembered dropping off the Great Exchange with my nearly-second-mother, while watching the children in the car. That was a fun time. Driving all around Santa Cruz. Talking. Eating slurpees in the heat.

I as I peddled "home" (I'm still house-sitting after all) I reflected that many of these memories are sweet. Even the deep longing pain to see my first brother-in-law here, now, on earth was gentle eased knowing that I will see him again someday. Even though it will never be here. Perhaps we won't eat popsicles together, but who knows? Maybe we will. I'm looking forward to finding out.

It's the Small Things That Count

Driving home from work I was "flipping" through the channels and arrived at a station in time to hear something about birthdays. This had nothing to do with the song that had just played, or the next one coming up. The speaker must have simply had birthdays on her mind.

Anyway, she was sharing how we may long for a surprise party (not ME, maybe that will be something to write about...) or some sort of wonderful getaway mini-trip, but really it's the little things that count. I thought, though I had never longed for a birthday getaway mini-trip or a surprise party, I've known those who have. Of course those things are not BAD, but if you don't get either one, it is important to be thankful for what you do get.

"Don't forget to be thankful." I thought "Okay, good reminder."

I thus began considering some simple thing I could do to make a birthday special. While this transpired I heard the woman say:

"It could be as small as writing someone a song."

What?! In what world is that small?

I Need a Camera

It doesn't make sense to keep filling up the world with blog posts if I don't have a camera...seriously! (I think I need to get one.)

This morning I went walking/bike riding in the rain. I went extra early so that I could get back in time to take a warm shower before going to work. It's currently 48 degrees, so let's image it was 37 degrees this morning... point? It was cold. My hands were freezing on the bike ride. But it was also invigorating. Four months ago, I wouldn't have dreamed this would be me... I love getting outside and moving. If you can believe this, I've also taken a long hard hike, started jogging, and even went to the beach, in the rain, and walked/jogged. (Wait, all that is true even if you cannot believe it.)

So I added a picture of a random bike. But if I had a camera, I'd have taken a similar picture (only there would be a visible background, there'd be no basket and the bike would be purple.)

Urban Dogs

I'm house-sitting right now in an urban area. It's not downtown, but it very nearly is... I mean, when I walked around the block, I counted more restaurants than I could eat at in a week (read: more than one.) And there are two parks within an easy walk. Shopping? - Yes it's got that too. I never realized how wonderful it would be to walk or ride a bike anywhere I needed to go. Does this make me reconsider my country loving dream... not yet!

There are two dogs here - I've named them, for the sake of privacy, I am writing this on a BLOG after all: The Runt and The Beast (though he isn't beastly. I just like saying Beast, and saying Beastly is even better!) The Runt loves me - seriously loves me. The Beast is so in the love with the Runt that he hardly notices me.

Having Left the Blogging World.... I Now Re-Enter

I googled my name, and found this blog again. Yes, it's been so long I'd forgotten about it. I stopped using facebook a number of months ago - so much information overload! But somehow, I still want to be connected to the online world. So here I am, blogging again.

I haven't posted something since January 2009 - which means it's been two years - TWO YEARS!

So after such a long break, what is there to catch you up on? There have been weddings, births,

travels, work, fun, books, and loads of other events.

Weddings: My oldest sister got married in early 2009. My twin sister got married in late 2010.

Births: My siblings provide me with nieces and (thus far) one known nephew. (I write thus far because there are two babies growing right now, genders currently unknown.)

Travels: Nothing that amazing - Idaho, Washington, Texas, that sort of thing.

Work: Still teaching, LOVE IT.

Fun: Playing music, cooking food, gardening. Life in California is good.

Books: Been reading more than usual! I read Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury - and LOVED it. And just finished Wise Blood by Flannery O'Connor - which was good.

Okay lastly, one "loads of other things": I am keeping bees. This will get it's own entry though. Bees... bees... I have bees!!!