Pondering, Always Pondering

Gratitude

brandyrosesanders@gmail.com (brandyrose) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:01:00 +0000

I'm grateful today...

1) For my fun birthday "dinner" with Joey at Chuck E Cheese :)

2) That Joey's leg is (slowly) healing

3) That I'm seeing the doctor today (my head seems worse...sad face...)

4) That it's Advent! I sat the other night with the phrase "Come, thou long expected Jesus" from Compline, and really felt excited about something that has nothing to do with food or gifts but everything to do with Christmas.

5) For the internet, especially Facebook and Twitter. I love the connections I've made and the ability last night to participate in the prayer group even though I couldn't be at church.

6) For my silly kitties, and the stoic turtles, and the interactions between the two groups that brighten my day!

7) For my big, meaty book, which has me totally sucked in (New York by Edward Rutherford)

8) For reconnecting with a friend I thought was long-lost...

9) And finally, that I get to see my Mama in two weeks!

What are you grateful for today?

A Work Update

brandyrosesanders@gmail.com (brandyrose) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 04:25:00 +0000

I went to work (1/2 days) yesterday and today.

Yesterday about killed me. I literally crawled into bed (after a Tylenol with Codine) and cried when I got home. Poor Joey...

Today was hard but not as bad as yesterday. I got a headache at work, but a fancy Motrin took care of that.

To recap, I feel better today than I did yesterday, but not nearly as good as I did on Tuesday.

At least now I'm off for four days...yay for Furlough Friday and my birthday :)

brandyrosesanders@gmail.com (brandyrose) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:22:00 +0000

Today is the second day of Advent. My church is reading a devotional together called Living in Hope. If anyone is interested in following (and/or contributing) to our discussion, please click on the Fan Badge on the right sidebar of this page, and then click on the Discussion tab. Hope to see you there :)

And I hope you have a wonderful Advent season, as you prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus (or your new iPod and lots of time with family, either one!)

Engagement Party

brandyrosesanders@gmail.com (brandyrose) — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 00:25:00 +0000

Last night Joey's family had us over for Thanksgiving dinner. We also celebrated his (my!) great nephews 5th birthday. It was lovely.

Oh, and they threw us a surprise engagement party. I'm very lucky to have been accepted so easily by his family. I also got a slow cooker :)

Thanksgiving

brandyrosesanders@gmail.com (brandyrose) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 06:35:00 +0000

On my other blog I have a more orthodox expression of gratitude, but tonight I'm grateful for this beautiful prayer from St Thomas Aquinas:

"Grant me, O Lord my God,
a mind to know you,
a heart to seek you,
wisdom to find you,
conduct pleasing to you,
faithful perseverance in waiting for you,
and a hope of finally embracing you."

Beautiful.

Potpourri

brandyrosesanders@gmail.com (brandyrose) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:51:00 +0000

I've been moving, so I've neglected my blog...so, a wee catch up post :)

Moving is done (thank goodness), so I officially live in Visalia. The kitties and I are very happy with this living situation. I'm sure I'll curse the foggy mornings this winter as I drive to work, but so far so good...

My concussion is slowly mending, which is lovely. I've had days this week when I've only had one or two (comparatively) minor headaches. I've also scaled back my medication, so that is good. I see the doctor this afternoon and (hopefully) he'll clear me to go back to work. Fingers crossed...

This Thursday is Thanksgiving...I'm very grateful for my new life with Joey, for my new church family, and for the friends and family I won't be with on Thursday...and for the new family I'll spend the day with. I love you all :)

A Restorative Pause

brandyrosesanders@gmail.com (brandyrose) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:25:00 +0000

I adore the practice of praying the hours because it forces me, for a few moments several times a day, to take a breath and focus on something greater than myself (and recently, something other than my pounding head...). This is from today's Midday Office:

"Lord, make me according to thy heart."

I hope you get a chance to take a breath tonight and ponder on that. I know I'll be chewing it over for the next few days.

Further Evidence

brandyrosesanders@gmail.com (brandyrose) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:37:00 +0000

Mu hearts moving...

...while Maus, on the other hand, does not.

Mauser on the Other Hand...

brandyrosesanders@gmail.com (brandyrose) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:05:00 +0000

...shares my disdain for the whole moving process. She (and I) will be glad when it's done :)

I Hate Moving...

brandyrosesanders@gmail.com (brandyrose) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:06:00 +0000

Mumu, however, seems to enjoy it...all these half empty cupboards :)

A Perfect Evening

brandyrosesanders@gmail.com (brandyrose) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:11:00 +0000

First we picked up my engagement ring...

Then Joey bought me a celebratory milkshake...

Finally we watched a movie.

Oh happy day :)

It's Been Too Long Since I've Done a List

brandyrosesanders@gmail.com (brandyrose) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:55:00 +0000

Thanks for asking me to play, Brookey :)

Five Things I Don't Leave the House Without

1. Purse

2. Keys

3. Phone

4. Book

5. Chapstick

Five Cartoons I Watched When I Was Younger

1. He Man

2. G.I. Joe

3. Smurfs

4. Duck Tails

5. Muppet Babies

Five Things That Terrify Me

1. Reptiles

2. the eye doctor

3. the dentist

4. being alone

5. violence

Five Things I Hate/Dislike That Everyone Else Seems to Like

1. basketball

2. Pepsi

3. musicals

4. Dancing with the Stars

5. rice

Five Things I Want to do Before I Die

1. Walk the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage trail

2. Have children

3. Get married

4. Talk to my Dad

5. Make amends

Five People I Tag

1. Maryanne

2. Hilary

3. Carolyn

4. Katie

5. Julie

Gratitude

brandyrosesanders@gmail.com (brandyrose) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:48:00 +0000

This post is another homage to Maryanne's Thanksgiving series :) I love the idea!

Yesterday I became a member of the church I have been attending since Easter. It was such a lovely day. I was incredibly moved by this portion of the membership ceremony:

"Today we rejoice in your pilgrimage of faith which has brought you to this time and place. We give thanks for every community of faith that has been your spiritual home, and we celebrate your presence in this household of faith."

Today I am grateful, I give thanks, for the brief time I spent in high school as a Southern Baptist, and the decade I spent as a Mormon. Both of those experiences shaped me into the woman of faith that I am today.

Thankful

brandyrosesanders@gmail.com (brandyrose) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:52:00 +0000

On Maryanne's blog, she's doing a series of stuff she's grateful for, in honor of Thanksgiving. What a lovely idea...

I love 'em, and I'm grateful for 'em.

Thank you History Channel

brandyrosesanders@gmail.com (brandyrose) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:07:00 +0000

Happy Halloween from Mumu :)

(awesome jack o'lantern stencils here...)

Sorry for the Tardy Post...

brandyrosesanders@gmail.com (brandyrose) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:37:00 +0000

...but I have a concussion. Joey asked me yesterday how long I plan on using that excuse. I think a while longer :)

I read this on Thursday during the Midday Office, and was going to use it at the prayer meeting a group of churches was having in Tulare on Friday night, but then I sustained the aforementioned concussion and didn't make it after all...

"You gather us together in faith, O God, as a loving mother and a gentle father. Help us to remember that your dwelling place is built upon love and peace, and that to bring about your reign on earth we must follow your way of peace. We pray for all governments and legislatures that they may be mindful of the rights of all peoples of this world to live in peace and dignity. Grant this in the name of Jesus. Amen."

I used to blog a lot (seriously, A LOT) about politics, but then I kinda got burned out. This prayer, though, is the kind of "politics" I can get on board with. I encourage you to take a moment today to pray sincerely for your government; I'm gonna try it too.

(Oh, and my concussion recheck appointment is today...I've been updating folks via my Twitter on the right side of the blog, so keep an eye out...)

Pretty as a Picture

brandyrosesanders@gmail.com (brandyrose) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 01:29:00 +0000

I took a Facebook quiz recently that said I should be a princess for Halloween. Maryanne thought that was a lovely idea, and she sent me these two tiaras. It was seriously the best mail I've gotten in weeks :)

But now I have a big problem...which one should I wear?

Inspiration from Vespers

brandyrosesanders@gmail.com (brandyrose) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:46:00 +0000

"For your Name's sake, O Lord, forgive my sin, for it is great."

Amen.

A Rainy Evening

brandyrosesanders@gmail.com (brandyrose) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 04:05:00 +0000

Mumu is honing her hunting skills...

Mauser is honing her napping skills...

Brandy is honing her trashy vampire story reading skills...

Joey went to the movies with his friend and I'm feeling under the weather, so this is what is going on at my house tonight. What's up at yours?

Field Trip and Zombies

brandyrosesanders@gmail.com (brandyrose) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 21:16:00 +0000

Yesterday was a good day.

Joey took me on a field trip to Exeter, which is an adorable town east of Visalia with a very Mt. Shasta City vibe going on. My Mama would love it, as it is filled with murals. We had pumpkin shaped sugar cookies and got given the stink eye by a Pentecostal woman. In her defense, we were kissing and I wasn't wearing my burqua.

Then I went to dinner with my work friends and saw Zombieland with Joey and his friends.

I did not fall asleep on the drive home :) Yay me. The thing I'm looking forward to the most about moving to Visalia (besides having someone to split the rent with) is not having to drive all over creation in the wee hours.

How was your furlough Friday?

Pile Whitling

brandyrosesanders@gmail.com (brandyrose) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 23:09:00 +0000

My friend Devon emailed me today to make sure I hadn't gotten lost down the rabbit hole of new love :) I'm still here, I promise!

But many things have gotten set aside recently, including the massive pile of books I've been meaning to read. I started on it recently, and today finally read Anne Steelyard (volume 1), which is a boss graphic novel. It was especially fascinating to ponder Anne's determination to come to a relationship as a whole woman, having integrity not only in her dealings with her fellow man but in her relationship with herself. She won't give up her dream, even for love. Much food for thought.

What are you reading?

What I've Been Reading

brandyrosesanders@gmail.com (brandyrose) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 23:02:00 +0000

I read Homeland this week (some kind book fairy delivered it to my house...), and you should too. The whole story is told in letters between two women, and it was fascinating to tease out the "truth" from what was said--and left unsaid--between them.

I started The Ninth Daughter today. I'm sucked in.

It's still Banned Book Week for another 7 hours 56 minutes. Watcha reading?

Do You Read My Other Blog?

brandyrosesanders@gmail.com (brandyrose) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 05:04:00 +0000

I'm one of the contributors to Modern Day Martha, a website hosted by an amazingly talented and compassionate woman (with some other cool writers too...) You should check it out if you haven't already, especially this week, 'cause there's a boss giveaway happening :) Good luck!

Irreplacable

brandyrosesanders@gmail.com (brandyrose) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 03:15:00 +0000

Susy died two years ago today, and my heart has been heavy. I miss her. I went to a funeral this evening for a man at church, and, as he had been in AA, (sober 41 years), we said the Serenity Prayer. I'm familiar with the first stanza, but I had never heard the second two:

God grant me the serenity to
accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it:

Trusting that He will make all things
right if I surrender to His Will;
that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him forever in the next. Amen.

I cried, because I felt Susy strongly in that prayer, especially the suggestion to take this world as it is. Susy was so good at that.

I miss her everyday, but I'm so glad and lucky to have known her.

Amen

brandyrosesanders@gmail.com (brandyrose) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 19:44:00 +0000