30 before 30: #30 Attend a New Church

Have  I found my new church?  Maybe.  There were certainly a lot of pros, but also one very big con. 

I have decided to leave the Catholic church for multiple reasons, but the last straw was their recent pronouncement which equated ordaining women priests to pedophilia.  I didn't particularly agree with the idea that a woman couldn't be the vehicle through which the congregation connected to God in the first place, but to put it equal to such a vile corruption of a child?  Inexcusable. 

I considered a few different churches in my town, and based entirely on websites, the Baptist church seemed the most appealing.  It was an active parish, with many activities, and seemed to be a bit younger than the rest.  That is important, as our town tends to have congregations that are largely elderly.  That was one upside of my Catholic church...youth!  Though, it wasn't very active, and I never really got to know many people there. 

However, Chris was adament that he was not going to consider the Baptist church, and both of us do not agree with the tenant that alcohol in any form is evil (which is even the largest text on their website).  So...onto the next consideration.  And, the logical conclusion that anyone might have predicted: the United Methodist church.  Many members of my family are Methodist, and I spent substantial amounts of time in the church as I grew up. 

First United Methodist Church of Phoenixville

I was nervous.  It's always hard going somewhere for the first time when you don't know the culture and are alone (Chris was studying).  I didn't know where to enter, if I was dressed appropriately, how I would be received, etc...  I sat in the car for a good 10 minutes before entering just people watching. 

I entered and was mobbed.  Alright, that's a bit of an overstatement, but I was greeted by at least 5 people.  And then the pastor came over to me after I was seated and chatted.  SHE (!!!) said that it was impossible to hide at the 8:30 am mass, since it was small and everyone knew each other.  This was not meant to exclude me, but to welcome me with open arms.  The service even began with her greeting, and then encouraging everyone to stand up and greet each other for at least 5 minutes.  I found this a little awkward, being new, but it was nice. 

The sermon was even meaningful, and one that I needed to hear.  It involved forgiveness, and one statement particularly struck me.  The pastor said, "Forgiveness that does not count the cost is the ultimate value."  This needs to imprint on my heart.  There is someone in our lives who, for reasons unbenownst to us, has decided to inflict some fairly substantial pain, and then cut us out of his life.  It has proven difficult to grant forgiveness.  It isn't even a circumstance that it matters to anyone aside from Chris and myself, but I need to forget the cost, and let the weight be lifted from me. 

Therefore, the pros: walkable distance, welcoming community, active, varied ages, good music, sermon that spoke to me

The cons: there were no more than 30 people at the service, and I don't know if the other times would be different, this will have to be determined

Regardless of my decision, I think that unlike #20, #30 has been completely satisfied and has been marked off the list!

30 before 30: #20 Painting

#20 was to create a painting I was willing to hang in my own home...and I'm not sure this qualifies.  I decided to try and take the easy route.  I finished a painting of my little brother that I started a couple years ago, and was so enthusiastic about that I let it sit, taped to my board, since then.  I'm not sure how well the tape will even come off.  Anyway, it's done, or at least finished to the point that I'm willing to do.  I just don't like it.  It's not very good, I don't feel strongly about it, and...blah.  So, I might need to paint another to satisfy this requirement, but we'll see how the time works out.  For now, I present #20:

 

Top Five Friday: Reasons to Question My Intelligence

Oh, my.  There are so many reasons to wonder if I remembered to turn my brain on in the morning, but here are some classics...starting with today.

5)  As I opened my new bottle of conditioner, only then did I realize that I had used bodywash on my hair for the past couple months.  It actually didn't look as bad as you might have thought.

4)  In 6th grade I went skiing for the first time.  SNOW skiing that is.  My Girl Scout troop convinced me that since I was a decent water-skiier, I would be able to handle snow without difficulty.  This led me to try an intermediate hill on my first run.  I made it down the slope just fine...I just stopped by crashing into a picnic table.

3)  My junior year of high school, I took a nose dive down a 2 story flight of stairs in front of the entire student population heading into the science wing.  I only stopped myself by grabbing onto a friend I saw as I tumbled by, almost taking her with me.  The school cop was also in the stair way, and miraculously, rubber treads appeared on the steps the next day.

2)  I allowed my professor (and advisor) to call me Dana for a full two semesters.  My maiden name is the same name as the actress.  He just got a little confused.  And must have wondered why Dana never turned in her papers for 2 semesters.

1)  Also my junior year of high school, I believe, my father took my brother and I with him on a business trip to Switzerland.  While there, we went skiing in the alps.  I had never been on a t-bar lift, and my father had only been on one a couple times.  My father sat down first, a little skakily, and tipped the lift at an odd angle.  I still tried to load.  This did not go well.  I made it about half way up the slope, then fell off, nowhere near the trail, and had to walk down as people yelled things at me in German.  Maybe it's better that way.  At least I didn't know what they were saying. 

Now that I've owned up to some embarrassing moments showing questionable intelligence...what about you?

Do you have any funny, questionable moments to share?

30 before 30

I turn 30 on January 4th, 2011.  I have come to the realization that this is pretty soon.  To the point that I cannot do one activity a week off my mid-life bucket list.  In fact, it is more like 2 activities a week if I want to achieve completion by then.  The list started with someone's bucket list that I found online, but I honestly don't remember where.  And...I don't think much of it survived.  These are minor challenges, due to time constraints, but all of which, I am eager to try and accomplish.  So, here is my list, feel free to laugh as I fail miserably.  These are in no particular order, and I do not know when I will cross each one off. 

1. Travel somewhere I've never been

2. Go to a costume party dressed to the nines

3. Identify someone who has inspired me and tell them

4. Climb a mountain

5. Discover a skin care routine that WORKS

6. Perform a kind deed to at least 5 strangers without expecting anything in return

7. Volunteer

8. Talk to 5 random people in the hopes of becoming friends

9. Experience a sunrise

10. Go stargazing

11. Plant a tree

12. Take the GRE

13. Throw a party

14. Go to a driving range

15. Learn wine appreciation

16. Achieve my ideal weight (125)

17. Learn to play the guitar

18. Take up dancing

19. Run a 10k

20. Complete a painting I’m willing to hang in my own home (instead of just my parents')

21. Improve flexibility so I can touch my toes.  (Honestly, nowhere close)

22. Redecorate a room

23. Bake a cake and decorate it WELL

24. Join a book club

25. Go vegetarian for a full month. No cheating.

26. Go skiing

27. Organize a picnic outing

28. Read at least one book a month.

29. Tell your parents and siblings that you love them.

30. Attend a different church

Honestly, the list is pretty staggering.  I don't know how I'll make it through it.  But, it's supposed to be a challenge, right?  And...just for kicks, my MoH just posted this picture from a decade ago, so I'll share how much we've grown since then.  Here's to growing older and wiser!
 

Making Memories: Wedding Quilt

In anticipation of our wedding, Chris and I decided we did not want the traditional guest book.  We felt that too often it gets pushed into the depths of a bookcase and never looked at again.  We wanted to treasure the well-wishes of our family and friends, and therefore decided on a quilt. 

It helps that Chris's mother is an avid and talented quilter.  She has taught me a bit, but I've only pulled off one so far.  As frequently happens, she had me design it, and help choose fabrics and colors.  (I'll have to show your our master's bed quilt she made.  Oh, she did not think that the color and design would work, but it's now one of her favorite pieces.)  I assisted the concept by embroidering the center square.

I was very pleased with how it turned out, and it continued the colors and butterfly theme from the wedding.  The shades of the colors are obviously a little more subdued, though, just so that they would work in our house. 

What was so special about this, was that guests were invited to sign the white squares of the quilt will well-wishes, thoughts, and memories of the day.  Some people, gave advice:

Much appreciated, Cathy!!!

Some people voiced their football opinions:

And, finally, my Aunt Polly can be relied upon to tell us to get on having kids:

This is quite possibly one of my most treasured possessions now and is hung prominently in our guest room.  Thank you so much Mrs. P!!!  (and everyone who wrote comments)

Harper is in Trouble

To tell the story, I have to admit that, yes, I'm a bum and was still bra-less and in my pajamas at 11am.  Embarassing but true.  I was just doing laundry, sue me.  Chris was outside with the dog digging the area to put a sidewalk in between the driveway and the concrete pad by our side door.  He had to slightly open the gate to get that section dug. 

Harper LOVES cats.  No, she doesn't want to eat them, like everything else, she wants to play with them.    She saw one outside the gate and chased after it.  I was upstairs and heard Chris screaming at her.  I ran down the flights of stairs, and out the door...in my shorts, tanktop, and ...way too much jiggling.  Harper had already made it across the street into our neighbor's yard.

So now, we have a dog, who's in heat, that's faster than an Olympic sprinter, not wearing her collar that has tags on it, and loose in the neighborhood.  We both take off after her.  Chris all comfortable in his sneakers and clothing, and me?  Well, barefoot, booty shorts, and the rest. 

She ran towards the shopping plaza.  Oh, crap.  First, she headed into the woods next to the grocery store, and towards the clearing.  Chris suggested that I run out across the parking lot, and try and head her off at the pass.  I suggested that I don't want to run in public in my current state.  But he didn't bother to go up there, either.  Rather follows me, as I sprint across the grass, sticks, leaves, and entirely too much garbage...barefoot. 

It was starting to hurt, and Harper went down into a mucky culvert.  This is HEAPED with garbage, and I had images of stepping on an infected needle.  At this point, yes, I took another path to trap her from the other side.  But there were no grocery shoppers to witness.  She started to turn away from me, and I took one more mighty sprint and managed to grab her.  Chris then came up, furious, picked her up and carried her the block home.  I came upstairs to vent and blog this.  After putting her diaper back on.  Serves you right, bratty girl.

Oh, final note.  She fell down the stairs Wednesday night and hurt her front, right leg.  So you'd think she'd be slower...  God help us if she ever gets out not injured!

Top Five Friday: Running Songs

Since I have been absolutely lazy this week, I thought I'd remind myself of my favorite songs from my playlist that get my legs moving.  And share them with you.  Be warned...I have entirely random taste. 


5. Bartender - Hed PE
Why?  No real reason.  It's not the greatest beat to run to, but it always got me pumped to go out...so I still run to it.


4. Kiss Kiss - Chris Brown
Ok, I know we're all supposed to hate Chris Brown.  But I LOVE this song.  Always have.  And it's a great beat to run to.  If it wasn't Chris Brown?  This song would probably be higher than 4.


3. Easy - Paula DeAnda
Love this because it has a great beat, makes me feel good about myself, and implies that what I'm doing is "Easy".  Ha!  Oh, and it features Bow Wow who is Cbus born and bred.


2. New Shoes - Paolo Nutini
Just quirky and delicious.  Also feels appropriate for running because of the "shoes" idea.


1.  Rompe - Daddy Yankee
Ok, I have an unabashed love of Daddy Yankee and Pitbull, and yet do not speak Spanish.  I also have a bad habit of singing along to my music and/or dancing while on the treadmill.  It's lovely to see.  Anyway, I'm sure I make up words and may be saying something like "Let's go eat a radio" or something as ridiculous.  Anyway.  Love it.

And for good measure?  My favorite album to run to in its entirety is "The Sickness" by Disturbed. 


Do you have favorite running songs?  I always am looking for new ones!