An Open Letter to My Husband

Dear Joel,

Of the five love languages, you don't really speak "Gifts".  This makes things difficult since it's the one I speak the most.  However, every year you accommodate me by buying me wonderful gifts for Christmas.  You take the kids shopping so they can get me things, and you foot the bill so the things they buy me are really the things I want.  It makes me feel loved and appreciated.

Then, the tables are turned.  It's so easy for me to speak gifts, but I'm stunted in my ability to speak the language of "Affirmations."  I realize this seems kind of odd considering how much I love to write.  I'm sure it comes across as either hypocritical or insincere.  I mean, after all, I can sit down for hours at a time and write all kinds of things about other, fictional, people, and it doesn't bother me a bit.  Why can't I take a few minutes and jot down the things I appreciate about you?

Then there's the fact that there are several holidays each year that center around gift giving, and I can't think of one that centers around telling people how great they are.  Maybe we should make that a thing: "National Affirmation Day."  I guess if you think about it, Valentine's Day kind of works, but most people associate it with the giving of candy, flowers, and cards.  These are just more gifts.

Well, I decided this year is going to be different.  Instead of pushing you to come up with some object you could easily go out and buy yourself with your own earnings, and then delaying the gratification of obtaining said object so that I can speak my fluent language by purchasing it and making you wait till the official appointed day to claim ownership of it, I'm going to give you this letter.

Now, keep in mind, this is by no means an exhaustive list.  Also, I'm probably going to repeat some things I've told you in the past.  Please don't consider this repetition an indication of laziness on my part as much as it is an emphasis on how important it is to me.  With all that said, and the disclaimers dutifully applied, here is my official Top Ten List: Things I Love About My Husband (2014 Edition).

#10: You are an excellent provider.

You already know this. I've said it before, but I want to say it again. When I was a kid, looking forward to running my own home, I figured I would be a lot like my mom, baking my own bread, making homemade jams and jellies, cooking everything from scratch, etc.  I love doing these things, but back then these expectations were built on the premise that I would have to learn to manage a tight budget.  I would need to learn how to do these things out of necessity, not out of desperation.  I look back now, and realize just how thankful I am that I've been able to do things during our married life not because I had to scrimp and save, but because I just enjoy doing them.

#9: You make me adapt to growing technology.

I know this is one of those things that I fought for a long time.  I know I can be a stubborn person.  I have learned to appreciate your attention to technological advancement and encouragement for me to adapt.  I love my laptop, even though I scoffed at the necessity of it for years.  I love my smart phone and all the amazing apps you've introduced me to, especially Wunderlist.  I love that you introduced me to Prezi, even though I was content to use Google Slides and Powerpoint for about a year after you showed it to me.  In the future I will probably still resist new technology, but I'll come around eventually, and when I do I will realize you were right, yet again.

#8: You have a great sense of humor.

I've taken hundreds of personality quizzes online.  Almost every time one of the questions looks like this:

Every time I click on "sense of humor".  I mean, I think you're pretty hot.  I know not everyone has my taste, but I basically described you in my ridiculous teenage future husband list, and you've definitely gotten more dashing over the years.  Even though I got to marry a great looking guy, I know that over time your good looks will eventually wane.  When that happens I look forward to the fact that you can keep me smiling with your unique way of looking at life.

#7: You not only pay the bills but you take care of the finances.

I know that in a healthy relationship both people need to be actively involved in keeping track of income.  My dad used to say, "When your income exceeds your outgo, your upkeep becomes your downfall."  I realize he probably copied that from someone else, but he's the one I heard it from, so I give him credit for it.  However, I am so thankful that I don't have to pay all the bills and reconcile all the accounts and be responsible for making sure that nothing falls through the cracks.  Because we both know if I was in charge, lots of bill collectors would have our number on speed dial.

#6: You help homeschool our kids.

Back when we were courting, I remember both of us agreeing that we wanted our kids to be homeschooled.  Back then I figured that would mean that you would support me in an idealistic sort of way, but I would still have to do pretty much all of the teaching.  I joked about helping our kids with high school math, but I kinda knew in the back of my mind that it would fall to me to suck it up and teach it myself.  Over the last few years you have gotten so much more involved in the process than I ever expected.  Not just with grading math books, but with coming up with the "Presentation Process" with our kids.  You decide their topics, you shop for their rewards, you offer help each week.  It was such a genius plan, and you are coordinating it all, and I just love it.  It takes so much pressure off me, and really rounds out their curriculum.

#5: You pay attention to the details and aren't easily swayed by popular opinion

This is one of those things that I really appreciate even though it sometimes gets on my nerves.  It's one of those things I've learned to appreciate over time, though.  I appreciate that you don't just sign important papers flippantly, that you don't gamble away our money on hunches, and that you don't leave behind your convictions because of some new doctrine.

#4: You don't have a problem telling our kids no.

I'm outgoing.  I know a lot of people.  Because of this, I've known a lot, I mean, a LOT of parents who have a hard time telling their kids no.  I've seen what happens to kids who never get told no.  I've also seen situations where one parent says no while the other says yes.  I'm so thankful that you are consistent with our kids.  Not to double up on this one, but I also appreciate the fact that, while you don't have a problem setting boundaries for them, you aren't a hard-nose either.  You take time to develop relationships with them.

#3: You kill roaches for me.

Don't really need to expound on this one.  Ewww!

#2: You put our relationship above your relationship to the kids.

Here's another one I've seen a lot.  One parent who seems to think the other parent is pretty much just there to help procreate another little darling to add to their posse.  I feel so loved by you.  You go out of your way to make sure we have date night.  You make sure that I am healthy, and you caution me from over committing to otherwise worthy causes.  You're even willing to go grocery shopping with me, just so we can be together.  Even recently when we were talking about foster care, the reasons you cited for not signing up for infant care, is because you didn't want me to get run down.  It wasn't because you didn't want to have to deal with a baby in the house.  It was because you know how exhausted I get when I'm caring for an infant.

#1: You are faithful to me.

I hate that statistic that says, 1 in 4 marriages ends in divorce.  I used to just shake my head at it.  Now I shake my fist and cry out against it because I've seen way too many close friends prove its validity.  In our 18 years of marriage we've seen cheating spouses, abusive spouses, neglectful spouses, disconnected spouses.  I could go on, but I don't want to bring this positive post down.

I used to feel like I had to make sure I was always perfect for you because I had to hold on to you or some other woman would come in and take you away from me.  Then I kind of went through a man-hater stage where I thought, "If he doesn't love me the way I am then it's his loss."  Fortunately that pendulum has settled down a lot.  But, the common thread on both sides is that nagging fear that my husband is inevitably going to leave me.  I'm not sure when it stopped being an issue to me, but somewhere along the line I stopped coming up with contingency plans for how to move on with my life, and started wondering how in the world I was ever going to live without you if you end up being the first one to go on to heaven.  I used to wonder how I was going to deal with the news that you had found someone else, and now I wonder how I'll be able to find anyone else if the enemy took you away from me too early.

Suffice it to say that I'm in love with you.  I moved away from infatuation many many years ago.  I'm so much more deeply in love with you than I've ever been.  I hope that science and technology find ways of prolonging healthy life soon enough for us to take advantage of it, because I look forward to an entire lifetime with you.

Merry Christmas,
Bethy

Jamberry Nails

The last time I tried Multi-Level Marketing I sold Mary Kay Cosmetics.  That was 17 years ago, and ended so badly I never wanted to sign up for direct selling ever again.  I learned a lot about the pitfalls of MLMs from that experience.

I love hosting parties.  I love the products I've bought from home parties, but when my friend asked if I wanted to sell Pampered Chef I said, "No Thanks."  When another friend asked if I wanted to sell Origami Owl lockets, I smiled and said, "Nope, not me."  When yet another friend asked if I wanted to sell Thirty-one Bags, I laughed and said, "Thanks, but no."  The same goes for Premier Jewelry, Tupperware, Longaberger Baskets, and several other awesome companies.  I mean, I could probably tell you as much about these products as the ladies I know who sell them.

When they asked if I wanted to make some extra spending money each month, I talked about how content I was with my husband's salary.  When they talked about buying the product at a discount, I said I was fine earning hostess rewards.  When they asked if I wanted a chance to earn special incentives only available to consultants, I said I was happy with the products available to me.  There was really no way anyone could convince me to go back into direct sales.

So, why in the world did I decide to sign up to sell Jamberry Nails?

Honestly, when I first heard about them I scoffed.  I gave up on nice nails long, long ago.  I used to love doing my nails when I was a teenager.  I remember bottles of nail polish drying up far too quickly because I was painstakingly trying out a new nail art technique.  My favorite was the two-stroke hearts.

When I got married and started taking care of my own house, nail polish just didn't last anymore.  Between doing dishes and gardening, and taking care of babies, I didn't really have time to do my nails.  Even if I did set aside some "me time" within 24 hours the polish was cracking and chipping away.  I'm a serial picker and if there was even a little bit of polish chipped off, I would systematically pick the rest off.  

On top of that, there was the stigma.  I grew up in a house full of boys who teased girls who were obsessed with looking perfect all the time.  God forbid I ever broke a nail and mentioned it to them.  They would assume I was being a preppy, obnoxious Valley Girl because my nails weren't pristine and perfect.  As an adult I felt silly trying to keep my manicure from getting ruined.  Only rich ladies could afford to skip doing dishes just to keep their manicures looking perfect.  

I can think of exactly two times in my 18 years of married life when I paid someone for a professional manicure.  Both times I had to schedule the mani on the day of the event I wanted to look nice for.  I knew that If I did it the day before my nails would look awful by the night of the event.

So, yes, I scoffed at Jamberry nails.  I loved to look at them, but I scoffed.  The first party I was invited to, I declined because, well, "I don't really like doing my nails anymore."  When my friend Olga joined up and added me to her group I ignored her.  She lived in Reno, and I didn't really interact with her as much anymore, so I didn't feel like she would be hurt by my not purchasing anything from her.

Then my friend Lisa bought some Jams to try out.  She wore them to homeschool co-op and I noticed them right away.  She was smart.  She applied salon quality polish to most of her fingers and then applied Jams to the remaining fingers.  Then she waited. After a week the Jams still looked amazing and the polish was chipping off.  After two weeks, the Jams still looked amazing and the polish was mostly gone.

There's more about Lisa.  She and her husband are church planters, and I know sometimes finances are tough, so I don't mind helping out when they are trying to earn a little extra income.  When she told me she was thinking about selling Jamberry products I saw an opportunity to encourage her and her family.

Also, we're pretty good friends.  I know that she deals with a lot of the same stuff I do.  Cooking, cleaning, homeschooling her kids, being active in the community.  I know she doesn't have time to devote to making her nails look perfect all the time.  I know she places more emphasis on caring for others than primping.  By watching her test the jams I had a pretty clear vision of what my experience would be.

The last straw, the thing that made me order was a post on Facebook about Jams helping people who are nail biters.  Not only that, but they made kid-sized Jams, too.  This meant I could order them for my youngest, who habitually bites her nails.


So I bit the bullet.  I ordered two styles for myself and two for my 6 year old.  I also ordered all the application stuff, the heater, the application kit, even the cuticle oil.

I put them on the night I got them.  I even let my 6 year old stay up past her bedtime so I could apply them.  I didn't really have any directions, other than a couple of videos I'd seen on you-tube, and some comments on Facebook.  I was too excited to wait, though.


My left hand went on pretty well, my right was awkward and frustrating.  They lasted a week.  That was longer than any manicure I'd ever paid for or done myself.

For the second style I got smart.  I did my research, and even asked one of my teenage friends to help me with my right hand in exchange for me giving her some of my wraps. Unfortunately I didn't realize that the metallic and glittery ones are the hardest to apply, so I still struggled with some of the edges.

Before the week was up I was ordering another four designs.  This time, they were all for me.  Even though I probably could have kept them on longer than a week, my second wraps had to come off... it was officially Christmas season and I wanted to look festive in my next design.

Then I realized... It costs $99 to become a consultant.  Between me and my three gals, and my BFF and her two daughters, I could easily go through enough Jams to stay active over the next year.  I waited a week or two to really think things through.  I asked Lisa all my questions.  I let my hubby know what I was considering and asked him for input.  (He's pretty awesome, in that he's never once told me not to go for it.) And then, I made my decision.

So yeah.  That's how I became a Jamberry consultant.  And you know what, I never even hosted a party.

Back to Homeschool: The 1980's vs Today

I read this article earlier today and here's my take on it.

The 1980's

1) Check the local school calendar and let the kids know that they will not be allowed to play outdoors before 3:00 on public school days.  Explain that they are not allowed to answer the phone during that time either, since we don't want the neighbors or any local authorities to question why they aren't in the classroom.

2) Call local public and private schools to determine dates to purchase used textbooks.  Browse local bookstores for appropriate additional materials.  Call A-Beka to see if you can order only one copy of their Christian School curriculum, rather than 30 copies for an entire classroom.  Purchase expensive posters and maps intended to be used in a traditional classroom and try to find wall space to accommodate them.

3) Have conversation with church friends and family members explaining (yet again) why you wouldn't trust the local school teachers to educate your child.  Try to validate your ability as a teacher despite the lack of a degree.

4) Sew matching jumpers for your daughters to wear for special occasions, and check to make sure they have plenty of culottes for the playground.  Check to be sure your boys pants are still long enough to touch the back of their sneakers.  Re-hem and patch knees as needed.

5) Fill out affidavit declaring your home a private school, and non-profit organization by default.  Come up with awesome school names and eventually narrow it down to your last name plus "Academy".  Joke about having fundraisers for your non-profit, but realize you don't know enough people to actually make any money.

6) Spend $100 on art supplies and science equipment out of pocket and remind yourself that your children are too precious a resource to send them into the trenches of the local public school.  You are more interested in their spiritual development than trying to save money by shipping them off to the local humanistic indoctrination center.

7) On the first day of public school, get the kids up early to start a traditional school day.  Finish by noon and join the kids in making fun of all the time wasted in a traditional school.  Look on with pride as your children mock their neighbors getting off the school bus, knowing that the evening will be fun and family oriented since you don't have to do homework, like your neighbors do.

8) Wonder privately if you're doing enough, and if your kids will be able to get into college eventually.  Pray that you will be able to explain to a college admissions counselor that they are smart enough to get in despite homeschooling.

Today

1) Eagerly open box after box of school curriculum and supplies as they arrive from curriculum vendors you learned about at the homeschool conference at the beginning of summer.  Struggle to find shelf space for all the new products alongside all the other products you've used in the past, but can't get rid of because the younger kids will need them in a few years.  Determine to get rid of the failed curriculum you've used in the past.

2) Purchase new file folders for all the children.  Color code everything so they know which file folders are theirs. Spend a week filling out assignment plans for each child in your official Homeschool Planner.  Determine that this year you will keep careful records and date everything your children do.  You WILL take pictures at every field trip, and co-op, so you will have something to show for your work.

3) Go through your email and mark your calendar with all the co-op dates and extra classes you want your kids to be in.  Promise yourself that they will do a foreign language and a fine arts class this year.  Sign up for more classes than you actually have time for and realize later that you will have to opt out of half of them.

4) Buy new lunchboxes and food storage containers because you remember doing it every year as a child, and want your kids to have similar experiences, even though you will probably only use them once a week on the co-op days.  Try to get your kids to pick one of your favorite childhood characters that has been re-booted and realize that they really don't care because they don't have time for cartoons with their busy schedules, and you don't really want them "watching that trash on TV" anyway.

5) Proudly tell everyone you meet that you are homeschooling this year, and eagerly anticipate defending your right to educate your child, and their better overall scholastic scores.  Smile sweetly and reassure those who doubt their abilities that, "It's not for everyone, but it's easier than they think."

6) Determine to go to more support group meetings so you don't burn out this year.  Peruse the web to find a support group you can really get involved in, whether or not it is the one you've signed up for co-op classes with.

7) Make sure your kids have physicals so they can participate in the local homeschool PE program or umbrella sports teams.  Opt out of all vaccinations, and defend your right to do so.  Buy new sneakers for the programs, along with a few stylish outfits so your kids will fit in with their peers.

8) Go to your local school supply store and buy smaller versions of posters and maps to use in your dining/school room, even though your kids will move from room to ro
om throughout the year and even do school in the car more often than they will use the actual school room you've set up.

9) Delete emails you haven't opened simply because you're already overwhelmed by the schedule you've made and can't possibly fit in another thing.

10) Wonder privately if you're doing enough, and if your kids will be able to get into college eventually.  Pray that you will be able to explain to a college admissions counselor that they are smart enough to get in despite the bad name homeschooling has gotten in recent years.

A Peek Inside a Cluttered Mind

How to Spend 7 Hours Planning a Two Week Menu and Shopping List

• Turn on computer
• Log into Google account
• Open "Drive"
• Open ongoing "Menu/Shopping List" file

Previous weeks' Menu

• Update day numbers on menu file
• Tell 11 yr old, 9 year old, and 5 year old to start on their chores
• Begin updating calendar row of Menu
• Resolve cleaning issue between 11 year old and 9 year old
• Remind 5 year old to clear table
• Realize that your phone has added arbitrary duplicate reminders to any calendar entries you've added in the last two weeks
• Open Google Calendar on Desktop
• Systematically click through Google calendar entries turning off reminders
• Say hello to DH and 16 year old, who just returned home
• Tell 16 year old to help clean up
• Go back to updating calendar row of menu 
• Get phone call from friend canceling Monday's plans
• Update calendar row of Menu
• Update Google calendar
• Respond to 16 year old's question by telling them where to put mundane object
• Text best friend to see if they want to come over Monday since other friend cancelled
• Talk to M-i-L on speaker phone for several minutes wishing her a happy birthday (She's pretty awesome)
• Realize you haven't emailed S-i-L in a while, and jot note to her
• Remember that you haven't made or sent invitations for 9 year old's birthday party and it's two and a half weeks away
• Decide not to hand make invitations
• Click through Vista print Invitation designs
• Respond to 16 year old's question by telling them where to put other mundane object
• Check with BFF for feedback on invitations (since her 12 year old is sharing the birthday party with your 9 year old)
• Pin several invitation ideas since BFF isn't responding to facebook chat
• Remind 5 year old to clear table
• Watch viral video about baby lovebird with splayed legs

• Remind 11 and 9 year old (who watched video over shoulder) to get back to work
• Answer DH's question about random topic
• Ask DH about response to dinner invite from friend
• Discuss options with DH
• Wait for DH to commit to a yes or no about dinner invite
• Give up waiting for DH's decision
• Check Facebook notifications
• Scroll through Facebook news feed since the window is now open
• Comment on random posts
• Remind 11 year old (who is reading over shoulder) to keep doing chores
• Finish updating calendar row on Menu
• Show DH Google calendar for next two weeks
• Ask 11 year old what they would like to make for their meals, since they're sitting at the nearby computer
• Wait for 11 year old to look through Pinterest for ideas
• Check Pinterest while waiting for 11 year old's decision
• Pin random entries
• Write down what 11 year old's menu choices
• Call 9 year old and ask what they would like to make on their nights
• Tell 11 year old to let 9 year old on the nearby computer to look through Pinterest for ideas
• Watch video about how to make Minecraft rice crispy treats as per their request to make them

• Pin said video
• Ask 9 year old for non-dessert input on their meal choices
• Input 9 year old's choices
• Call 16 year old and ask what they would like to make on their nights
• Answer questions about what constitutes and easy meal and what constitutes a hard meal
• Give suggestions
• Listen while 16 year old tells you why they don't like your suggestions
• Look up recipes for traditional Irish food
• Input 16 year old's choices
• Take moment to calm down after realizing you now have to show 16 year old how to prepare Corned Beef
• Re-think idea to teach three older kids how to cook in the same year
• Pin recipes for 16 year old's menu options
• Ask 5 year old for their "menu input"
• Finish menu
• Check email
• Clean up spam and junk mail
• Surrender nicer computer to DH so he can order pizza and update budget program
• Have budget meeting with DH as per his request
• Ask DH about decision concerning dinner invite
• Check Pinterest again
• Spend more time on Pinterest re-pinning random pins
• Go over 9 year old's Birthday wish list
• Cross off entries for "another cat", "a doggy that doesn't chase cats", and "pet white tiger".
• Teach 9 year old how to spell "origami" for her request for origami paper
• Ask for clarification about other list entries
• Ask DH what he wants for Father's Day
• Update menu with his requests
• Remind DH to make list of Father's Day gift suggestions
• Start working on shopping list
• Realize that you've been working for 6 hours and decide to write a blog post
• Stop to eat dinner

• Get back on computer and work on blog post
• Ask DH about decision concerning dinner invite (Yes!)
• Update calendar row of Menu
• Update Google Calendar
• Tell kids to get ready for bed
• Work on shopping list
• Decide to finish shopping list tomorrow morning before going shopping
• Finish blog post

The Passing of a Crafter

I received a phone call from a friend this week informing me that a very dear lady had passed away.  She was a crafter.  Here is what I envisioned.

* * * 

For Joleen

http://www.raisin-toast.com/in_the_studio
/2010/03/making-the-ava-bag.html

Fabric on the cutting table

Pins still pushed through the layers of
Pattern tissue and muslin.

Ready for cutting.

The sewing machine surrounded by bits of remnant,

Ghosts of projects recently past

Bits of string snipped from the ends 

The waste basket filled with fibers

http://aexports.wordpress.com/gallery/fabrics-2/

Carefully selected pieces of 

Calico chintz and broadcloth 

Partially assembled, stacked on the desk

No actual surface of said furniture visible

The room awaits it's mistress

Dust settles in the interim

Weighty medical appointments detain

The Lady of the realm

http://debvandetdesigns.blogspot.com/2010/04/
vintage-button-sweater.html

No worries. She's left the room many times before and

Always returned to pick up where she left

The myriad of finished projects 

Bear testament to her consistency

The rolls of ribbons on their rack rest easily

The zippers and buttons await their next venue

Stacks of fabric tip precariously from their 

Home inside the open armoire

http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2010/01/
diy-wrapping-paper-and-ribbon-organizer/

A new lady enters, eyes glistening

New fingers brush along the many textures 

Housed in their dutiful yet disheveled places

She stops and turns full circle.

The Lady's scent still lingers

Though it's been months since she stood here

The new comer lifts the fabric on the cutting table

Her finger pricked on a pin, she cries out

Though the pain in her finger is slight,

The pain in her heart explodes afresh.

She will save this sorting for another day.

The door shuts quietly the dust settles once again.

Caesar Salad and The Love of Christ

Have you ever been ashamed of being a Christian?

No, I'm not referring to those guilt-ridden manipulative memes that go around saying that you have to pass it on, or burn in hell.

Well, let me just say I was pretty embarrassed the other night.  I was on a date with my hubby, and here is the conversation I overheard from the table behind me.

***

"Can you believe this?  It doesn't even look like food."

Waiter approaches. "Is everything ok? Can I get you anything?"

"You can get me some decent food. Does this look like Caesar Salad to you?"

"I'm sorry sir, I'll take that away.  Would you like something else?"

"I would like to eat something with nutritional value."

"Would you like to talk to the manager?"

"Yes, that would be great."

"Do you want me to take that other one?"

"No, you can leave it, I'd like to show it to the manager."

Waiter walks away with a Caesar salad that looks identical to the one my husband just finished.

Conversation continues at the table while they wait for the manager.

"It's just disgusting.  There's no nutritional value at all in something like that."

"I know.  Since when is Caesar salad made with Iceberg?  They need to re-read the recipe, it's not rocket science."

Conversation turns (at which point I become very uncomfortable).

"I was listening to the radio the other day, on the way home from your house, and this song came on.  I think it was called 'Pressing On'."

"Is it current?"

"I'm not sure.  It sounded like a contemporary singer.  I mean, not raucous, but more modern than Sandy Patti or Steve Green."

I sit there thinking, "Oh, so they're Christians,"  and then try to tune them out again.

Manager Arrives "Is there anything wrong, sir."

Here is where the man's tone becomes degrading and condescending.  "I'll say there is.  Take a look at that salad.  Does that look like Romaine to you?"

"Yes sir, that is what we use in our Caesar."

"I'm sorry, but that's not Romaine.  Where is the green?  Romaine is dark green.  You understand the difference between Romaine and Iceberg, right? I mean, you own a restaurant."

"I assure you, sir, we only use Romaine lettuce in our Caesar Salad."

"I'm not an idiot.  I feed Romaine lettuce to my turtle. My pet eats better food than this."

"I'm sorry you're not satisfied, sir.  That is the Romaine we receive from our suppliers."

"Don't give me that excuse.  This is your restaurant.  You have a duty to your customers.  Maybe you need to get a new supplier.  If I owned a restaurant, I would be ashamed to serve this kind of crap to my customers."

***

At this point I was so livid I wanted to go over there and tell the guy to shut-up.  The manager was cool and composed the entire time, and I felt so bad that he had to deal with that kind of ridiculous non-sense.  I tried to tune them out the rest of the time, and only partially succeeded.  Deep down I was so glad that this couple hadn't said anything about Jesus in front of the manager or Waiter.  If they had, I would have felt obligated to tell the waiter that I was a Christian too, and not to judge us all by their rude, offensive, nit-picky standard.

So, here's my point.  Never sacrifice kindness and love on the altar of nutrition.

My hubby, as I said before, had the same salad.  I asked him if he enjoyed it and he said it was good.  I saw the lettuce he ate, and it looked fine.  It was Red Lobster for crying out loud.  It wasn't the Ritz.  I'm sorry, but you cannot expect to get organic, locally grown produce, picked at the peak of freshness as a free side to your seafood dinner.  If that's what you want, go to the Nantucket Seafood Grill and pay $10 to get it ala Carte.

Christians are called to put others first.  How can you do that if you're so irate about not getting your nutritional expectations met that you verbally abuse a hard working business owner?  Suppose you aren't satisfied with your dinner, suppose the waiter royally ruins your night by messing up your order, or maybe spilling your drink on you (I've had that happen to me).  Even if you feel justified in your complaint, find a better way to voice it, one that shows compassion and kindness. Express your disappointment in a way that shows your respect for them as another human being.


Here's another thing to consider, just in case you've never worked in food service.  Restaurants can easily process 50 heads of lettuce a day depending on the size of the restaurant.  All of this lettuce is cut and mixed at one time.  Which means that the outer leaves of the romaine don't always end up in equal portion to the inner leaves in every single bowl of salad.  Here's a shocking photo of what the inside of a head of romaine lettuce looks like:
So, what are the odds that your particular bowl of salad is going to contain a high quantity of dark green leaves?  Not good.

Or, maybe, just maybe, you should leave your entitled attitude at the door and realize that the world doesn't revolve around your nutritional requirements.  Perhaps you should be grateful that you aren't living in the bush in Africa only getting a bowl of rice a day when the gang warfare slows enough for the shipment to get through.

My Excuse

I probably wouldn't have known this woman existed had it not been for Social Networking.

I read a blog confronting all the haters who were upset at this woman for her confrontational "motivation", and while I agree with the premise (that haters need to stop spewing over things that were never said), I couldn't stop thinking about the image itself.

http://www.mariakang.com/2013/10/21/no-one-can-make-you-feel-inferior-without-your-consent/

Honestly, I do find it disturbing.  I see a woman who has struggled to overcome her circumstances and was able to prove to the world.... what? How much better she is?  That she fought hard to become another brainwashed icon of our society's objectification of women?  That she was able to have three children in three years, unlike those who struggle to have any?

I'm sorry, but the reason the "haters" latched onto this woman is because she was just a bit too in-your-face.

So, in reply I'd like to be an advocate for my fellow women, and leave a few of our "excuses" for her consideration.  These are from real women I've known who have been inspiring to me.  I've changed their names to protect their identities.

• My name is Caroline, and here's my excuse: Within the first four years of our marriage we had three kids. My husband, being the excellent man he is started working two jobs to help pay the bills.  Isolated at home with three children all day resulted in clinical depression.  The medication caused unnatural and excessive weight gain.  Rather than depend on other taxpayers for our food, we have cut our budget to bare minimum to live within our means.  This unfortunately means lots of carbs.  I'm gluten sensitive and metabolize proteins much better than carbs.  Because of our financial situation I am unable to purchase enough protein to maintain a balanced weight.  I've had a total of five live births, and three ended in Cesarean section.  I don't eat a lot of junk food, I exercise without expensive equipment.  

I am most proud of Caroline for the following reasons: She is not using their financial situation to become a burden on society.  She is a hard worker.  She is an excellent mother.  I also happen to think she's beautiful.

• My name is  Tabitha and here's my excuse: I was a very healthy child.  When I hit puberty I started packing on weight.  I already ate healthy food, and was active, so my parents consulted with doctors to determine why I was suddenly becoming obese.  Eventually the Doctors said it was a glandular problem.  Despite consultation with many doctors, use of medications, and other attempts I have never been able to lose the weight.  Everyone else in my family looks fit and healthy.  I know I'm healthy, but I look fat.  I've never had children.  

I am most proud of Tabitha for the following reasons:  She has not used her weight as an excuse to be unhealthy.  She is friendly and outgoing.  She has become a successful business woman and is an excellent wife to her husband.

• My name is Jane, and here's my excuse: I packed on weight after my first child weaned himself early.  After realizing just how fat I'd become I tried to use traditional dieting methods to lose the weight.  I created a calorie deficit like all the "experts" recommended, and yoyo-ed my way gradually up to 80 lbs over my "ideal" weight.  Despite every attempt and even short term success I've never been able to keep the weight off.  I've exercised, dieted, given up, exercised, dieted, given up, ad nauseam.  I finally realized after 16 years of research that calorie deficit diets don't work for my metabolism. Three out of my four pregnancies were plagued with nausea and acid reflux.  The only way I could manage feeling mostly normal was to nibble on food all day every day.  All four pregnancies resulted in cesarean sections making it difficult for me to get back in shape quickly afterward.  

I am most proud of Jane for the following reasons:  She's always fun to be around.  She may not be Hollywood's definition of beautiful, but she's beautiful to me.  She's content with her life and sometimes that's more important than stressing over someone else's standards of beauty.

• My name is Yvonne and here's my excuse: I was active my whole childhood; played sports, took ballet, etc.  I married young and my husband began to abuse me emotionally.  As the abuse continued I felt less and less capable to function, had to go on medications to control suicidal thoughts.  I've had very little money for a long time with my husband never keeping a job for long.  I knew the food I was eating wasn't ideal, but couldn't afford to buy better.  I've had four cesarean sections, and my abs are completely shot.  It took over 15 years for me to realize that I was being abused, and after I found out he was cheating on me, I divorced him.  All the stress and anxiety hasn't helped me lose weight.

I am most proud of Yvonne for the following reasons:  She amazes me, not only with her ability to recognize what was going on, and get out of her abusive situation, but for not wallowing in it.  She's going back to school to earn a law degree so she can become an activist to protect women from further abuse.

So you see, there are plenty of women out there that society would look at in scorn.  Women whose outward appearance seems to say, "I'm lazy, I have no self control, and I use food as a way to get pleasure."
Here's what I would say to Mrs Kang if I were able to sit down and chat with her.  "I urge you, Mrs Kang, to find a better way of expressing yourself.  There are plenty of reasons for women to be 'fat'.  Maybe instead of putting masochism on a pedestal we should exalt character... you know... kind of like Jesus did.

"Oh, and by the way, I put some clothes on you, because I don't want my son to read my blog and see an image of your half naked body."

Writing Ramble

The new year is upon us
My brain is buzzing
I feel the words flooding in my mind
A dam about to burst

Where to find the time to write
This life is busy
Throwing itself in my way
Creating more work, more responsibility,
More opportunities I can't pass up.

Obligations keep me from my keyboard
Necessity and compulsion carve out their slots
Water through clay
Leaving little of the bank

I must, I will find it
I will forge on, resolute
Finding time for passions between obligations
I can't not write
It is in me, and must come out