DIFFERENT SPICE

Day before yesterday, I was INSPIRED by the lovely Ree Drummond (author of The Pioneer Cookbooks) to create a list of 15 ways my husband and I are different.  If you aren't acquainted with this amazing lady, do yourself a favor and make friends with her.  She is on facebook and other cool places (like Good Morning, America!) Her cookbooks are treasure keepers that offer so much more than good (and easy) recipes.  (Thank you, Anna Mo, for introducing me to Ree and for consistent inspiration in general)

Before I share my differences list, I must tell you that Ree has a pet name for her husband. This idea makes me gah gah.  It leaves me wondering why  I haven't yet cooked up a name for "my man". (we've been married 30 years!)   The thing is:  my friend, Greta, already uses THE BOSS for her man. Even though that name is soooo fitting for my guy,  I refuse to copy.  The other (honest) thing is:  the names I call my husband don't really reflect my never ending love and admiration for him.  I marvel at our differences.  It's just that  sometimes  they make me crazy and I blurt out unnecessary possibilities that I would rather not put in writing.  (I have tried calling him "LUCKY" a few times but it hasn't really stuck).

At first, I thought jotting down 15 differences between my husband and I  would be a cinch.  As it turned out, it was a  bit of a challenge.  But then, later in the day, more differences just popped in to my head.  And that's the thing about being inspired:  It's like your  head is filled with CRAZY GOOD dance moves.  All those good moves are set to music that you hope never ends.  And if does end, you are able to locate the repeat peat peat peat peat button.  I've come to the conclusion that I am addicted to inspiration. (is that even possible?).

ANYWAY.

Before I start with my list  let me tell you that my husbands name is Tim.  My name is Carol.  So, on the list, he is "T" and I am "C".  (And THINK about THIS: our last name is Pearson.  This fact  makes him T.P. .  He does not think this is funny.  I do.  SEE?)

15 Ways We're Different (my hubby and I) 

T: Methodical
C: Random

T: Patient
C: Snap! Snap!

T: Serious
C: Silly

T: Athletic
C: Creative

T: Runs on time if not early
C: Tends to be tardy

T: Skeptical
C: Trusting

T: Fears cookie dough
C: Eats cookie dough every time.  (Miracle! I am disease free)

T: Can read even when dog tired
C:  Falls asleep reading.  Sometimes before a paragraph is finished

T: Doesn't like surprises
C: Loves them

T: Likes making do
C: Desires luxury and extravagance

T: Ice-Cream
C: Donut

T: Doesn't wear cologne
C: Feels naked without a mist of "Heaven" by GAP

T: Can find car keys
C: Can't

T: Wants vegies at every meal
C: Wants Carbs FOR every meal

Tah Dah!  Wasn't that fun?  You should do a list.  I am thinking about doing a list of ways we are the same.  Or maybe a catalog of possible "pet" names for Tim.  As it is, the only names I call him regularly (like when I can't find my keys) don't suggest sweet romance.  Ahhh, homework assignment.  

Oh.
One more thing.  The differences that popped into my head after the official mission was complete:  T wants less and I want more (this is in particular reference to my current desire for a "retro" camp trailer.  He is so practical...I am not).   T is a spreader and  I am a stacker.  (this is in reference to how we conduct paperwork activities but is not limited to such business.  It is also how he keeps track of ALL of this things.  Spreading drives me crazy and is way worse than stacking)  T likes dogs and I prefer cats.  (need I mention that we have 2 inside the house dogs and zero cats??). Finally:   T likes dumb movies and I only like good ones.

Could it be our differences that keep things spicy?  (and what if I want sweet instead?  huh?)

THANK YOU, Ree Drummond for the inspiration.  I adore you.  My husband can't wait for me to cook more of your recipes! 

We Really Are

On May 27th, 1914 my "Granny Lyons" was born -  marking this day as her 99th birthday if she were still alive.   She was Janet McCrae until she married my grandpa in 1936, and she was "just a wife" until my mom was born later that same year.   Today, and always, I am beyond thankful to have had a grandma who adored me.  It's one of those wonky things...my thankfulness and her adoration -  because I  didn't really know it at "the time".  Never did  stop and say "wow! I am blessed" to have my grandma stand back and simply beam at me whenever we were in the same room.  She would make a sound whenever we hugged hello or good-bye that, at the time, I considered a "grandma thing" and I didn't pause one.   single.  time.  and consider that THIS is what unconditional love SOUNDS like. 
WHAT A GIANT BLESSING you were to me, Granny.  Thank you for giving me a suitcase for my birthday (full of underwear!!)...a suitcase that wasn't wrapped so I had to "hide my eyes!" while you placed the treasure on my lap!   It was such a big deal, that suit case.  You made me feel like such a big girl who would be able to pack a bag to come spend the night at your house!  I cherish the little treks we would take here and there in your VW BUG....me all tucked into that itty bitty compartment in the back.  I remember the way it felt to tag along with you to one of your card parties.  I know from stories told that you rocked the world of card playing - but on those days when I was by your side, you made me feel like I was the reason you were having such a ball. I will always be grateful for you pointing out that you loved the way Tim looked at me.  And again, at the time you said it, I didn't know what it meant. (and to be perfectly honest, I thought you were a little crazy!!)    I will always  remember the way it felt when you brought flowers from your yard to meet your great grandchildren, MaryAnne and Benjamin.  You beamed at them in the same way you beamed at me for all of my life.   And you made that sound while you beamed.
I have no idea what kind of cake you considered your favorite - my guess would be a cake shared with one or more of your grandchildren!    Today that cake would have had 99 candles on it.  Imagine!  There would be hootin' and howlin'  and more laughter than one heart could handle.  We would walk away from the gathering knowing something profound:  that WE REALLY ARE.  
Thank you for loving me, Granny.  Thank you  for adoring my siblings, my cousins and I.  I am so glad you were born 99 years ago and that the story would unfold to make you my granny. 

Amazing Grace

GRACE

I'm not proud of the fact that I am always running a little bit late.  It's mostly due to the life  habit of "dawdling" that I practice....which up until this  very moment, I thought was an endearing quality.  Um.  Actually, no.  It means to "waste time by acting or moving slowly".  I thought if I was having a good time, it wasn't a waste. ?? ..
Oh brother.
And never mind.

This post is supposed to be about "my word" for the year.  I chose it on Saturday.  I started the running late rant BECAUSE we are a full 27 days into the year and I am just now getting started! Sigh. 

I chose the word GRACE a little bit hesitantly  because I don't REALLY even  know what GRACE   means (probably because I've been wasting time all of these years).   I chose the word hesitantly because maybe I'm confused about GRACE like I have been about dawdling.

ANYWAY.
This morning at church, the second song we sang was:  "AMAZING GRACE.". (technically, it was the FIRST song for me.  I was....um.... late!).  It felt like a private and personal confirmation singing about AMAZING grace.  Not just plain old ordinary grace!   It read like "GO RIGHT AHEAD! Do it!  Invite GRACE into your life".   So. I did!  I have! I'm excited! 

According to the hymn,  it was grace that taught my heart to fear, it was grace that relieved the fear.   It has been grace that has brought me this far....and it's grace that will lead me home.

I don't know if grace and punctuality have anything AT ALL to do with one another....but I hope inviting grace into my life will make me less clumsy and dis-organized.  I hope it will teach me to stop wasting time.  

This and so much more.

WHAT HAVE YOU INVITED INTO YOUR LIFE THIS YEAR?