Getting to that Place called "Free"

"The truth shall set you free!"

That's a bible verse that is very common one, that I remember even from as far back as my childhood.

That and "Jesus wept."

Easy enough, right?

But that first verse "The truth shall set you free!" was always followed by a "Have Mercy!"


I remember this from the show Sanford and Son. The very religious Aunt Esther with holler it!

"The truth shall set you free! Have Mercy!"

And she'd do a big twirl around, a couple of chuch shouts, and run on out of Fred Sanfords front door.

Terribly funny. Kept me in stitches as a kid. And we would mimic Aunt Esther on the playground. We would use a Social Studies book as our stand-in for a bible. Worked well. Great fun.

But that verse, which is essentially John 8:36 is one that is used all the time. i've heard it yelled from many a pulpit.


It must be important.

In that verse, Jesus is speaking to his disciples:

King James Version: "...the truth will make you free."

Amplified Version: "... the Truth will set you free."

Most biblical versions of John 8:36 have either "make" or "set" in the verse. To me, these are two different words. One seems more, I don't know, automatic than the other.

Setting free versus making free.

(I have to ask Grandma about that. She has a degree in bible psychology and will know the greek and hebrew translation and origin, concerning which is correct. She'll tell me right after she chastises me for not learning greek and hebrew so I can properly understand my Bible. Sigh).

The truth will make or set you free.

I'm not sure that's right.

There are waaay too many areas in life where I know the truth about something. And just knowing the truth hasn't set or made me free. I'm still in some type of bondage to that issue.

Even though I know the truth.

Soooo...

With this said... this verse of scripture came up in church, as part of a 12 week series on consistency.

12 weeks. That's a long time. A good thing, since I STRUGGLE with consistency.

Not sure I like long series. And I'm sure it's not suppose to even be that long. My pastor does a lot of "I was studying, and found more on this subject, so let's talk about it" or, God forbid...

"Ya'll was looking at me crazy last week, so we gonna go deeper into this thing."

LOL

The more scripture there are on the subject, the longer the series.


Makes me wanna snap my fingers and tell the pastor to wrap it up. and let's keep it moving,lol


But, in one of those sermons, this verse was mentioned... and that it wasn't necessarily true,

That is, when taken alone as is. It needs to be looked at in context of what is going on.

Just looking at what precedes those few words of John 8:36, something totally different comes up... I saw something interesting. Notice the words in red.

AMP John 8:31-32So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples.
And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.

NLT John 8:31-32 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

NEV John 8:31-32 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

The problem is, I know the truth about many things, but that doesn't mean that I'm free. Not automatically.

I hold up my Bible, wave it at the sky, shout "Hallelu-yer!", holler "Lord, this is my manual for life!!"

But when problems come up, do I rely on this "life manual" or do I rely on what I saw on the Talk shows, on the soap operas, the reality shows, the urban music... etc...

My truths come from what I've been faithful to, holding on to, and abiding in... My freedom and breakthroughs come from those truths I've been working. I think Jesus was telling them that day, hey come on now... Make my ways and teachings, these teaching, your priority, then you'll be made or set free.

Here's an easy speasy example: I smoke a pack of cigarettes a day. But the truth is printed right on the side of that cigarette package:

"Smoking is hazardous to your health."

Is that truth going to make me put down the cigarettes and never smoke again.

I've even seen pregnant women taking a smoke break. I want to shake them.

Don't they know the truth?

Yes, I'm sure they do. But that truth, that the smoking can hurt the unborn child, hasn't set them free from smoking.

I don't smoke. That's just an example. But you get my drift.

Knowing the truth does not automatically set or make me free.

(So, I'm wondering now what Aunt Esther and her *church shouts* were about. I guess that piece of scripture made her happy.)

No, it doesn't automatically make me free...

Consistently operating in and applying the truth you know will make or set you free.

Freedom doesn't come without that.

Jesus was telling the people that day, I qualify you as my disciples when I see you consistently abiding in, holding on to, and being faithful to my teachings. When you do that, then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

I know, I like my church because we are working on grabbing those truths for our situations, being faithful in them... in other words, working on The Word being the final authority in our lives, and what we go to when we need direction.

This is terribly hard with the amount of distraction and deception I'm subjected to everyday. Sigh.

But this principle seen in John 8 applies to everyday life.

You know, I absolutely love some of my twitter friend's tenacity in some of the things and goals they are involved in. Like with things like learning to run, lose weight, even their tenacity in learning to take care of their hair. So many other countless things too...

All of that ministers to my heart. More than they will ever know.

I've learned that if I'm consistent, and don't give up, then I will be free. Free from whatever binds me.

If I'm faithful, holding fast, and abiding in all that surrounds reaching certain goals, then I will be free... And I equate the word "free" with having breakthroughs in the situation.

Why am I writing about this?

One, because it was important. I needed Aunt Esther to be reciting that WHOLE verse before doing her *church shouts* and running out of Fred Sanfords front door.

LOL

Two, and I hate to admit this, but I'm a blank slate when it comes to goals. I hate making them, even though I make little ones here and there. I must say, I am so blessed to have a personal goals technologist, Ms. Not So Anonymous. She has taught me SO much about goal setting, and tracking my progress... and about not hating and beating up myself if I don't reach the goal.

But this verse of scripture gives me a platform to jump off of when making my goals.

In what areas of my life have I not been consistent?

There are many. And my goals for 2011 are going to spring from those areas. I'm going to keep those goals in mind. But, most importantly, I'm going to work on the prerequisites of reaching the goals.

This is working well where it comes to my goal of vegetarianism. I remember when I first started out a good year and a half ago, other vegetarians were telling me "Girl, it's gonna be a minute. You gonna have to learn how to cook, you gotta read, talk to people."

What they were tellling me is that it ain't automatic. I'm gonna have to consistently work towards it. And they are RIGHT.

Things have to get to a point where they become a stronghold... knocking undesired behaviors out the socket.

(Yeah Mon, I've put up some stronghold notes. See Strongholds, Part I and Strongholds Part II)

Working on abiding, holding onto, being faithful and sincere in all those teachings and trainings in those areas.

It's only then that breakthrough occurs.

Does that make sense?

THIS is where I've been missing it. It takes time, training, hits and misses, falling down and getting back up again, getting some people around you who can be a support system, getting advice and direction from people who have reached the goal, just being diligent and faithful in really working every resource that God places in your path, really....

Makes sense to me...


And now I can be like Aunt Esther...

Grabbing my bible and doing a happy spin....

Give a few church shouts...

And run on out the front door.

Happy Cold Monday Morning

Not sure what today brings...

But I know that it brings COLD air and a LOT of wind.

The current temperature in the ATL is 28 degrees.

LAWD HELP ME!!

(I may have to go buy a winter coat!)

I need another day off, an extended weekend, if only it is to just stay in the house, and out of the cold air.

But alas, I must go to work today. And not to mention I have a doctor's appointment this morning. Oh joy.

My weekend. It was a decent one. I ran a few errands on Saturday, and on Sunday, I had a Triple F Posse (Financial Freedom Fighters) meeting. This is always interesting, as it provides motivation for me concerning my finances. This time, it forced me to think about my goals and what I want to do for 2011.

So that's the gist of it. I also did my usual: crocheting and writing. I do believe I got about 2200 hundred words done. I'm very happy about that, as I tend to do more thinking about my stories than writing. That's definitely something that I need to change in the new year.

I'm not sure what this week brings. More work. Less confusion at work, I hope. I'm staying extra busy. My hours at work are going by super fast. This is much better than watching the clock.

A good bit of management is gone this week to a meeting. As a result, the employees like to celebrate with a potluck of some type. (Yeah, we are glad when they are gone). I've been tapped to make salmon and biscuits. (I really don't care to do this. I was caught completely off guard, but I will do it anyway, even though I won't eat any).

Post of the Week. I posted this up on my 1000th post from last week, but I jacked up that post. (Man, how do you jack up a special post like that. UGH!)

It is from one of my favorite bloggers, the Infamous La. I think La is in her mid-twenties, but I swear, some of her blog posts, she must've began writing when she was 5 years old. Meaning she takes much time to write them, especially the lush beautifully worded ones.

This particular one, Love Letters and Library Books, struck a chord with me. It's a short, yet deeply layered piece. It speaks so much to the fairy tale thinking of us women (fairy tale is not a good word, maybe hopeful and positive are better words), and how somehow something happens -hurt, disappointment, pain, heartbreak, etc.-takes that away from us. Something like that. Everytime I read it, I see something different. Something different.

That was GREAT, La... Loved-ed it.

Well, that's all for the week... we have some special programming over here at the House of LadyLee this week.

This week at The House of LadyLee blog, we're gonna make it a spiritual week. I ran this by Serenity3-0, who is the gatekeeper for my food-for-thought activities. She approved and was looking forward to it. (As if Mini-Me would say anything different, lol).

I don't fancy my blog as a spiritual blog. Nor do I care for it to head in that direction. I'm a bit too crass for that, a bit too "imperfect", if I dare say. And, the spiritual blogs I come across have much "finger-pointing" at their center, whereas they do too much criticism of others, calling out of others. I suppose that's good for them, so I don't knock them for that. But that's not my purpose or calling. For me, that would be an activity of me focusing on other's shortcomings in an effort to cover up and keep from addressing and dealing with my own.

And an Oldgirl isn't like that. I'm someone with a myriad of idiosyncracies, doing my best to simply find my way. I don't care to blame people for my issues, or blame our Enemy for what's going on. Although Satan, the Devil, this Enemy is a enemy indeed. However:

Sometimes it's not the Enemy... It's "Inner-Me"

I wish I could find spiritual blogs where I can learn something, where people are open and are working on their personal growth through their spirituality. I have a old private batcave blog, which shall not be named, where I really did much of that, and I was thinking about picking that up on the private tip again. I still get comments of how people enjoy it, even as old as it is, lol.

But every once in awhile, I allow that to slip more of what's going on with "inner-me" over here at the House of LadyLee. Seems as if some of my readers enjoy such. I have a few readers who have said they don't really understand the things of God much, but they understand when I explain things in relation to my own life. And I'm happy about that.

For that is what I ponder most of the time. And that makes it worth the effort it takes to reveal my most inner thoughts, those spiritual things that are close to my heart.

Plus I have to get this out of the way. A rock was thrown through my window at home, and their was a note wrapped around it that said...

"LadyLee, you better post up your church notes on agitation. Love Shai and MzInspiredmind".

LOL!!!

Yeah, when someone requests notes, like my girl Jennifer did concerning my Depression notes, uh... I think I better get on it.

There's always a reason for it.

So stay tuned for that.

I think I'll expand and extend last week's giveaway over to this week. A batch of cookies (your choice of triple chocolate chip pecan or oatmeal raisin cranberry walnut), if you comment. However many times you comment, well, your name goes in a bag, and more chances to win. I'm also giving away the book Write it Down, Make it Happen by Henriette Klausner. VERY good if you're in a goal setting mindset right now.

I'm also going to give a copy of Lord, Teach Me How to Pray by Kay Arthur, away. This is a workbook that Serenity and I worked through earlier this year. If you are confused about prayer, and have some trouble with your prayer life, uh... this workbook clears it up, and sets you on the right path.

So come back... stay tuned for daily posts...

And have a great week. As always, on purpose.

Freestyle Fridays...Thousand Island Style!

(Note: I jacked up this post by posting an earlier unfinished version. UGH. Will mess around with it later...)

This is my 1000th Post!

Can you believe that?

One Thousand Posts!

1000

So I'm doing something special for this post.

1000 Things about LadyLee.

*silence*

Yeah right.

I'm giving away a $1000 gift certificate!!

(Now you know that's not going down!)

No, I'm not doing anything special. I could easily write up 1000 things about myself. And I could give away a gift certificate (where I am the winner. Imagine that!)

Nope. Just another Friday Freestyle.

As usual, work is on my mind. My week was okay. Not the most productive, but it's all good. I got in trouble for coming in at 10:01 am instead of 10:00 am the other day, but whatever. Hey, if that's all you got to complain about concerning me, then knock yourself out. I ignore you!

The absolute highlight of me week was turning in a couple chapters to the readers of my current manuscript and them absolutely LOVING it.

Serenity said "You outdid yourself Leezie!" And then we had to have a LONG discussion about it all.

Meek-Meek said "That was the bomb!" Oh yeah.

My male reader was like "Ohhhhhh maaaaan. Oh MAN!"

Yeah. LadyLee can write her tail off when she wants.

Really though.

Nothing else earth shattering has gone on this week. I've just been working away. I'm sleeping pretty well. My meals have been great this week: lots of fruits and veggies...

Barbeque chicken sliders and tacos! Oh joy!

All meat free. Hey, maybe I should put some of those recipes up? (And my girl Cyncere sista requested it on twitter... hmm.)

This is December, and I'm actually coming up with personal goals for 2011.

Not resolutions. But goals.

I don't like resolutions. An Oldgirl needs to catch a revelation, not make a resolution.

Video of the Week. One of my favorites. Man, when I REALLY wanna get the blood pumping, I play this song right here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0WhUgtLevA

(I'll have to put that up when I get home. I had it, but published the wrong version of this post. So go watch it on YouTube.)

It sure makes me happy! LOL

Alright! I'm at work now, so I gotta go... I had a couple of good posts of the week, and if you didn't see those in the first version of this post, then I will tell you about those next week.

Since this is my 1000th post, I wanted to do a giveaway.

No, not the 1000 dollar gift certificate (And I would win that one anyway).

But I will give away a batch of cookies!

And a book that's just right for the New Year: Write it Down, Make it Happen: Knowing What You Want and Getting It by Henriette Klausner. This is a good book for helping to get your mind straightened out and for goal setting.

So if you over here, lurking like crazy, leave a comment, and let me a comment letting me know why you're hanging out on the porch of The House of LadyLee, and be eligible for the drawing!

Ya heard me!?

Geez... I HATE that some of ya'll didn't catch the original version of this post. SIGH...

But that's alright. That's okay.

We're going to have a good Friday ANYWAY!!!

(Doggonit... *hitting desk with fist*)

I wonder what the next 1000 posts will bring?

You'll just have to come back to The House of LadyLee and See!!!

Have a good weekend! On purpose!!

Thanksgiving. Giving Thanks. Part II

Now picking up somewhere from Part I...

I decided to go over to my friend Kim's house for Thanksgiving dinner. One of things where I was gonna get out of the house, you know.

"Now girl," she said, "we cook with pork in our vegetables."

"I don't care. That's cool," I said.

Sorry folks, I don't get all bent out of shape about such things. I don't cook with any meat in my vegetables. And sorry man, I don't sweat people about such. You do you the way you wanna do. I can choose not to eat or not. Meat in veggies doesn't bother me. I know how to flick it out the way with my fork.

I never go anywhere empty-handed. So I baked up 2 dozen cookies. For some odd reason, I saw only 9 responses on the evite, and thought "Well, 2 dozen cookies would be enough."

I usually make 6 dozen cookies. And 72 cookies... those go FAST. So you can imagine 2 dozen... and there were a good 30 people there. Hmmm... that was it.

Kim's cousin was FASCINATED with the cookies.

"Girl, you knit. And you make Cookies. I'ma have to marry you!"

I think I could have pimped him over those cookies.

My cookies are extremely popular with the men folks.

LOL

Anyway, when I got there, Kim was in the shower. I talked to a couple of people I knew, like her mama, her sister, cousin, etc. Kim came in and I gave her a beautiful crocheted blanket of her nephew.


This blanket usually takes a month, but man, I've been struggling with it for about 6months. I'd pick it up and put it down. I don't know WHAT my problem was.


But it was a lovely blanket, a new style I've been experimenting with, which I use to do as an adult blanket. Looks like it works well in the baby form too. I think this is the third one of this type for a baby boy I've made. I think I'll stick with it.



Anyway, for those who know me, I absolutely LOVE giving homemade gifts, and I do indeed associate this with the holiday season. If I can give gifts that I've crafted with my hands, it makes me feel real good, and like I've done something special, from the heart.

So, that made me happy.

I was sitting in the dining room, and the football game was on in the living room.

*Plotting hard for a few minutes on how to get from my dining room chair to the sofa*

I LOVE football. It becomes ESPECIALLY important when one has a fantasy football team. My team, "The Original Oldboys", is running in the middle of the league, and uh... I need to see if I'm going to move up in the rankings or not. (We're coming for you Tazzee!!)

So... I am equipped with my bag of crochet stuff, so I can get some work done on a current overdue baby girl project.

Peeps went downstairs to take pictures or something. This left the couch empty. I casually made my way over there.

And when I sat on the couch... and there's a nickel bag of weed there.

Staring back at me.

Whispering my name.

"Pssst. LadyLeeeee! Original Oldgirl!!"

What do you do in this situation? I was the only one in the living room. People were in the adjoining living room talking.

What do you do? When something DEEP inside that you didn't know was there, says...

"Dang. A joint would be real nice right about now."

I had been suffering from a SPLITTING headache most of the day, and it was still in full swing.

Some weed... well the medical benefits of it would have been GRAND.

All these thoughts were swimming through my head, while I was sitting there watching the ball game and crocheting rapidly.

Crocheting very furiously and rapidly.

Then more sane crazy stuff went through my head. If the person came back looking for his weed, and it wasn't there... and see me there sitting on the couch, then I would be catching a beatdown.

Not a good look.

So SOMEONE came over and saw it, picked it up, sat down and talked about it. Tried to put it to my nose for me to smell it. I jerked back. I was already fiening from somewhere DEEP within.

And I don't understand why. I don't smoke weed anymore. (If you want to know why, and you want a REALLY good laugh, go back and read this post: Cannabis Ativa... Smoke No More.)

I have sleeping giants deep inside. They sleep and slumber. I am not as aware of them as I should be, until I trip up over them as I'm skipping along.

I quiet myself. And tip toe away.... Don't wake the sleeping giants.

Ugh.

This craving I was having...it was not good. Because I was thoroughly confused for the next hour. I was smelling weed. Some lovely dinner rolls were baking. I was smelling weed and rolls. I think someone walked by. They smelled like weed to me.

Between that and the splitting headache, I was not doing well. My heart was beating a little faster than normal. And Kim's people were having a rousing good time. (They are a LIVELY bunch).

Don't wake the sleeping Giants...

And then, also, I know I completely confuse people. I am an EXTREMELY quiet person. Some people can deal with that, while others can't. (I will always remember what Cyncere sister said to me many years ago. "You're a quiet scientist. But you got a good heart!")

Very quiet. But I am VERY attentive. I am keenly aware of who and what's around me at all times. Trust. I am. I listen to and see everything, but you may never know that I am actually there.

So I sat there quietly, listening, crocheting, watching the game.

I heard the most fascinating convo going on in the kitchen. This one woman, I don't know who she was or her relation to the family, had a business of some sort, or some type of hobby. People were always on her about doing whatever she did for money, but she wanted to do it from the heart, and not because she had to do it. It was something she loved to do, not really worth losing her love for it over it being something she had to do. Not worth keeping it as a business. It was draining her.

I'm not sure the people she was conversing with understood her. I understood her fully.

I feel this way about my writing, my crocheting... a lot of the therapeutic stuff I do that I rarely mention on blog.

Even about baking a very good cookie for you.

I do those things from the heart. And that was the first time I heard that from someone who felt the same way I feel. I don't know WHAT I'd do if I lost love for the things I love to do. I just don't know.

I spent time pondering this while sitting there crocheting.

So, dinner was finally ready. There were A LOT of people in a small space, and I decided to just wait 'til everybody got their food before I made my way to the kitchen. I only wanted veggies, so those are always left.

Here's my plate.

A veggie plate, man. There were veggies everywhere. My eyes glaze over at the sight of them.

I went ahead and had some stuffing. I guess that had gravy from meat in it. Couldn't tell. I think it may have just been cornbread stuffing.

I don't know. Did not ask.

It was good. I loved all the veggies. Cooked southern styled. For a LONG time! Oh my it was GOOD.

I had the ITIS something terrible. I needed a cot and a blanket... BAD.

And the key lime cake... I don't even want to talk about that. WOW.

I really wanted to play cards. REALLY. But there were too many people. Folks were talking about drinking shots and playing cards. I'm not a great spades player. (I'm more of a poker girl). I was still headachy and not in the mood. I might do something wrong and get cussed, and...

Uh, time to go home, lol.

Anyway, I wrapped up a piece of cake (key lime, of course), and went home around 7:30 or 8 o'clock.

Later that evening, in the midst of my uncertainty and uneasiness about the holiday season in general, I thought much about my day. I thought much about that highlighted parts above in yellow...

Those were the most important truths of my Thanksdgiving day.

Truths like, being a quiet person and a loner. Sometimes I am ashamed of that. I want to be like everyone else sometimes, but that ain't good either. I've been made to feel guilty about that all my life. After meeting my father last year, and actually understanding from whence my temperment comes... I embrace it.

I am who I am. Truly unique.

Truths like, my giants are still there, deep inside, sleeping silent. There are many that I won't even mention. I'm not perfect, you see. (And people think I am pious. GREAT compliment. But really it makes me feel like O_o ). And how, every once in awhile something creeps up that wakes "something" up in me, to the point where my heart is beating fast and I'm agitated, almost to the point of shaking.

Truths like, I have a deep love for giving homemade gifts during this time of year, or all year really. Whether it's writing a story for you, making a blanket that will last a lifetime, making a really good batch of cookies, or a myriad of other creative things I enjoy doing.

That does much for my heart, for some reason. I suppose it's connected to my inner-me, my inner peace. I also learned that this is okay, and I don't have to charge, and everything doesn't have to be about making money off of it.

The glee in your voice, the smile on your face, your love for what I've done with my hands for you is my payment. I wouldn't trade it for all the money in the world.

And if you want to take it deep: I like giving people things that I make with my hands. Things that take a lot of personal time. I want people to have something in their hands to remember me by when I'm gone from this place.

(You think about these things when you're chronically ill, man).

Funny what one learns...

And thinks about...

And accepts...

And understands...

And acknowledges...

On Thanksgiving day.

And for all that I am, all that I know, all that I love, all that I want and need and have to give, and all that I yearn to have and be...

I turn Thanksgiving around.

And be sure I'm continuously Giving Thanks.

Thanksgiving. Giving Thanks

I must do my Thanksgiving post.

I haven't because so much is swirling around in my mind concerning it. I needed a little mental distance from the Holiday just so I could fully sort out and process my thoughts and feelings. I'm not sure I've accomplished that, but taking time to write about it may prove to be helpful.

First of all, if you haven't realized it by now, I am DEEPLY disturbed by the holidays. No they don't depress me or anything, it's just that I need to get through them the best way I can, without getting caught up in any unnecessary mess.

This has been accomplished more often than not over the years.

We as a family don't get together. We as kids grew up where the holiday was more competition than anything - who bought the best gifts, etc. And I get in more trouble than a little bit, to the point where I've been like "You know, I REALLY don't need to show my face at family gatherings."

And this is usually the case. As a result, my best Thanksgivings are spent with one or two family members. That works out best for everyone.

But this year has been different.

My sister has moved out. She lives down in Peachtree City. I don't see her much, and miss her like crazy. When we do talk on the phone, the convos are good and long.

My aunt moved away. I'm not sure where she is. I hear it's 2 hours away. My sister told me, but I haven't talked to her. Her house was my favorite holiday jaunt. Yes, it was just me, her, and her husband, but sitting at her table, me doing my crafts, and she doing her own... well, it's always been sacred.

A great alternative has always been showing up at my best friend's LadyTee's house. But, for the past couple of years, she and her family have gone on cruises for Thanksgiving.

I must admit, and I hate to admit it, but I felt a little alone. Not really knowing what to do. And I don't know, I just can't remember the last time I felt like that.

I mean, I'm looking around at people making all these plans, and it's like... well, I just was not sure how to feel or what to do.

I was left to my own devices. And I have to admit that I've been a little tired from working like a dog. Not to mention being more STRESSED than I care to even think about.

I kind of wanted to just spend the day alone, regrouping. I wasn't going to cook or anything. You know, I wanted to just get up in the morning, spend a little more time in prayer, do the little things that I enjoy... stuff like that.

(Me and my consumate "ME" time. Sigh).

There were no family gatherings of my family of any sort. Well, if there were, I didn't hear about them. I don't attend anything unless I am invited. (Trust, there's immense discussion about this... with me saying multiple times: "Are you SURE I'm invited?")

Humph.

Anyway, as always, I talk to folk and they ask what I'm doing. I responded that I was gonna just chill. (People don't like to hear that.)

I happen to be on facebook chat with one of my friends Kim, a fabulous traveling buddy. She asked me to come by if I want. They'd be eating and playing spades and watching football...

Right up my alley. I told her that I would stop by.

I've posted about a party she had last year. I actually learned to play spades (See Card Party Chronicles Part I, Card Party Chronicles Part II, Card Party Chronicles Part III).

Tomfoolery at it's finest.

So I decided to go over there. She's deep on the Eastside, some 30 minutes away. Good food, good fun. I like her people. They are crazy. I thought I'd hang out for a couple of hours or so.

Plus I really needed to see her anyway. She commissioned me to make a baby blanket for her nephew, who was born waaaaaaaay back in April. My baby blankets usually take about 30 hours to kick out, but for some reason over the past 6 months I haven't been all that productive. (I think it's because I'm doing a lot of writing. Some hobbies tend to be more at the forefront than others at times).

So I'd been close to finishing the blanket, and I made a dash to finish it.

Now, there was one thing that I was really looking forward to... Thanksgiving service at church. This usually takes place on Thanksgiving Eve. I attend a megachurch with a gazillion members. Oddly enough, there were about 500 people there. The pastor invited a FULL choir (a good 100 people) and they sang their tails off, like it was a Sunday Morning.

The message, interestingly enough, was centered on getting over being agitated with people and situations (basically people pissing you off - I'm sure that's what he was getting at), and how maintaining an attitude of Thanksgiving is an antedote for it. It was something he admitted struggling to as of late, and wanted to share his personal biblical findings with us.

(Lawd help me, I needed that message. That's been one of my problems too, especially when it comes to the workplace. I felt alright about things when I left that night).

So...

The next day, I headed over to my friend Kim's house...

I had a pretty good time.

(Especially when someone mistakenly left a nickel bag of weed on the sofa)

(No I didn't smoke any. Get your mind out the gutter. I just want you to return for part II, honey)

LOL

*To be continued*