Reflecting on Christmas
Thank goodness it’s over! I had a ball, but between a bunch of cranky kids and my skirt falling off in front of Dimple’s entire family (thank goodness for additional layers!) there were a few tense moments. Of course, all the special moments more than made up for them. A few highlights:
My little angel’s face when she saw her two biggest presents, a tricycle and a playhouse. We went the “pre-owned” route for both of them (okay, so my mom found the tricycle on the side of the road), but Mack was just as delighted as if we’d bought them at Toys ‘R Us. Thank goodness for children who aren’t into status symbols and brand names yet!
My favorite present to give was a CD I made for my best friend Little Black Glasses who lives up in Hoosierville. Each song on the CD had her name in the title. My brother-in-law even helped me make a CD insert with her and my picture on it. No doubt she’ll be calling me soon squealing about how much she loves it. I can’t wait.
My favorite present to get was a toss-up between a gift certificate for a pedicure from Nurse Roses and a box of 24 pre-sharpened colored pencils from Blonde Moment. The latter gift was especially funny because for work I always wear my hair in a bun held to my head with a pencil. Now I have one to match every outfit!
Dimple’s and my secret midnight mission dropping off the presents we and others had bought for a needy family in his town. That’s the first time I’ve ever witnessed a guy having a blast shopping for and wrapping up presents. In fact, we had so much fun I hope to do something similar next year.
And . . . it snowed!
How was your Christmas? I’d love to hear about it: what you gave, what you got, how you were blessed, how you were stressed, etc. So if you get the time, drop me a few lines!
Looking Ahead to 2005
I’ll be taking off the rest of the year to finish my website (I haven’t even started the redo yet – ack!), but I will be back next year. I can’t wait to get started; I have lots of ideas and new avenues of exploration for the next upcoming year. In my absence, be sure to check out the articles in 90&9's special year-end double issue. If you have any topics you’d like to see me or 90&9 discuss, be sure to let us know. See you here next year!
Just in Time for the Season of Giving
Here I am on this chilly morning shivering slightly while sipping a nice, warm mug of what Chonda Pierce refers to as "Pentecostal Whiskey." (Uh, that would be coffee, of course.) The temperature outside has got to be hovering somewhere between the thirties and the forties, and I'm running my heater full blast. Thank God for space heaters.
I can hear you Yankees snickering from here, but that's cold for us. The weather forecasters are even spreading rumors of snow. We can hardly wait. There hasn't been a white Christmas in southeast Texas since before I was born.
Odd coincidence happened to me this morning. I gathered the quotes below for you last night, planning on posting them this morning. Before I had a chance, Dimple called with a tragic story; and poverty, for the first time in my life, reached out and punched me in the face. You hear about it, but it doesn't become real until you find out someone you know is living in the very depths of it. Dimples and I will be heading to the mall today after work, along with Blonde Moment, who opened her heart and wallet the minute I told her the story. I'm so thrilled to get a chance to really do something for a family that could use a little Christ in their Christmas this year.
I hope each of you will find a way to give this Christmas season, even if you don't do more than stuff a few extra dollars in the Salvation Army kettles outside of Super Wal-mart. To inspire you, here are the quotes I found last night:
"Success is not measured by what you get but rather by what you give."
--Mitzi Perdue
"Takers ultimately lose, but givers win forever. This is a rule the universe never breaks."
--Douglas M. Lawson
And just in case you really don't think you have much to give:
"We are all of us richer than we think we are."
--Michael Eyquem de Montaigne
The Return of My Internet
Hooray! My Internet has returned! I'm so happy I could just kiss my modem!
(Pause)
Okay, I just kissed my modem! Ahem, now I suppose it's necessary to bring you up to speed about what's going on in my life, for the benefit of the 1.76 readers who care, so here goes . . .
School Update
School is over for the year! Another big hooray! Sort of. One of my instructors is having me redo my website. He said it stank, except his wording was a little nicer than that. On a cheerier note, I passed my 3D Modeling & Animation class with a 98. I made a high grade on my short movie, Moonrise Over Neptune's Temple, which was surprising considering how bad the timing was. I mean, a moonrise in three seconds? It stank too, in my opinion, despite the hours of work I put into it.
However, I wound up enjoying that class much more than I thought I would. In fact, for Christmas I asked for an Amazon gift certificate so that I can buy more books about the 3D program and get really good at it.
Court Case Update
Our judge is sick. The doctors found a lump, and it's malignant. All his cases are on hold for the time being. If you think about it, say a little prayer for him.
Miscellaneous Update
I've been going through quite a struggle recently that I don't feel comfortable discussing except with a certain wise confidante (you know who you are, sweetie!) upon whose shoulders I've quite often sobbed these last couple of days. (Virtual snot is the least messy kind, isn't it, sweetie?) Last night, I decided I just needed to put it all in the hands of God and not worry about it anymore. You know, that's hard to do. I mean, isn't there a scripture that says something about, "Oh ye control freak of little faith . . ."?
That about winds it up for my update. Excuse me while I go kiss my modem some more.
Here I Am, Blogging From Work Again . . .
Despite the hours my dad spent on the phone with Tech Support yesterday evening, the only progress made was to deduce that our DSL is probably fried. That's why I'm up here once again, blogging when I should working. Meanwhile my boss, whom I've dubbed Bill the Cat, sent me this e-mail:
"GET BACK TO WORK RIGHT THIS MINUTE YOUNG LADY!!!
THIS IS NO TIME TO GOOF OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BLOG ON YOUR OWN TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"P.S. I have never known you to have an opinion and no outlet to express same."
He thinks I'm great; can't you tell?
Welcome to Frustration City. Population: Me
I uncovered the culprit behind the recent disappearance of my power strip -- my very own mother. It seems as if she needed a few more plugs in order to light up her miniature village. Yes, as unbelievable as it sounds, my Internet access was sacrificed in the name of Christmas decorations! Boy, were there a few tense moments in the Scoggins household yesterday.
With the help of an extension cord, my dad brought about a compromise that left us both satisfied. However, the fact remains that my DSL still isn't working despite my best efforts. Which leaves me no recourse but to blog from work. That, in turn, makes me feel guilty, especially knowing that my boss reads this blog every now and then. Which finds me over here almost exploding with opinions that have no outlet!
So say a quick, hard prayer that the Tech Support people over at SBC Yahoo will help us out, and I'll be back as soon as they do.
Questions, comments, concerns?
E-mail them to wscoggins@ninetyandnine.com.
I reserve the right to quote you unless you ask otherwise.
I Tried to Post Last Night, But . . .
. . . I couldn't get on the Internet. When I checked, I realized someone had taken the power strip I plug my DSL box into, and there was no other place to plug it in. I didn't want to hunt down the culprit and MAKE HIM PAY! because it was late. So I will do that this evening instead. Just wanted to let you know in case you were wondering where I've been.
More later. Until then, check out this link one of my readers sent me. I'm not sure if someone has taken things way too far or if it's just hilarious. You decide.
Questions, comments, concerns?
E-mail them to wscoggins@ninetyandnine.com.
I reserve the right to quote you unless you ask otherwise.
Taking the "X" out of "X-Mas"
Target not allowing the Salvation Army to collect funds outside its 1300 stores nationwide . . . Macy’s employees changing their greeting from "Merry Christmas" to "Happy Holidays" . . . department stores everywhere refusing to play nothing but secular Christmas songs . . . school programs refusing to sing Christmas songs period . . . folks, Christmas ain’t about Christ anymore. (Not that that's exactly breaking news.)
However, a few people are finally fighting back in ways that crack me up. According to this article, over 25 peaceful protesters sung Christmas carols outside of the Washington, D.C. offices of the ACLU today. I can just imagine those ACLU officials now: grinding their teeth and cursing while frantically searching through the law books for any loophole that would allow them to sue innocent people for singing on public sidewalks. Oh, I love it!
Then, as if that weren’t amusing enough . . .
The news coming out of Denver, CO really made me grin. According to this article, "WorldNetDaily reports that the annual downtown Denver event known as the "AT&T Parade of Lights" will include Hindu and Mestizo dance troupes, a kung fu group, belly dancers, Santa Claus, and even a homosexual American Indian society. But an area church has been told it is not welcome because its members wanted to sing seasonal hymns and proclaim a "Merry Christmas" message on their float."
What’s great about that was the brilliant reaction of Faith Bible Chapel's pastor, parishioners, and supporters: An hour before the parade began, they walked the length of the route, singing Christmas carols to the bored, waiting crowd while passing out mugs of hot chocolate proclaiming the church’s name and sharing their faith with others – accomplishing much more than they ever would have with just a "Merry Christmas" float! You gotta love that too!
Questions, comments, concerns?
E-mail them to wscoggins@ninetyandnine.com.
I reserve the right to quote you unless you ask otherwise.
The Odd Couple
I'm no longer feeling uninspired as to what to write about on the blog because yesterday, the soft voice of inspiration whispered in my ear and suggested I should write a little more about him.
"So what should I tell them about you?" I wondered.
"Tell 'em . . . tell 'em I said hi."
"Why would they care about that?"
"Because then you could go on to tell them how sweet I am and how funny I am and how much you like me . . ."
"And maybe enlighten them on your other virtues, like your abundance of humility?"
"Sure! They'll love reading about me. I have dimples; people love me. By the way, what does your mother think about me?"
"Oh gosh, she thinks you hung the moon, the sun and the stars."
"And what else?"
"Um, the planets?"
"And what do you think about me?"
I should've seen that one coming. "Uh . . . >cough< I, ah, think that you probably fight toe jam and belly button lint as much as I do."
There was a long pause. It was followed by a deep sigh.
"Now it's only fair that I get to ask the same question, dear. What do you think about me?"
(Yes, this fourth grade conversation really did take place. Please continue to pray for me that one day I'll decide to grow up.)
"Uh, I think that you're very nice. And I love calling you, especially when I'm down, because you always have something positive to say to make me feel better. You're always optimistic. And you drive a truck. I like that. It's different. And I drive a Suburban, and that's kind of different too, for a guy my age. So see, we're both different."
(Yeah, like two beans in a bucket. Anti-establishment non-conformists, that's us.)
Then, out of the blue: "Wendy, this relationship is doomed to be nothing more than a couple of friends talking on the phone all the time. You would never think of doing anything to take this relationship to the next level . . ."
"Hey, that's not my job."
". . . even though you are constantly dropping hints that you would like that."
"Just because I flirt with you every now and then? That's dropping hints?"
"You make me think one thing, and then you go off and do something totally the opposite of what you say. You manipulate my mind."
"Now, hey, that's my job right there."
"You're a bigger commitment-phobe than I am."
Just a regular Stedman and Oprah, that's us. Sweet talking, however, appears to work on me, because here I am doing exactly as he suggested. That's right folks, the boy (excuse me, the man) who is rapidly shaping up to be my best friend these days is also cute, sweet, funny, and quite possibly his pastor's favorite saint. All a combination that could prove to be more fatal than a molotov cocktail in a forest during drought season. 'Nuff said.
Satisfied, dear?
This blog entry paid for and wholy endorsed by the Dimples for Wendy's Boyfriend Fund.
Questions, comments, concerns?
E-mail them to wscoggins@ninetyandnine.com.
I reserve the right to quote you unless you ask otherwise.
Of Picketing Brains and Drama Queens
I'm feeling a little uninspired right now as to what to write about. I'm wondering if my brain is about to go on strike: "We want overtime pay!" my brain cells are saying. "We want no more than a 10-hour workday!" Lord knows what they'll do if I'm forced to cross a picket line. I have this uncomfortable feeling that those little boogers could turn out to be pretty vicious.
One of the upsides to having a blog is that it's a great place for me to whine like a drama queen about how busy I am and garner lots of sympathy from my faithful readers. Many of you have written me to wish me happy studying (an oxymoron?), but the truth is, I'm not really studying. I am taking nothing but straight design courses this term, so I just have to complete final projects. A short, animated 3-D movie and a ten-page website, to be more exact. If they turn out well (and there are no guarantees), I may make them available for your viewing pleasure.
In the meantime, keep sending me those "happy studying" e-mails, and I'll try my best to get things back to normal around here ASAP. I promise!
Questions, comments, concerns?
E-mail them to wscoggins@ninetyandnine.com.
I reserve the right to quote you unless you ask otherwise.
Universal Truths in Silly Shoes
Boy, you readers have not been getting your money's worth out of this blog here lately, have you? You do understand, don't you, that I consider you one of my highest priorities? Really, you are! I'll have all the skeptics know that this blog is listed on my daily to-do list right before "shave armpits" and right after "harangue boss for working 'til ten p.m.!"
However, for some reason that still leaves me scratching my head, my college instructors seem to consider my final projects my highest priority as of late, so that's what I've been doing rather than write for you. Can't make those instructors mad; my entire portfolio (not to mention GPA) is resting upon their shoulders. That's why tonight -- yes, Friday night -- I will be slaving away at this computer in order to heavily invest in my future capabilities to create a bright and shining future for myself and my daughter. Yes, Friday night will find me here. Right after the party, of course!
And now, on to today's thought:
I came across my Reliant K CD (Two Lefts Don't Make a Right . . . But Three Do) awhile back and have spent most of my workday commute rediscovering why I adore that album: the cool music, clever lyrics, and the song "Gibberish," which makes my dad exclaim, "I can't understand a word they're saying!" Gotta love that.
Anyway, those of you who own this CD probably know already that if you let Track 15 ("Jefferson Airplane") play out way after the song is over, you'll hear a suprise bonus track. And you know that it's a really crazy song not done in Reliant K's style at all. However, if you're like me, you love it simply because of the guy who, at odd moments, screams something like "Rabber-rooee!" Anyway, if you have this CD, the following paragraph is not for you because you've already heard the song and will know exactly what I'm talking about.
However, for the unenlightened:
Quite unexpectedly contained in the lyrics of this song is the perfect formula for evangelism. Who'da thunk it? It goes something like this:
Dude 1: Who's that wearing those silly shoes!
Group: We are wearing those silly shoes!
Dude 2: Ha!
Dude 1: Well I really hate your silly shoes!
Group: Well we really like our silly shoes!
Dude 2: It's just shoes, man!
Dude 1: Well I've learned to respect your silly shoes!
Group: Respect from you is something we won't lose!
Dude 1: Hey, can I try on a pair of those silly shoes?
Dude 2: Man, quit talking about those silly shoes!
Yep, right there, in fifty words or less, is the perfect formula for the evangelism of the world. If you can figure out how to shut Dude 2 up, you've got a great shot at Dudes 1 through 6,545,328,845, 964. All quite unexpectedly contained in the surprise bonus track of a Reliant K album where a guy screams "Rabber-rooee!" at odd moments. My, the Lord does move in mysterious ways, doesn't he?
Questions, comments, concerns?
E-mail them to wscoggins@ninetyandnine.com.
I reserve the right to quote you unless you ask otherwise.
No Time to Think of a Catchy Title Today
Some time back, I wrote about 24-7 prayer, and all of a sudden, wham! Here it is mentioned in the news. Okay, so this Chicago prayer room is associated with the International House of Prayer (one I.H.O.P. where you’ll rarely find Apostolics) rather than the 24-7 prayer movement, but the concept is the same. I’d love to see Apostolics adopt this sort of thing, can’t you tell? And I’ll continue bugging you until I hear that someone has. So go read the article; it’s pretty cool.
By the way . . .
If anyone has written me and not gotten a response, pleeeze forgive me. Final projects are due in less than two weeks, so when I'm not at work, my hand is strapped to my mouse to keep me from pulling out my hair. The only people penetrating my sleep-deprived cocoon these days are Dimples, because he uses the telephone, and my mother, because she feeds me. The rest of you are competing with a nap during my coffee breaks at work. The nap always wins, but not necessarily by choice. Okay, I'm done. This entry has taken up too much time already.
Questions, comments, concerns?
E-mail them to wscoggins@ninetyandnine.com.
I reserve the right to quote you unless you ask otherwise.
