Thursday a.m.

So as it turns out, the latest Narnia wasn't playing last night at the theatre, and second son and I saw 'Tron Legacy' instead. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Or maybe I was so anxious to do something different for a change, that I would've watched anything, but I don't think so. It really was a treat to watch....not that I'm great sci-fi fan, but being that I've enjoyed the Stargate movies, this shouldn't come as a big surprise that last night's movie was fun.

On other fronts, oldest son comes back from his vacation in sunny Canada tonight. He's been dearly missed, and that's all I'll say about that. And he'll return to a bit warmer weather---might feel downright hot to him. We're going to rise to the occasion of 34 degrees today, but they say it'll feel more like the forties. At 18 degrees as I type this, that sounds just fine with me.

Now trip over to my Tumblr page for some sweet distractions. I just came from there myself.

Mid-week before dinner

Am SO tired of being cold. I realize I have friends who live in more arctic regions than we do, but gosh, when the temperatures go below freezing (and below zero last night), for too many days, I just get anxious. Makes my skin ache---theoretically, of course, but still.

Tonight's low is to be 11 degrees, with a warm-up to the forties on the weekend. Dishy.

With Gary's BAM! of the flu smacking him again last night, I'm hoping he'll lay low tonight. His temperature flashed up to over 102 before bed, but he still went to work today. I'm not married to a lazy man, that's for sure.

Got several books at the library on the way home from dropping third son off at work. Am currently into 'When Crickets Cry' by Charles Martin. An emotional story, which probably isn't the best choice for me, considering my fragile mental state from our quarantined life here, but I'm not always one who makes the most intelligent decisions. But I'm enjoying it. Looking forward to tucking up in bed later on tonight and getting lost in it. Before that, though, will go to see the newest Narnia movie with second son. He's paying, so it's all good.

Take care and keep warm.

'Sabbath' by Dan B. Allender

Dan Allender's book 'Sabbath' is not what I expected. And while I appreciate his direct attack on the legalism that cripples so many people and their participation in the Sabbath, the book seems to be more focused on the individual's pleasure in the day and not the honoring of God. He overuses adjectives to sell his point of view, and is more effusive than necessary. I don't believe that the Sabbath day is meant to be one big love-fest, but instead is to be spent in honor of our Creator. Allender seems to be more into a partying mentality.

Several sentences in the book jumped out at me, and not in a good way: "The Sabbath is the weekly entry into a taste of lavish, sensuous delight." --p. 79 "If we aspire to a more life-giving delight, then we will need to go further into the heart of the Sabbath. It is a simple principle: we get of God what we desire."--p. 95

In reference to Sabbath wine, he writes: "There are many words for intoxication in the Bible, and the phrase 'gladdening the heart' implies a sweet, slight rounding of the edges, a warm, gentle buzz.-----It takes the edge off, doesn't distort with true intoxication, and allows an entry into pleasure that may not be possible without the dollop of a small draft."--p. 130

Purely on the basis of Allender's unusual point of view, I'd not recommend this book. A deep respect for God the Father seems to be missing, with the reader being led on a merry journey to hedonism rather than worship of the Creator of the Universe. Or maybe I'm just being overly legalistic.

(this book was provided free to review from thomas nelson/booksneeze)

A tiny bit better 'round these parts

In a strange mood today. Partly it's just a feeling of being overwhelmed over a long stretch of time. Nothing big is going on, but the stress of continual sick bodies surrounding me has taken its toll on my mental health. It'll do that. I've been encouraged by my friends who compare what it's like to have only one or a few sick kids compared to our 8 being laid low with the flu, plus Gary. It's been draining. I'd be lying if I said it was anything else. I'll never attempt to make life with a large family sound anything other than what it is. It's hard, okay?!! Dislike it when women paint a huge brood as being a constant blessing in all ways. That'd just be silly.

So, for a couple of days, I'll pull back. And school can wait. Besides, the kids' brains are a bit loose in their heads, and to teach them anything just would be wasted energy. We have groceries to last through dinner tomorrow, and no real need to get out. Have a new library book I picked up today, and have dipped into a book that's been sitting on the shelf for a few years, given to me by a Scottish friend online, called 'The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets' by Eva Rice. The plan is to get lost inside of one of these stories. I could use a bit of fantasy time, you know.

Perhaps we all could. :)

Maybe snow

Keeping fussing with my templates here (not that you can tell), and watching the weather maps at the same time. Snow's on its way and that'd be just fine with me. With Gary laid up on the sofa feeling lousy with this flu, the house has to be quiet. Well, that's my doing, not Gary being difficult. He's got the aches and overall rotten feeling today, so hopefully he can stay down and sleep it off.

Not much else going on. We're in a muffled existence anyway, with the flu taking over our house. It sort of defines how we do the day, and let me tell you, it's pretty light-weight. And with it being so COLD, we're huddled up in the house anyway.

The only exciting piece of new is that my latest Robert Benson book ('Digging In') came in the mail yesterday, but apparently the mailer it came in got slit with a knife at some point and then dropped in a puddle. The cover actually dripped when I took it out of the plastic envelope. Can't blame the seller, however, because this must have happened after they mailed it. Plus, I only paid a penny plus shipping for it. Glad it's a paperback, since it'll dry out tidier than if it was a hardback, I'm thinking. Right now, it's propped up by the crockpot (which is full of vegetable soup), and the heat from it is doing a fine job of drying the pages. The way I look at it, the pages will make a nice crunchy sound when I read the book. Maybe that'll be tomorrow, eh?

Once again, it's not about me

Tired today. Have been on the move these past few days, as you know, and have worried plenty, and I guess it's time to just stop. Even oldest daughter told me to get back into bed to rest this morning---saying I looked so tired. 'Course I didn't have any make-up on at that time as well, so, you know.

Anyway, was trying to work up the enthusiasm and energy to go to the store and fetch something for dinner. Hadn't gotten very far except for getting dressed, when my mom called. This was around lunch-time. She was at the grocery store at that very minute and asked what I needed/wanted. (exhale an abundance of air) Let's say that she pulled enough information out of me to get a list for dinner. We're having chili.

The thing is, my mom is 82 years old, and we've been doing her shopping for weeks (until recently) when she's been feeling draggy and under the weather. But considering how slowly she has to move (her hips give her fits), to have her wait on us really is hard. Must've been what the Lord had in mind, though, and I'm praying He blesses her with a pain-free afternoon as a reward.

Guess I'm not always keen on how He runs things, including how He answers our prayers. He tends to get other folks involved, when my pride would rather Gary and I do the chores. And it's not about being beholding to others, but just wanting to be able. Only that. To be able to do it.

I'm crying now, so forgive me for being emotional.

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

A moment of quiet

Husband washed dishes again tonight---usually a child's job on a rotating basis. He put the kettle on to boil as well, as he sarcastically pushed me into our bedroom to rest. Wouldn't let me put away the dry dishes or anything. He can be ornery in such an endearing way, and he did basically the same thing last night, but who am I to argue with a husband such as this? So I took out one of my cafe au lait bowls and got cozy. Nice to rest, as you can imagine. Besides, everyone at that point was tucked up somewhere warm and snug.

Oh, and I read the prettiest thing tonight that got me to thinking. Read this and tell me you don't want to putter around the house and do housewifely sorts of tasks. The page I've linked is from Mary Swenson's site---her tumblr being so pretty as well. I just liked the idea of *little vignettes* she mentions on her blog. Gives me inspiration for something to strive for when we finish being a sick ward.

Must go now. A bit dizzy. Not in a flu-y sort of way, but it's time to stop.

Rest well.