Is there no end to the Rambling?

My life is one of ebbs and flows.  I can have a ton of things to blog about, but then no time to actually get the fingers on the keyboard to enter them in.  I have had as many three unpublished blog entries in various states of completion.  Other days i just want to take an easy road.  Such as today.  So, i am borrowing the Random Dozen from the 2nd Cup of Coffee blog fame.

1. If you physically lock in one age for yourself, which would you choose and why? ~~~ For me the late 30's were the best (so far). I was still reasonably able to get myself ready for the Army Physical Fitness Test, and i was not all that much over weight.  I am enjoying my early 40's though... stay tuned for possible changes to this answer. ;-)

2. What is the best dish that you cook or bake (your piece de resistance?) ~~~ I am not much of a cook. Mostly because i prefer quick and easy. I mean... i just ate lunch and now i have to start preparing dinner?!? I am blessed that my Beloved loves to feed people (is this a match made in heaven or what!). Having said all that, i do occasionally make something that is not out of a box, bag, or can. My Beloved loves when i make tilapia and i've been told that my oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are pretty good (i add an extra cup of flour and an extra tablespoon of vanilla).

3. When you feel blue, what is one strategy you use to help yourself back to normal? ~~~ For me, when i am actually aware that i am feeling down, i prefer to throw myself into some sort of project. Either cleaning the house, or writing a story. It will almost always include listening to music.

4. When was the last time you danced in public? ~~~ *snicker* Not sure exactly the time and place, but i am VERY sure it was to embarrass my children. 8)  I like to be goofy like that sometimes.

5. Do you consider yourself a realist or dreamer? ~~~ A realist, but i totally respect the dreamers out there.  I just can't do it.  One of the things that frustrate my Beloved is that i will rarely be definitive in any statement i make.  (My Beloved; "So, do you think you will get that promotion?"  /  Me: "Well, i have a pretty good chance." - even if i am the only one who has applied for the job).  For me one thing i learned growing up... nothing is guaranteed and why get your hopes up?  You do your best.  Sometimes good things happen as a reward, but just as often good is rewarded to either no effort or as a surprise, or bad things happen.  Life is neither fair nor predictable.  So for me... i just keep my head down, set up an goal (perhaps that's a dreamer), and head towards it with no expectation of anyone result.

6. As a parent, what is one thing that you have done well? ~~~ The jury is still out on this one, and the pollsters have not done their job of late.  I hope it is that i have given my kids the ability to try things and fail.  If they have a desire to try something i try to encourage them and congratulate them no matter the outcome.

It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the doer of deeds might have done better.  The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends him/herself in a worthy cause; who, if he wins, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his/her place shall never be with those cold timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.  ~ Theodore Roosevelt, April 1910

7. Which is your favorite character on the Andy Griffith show? ~~~ Hmm, it's been a while since i watched the show... if memory serves i really liked Goober.  I know he was "simple", but he was always happy and always wanted to help people.  "He's a good soul", to quote a line from the Patrick Stewart version of A Christmas Carol.

8. On a scale of 1-10, how much do you know about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.? ~~~ To my shame it is more like a 2 or 3.  He was indeed a great man.  Although i think his message sometimes gets distorted for personal or agenda purposes (on both sides of the aisle). 

9. What is your #1 driving pet peeve? ~~~ That HAS to be people not driving the speed limit.  I live in a fairly rural region and there is a ten mile stretch of a two lane road where the posted speed limit is 55, and yet i constantly find people driving 45 or 40.  It's one thing when i get stuck behind a tractor where the farmer needs to fuel up, or move to a different field, etc.  The same goes for the highway.  If you are driving at the speed limit, OR UNDER, your place is not in the left lanes people.

10. Which color best represents your mood today? Care to elaborate? ~~~ Your asking the color question?  Really?  The majority of your readers are obviously women... LOL.  Umm... i have no clue.  I am feeling a little tired... so is that gray?  Brown?  My mood is upbeat (currently)... so... is that yellow?  So my color would be a greyish yellow?

11. If your spouse were an animal, which would he/she be?  ~~~ Ah, that's easy.  A cat.  There is something graceful and a want to please, and yet she can remain detached if she wants to.  (Man, i hope she's not reading this!  LOL). There's a lot more... but i think i shouldn't post it in such a public forum. 8)

12. What activity takes up the bulk of your time on an average day? ~~~ Typing.  Either writing e-mails, or notes.  I LOVE to write stories.  Thus my preferred means of communication with others is via e-mail.  I feel akward on the phone or in person for some reason.  Ideas and thoughtful communication flows much more easily when i have time to type it out.

And now for brief ramblings, well... because that's what i do. 8)  Yesterday the Facebook Flair application was misbehaving.  I could not add flair, or look at my own flair, etc.  It was rough!  but it's back on-line today and i am fine again. 8)

Yesterday i got into a good discussion with a cousin regarding a brief YouTube video from John Piper, "Sickened by the the Ugliness of Sinfulness".  My cousin made some great points about how Jesus has completely cleansed, completely forgiven us of our sin.  That we should not in essence perform a "self condemnation".  While i completely agree with him, i was trying to point out that that is not was Mr. Piper was trying to do.  Although Mr. Piper talks about "owning" ones sin, he is not saying (at least i don't think he is) that we take it, we own it, that we are responsible for it after we have accepted Christ.  What Mr. Piper is trying to say (from what i understand) is that we need to take hold and understand just how offensive our sin is.  Until we are reborn and stand before the throne, we still struggle and fight and sin.  For me a verse in Luke sums it fairly well: "Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little." (Luke 7:47, ESV)

God has really been working on my heart to really work at sitting at His feet.  To work on my own personal discipline in regards to my walk with Him.  This is not in contribution to my salvation, but in response to it.  While i am utterly disappointed with my results thus far, i am pushing on.  Praise be to God.