The question: which thing in the picture am I giving up?

There have been some guesses. View them in the comments here.  
Some I wish were true.  Some implied a level of generosity that I wish were true of me. 

One was correct.

Here’s a hint. 

We’re getting warmer….

Could it actually be the purple pen??!??!?

Oh the suspense.

The answer:

NO!!!!!!

The nature?  Nature has to go? Why? Why? Why?!??!?

Yes, the answer is the nature.  
And not only the nature, but the window that views it.

WHAT??!?

The fundraising part of our building process has been successful.  We will be breaking ground for a new worship center in January.  Which is awesome. I’ve been really blown away by the enthusiasm and clear-headed, prayerful approach taken by the people of our church regarding this particular project, during this particular economic climate.  

The one very sad downside:  the new part of the building will sit exactly where this really beautiful garden area now resides. (So, yes, Derek, you were correct.  You win.  Everyone: I’m admitting my brother won.) The new construction will connect to the existing building in a way that takes out my window.  I am sad, because I will miss these beautiful trees, and I will miss the view, and I will miss the light.  There will be a new, possibly larger, garden area created near a new main entrance, retaining our precious ‘green space’. But natural light in the office? No such plan.  

I know this isn’t about me, so I’m going to have to deal with it with grace and maturity.

I am also thinking about bringing leftover July 4 supplies to the office, because maybe I can accidentally fashion a sky light. 

Thanks for playing.

Read more about our church’s decision to build.

Hi, workspace.

Nice isn’t it?  I cleaned it up special, just for you.

Here’s a fun little game.  If you were me, and you had to give up one thing in this picture, what would you pick?

Can’t decide? Dizzied by the power, are you?

Well, you’re in luck because it’s already been decided.  Yep.  
I’m giving up one of the things in this picture. 

Any guesses?  And can you guess why?

(peeps from my church… you are NOT ALLOWED to give away the answer!!!)

“To me there’s a very fine line between the voice of a leprechaun and the voice of a pirate.”

10 year old girl: would you rather eat shrimp your whole life or drink 2384 gallons of root beer?
13 year old boy: ummm…. well… wait… am I constantly eating the shrimp?

Need to smile?  Watch this:

(h/t:Scott M)

And finally, I was very relieved to read this.  Also, I believe that I may actually live to be, like, 245.  (h/t: Kamp Krusty)

What’s random in your head today?

Thoughts on grammar: How did we ever get to the point where people use this phrase:  ’a whole nother‘?  Like, ‘I was talking about brussel sprouts, but she heard a whole nother conversation.’  I’ve probably used this phrase.  But categorically, I’m against breaking words apart and tossing adjectives in the middle.  I’m just sayin’.

Beloved snacks: I absolutely love vanilla yogurt and peanut butter.

The inner voice, on meal planning:

The Girl (10 years old), walking away from our pantry: “I’m hungry… for something healthy” (a very pointed comment aimed at the need for a grocery run).

My inner voice: “Healthy? Wha??? Isn’t that a ’100 calorie’ snack pack you’re holding? Sheesh.”

Sunscreen convictions: after experimenting a bit this summer, I’ve arrived at these decisions: (a) name brands are worth it, and (b) spray-on isn’t.

The inner voice, on things that need to stay ‘inner’:   This week, a new word keeps popping in my head in response to various situations.   craptastic.   As in  ’isn’t that just craaaAAP-TAS-tic’.  Horrible.  Just horrible.

Enjoy.

Speaker paint.   You know how there is white board paint… chalkboard paint… magnetic paint… glow-in-the-dark paint?  Someone should invent speaker paint.  If I want speakers in my ceiling, I just paint them on.  If I want surround sound, a 6 inch border around the room should do it.  Imagine the transformation of the average arena concert.  Imagine the sound coming from the average paint store.  

Rules I Never Thought We’d Have to Make:

• no more squashing marshmallows with the remote
• no giving wedgies at church
• no adding the word ‘poop’ to all other words

And finally, my son and I spent a morning learning a few things about this fine state we live in and the famous historical figures who have come from here.  Check it out.

Tech Things: I’ve always used an FM transmitter in my car to listen to my iPod. Last fall, my husband and I abandoned Verizon for AT&T as our cell phone provider for the express purpose of paving the way in case a miracle occurred and he could get an iPhone. The new AT&T compatible phones came with the endearing quality of emitting FM interference. I got used to the little ‘dut dut duuuuuh‘ buzzing through the car radio when taking my new phone for a ride. BUT NOW (in a set of unforeseen circumstances) both my husband and I have iPhones. And there is simply no dealing with the ‘DUT DUT DUUUUH DUH DUT-DUT DUUHHH!!!!!!!!‘ that eminates from the iPhone if ever I plug it into the FM transmitter. It’s almost exactly like listening to the opposite of music. After realizing this new problem, I noticed my car has a cassette player. Which has sat largely unused for, say, 5 years? So now, I am living in the technological oxymoronic reality of plugging my iPod or iPhone into a $5 cassette adapter. And there is no more interference. And it sounds better. So there.

Things that make me go wha??? Target sells something called Shrimp Popsicles. Go look. They’re in the freezer section.

Best overheard conversation which, I think, could teach us all a lesson about great communication:

• flight attendant: sir, are you able to perform the duties required in the emergency exit row?
• man seated in front of me: I’m sorry, what?
• flight attendant: are you able to perform the duties of the emergency exit row?
• man: I’m sorry, I can’t hear you. I don’t have my hearing aids in.
• flight attendant: well, then you can’t
• man: what?
• flight attendant: you just told me you don’t have your hearing aids in so you can’t
• man: can’t what?
• flight attendant: you’re going to have to move to another seat.
• man: I can’t move to another seat? what?!?!

(Random post idea stolen from inspired by tam)