Tea Parties, Deadlines, and a Small, Small Portion of Steeler Nation: Our World this Week(end)

For the last several days, my mind fought to take a vacation—when my body least needed to be on break.    I’ve had a number of deadlines to meet, but I must have really been tired because it seemed as if I struggled to get much done in the last few days, particularly if it required thinking.    I do have a tendency to get overwhelmed when I have a ton of things to do and I’ll sit back, paralyzed, rather than jumping in and tackling the tasks beforehand.

The proverbial straw for me, as sad as it now sounds, is the Saturday morning tea party/ birthday party the youngest was invited to attend.    This party had all the promise of fantasy and fun, a little girl’s dream, but all I could think of was what time I had to get up and get breakfast prepared,   what time we needed to leave, how much of my day this was costing me, and goodness, who schedules a party at 11 a.m. on a Saturday morning?   So much for rejoicing in the day that the Lord has made; I was grumbling that I couldn’t enjoy it from underneath the warm blankets.

I finally managed to get my act/attitude in order, and we had a lovely time.   While there, it occurred to me how very little I get out and do ladies’ things, like tea parties and luncheons.   Just the night before, the ladies at church had an evening function, but I turned down the opportunity to get away in favor of work.     Anyway, the oldest tagged along, and I thought about it was neat that both girls had a chance to enjoy their unique femininity and to experience a real tea party at a young age.   In the midst of work, school, and other demands, we don’t take the time to do much of this, and I sometimes wonder if my semi-workaholic nature will impact them negatively.

Sunday was another awesome time at church.   We missed all but the sermon due to meetings, but we stepped in at just the right time.   We’ve again talked about the power of God to do extraordinary things through ordinary men in extraordinary times, which is right where we’re living.   I know on a personal level, we saw God move in a totally unexpected manner just a few hours ago.   I can hardly wait to see God restore the faithful 100-fold in such a time as this.

One thing I’d made up my mind to do regardless of my deadlines was to sew.   After a 13-year dormant period, my sewing hobby has a new life as I work with the oldest.     I committed to myself to make both of the girls Sunday dresses.   One of the unfortunate (I think) consequences of the modern-day church is that casual clothes are so acceptable until the girls have little that is appropriate to wear when they actually do need a dress.     I was so excited about almost completing the youngest’s dress, and then I had her try on the top:   in one month, she’s almost outgrown it!   I cannot believe she will only get a few wears out of all my hard work—what a bummer.      So now I have new found energy to finish it before she grows out of it, especially since it is long-sleeved and we’re probably fresh out of winter down here!

In the midst of all my sewing, grading, cleaning, etc., I found a way to work and watch the Superbowl.   My shoulders and neck still ache a bit as I stressed over a very close game, though I don’t agree with the analysts’ hype that it’s the best game ever.   You’d think I played in the game!   In truth, I would have been okay if the Cardinals won; Kurt Warner as their quarterback loves to lift up the name of Jesus, and he makes a clear distinction between the name above all names as opposed to using God (which can be confused since most religions use to refer to their most supreme being).    He also talks about being a Christian as opposed to more "pc" terms that involve words like ‘spiritual’ or even being ‘religious.’   Yet, my father was a Steeler fan, and so I’ve rooted for that team as a child before I could even spell Pittsburgh.    It felt good to share in some small way in their victory, and I watched  every angle of the post-game analysis.   

I’d better get moving.   I still have papers to grade, and my Mii on the Wii Fit has gone to sleep since I’ve not worked out in over a week—another item on the “to do” list.   It’s pretty bad when even the animated trainer gets after you.   (Sigh).