Saturday, October 30, 2010

Table Talk- Where Life Happens

Last Tuesday night we gathered around a table at Cody's parents home to celebrate Charis turning 3. Surrounded by her family including 7 cousins (8 including David, he is a cousin technically) and siblings. 


That's not all that happened around that table. The table itself has no special meaning, Kathy and Roger haven't had more than 2 years. It's the experience- sitting down, eating, looking each other in the eye, talking, laughing, healing, dreaming, knowing, being part of something bigger than yourself, something called family.

We practice manners.



We develop new relationships.


We celebrate.


We learn about each other.


The world becomes smaller around a table.





Is it the table? Is it magical?

Not necessarily. It's the experience.

The Table Experience.

Devi Titus wrote a book about it. I heard her speak 2 weeks ago and will forever remember the truths she presented.

You can click here for the transcript of the presentation I heard.

It all started with God himself. He's all about relationship. He created us with the need to eat. He didn't have to but he did. And he made such a variety of food. Can I get an amen?

Then when he started to reveal himself and design a place of meeting with man (more specifically with the Israelites in the desert) he designed the first table. And we still use a close version of it today, 4000 years later.

The Table Exodus 25
 23 "Make a table of acacia wood—two cubits long, a cubit wide and a cubit and a half high. [e] 24Overlay it with pure gold and make a gold molding around it. 25 Also make around it a rim a handbreadth [f] wide and put a gold molding on the rim. 26 Make four gold rings for the table and fasten them to the four corners, where the four legs are. 27 The rings are to be close to the rim to hold the poles used in carrying the table. 28 Make the poles of acacia wood, overlay them with gold and carry the table with them. 29 And make its plates and dishes of pure gold, as well as its pitchers and bowls for the pouring out of offerings. 30 Put the bread of the Presence on this table to be before me at all times.


The Bible is full of more stories too...


David invites Mephibosheth to his table for the rest of his life. 
Jesus finds Peter after he's denied him- over a prepared meal. 
The last supper before Jesus' death.
The marriage supper when we are united with Jesus again.




So real is this table experience that secular sources are pushing it. 


Websites dedicated to this 


http://www.mealsmatter.org/EatingForHealth/Topics/Healthy-Living-Articles/Family-Meals.aspx

http://family.samhsa.gov/get/mealtime.aspx



http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1200760,00.html


http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070901073612.htm


Please don't believe the enemy's lies that you don't have time. MAKE TIME, quit doing so much. It's that important. Titus says those of you living under one roof should share a meal at least 5 times a week together in the home. If you can't do dinner do breakfast. Preparation is the key. Stop eating in front of the tv, in the car and standing up. You can prepare to eat take out. You can prepare to eat sandwiches or frozen food, but make it around a table and do it today! 


I love what Titus said, "The feminist movement told us we'd be happy in the workplace while Martha Stewart became the richest female American telling us home to create a home." Hum. Our hearts are in the home, ladies. We all do what we have to do...but don't neglect the home for lies. 









Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Tuesday weigh in day-week 7

-3.7

Amazing after the week I've had. The kids were home for 2 extra days this weekend making it hard to exercise. Funny thing was by Sunday I was missing my workout. So I worked out in the early am and then did a little weekend exercise stuff with Silas (hiking)


We went to a local "hill" and climbed up it. 

Plus I finally got to go out with Cody for my belated birthday, my mom came. We had 3 sets of "get togethers" with various people. Lots of good times made around a table. And then last night happened.

I ate light all day for the annual 4H cookoff. Just look at this set up...


That's Silas' Chocolate Spiders that I entered him in.

And Cady made Ghostly Nutter Butters. 


It's like a pot luck/cooking contest. CAdy is still a cloverbud and doesn't get judged. After an hour of judging the very hungry people come in and eat the cold food while they announce the winners. It takes awhile but it's fun. The kids do crafts (they even took pre cloverbud Charis who was running around like a banshee, thank the Lord) while they judge.

The food is displayed so neatly..










Very thankful,
Lori

1 Peter 1:13 & 14
Think clearly and exercise self control. Look forward to a special blessing that will come to you at the return of Jesus Christ. Obey God because you are his children. Don't slip back into your old ways of doing evil: you didn't know any better THEN. 

Friday, October 22, 2010

On Being a Texas Ranger Fan



It's been hard being a Texas Rangers fan, I am not gonna lie.

You love em, you hate em. You wish they'd get a pitching staff. You wish they'd over come the Yankee curse.

We have eaten more peanuts and steak and lemon chills watching our beloved Texas rangers year in and year out. That's only in the last 15 years.

We've watch merciless bandwagon yankee fans gloat over 120 world series championships.



We've converted all the in-laws to Ranger's fans. 




We've bought the gear, 



(Where did this cutie chubby baby go?)
endured the Texas summer heat, 






even celebrated dad's 65th birthday at a game.



And next week I will proudly wear this shirt because they did what seemed impossible tonight. 




They won a pennant. I made Silas stay awake for it. Inspiring the next generation for a lifetime love of Rangers Baseball. 

I won't pick one person to brag on because teams win not individuals and that's one reason I love baseball. It's about more than one person. 

As I prayed with Silas before bed, I thanked God for the day. For the win no doubt, for his grace that brought Josh Hamilton out of bondage, for hurricane Katrina that brought manager Washington to Texas. For the second chance the team gave him when he messed up and came clean last year. 

But I also prayed about how long us Ranger's fans have waited for this and how long we've waited for Jesus to return. It's a glimpse into his glorious return- don't miss it- I have a feeling it'll make this celebration seem small. 

Elated, 
The totebag blogger

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Tuesday weigh in day-week 6

-2.4  all to glory of God, I haven't done this alone

I have m & m's, chocolate covered espresso beans and Reeces Cups in my pantry. They've been there over a month. I can't tell you what a miracle this is.

I attended a conference with friends this weekend. I did splurge a little. I had a vegetable baguette that was amazing (portabello mushrooms) and tried  sushi for the first time at Central Market. You heard me, and please read this if you haven't ever heard of this place. I had almond and apricot chicken salad, fruit and chicken con chile soup and dolmas. A Greek appetizer my Greek sister in law insist I try. It wasn't too bad, definitely something you grow up eating, just look at them....do they look appealing?


All in moderation. I skipped the starbucks run and fries at McDonald's. I saved the chips and chocolate I was given at the exhibits for the kids.

I am in this for the long haul. I don't want to ever have to loose this much weight again. In real life fun times happen. Food was meant to be consumed, enjoyed, shared. I can't wait to share with you what I learned at this conference about the table! Some food is better for you than other food. Be aware. Be smart. You can't have it all.

Thankful,
Lori

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Of North and South


I just finished watching this miniseries via netflix.


I grew up under the pine trees of North Carolina and loved every minute of it. Singing  and dancing and jumping the creeks. I knew what a confederate flag looked like, I had visited all the  civil war battle fields near my home , Gettysburg, Petersburg and Appomattox before I was 14.

When this mini series came out in the mid 80's I was 8. My brother's were both in highschool and I remember them watching it for extra credit in history. I have a feeling it ran again because we didn't have a vcr till 1989 and I recorded some of it at some point on a vhs tape. But I haven't heard anything in years and totally missed the 1994 book 3 series. I guess I was in trying to find love of my own that year, idk?

Just like I will always see my older bro as forever 19, I will always associate North and South with Patrick Swayze. His character was so strong and courageous. I was enamored by it all. For anyone under 30 I doubt you knew he did anything before Dirty Dancing. I was surprised when not one network aired the very popular then series last year when he died. I mean come on we have a thousand channels. I guess we need a historic drama channel.

My kids watched some of it with me. Charis called the soldiers "yes sir's" and even learned how to salute. She called the ladies all princesses.

Several things I got from watching as an adult.

1. The intense bond of friendship between Orry and George. That is what this whole thing is about. That  is why it was so moving. The civil war was friend against friend. I've learned from first hand experience the joy of close friends and can relate.

2. How intense and hard the south had it. Many went hungry, much was lost.  Freeing the slaves was an economic blow to the south. How their traditions and homes and way of life had been totally destroyed. Not that it was right but it was very hard to watch all you've loved leave and change and die.

3. How courage, hard work and doing what is right is always the better way. In hard circumstances it'll always be easier to deceive, cheat, steal, manipulate, be greedy, etc. But those things always come back to be your demise in the end.

4. Help the poor, the hurt. Educate, feed, clothe. Don't ignore. Share your blessings.

Lost in the mid 1860's,
The totebag blogger

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Tuesday weigh in day-week 5

-1.5 still a loss but I was wanting more...I have slacked a little this week in my calorie estimating. (I don't write it down so I don't really know)

One thing about repentance it doesn't come easy- hard, harder, easier, under my feet.....worth it but it's not handed to me. Every pound is earned.


 I have found moderation is essential. Let me introduce you to moderation.



The muffin on the right is what I'd normally eat but the one on the left is what I need, just a taste. These had cream cheese stuffed in the middle. A copy from starbucks....I don't want to spend the rest of my life not eating good food so I figured I'd better learn to eat in moderation. Works for me.

Larry Boy and the Bad apple is one of Charis' favorite movies- she sings this song all the time

Monday, October 11, 2010

The Pumpkin Patch

I love the pumpkin patch.

I love the book the pumpkin patch parable (by Liz Curtis Higgs). I even put it on youtube for all to see.



When my sister in law invited us to our local pumpkin patch I planned for the whole family to go. What else where we going to do it was OU's bye week?

Cody wanted to chop wood. I don't know why, Lord knows we have enough for awhile. Ok I do know why we are selling it for Christmas money - anyone want some wood? 65$ a rick


But he came home and was willing to go until a phone call came with a better offer. Shooting targets.

So we let Silas decide.

 I just so happened to have my camera in hand when we called him from his bike gang. I must post about this motley crew. I want to make them shirts "Sons of Democracy"

I knew this moment was huge, so I captured it on film.

"Do you want to go with Charis to the pumpkin patch and the rest of your family or do you want to go shoot guns?"

The look of a young boy leaving childhood behind.

I wasn't forcing anyone to the pumpkin patch, not on this perfect day.


"I want to shoot"

I didn't make a big deal out of it. Cady and I took Charis to the pumpkin patch and they loved it.

When did my baby turn boy out grow a pumpkin patch?

Was there ever a time he loved the pumpkin patch trips? Or am I in denial here?

I did a little digging...


See? He liked it right?


He braved the corn maze and mastered the slides, petted the goats and fed the ducks and rolled pumpkins around....


back in 2004

and this made me laugh....


Loved.

Now outgrown.

Thank goodness for this one.


I'd have not had a trip to the pumpkin patch on my perfect fall day if it weren't for her!

Glad for my scrapbooks,
the sentimental totegirl

Hunger- Mine and the World's

I have found myself hungry over the last 5 weeks- it's good to be hungry. Your food tastes so much better.

Almost immediately I knew what I was supposed to do with any money won from this contest- we have a local food bank that is always in need of help and donation and a year ago I was blessed to meet 8 Nepali orphans that stole my heart forever. Their care givers live month to month- and funding has been down this year.



Every time I get hungry I remember them and the billion other people around the world who will go to bed hungry tonight.

My little GA brought this information home last week-


It's world hunger month. And we are raising money for it.

The calendar gives us ideas. Just look...


Each day we read the challenge and do it. She marked out the one that said, "clear the table without being asked" Cady has asked others around the neighborhood to donate and we had the guys that come hang out with Cody to donate pocket change.

Here's where we put it...





Hungry and doing something about it,
Lori

Sunday, October 10, 2010

A perfect fall day

My Perfect FAll SAturday Would Include...

1. Pumpkin Bread

2. Kids & Saturday morning cartoons (or a movie)



3. Pumpkin decorating
4. My son

5. Sun, slight breeze, blue skis and an Open sun roof

6. Quality time with my husband (no picture available :)

7. A trip to the Pumpkin Patch 


8. Slides, tire swings and hay mazes





9. Dinner with friends (no picture available, camera battery went dead)

10. A Bon fire, Hot dogs & S'mores (no picture available) 


Living the more abundant life, 
Lori