With breakfast lingering in the air this morning, Evan gives me a hug and says, "You smell good."  I thought this was a little strange, you know, being first thing in the morning before my shower, but, hey...I'll take the compliment.  

Then, he adds, "You smell like toast."

*sigh* 

So the running joke around here this week that...I, Mom, am NOT smarter than a scientist.  

[Dated September 5, 2007]

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the powerof God unto salvation to every one that believeth."  Romans 1:16

Paul is truly one of my heroes. And I think if he were alive today, he'd be a serious blogger. 

He communicated by all means that he had--even writing letters in jail. That's how strongly he felt about spreading the gospel.  He felt obligated (vs.14), which made him eager (vs.15).  He was so on fire--he had pride and not shame of the gospel (vs.16). He also knew that it was about God, not himself.  He truly lived "it's not about you".  Wouldn't it have been interesting to have a subscription, and RSS feed, to Paul's blog--to be his "friend"--oh, the comments & discussions we'd all have with him.... oh, wait, he already blogged it & God posted it on His Website!! His Word Wide Web.  

[Dated:  August, 23,2007)

"The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms."  Deuteronomy 33:27

Eternal, I get.  Refuge, I get. But what does "underneath" mean?  After the storm ripped through last night, Deut. 33:26-27 makes me think more about our God who "rides on the heavens to help you and on the clouds".  This tells me that our "refuge" (our shelter, our "safe-place") is above us in the heavens and on the clouds.  So, it makes sense to me that "underneath are the everlasting arms" means He not only has me covered 'above' but 'underneath' as well!  It goes on to say that He'll not only protect me but also defend me--driving out the enemy. 

Imagine with me, that you live in Nebraska or some such similar place.  Now imagine that you are planning some sort of big event (you know, whatever---a wedding, a BarMitzvah...whatever...).  Now, imagine the event is scheduled for mid-January.  Possible blizzards, sub-below zero temps.  Now, say that venue for the event has NO heating.  NONE.  Now, answer this---and please answer honestly, because your answer is very important to the topic at hand...and here it is:  Do you plan the event for that venue anyway?  Knowing that people will be uncomfortably cold in their parkas, scarfs, mittens & hats?  Their toes are are nearly frostbitten, everyone is shivering...   I am going to assume your answer is "why, nooooo, Kari, that would be absolutely ludicrous! You are even crazy for asking, nay thinking of such a scenario..." I hope I am assuming correctly. 

So, here's the backwards thinking I am just simply befuddled by. 

This last summer, Chris dj'd for a wedding reception.  It's mid-July.  In Nebraska.  ...and the reception hall has. no. air.conditioning.  WHAT!?!?!?!??!  Ended up not being terribly hot that day, but, odds were not! in their favor of having a 75-80 degree day in Nebraska in mid-July. No one would schedule their big event in the dead of winter outdoors or in a location with no heat, right?  So, why would they in the "dead of summer"?? Why? 

Now, I realize that my liking cooler temps is a matter of my personal comfort levels, opinions...heck, maybe my core temperature is just by nature is higher than others.  I am not trying to force my tastes and/or opinions on anyone...you're entitled to yours, even if it's wrong...mwaha-haha.  Just kidding, of course. But, in the case of the "no-airconditioned-venue-in-July-in-Nebraska" situation, really?   Shouldn't one have to take other people's comfort into consideration??  Isn't it just common courtesy? And what about old people?  Do you really want them passing out during your big event? 

And I'm not just talking weddings...I'm talking picnics (whose freakin' idea was that???), family reunions, playdates in the park, graduations, open houses.... why oh why is it just assumed that these events must be outdoor events?  In the winter, people cannot wait to get from their vehicle to get to the warmth and comfort of a heated building. And I can't understand why people aren't like this in the summer.  I must be that one person that is just the opposite, I cannot wait to get from my vehicle to the coolness and comfort of an air-conditioned building.  

Oh..and it isn't just the heat.  Let's not forget about the humidity.  And, we also must'nt forget about the BUGS! Mosquitoes, bees, wasps....and then there's snakes....and grasshoppers....  these are things you just do not have to tolerate in the winter.

I'm not trying to persuade anyone to change the way they feel about warm or cool weather.  For one, I am just curious to see if I am really only one who see this backwardness.... mostly though, I urge others to think about how uncomfortable they might be in the winter and then remember there are those who are equally uncomfortable in the summer and plan events accordingly.  That's all.  I'm not ranting here, just trying to raise awareness--you know, sort of a public service announcement---hmmm, I might even make my own awareness ribbon to wear...hmmm, I can't think of a color that isn't already taken.... hmm...wait, what was I saying?---oh, right, persuade, urge, ranting...raise awareness, that's right.

 (I wrote this some time ago.  The irony of it is that my vehicle's a/c went kaput and so every day that is 75 degrees or higher is a very uncomfortable drive anywhere for me... I REALLY TRULY cannot wait to get into the shelter of an air-conditioned building)