This video seems appropriate to post on the day of two weddings for this pastor. And, really, Matchbox Twenty, is always the right decision. How can you not listen to this song over and over?
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soap opera drama: part two.
21 AugLast week I freaked out on you. In what has become the third most frequently viewed post on this blog, I lashed out in anger at the disappearance of my current go-to show from the list of streaming shows through my roku. [what determines a popular post on this blog I will never know – that particular one was about a tv show and anger at netflix. really?] In McLeod’s Daughters‘ absence, something magical happened, proving that even in the most dire of situations, there can be good.
A curse came over me and, in moments of weakness, addiction, and extremely late nights, I consumed the entire first season of Once Upon A Time on hulu in a week.
Have you seen it? Its first season aired last year on ABC, to return again this fall. I was drawn into the magic, the story, the fairy tale, and my new fashion idol.
In fashion sense, I want to be Snow White as she is in Storybrooke. Mary Margaret is her name. I love her skirts, her coats, and her cardigans. And her hair. Her hair. I want my hair to do what her hair does. My television fashion idol used to be Lorelai Gilmore and I do fear she has been replaced. Lorelai, you did not receive a rose; please say your goodbyes.
Now that I’m finished with the first season of Once Upon A Time, do you worry I will return to my angry self at the loss of my Australian soap? Do you fear another snappy post or continued depression at my lack of the drama on the sheep farms in my life? Do you have concern for my general well being and the emphasis I put on television shows in my life?
Don’t. Because I looked again and McLeod’s Daughters is back streaming on Netflix. Perhaps they heard my cries and decided to do something about it. Perhaps they were enraged to know that 59 people read my blog post against them. Or maybe it was just temporarily unavailable on that one day when I freaked out.
Whatever the case, I thank you, Netflix. If you had not momentarily been reconfiguring your catalog of television shows, I may not have stumbled upon Once Upon A Time and Mary Margaret’s hair.
Oh, the hair.
soap opera drama.
15 AugThat cheesy australian soap drama I always talk about? McLeod’s Daughters?
Netflix has decided to no longer stream it.
Just pull the rug out from under me, Netflix. I was 133 episodes into a series with a total of over 200 episodes. Am I supposed to just forget like I’ll never know when Tess and Nick come back from Argentina? Or pretend like I don’t want to know the alluded-to tragic and sketchy back story of the new farm hand at the neighboring farm? Or say I don’t care about the potential Kate-and-Dave-the-veterinarian relationship or whether Jodi’s father is Jack? And – she scoffs – never know what kind of drama will happen around sheep shearing season this year? [Sh*t always goes down at sheep shearing time on Drover’s Run.]
Guess I’ll be signing up for a discs-in-the-mail kind of subscription. I can’t just leave it like this. Thanks a lot, Netflix. You piss me off and get a customer all at the same time. You win.
#panic.
14 AugPanic is planning a day camp at Red Oak Grove kinda last minute but not really planning any of it because as of Sunday, only three kids had signed up. [Five was the magic number to go forward with the camp. I wasn’t going to plan it if it wasn’t going to even happen, and for a church that doesn’t participate in VBS – though invited – I doubted it would even go forward.]
Panic is having sixteen kids on the signup sheet by Monday evening.
Panic is having to find adult help, go shopping, and schedule the day [which is tomorrow] of games, snacks, and crafts all today.
As I read what I’ve written, perhaps panic is instead irresponsibility. My bad.
But the first annual day of camp at Red Oak Grove tomorrow will be awesome even if I have to work through the night to get everything together!
boring.
13 AugSometimes I worry I’m boring.
I used to be fun but the pastor has taken all the excitement out of me.
Case in point: yesterday, Mabel and I drove to see gal pal, Sara in Chaska. Sara and I first got to know each other working at Trinity in Stillwater and then we actually lived together for a summer in Stilly. We would have laugh riots together. We would do crazy things and have complicated awesome inside jokes. Yesterday, there was a lack of laugh riots. Not so much crazy except when a dog and a puppy get to playing. Things were pretty subdued over dinner and Diet Coke. I don’t blame Sara. I blame me.
In fact, sometimes I bore myself.
Bore, bore, bore.
[she says as she watches her cheesy australian soap, figures the mathematics of quilt tops in her head, and plans on being in bed by 11.]
neglect.
12 AugNeglect is what I’ve done to this blog.
I’m still here. I haven’t been around much because I’ve been off with friends. [a very good reason to neglect the blog in my world.] Thursday night was dinner and catching up with my local family.* Friday was dinner out with Paige and a little antiquing. Saturday night was attending a wedding at ROG [which I did not officiate] and having Dawson penpal, Carter, stay the night with his family.
Lots of friend time. Lots of busy socializing time. Lots of this-makes-Lindsay-happy time.
And now today, I think Mabel and I are going for a ride to friend, Sara’s, house to meet her new puppy. I’m taking a little post-liturgical breather and we’ll load up and head for the south-west edge of the Cities shortly. Life is crazy but good crazy.
* We laughed a ridiculous amount on Thursday night. What did we laugh at? This website [specifically attractive to my fellow pastors] and this video [potentially offensive in language to some]. There were tears. It was wonderful.
housekeeping: a life update.
26 JulJust a few things I feel like sharing:
Dear Grandpa Sid [affectionately referred to as geeps or popsicle] had a minor heart attack a couple weeks ago. He is at home and feeling better [from what I’m told]. Hospice care is on call and helping out as needed. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.
An article on why it is hard for young adults to make and retain significant friendships. I can relate. [Why Is It Hard to Make Friends Over 30?]
I’m ready for a new quilt project. I’m going to slowly but surely tackle this scrappy one. And a quilt shop is in the plans for tomorrow after the monthly horror of Lindsay attending the local care center board meeting. [danger. danger.]
I’m going home following worship on Sunday. It has been well over half a year since I’ve been home. Over half a year. How can that even be? [oh. that’s right. life is crazy. that’s why.] It’s a trip to see family, see friends, meet a new baby, say farewell to cousin, Connor, as he leaves to study abroad in Ghana, and hang out with as many lovely people as possible. I’m looking forward to it.
In honor of Connor and his departure to study abroad, there is a party on Sunday night. I’ll be the one bringing cakepops that look like the flag of Ghana. The cakes are in the oven right now; wish me luck.
Root veggie chips, delicious as they are, do not constitute a meal. Root veggie chips, delicious as they are, do not constitute a meal. [I need the reminder.] Root veggie chips, delicious as they are, do not constitute a meal.
It’s been a rough week. [see previous post.] With all of the people time from last week, I could go a week and a half in solitude and still not have recovered. Alas, there were members in Rochester I had to visit. I dragged my feet but, truth is, once I was there, in the hospital room, I was glad I had went. One of the people I visited was a dear older woman who was actually our pulpit supply last Sunday while I was gone. She’s done it before many times. Well, she had a minor heart attack Sunday night due to stress. shit. Me, asking her to preach, caused her a portion of that stress and thus indirectly was a cause of her heart attack. She told me not to worry but you know me. I worry and feel terrible. shit. Great job, Pastor Lindsay.
As I left the office to drive to Rochester, administrative assistant Marilyn – dear Marilyn – told me to treat myself. It had been a hard week. Go to Panera, she said. Get good coffee, she suggested. Treat yourself. I did. I went to Trader Joe’s and bought a bottle of $4 wine to which I will now return.
As you were.
NOLA
21 JulIf you are so inclined, I hope you’ve checked out roglutheran.com/our-stories for some photos and daily happenings. I’ve been too sleepy at night to write in two places!
It’s been great so far. Really, it has. The days are long. We walk miles each day. Sometimes I get a little frustrated with the group’s want to shower three times a day. (No. Suck it up.) And how they don’t follow the dress code. (Please change your shorts.) And how they ask if the mass gatherings every night are required. (Yes. And they’re awesome.)
But really, it’s good. We are exploring a new city, hearing inspirational speakers each night, and bonding thru puddle jumping. (It’s been raining cats and dogs here the last two days. I’m glad I packed that umbrella and keens – shoes that can get wet and it’s all okay.) We’ve been worshipping and singing praise songs that I haven’t had opportunity to sing in years. Most days, I wonder if I’m enjoying myself and loving it all more than the kiddos.
The introvert in me finally got some time alone today. Last night, it got ugly. I was so crabby! A little time alone today and even a small glimpse and chat with friends (Josh, Kate, Karen, and Cassie) goes far with me. I’m feeling much better and much less crabby.
Just one quick story and it’s not even about one of my kids. We did a day of service yesterday. (All 38,000 Lutherans here will do four hours of service in their stay. It’s estimated that will help the city of New Orleans at a value of over $2million.) We boarded a bus with a couple other groups and went to a boys and girls club to lead a literacy camp and field day.
I was with the group assigned to read aloud with the kids. There were five from my group and three from another. Pennsylvania. One of them was this red-headed totally awkward boy. Totally. Everyone else found a little person to read with except him. I went over to him and asked him if he would like to join a group. No, that’s okay, he said. I’m not good with kids. I’d rather be in a library sorting books than reading to kids.
I told him all he had to do was sit down and read. Ask them their name. Engage them and show then that he cared. He had to show up and be present. Yeah, he said like he had heard it all before.
We switched groups and there was a girl in this next one that approached him. They sat on the couch and she took the book from his hand. She read Charlotte’s Web to him for a long time. In fact, she stayed longer than she even should have, wanting to keep reading. He showed up. He took a risk. He cared and he listened and by doing so, he shared love and shared joy. And I think that’s part of what this week is all about.
A few photos:
Arrival.
17 JulI’m here. In New Orleans. And it’s hot.
We drove through the night last night and it was as I expected it to be – not restful. But we made it and didn’t smell too bad after the long journey.
We registered, checked into the hotel, and headed out in the heat for a true New Orleans style meal. I had a muffuletta sandwich, really having no idea what it actually was but wanted to pay homage to Muffuletta’s, a restaurant just down the street from Luther Sem. It was a decent meal but ‘uge. I ate maybe a third of it.
A group of gals and I went out exploring the town after dinner. As expected in the French Quarter, it was an eye-opening experience. Even for this gal who has traveled a fair bit, there were some surprises. And I’m sure it’s only the beginning.
When we got back to the hotel, it was one of lindsay’s favorite parts of the day (and what I anticipate will be a favorite part of this whole experience) – running into and hugging people I know! I saw Mr.Pete, a ministry man I first worked with in Stillwater, and my friend, Kate, who I haven’t seen for nearly two years! It was wonderful and I anticipate more run-ins with favorite people from the past and present!
Now it’s bedtime. Tomorrow is swamp tour day and the first official day of the gathering. I must bid you goodnight.
But first, here is a photo of my massive sandwich –
shut the front door –
3 JulIt’s July.
When did that happen? [aka when the f* did we get ice cream? right, Joe, Amanda, Sara, and everyone else with whom we have that inside joke? right?!]
I’m totally bummed and excited that it’s July.
First, I’m bummed. Summer is, like, half over and I feel like I have nothing to show for it. Summer makes claims that it is less busy and things slow down. Summer lies. While I feel that has happened a bit, it’s been forced. I’ve forced myself to try and stick to forty hours a week and two full days off, but there is still much to do and plan and evaluate in the church. And summer masquerades as this season to do fun things and hang out with friends. While I did fun things and hung out with friends on vacation in the first week in June, since then I’ve been pretty boring with no friends. [That’s not completely true. But I need to do more. And find more friends.] I need to put another vacation on the calendar.
While I’m bummed, I’m also excited. July is the month of the national youth gathering in New Orleans. I’m heading down on the 16th with five youth from Red Oak Grove [along with 30,000 other Lutheran youth and chaperones] and it should be a great time [though also hot and steamy and exhausting]. A dear old seminary friend is coming to visit right before the trip departure and I look forward to reconnecting with him. But, then, uh … I realize the excitement runs out. Quick! I need more to be excited about …
Maybe blocking out a train trip to Montana in January to visit a couple new baby girls? Maybe a plane ride to Texas to see Joe and Amanda? Maybe taking a horseback riding community education class? [Okay. I’ll be honest. That’s more fear than excitement but something I feel I should try again.] Maybe a Canadian cruise with Paige? [Notice how all excitement revolves around travel and friends. huh.] Maybe …
