Katie’s Beer

We just returned from our annual 4th of July camping trip. This year was a little different in that my husband has finally given up on trying to get us to camp. He rented a very nice cabin without any prompting from me. Of course, I still ended up staying back, cooking, washing dishes, watching movies and babysitting Kirby (who’s new motto is, “hey, let’s play that game where I keep jumping out of the fishing boat”). I didn’t mind, though; the breeze was wonderful and the view quite lovely. We stayed at Ruttger’s Pine Mountain Resort in one of their new cottages. The photos above aren’t’ actually of our cabin; they are from a “glamping” (glamorous camping) spot in Montana. The photos below are of our very nice cabin.

Tags: Wild Outdoors, Everyday life, travel by TK
1 Comment »

Rules against tight clothing
Rules against baggy clothing
Movies censored for smoking cigarettes
Trans fats banned in whole cities

As someone who learned about the Holocaust in school, read 1984 in junior high and watched Logan’s Run in high school, I don’t have to be a libertarian (small “l”, not captial “L”) to view such censorship in a very negative light. On one hand, I worry for my kids’ future, but on the other hand I know that human spirit can triumph even terrible circumstances. i also know that nothing can separate us from the love of God.

When life makes my head spin, I turn to hockey to put a smile on my face.  I give you Clark, the Canadian Goalie

Tags: hockey, Humor, Everyday life by TK
No Comments »

I LIKED this movie, though the rest of the world didn’t. And one of my favorite songs from the movie is, I’m Alive…

I’m alive and the world shines for me today.
I’m alive. Suddenly, I am here today.
Seems like forever and a day, thought I could never feel this way
Is this really me? I’m alive, I’m alive

I’m home, feeling amazingly alert and ready to go. If it weren’t for having my body sliced opened and parts removed, I’d be back at work tomorrow. Oh well, lots of TV, radio, book and blogging time for me. That’s not such a bad thing. Who wants a recap?

Tags: Everyday life by TK
6 Comments »

In preparation for surgery, I’ve found a website that has been very helpful to me. It is called HysterSisters. The name is self-explanatory. As with any site, I read through it carefully. The internet tends to be the place where people post their worst stories and I try not to read those stories. (A couple of years ago, I found stories about root canals that had me convinced I would be dead in a short while. At 2am and in pain, those stories are quite convincing.) Of course, things could turn out badly, but the vast majority of surgeries go very well. I intend to fully recover and return in even better shape to my very enjoyable life.

At HysterSisters, I signed up for a newsletter that keeps me apprised of various checkpoints, both pre and post op. Today’s newsletter had some great tips for preparing for surgery. As with impending childbirth, we are forging full steam ahead in cleaning our house, stocking up on supplies and groceries and dealing with postponed paperwork. I’ve got friends and family lined up to help out with various things. What a blessing it is to know that someone cares enough to call and offer a meal or a ride for my kids! I can’t wait to return the favors. It is a joy to help each other, I think. My biggest realistic worry is Kirby. I will have to stay away from our 105 pound puppy; he could literally injure me with his loving ways.  My biggest unrealistic worry is confirmed by this suggestion from HysterSisters:

It’s common to have fears about your upcoming surgery. This is a time to share your feelings and thoughts with those you love. If you don’t keep a journal yet, maybe now is the time to begin. Writing out your biggest fears can be a comforting exercise.

We know many HysterSisters who write letters to each of their children, their parents, their husband and tuck them away.

Comfort may be found by reading your favorite scriptures. HysterSisters has a Prayer Request Forum for those who would be helped by sharing there as well.

Our Favorite Scriptures:

“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge.” (Psalm 91:4)

“The Lord bless you and keep you: The Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you: The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.” (Numbers 6: 24-26)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)

Tags: Everyday life by TK
3 Comments »

My son is not in school today.  His junior high has set up today as “Career Day”.  Since the teachers worked late last night helping families register their future sophmores for high school, I believe “Career Day” was born of a slightly different purpose but I won’t name it right now.

My son has agonized over his choice for “Career Day” for a couple of weeks.  Since he’s already spent lots of time at my office with me and with his grandfather (my boss), he ruled that out.  Likewise, with his uncles at our sister company.  Not surprisingly, he’d rather die that go to school with his teacher father and he nearly lost his eyeballs when I suggested he spend a day with his new mommy auntie helping out with his cousin.

Last night my son had a brilliant idea.  He would attend the Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament in St. Paul, watch a few games and informally interview the lucky souls working the booths at the Hockey Expo next door to the arena.  Guess what I said?

Tags: parenting, Everyday life by TK
No Comments »

Admit it. You clicked on my title because I wrote, “Sex, sex, sex” for my post’s title. I would have, too! Our culture is highly sexualized. I think that Christians are better off accepting that fact and facing it honestly. Dawn Eden has faced it; she has dealt with her past, lives her life with an awareness of sexuality.

God created us to be sexual; He also told us that our strong sex drives are designed to keep husband and wife drawn to each other. Even the strongest Christian will face sexual attraction outside of marriage from time to time, to be sure, so it is best to accept the strong draw of our sexual nature and be prepared to stay chaste.

It isn’t just a battle of your teenager. Those rumors of the activities of the parents of your kids’ friends, your neighbors, your child’s teachers, your lawyer, and maybe even you, are not just rumors; they’re based in fact.

Most Christians deny that they will ever NOT be chaste. I assume that. I am physically chaste, but I shouldn’t just assume it will always be so. Satan loves to pull good people from God through sin. Scripture clearly mentions chastity of the mind as well as the body. You can barely walk through the mall, read a magazine or watch television today without seeing sexual images that might tempt you. It may even happen at the most innocuous moments of life - at work, at church, at community events. It is not just our children’s battle.
Barb, the (not so) evil genius, met Dawn Eden, author of The Thrill of the Chaste: Finding Fulfillment While Keeping Your Clothes On and wrote about it. Barb writes,

I have been reading Dawn’s blog off and on for several years, and her blog is where I first heard about her book. Although Dawn and I are the same age, we are in very different places in our lives, but reading descriptions and excerpts from her book struck a chord with me. Unlike Dawn, I was brought up in the Christian faith by my parents, specifically Lutheranism. However, I had my own struggles living the chaste life. Read on…

I need to move Dawn Eden’s blog to a more prominent place on mine or subscribe to her RSS feed; I don’t want to miss gems like this one…

The Democratic presidential candidates have picked their theme songs, and Hillary grabbed two, neither of them particularly patriotic. One is by a Canadian rock band, Bachman-Turner Overdrive’s “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet,” and the other by a British act, Jesus Jones’ “Right Here, Right Now.”

I wonder how long it’ll take before she learns that “Right Here, Right Now” is one of National Review’s “50 Greatest Conservative Rock Songs.” It refers to the fall of the Berlin Wall — one of the greatest achievements of Ronald Reagan’s presidency.

Tags: Everyday life, Lutheran by TK
3 Comments »

Be sure to stop by and wish Scottius Maximus a very happy birthday! Be sure to participate in his random thoughts questionnaire!  They are always funny!
Sorry if I’ve missed other birthdays - I need LOTS of clues…like announcing it on your own blog on a day I just happened to stop by to read and have time to post a birthday greeting to you.

Tags: other Lutheran blogs, Everyday life by TK
1 Comment »

I used to be an earth mother. I relished being pregnant. It seemed the right and good thing to do. I nursed my babies longer than anyone I knew. I read Mothering magazine, attended La Leche League meetings and practiced NFP. I was a Dr. Sears devotee. I didn’t purposefully quit any of those activities, but one by one my focus changed to other things. As my children entered the wider world, I joined them. I became a team mom, classroom volunteer and Sunday School. Things changed again and I began to work while my teenagers were in school. I still hurry home to direct after-school diversions.

Life as a mother is constantly changing and I am already working on my game plan for the college years. My body has changed also, but I haven’t had much control over that. Moving from earth mother mentality to realization of our sin nature, I ‘ve come to accept that the body is not perfect while here on this earth. Parts fail. Thankfully, doctors can repair and replace many things that killed previously generations!
I recently found myself annoyed as I sat in the ob/gyn office. I felt old. I was surrounded by younger women who were pregnant or hoping to become pregnant. I sat there with a sick uterus. During the office visit, the doctor was interrupted by pages from pregnant women no less than three times. I resolved to find a doctor who had moved on from delivering babies to helping women transition out of that phase. I searched the clinic website and found someone who could make this statement:

“My daily contact with patients continues to be challenging, and though I no longer see obstetric patients, my maturing practice has been both stimulating and gratifying.”

Perfect! I’d found my new ob/gyn. He was warm and relaxed. No one beeped him during our visit. Surprisingly, I learned my idea of an immediate hysterectomy was outdated, even to an old doc. Apparently, it is now standard practice to perform a Roto Rooter job and then wait to see if the problem recurs. Oh well. Just put me out beforehand.
Note: Report any change in monthly cycles to your doctor. ANY changes. Not just HUGE changes, but even very little ones. You owe it to those who love you and depend on you.

Tags: Everyday life by TK
3 Comments »

My neighbor has had a Harley for as long as I remember.  On Wednesday nights, in all cooperative seasons, he and his grown son have Harley night.  His son comes over about 5pm and they sit in my neighbor’s driveway for an hour or so tinkering with the bikes and talking.  Then about 7pm they take off on their machines.  I can’t remember where they go, but it’s too a Harley gathering spot.  The other night I joked with them (I wasn’t joking THAT much) that I’d like to join them some night.  They beamed and offered that they have beer and pizza!  I just shook my head and said, “Four more years, guys, four more years until the kids are gone.  Then I’m buying the Harley and joining  you.”

Until I do that, you can enjoy one of my favorite Minnesota bloggers, Rush Hour Rambling.  He has some nice posts on autumn biking and making sure that his young daughter will be a future biker.

Tags: Everyday life by TK
No Comments »

I know I’ll make you all jealous, but I just have to brag that I received a birthday email from Tommy Shaw and the gang at Styx! I’m the only one they sent that to, right?
Here is is:
Happy Birthday, Theresa!
You thought you could keep it quiet, didn’t you!! We hope you have a fantastic day and are properly celebrated! As always, we appreciate you being a loyal fan. See you in STYXWorld!
Sincerely,
Tommy, JY, Todd, Lawrence, Ricky & the entire STYX family.

Tags: Everyday life by TK
3 Comments »