I always thought those commercials were clever, not really thinking about the reality of it. You know the ones? Where the tough guy is talking about shopping for his party dress, complete with a female voice-over? Or the girl with the man's voice? They're talking about all the fun they've had at someone else's expense?
Well...you got it! It happened to me and all I could see was some guy with my voice (with a thick NY accent) talking about how he was enjoying his new computer or office equipment from Staples (or whatever they spent almost $800 on), all the latest cosmetics at Sophora's ($500 worth),his new Banana Republic wardrobe, the latest tunes from NY City's Music Land, and of course all this over dinner in China Town and goodies at lots of other places all over the "big Apple." All in all...this person enjoyed themselves (on us) over the course of a weekend to the tune of almost $3000. I don't think I have to tell you... that commercial is not so funny right now.
Who knows? maybe I'll pass it on when it becomes one of those "looked back on stories" and we learn something spiritual from it. As a matter of fact, maybe we are learning something... because right now...it's kind of creepy how it actually "feels" like somebody came in your house and went through your stuff. So, spiritual lesson #1...letting the "Jesus" in me pray for God's love, grace and mercy on this person when the "Melanie" in me would really rather not. :):)
Monday, November 28, 2005
Monday, November 21, 2005
Thanksgiving!
I have to apologize for being so bad at keeping up with posting recently. It's all I can do to keep up with life these days, but...I really am enjoying the experience...if only I live through it! :) Why? First of all, I guess I've realized now how "out of shape" this body really is when carrying food, water and coffee sends my legs and arms into strange aches, pains and muscle spasms they haven't felt before. It's like I've slammed myself into some sort of new vigorous exercise routine or something. And I'm sure glad "this" happened last night (because our Wed. performance was cancelled, and we're off for 4 days) so there is time for this black and blue "goose egg" on my forehead to fade away. What happened? Well, during one of the last scenes of the show, I am part of the "Trio of Songer something" who wind up taking 3rd prize in the Saltzburg Festival...last night I got a huge laugh when I stole the one bouquet of flowers they award us and fled the stage, bowing & courtseying (sp?). Maybe it was because they thought it was part of the show when I slammed my head straight into the wall on the way out. :):):)Ouch!!!
This is one of those years that Thanksgiving winds up on or near my middle son, Nicholas, birthday. It's the day before, so we'll be celebrating both special occasions this week. Talk about Thanksgiving and being "Thankful", when I think of all the events around that time when Nick was born, I can't help but be in awe, let alone, grateful at the incredible things God has done! I know the Apostle Paul says to "press forward" and of course, he's encouraging us not to live in the past, or get stuck there...and I understand that completely. However, sometimes, I think it's good to think about who we were, where we've come from, so that we don't just take what God's done for granted. It's so easy to get caught up in all the stresses, complications and details of everyday life and allow them to be larger than the God I claim to trust. Looking back allows me to gain a true perspective of God, who really is larger than anything life throws at me.
There've been lots of dark days in my life (before Christ)...moments consumed with hopelessness, but, Thanksgiving Day, 1981 was probably one of the worst. I'd had a friend pick me up at the hospital that day...me and my new baby. Now home in the quiet of my apartment, a sense of panic washed over me as I watched Nicholas asleep in his basinette. I'd never felt so alone. The seriousness and responsibility of this situation hit me at once. No job, no money, no husband and another child to raise. Good grief, what had I done? I called a few friends in tears, but, they couldn't really talk, they were celebrating Thanksgiving with family.
Alone, all kind of thoughts now circled around in my head. How brave I thought I was in my decision to have this baby against all advise otherwise. "Are you crazy? You can't have a baby. It's easy, no big deal, just get an abortion. Everybody does it these days!" But, it wasn't easy, and all my strong willed and opinionated statements, like; "no body is going to tell me what to do with my own body" just flew right out the window when after seeing a doctor about a "growth" in my abdomen, turned out to be 21 weeks of pregnancy. Somebody, anybody, please tell me what to do with my body I now screamed silently and immediately spiraled into a 3 day crying, sleeping and more crying black hole of depression and confusion. One of the first and funniest things to be grateful for about that time was the questionable bedside manner of the doctor. This guy was not moved one bit by my dilemma or tears..."you're too far along for normal abortion procedures" he said matter-of-factly. "You have to go through the process of delivery. Only I'll inject a solution that will terminate the fetus." Then he added this, which I will never forget..."Oh, and by the way, I charge just as much for a dead baby as I do a live one."
Hmmm, if that don't send you reeling, I don't know what will. Anyway, to make a very long story sort of short...I still called what I thought was an abortion clinic...who knows why...maybe to merely find someone to talk to. So I found one in the phone book. It was called a "Crisis Pregnancy Center." I was pregnant...in a crisis, how perfect. One of the kindest persons ever answered the phone at like 7 in the morning and invited me right over. I jumped at the invitation and found it to be a beautiful ranch for unwed mothers, mostly young girls. I was older, 27, didn't need what they offered, but, found a compassionate ear and one simple question changed everything for for me. "Why can't you have this baby?" She asked. All my frets, worries and concerns now sounded trite as I heard myself speak them out loud to her. There was really no reason, other than inconvenience, any way I looked at it and a few days later, the weight of the world lifted from my shoulders...and brain...when I made a decision.
"I'm having this baby" however, wasn't met with such great relief from others. Particuarly the father, who I'd broken up with months before. Angry and confused, I'm sure he's probably regretted some of the cruel things he said to me back then. But, it was just another of the things that went swirling around my head that dismal Thanksgiving Day, causing me to now question my decision as my beautiful little boy lay sleeping. What would I do? How would we make it? Right now, even diapers and formula would be a problem until I could get back to work. (which I did 3 weeks later)
Though I didn't know I'd posed those questions to God, I now know He was heard those cries. There were a few of my clients who said they were "praying" for me. Yeah right, I thought, if I gave it any thought at all, because I didn't believe, if there was a God, that He would have anything to do with the likes of me. However, two times during those few desperate weeks and two little boys to support, my clients' churches sent over huge bags of groceries and showed up at my door (wearing Santa hats) with presents for all of us. I was too proud back then and too decieved into thinking I was fiercely independent, to be grateful enough, but...I don't have to think of it too hard now to appreciate God's hand in all these events. Today, when I remember that Thanksgiving, I'm not too proud to give Him every bit of the credit. I am overhelmed by the "Beauty of what God is willing to make of the Ashes of what many times are our own foolish choices... and...I am moved to tears over God's goodness, when I celebrate the 24th year of the birth of my beautiful son, Nicholas!
A Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving to all!
This is one of those years that Thanksgiving winds up on or near my middle son, Nicholas, birthday. It's the day before, so we'll be celebrating both special occasions this week. Talk about Thanksgiving and being "Thankful", when I think of all the events around that time when Nick was born, I can't help but be in awe, let alone, grateful at the incredible things God has done! I know the Apostle Paul says to "press forward" and of course, he's encouraging us not to live in the past, or get stuck there...and I understand that completely. However, sometimes, I think it's good to think about who we were, where we've come from, so that we don't just take what God's done for granted. It's so easy to get caught up in all the stresses, complications and details of everyday life and allow them to be larger than the God I claim to trust. Looking back allows me to gain a true perspective of God, who really is larger than anything life throws at me.
There've been lots of dark days in my life (before Christ)...moments consumed with hopelessness, but, Thanksgiving Day, 1981 was probably one of the worst. I'd had a friend pick me up at the hospital that day...me and my new baby. Now home in the quiet of my apartment, a sense of panic washed over me as I watched Nicholas asleep in his basinette. I'd never felt so alone. The seriousness and responsibility of this situation hit me at once. No job, no money, no husband and another child to raise. Good grief, what had I done? I called a few friends in tears, but, they couldn't really talk, they were celebrating Thanksgiving with family.
Alone, all kind of thoughts now circled around in my head. How brave I thought I was in my decision to have this baby against all advise otherwise. "Are you crazy? You can't have a baby. It's easy, no big deal, just get an abortion. Everybody does it these days!" But, it wasn't easy, and all my strong willed and opinionated statements, like; "no body is going to tell me what to do with my own body" just flew right out the window when after seeing a doctor about a "growth" in my abdomen, turned out to be 21 weeks of pregnancy. Somebody, anybody, please tell me what to do with my body I now screamed silently and immediately spiraled into a 3 day crying, sleeping and more crying black hole of depression and confusion. One of the first and funniest things to be grateful for about that time was the questionable bedside manner of the doctor. This guy was not moved one bit by my dilemma or tears..."you're too far along for normal abortion procedures" he said matter-of-factly. "You have to go through the process of delivery. Only I'll inject a solution that will terminate the fetus." Then he added this, which I will never forget..."Oh, and by the way, I charge just as much for a dead baby as I do a live one."
Hmmm, if that don't send you reeling, I don't know what will. Anyway, to make a very long story sort of short...I still called what I thought was an abortion clinic...who knows why...maybe to merely find someone to talk to. So I found one in the phone book. It was called a "Crisis Pregnancy Center." I was pregnant...in a crisis, how perfect. One of the kindest persons ever answered the phone at like 7 in the morning and invited me right over. I jumped at the invitation and found it to be a beautiful ranch for unwed mothers, mostly young girls. I was older, 27, didn't need what they offered, but, found a compassionate ear and one simple question changed everything for for me. "Why can't you have this baby?" She asked. All my frets, worries and concerns now sounded trite as I heard myself speak them out loud to her. There was really no reason, other than inconvenience, any way I looked at it and a few days later, the weight of the world lifted from my shoulders...and brain...when I made a decision.
"I'm having this baby" however, wasn't met with such great relief from others. Particuarly the father, who I'd broken up with months before. Angry and confused, I'm sure he's probably regretted some of the cruel things he said to me back then. But, it was just another of the things that went swirling around my head that dismal Thanksgiving Day, causing me to now question my decision as my beautiful little boy lay sleeping. What would I do? How would we make it? Right now, even diapers and formula would be a problem until I could get back to work. (which I did 3 weeks later)
Though I didn't know I'd posed those questions to God, I now know He was heard those cries. There were a few of my clients who said they were "praying" for me. Yeah right, I thought, if I gave it any thought at all, because I didn't believe, if there was a God, that He would have anything to do with the likes of me. However, two times during those few desperate weeks and two little boys to support, my clients' churches sent over huge bags of groceries and showed up at my door (wearing Santa hats) with presents for all of us. I was too proud back then and too decieved into thinking I was fiercely independent, to be grateful enough, but...I don't have to think of it too hard now to appreciate God's hand in all these events. Today, when I remember that Thanksgiving, I'm not too proud to give Him every bit of the credit. I am overhelmed by the "Beauty of what God is willing to make of the Ashes of what many times are our own foolish choices... and...I am moved to tears over God's goodness, when I celebrate the 24th year of the birth of my beautiful son, Nicholas!
A Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving to all!
Thursday, November 10, 2005
JoJo
Today, my heart just breaks for my sweet friend JoJo. Yesterday, her precious little Kristin went home to be with the Lord. Jojo's strength and unwavering faith in Christ has been such an inspiration and encouragement for so many of us. Please keep their family in your prayers and thoughts.
JoJo's Blog
JoJo's Blog
Thursday, November 03, 2005
HE** Week!!!
They call this last week before opening night, which is this Friday, H*ll week! Now I know why! They weren't kidding! I don't think I've made it home before 1 or 2 in the morning. Yesterday morning, the phone rang at 6:30 and it was Frank. I thought he was taking a shower, so I got really disoriented and confused. Like..."who are you?" Dang, "who am I?" And..what are you doing on the phone? He wasn't amused and had a list for me even though I was pretty much incoherent.
Speaking of incoherant (sp?) my daughter, Julie called on Monday night on my way home (around 1 am) because she was worried. I told Frank on Tuesday morning that Julie had called to see if I was ok. "Then she wished me happy birthday," I told him. He just looked at me strangely..."why would she say that?" he asked. "Maybe, because it IS my birthday!"
Ok...I'm done complaining! I actually wanted to post earlier in the week, before H*ll week took it's toll and say a few words about the weekend, which was incredible. Last week, fellow blogger..."Lepido" Hank and his beautiful wife, Nancy were visiting relatives in our town, so we got to spend some time together. What a blessing! They came to our church on Sunday morning and I was thinking...that's one of the cool things about being "in Christ." We have "family" everywhere. We can skip the small talk and get right to the things that matter. It's like we've known each other forever. We got to visit a few times while they were here and I enjoyed every minute of it and consider them very special friends. I think they did too...even though they now have a little more insight into "my husband's new invention."
There is so much to say about what is going on with "The Sound of Music" I just don't have time right now. Hopefully, when it calms down a little and we get past the chaos of this week...I'll be able to write more. Hope so.
Meanwhile..."So Long, Farewell...Aweideseine (I've got no idea how to spell that) Goodbye!
Speaking of incoherant (sp?) my daughter, Julie called on Monday night on my way home (around 1 am) because she was worried. I told Frank on Tuesday morning that Julie had called to see if I was ok. "Then she wished me happy birthday," I told him. He just looked at me strangely..."why would she say that?" he asked. "Maybe, because it IS my birthday!"
Ok...I'm done complaining! I actually wanted to post earlier in the week, before H*ll week took it's toll and say a few words about the weekend, which was incredible. Last week, fellow blogger..."Lepido" Hank and his beautiful wife, Nancy were visiting relatives in our town, so we got to spend some time together. What a blessing! They came to our church on Sunday morning and I was thinking...that's one of the cool things about being "in Christ." We have "family" everywhere. We can skip the small talk and get right to the things that matter. It's like we've known each other forever. We got to visit a few times while they were here and I enjoyed every minute of it and consider them very special friends. I think they did too...even though they now have a little more insight into "my husband's new invention."
There is so much to say about what is going on with "The Sound of Music" I just don't have time right now. Hopefully, when it calms down a little and we get past the chaos of this week...I'll be able to write more. Hope so.
Meanwhile..."So Long, Farewell...Aweideseine (I've got no idea how to spell that) Goodbye!
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