Caffeinated Randomness 5/22

You know that song from American Idol a few years back, when they'd vote someone off they'd play "you had a bad day." I can hear that song playing in my head right now. I'm tired from an overly busy week and don't have the energy to pull together a riveting post.

This is especially troubling now that Michael Hyatt (CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishing) is following me on Twitter and could pop over any second to see what I wrote. And he'd find this. Oh, the agony. {Mr. Hyatt, please come back on Monday, I'll write something amazing...or I could just fax over my book proposal now...it's ready!!}.

In any event, I found this meme at "Under Grace & Over Coffee." Her tag line is "I take my coffee with milk, sugar, and the joy of knowing Jesus." Well I could have said that! So I thought, since I'm feeling random, I'd link up. Here are some random things this week:

1. Too many school programs, play dates & picnics have left me exhausted, and tomorrow is the last day of school for my preschooler. I need another week, really. Can't she go one more week?

2. The pool opens this weekend! My kids are thrilled. I am facing the reality of wearing a swim suit in public. I'm not ready for this. Where is my self-tanner?

3. I loved the American Idol finale! I knew Kris would win, because all the Danny people threw their votes to Kris. It was a great show.

4. I haven't been reading my Bible. This is leading to writer's block, not to mention getting farther behind in my goal to read it in a year. I need to skip ahead...Leviticus & Numbers are so overwhelming. I love the New Testament, and I am bogged down in the Old Testament details (how many in each tribe, what sacrifices they made).

5. My in-laws aren't doing too well physically, and this is leaving me really bummed too. I love my in-laws SO much, they are awesome. You can read about them here. But if you get a chance, say a prayer for them.

Okay, so that is my completely random post today. It's not my usually upbeat fun. But every one has a bad day now & then.

Thankful Thursday - 5/20

Five things I'm thankful for this week:

1. My 5 yr old, Cici graduated from preschool yesterday. It was a wonderful event! I'm happy and proud, but it's bittersweet this end to the preschool yrs, as next year I'll have both girls in school full time.

2. My 9 yr old, Gigi had her Spring musical Tuesday night and she did a great job as narrator. I'm happy and proud of her.

3. I wrote my book proposal! I may not ever need it (sigh), but I wrote it, so I'm ready for the "next step" in the pathway to publication.

4. A coffee date with my friend Sue J tomorrow. Our last outing sans kids until next September. (We really should get a sitter over the summer and go out for coffee one day. We always say we will, but never do).

5. A friend took both my girls on Sunday from 2-7!! Hubby & I spent the afternoon together and went out to dinner. A very rare treat.

Hebrews 12:28 -- Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.

What are you thankful for this week?

Kickin' the Sugar Habit

My friend Bella-Mella gave up sugar in February, and posted this post on some hot tips after my post on self-control Monday. Thought I'd link over to hers today in case any of you are trying to get rid of sugar in your diet too.

So blogger friends, meet my blogger friend Bella-Mella. Melanie, her come my bloggy friends.

Self Control

I've always prided myself on not being addicted to anything. (Lest you think this is going to be a pat myself on the back post, hang in here for a few more lines). Growing up with an alcoholic (and 4 pack a day smoker) mother, statistically my chances of also being addicted to alcohol are higher than average. I've never been much of a drinker or smoked.

The "addictions" I do have are all socially acceptable: Sweetened coffee and chocolate to name two. The fact that I've always been slender adds to the perception that my sweets habit isn't too bad.

YET, the fact is I lack self control when it comes to sweets. I've been trying to cut back. My reasons are purely in the physical. I've put on weight (welcome to fabulous 40's!). I'm not fat. But would I look better and feel better even 5 lbs lighter? Yes.

But I've tried, and have a hard time resisting the sugary treats. I'm weak. I'm easily tempted. And I'm getting an attitude adjustment on addictions. Until I turn it over to God, I won't be able to stop. But I don't want to turn it over because I really really like sugar. I really want to eat it. But I really want to lose some weight.

There is no nice bow to wrap this up in, at the end. Am I addicted to sweets? Is it a problem? It's socially acceptable, but that doesn't make it godly. I'm not impacting anyone else's life with my behavior. (My kids aren't suffering because of my sweets habit.) None the less, would it be better to change? These are the self control issues I'm facing.

What area of your life is not within control? What can you do to change it?

Proverbs 25:28 -- Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.

1 Peter 5:8 -- Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

2 Peter 1:5-7 -- For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.