I’ve Got A Million of Them!
July 23, 2008
That was totally rude of me, starting a conversation on Christian sexual ethics and then disappearing for nearly a week! I had really hoped to get back into a regular blogging rhythm after returning from New Mexico but I was no sooner home than I had to get in gear for covering for our pastor last Sunday. I don’t preach often these days and so it takes me longer than the average bear to patch together a homily, though truth be told, I spent more time last week learning the ropes of Lutheran liturgy (where to stand, when to stand there, and what to say when I got there) than I did on preparing the sermon. Either way, last Sunday accorded for most of the hours from Monday through Saturday.
And then, here comes the next in a series of excuses, I was no more done hanging my clergy robe and stole back up in the closet before I jumped on a plane for one of my increasingly regular trips one state up to spend time with my mom who in recent months has had more than her share of under-the-weather days. This would also be the mom who decided that since she never took down her artificial Christmas trees last year that having a Christmas in July luncheon for a few of her friends would be a marvelously delightful idea for which I was recruited to be the out of town party planner! Let me sketch this out for you. It means that last week, between learning Lutheran liturgy (say that fast five times) and sermon preparation I was custom designing holiday luncheon invitations because for some odd reason Hallmark doesn’t carry Christmas party invitations this time of the year, and then just to get in the spirit of things I pulled out the hot glue gun and made personalized felt Christmas stockings as party favors between burning off the tips of my fingers with searing liquid goo. Since my arrival yesterday afternoon I’ve run approximately, and let me pause here to calculate the exact number lest anyone accuse me of exaggerating. . . 326…no….wait….327 luncheon-related errands along with baking and prepping in-between hustling the aforementioned maternal unit to various and assorted appointments.
So all this to say, if you were so much as thinking of giving me a moment’s grief for not posting in the past few days, think again my pretty SisterFriend, think again.
With all that said Sunday’s worship service was wonderful despite the Rev. Yahoo they had filling in at the pulpit and I’m having a really nice time helping with my mom’s little Midsummer Santa Soiree and given that she’s run approximately 42,573…no…wait….42,574 errands for me since hauling the baby me home screaming and pooping from the hospital I figure I still owe the woman big time! Oh yeh, and I love her too. There’s always that.
So my girls (and boys), I apologize yet again for draggin’ on the bloggin’, but hopefully by Friday morning I’ll have something more posted on the topic du blog.
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Posted in Anita, Word Dribble
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Yeah, that lutheran liturgy is something else huh? I was lucky enough to grow up on it, but I can imagine its pretty crazy to learn it. Good luck!
July 24th, 2008 at 6:34 am
LOL Anita, you crack me up. I had been wondering and hoping everything was okay but I would never dream of giving you grief…..at least not much
Last November my youngest was complaining that we could only color eggs one time a year so we decided that Easter in Nov. was a good idea. We colored eggs and read the Easter story and the boys thought it was great. So go enjoy your Christmas in July and savor the time you are spending with your mom. Oh and by the way, if your mom is anything like mine…it is probably closer to 100,000 errands. You still owe her big time. Can we say Ground Hog day in Aug?
July 24th, 2008 at 7:50 am
Well, I Thought…and thought again. And…if you were so much as thinking that you were going to get by without one of us giving you a moment’s grief for not posting in the past few days, think again my pretty SisterFriend, think again! : ) Just couldn’t pass that one up! Glad you’re back and haven’t fallen off a cliff somewhere or any of the other terrible fates I was beginning to imagine. Oh yeah, Merry Christmas!
July 24th, 2008 at 8:31 am
I can sympathize with ya sister! No worries!
I have enjoyed learning about the Lutheran faith at the little church I have attended for the last 5 years. Did not know much about Lutheran before that.
Take care!
July 24th, 2008 at 9:29 am
lol, what a great idea to have a Christmas party in the middle of summer. I can’t wait until I become the age that doing that is acceptable again. You can only do that sort of thing at 5 and 65 and up.
Welcome back Anita, missed you.
C
July 24th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Karen–> As a Lutheran, you’ll appreciate this. So this whole making-the-sign-of-the-cross over the bread and the wine during the words of institution was a new thing for me and the first time the pastor asked me to assist at the table I was all nervous about doing it. So, after he blessed the bread, I took the cup, lifted it, offered the words of institution and then set it back down on the table to make the sign of the cross but realized I was holding the cup in my right hand and I’d never made the sign of the cross with my left and so the end result was more of a tenuous circle than a cross. After worship D asked, “So what was that swirly thing you did over the cup??!!!” I’m happy to report I’ve finally learned the Lutheran dance moves even though she continues to tease me about it to this day. The swirly thing.
Kelli –> Easter in November…Christmas in July. Next it will be the Fourth of July in April. And yes, it probably was more than 1000 errands but then, now that I think about it, I was probably being conservative on the number of errands she’s done for me so I’m calling it even!
Lor –> Oh what a surprise…a sassy lesbian! And Happy Cinco de Mayo right back at you!
Wendy –> I don’t know how much I know about being Lutheran. I joined our Lutheran church because I love that particular congregation but it was with the disclaimer that I wasn’t joining ranks with yet another denomination. Still, I like the style of worship at our congregation and am enjoying getting familiar with Luther’s theology. Right now I’m ready a book called “Luther for Armchair Theologians.” Theology Light. Just as filling but half the calories.
C–> Oh come on girlfriend! Following your blog doesn’t lead me to believe that you’re one for being conventional or status quo so light that yule log and deck the halls if that’s your idea of a summer shindig. (Shindig. Boy, did I just date myself or what?)
July 25th, 2008 at 7:12 am
Anita, I would say that using the word “shindig” dated you horribly…except I use that word too. So umm, nope didn’t date you at all
July 25th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Kelli–> I was afraid so. I try to avoid the use of “groovy” in most social settings but “shindig” is a word you just need to dust off every once in a while and take for a drive. Glad to know there’s someone else in the car.
July 25th, 2008 at 10:42 am
ANITA–lol. My idea of a shindig is getting together with my friends and diving into the pool fully clothed after hours. X-mas in the summer with all the stockings and stuff too much work.
I would however enjoy a good game of kick ball, and freeze tag.
C.
July 25th, 2008 at 11:26 am
yep use “shindig” here.. definately not “groovy” though ha ha ha
welcome back, as previously stated, I have missed you.
I am completely unfamiliar with Lutheran or any practices in any denomination for that matter that involve ways of doing things. When I attend a service that has those kind of traditions or ways of doing things I feel like I’m on another planet.
I loved the “swirly thing” and if I am ever in a setting where someone does the cross thingy with their hands… I am forever going to think of you doing your swirly thing .. I have a visual in my head now LOL oh too funny!!!!
July 25th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Well I think it is groovy that you use the word shindig. Hope you don’t mind if I drive, I get a little car sick