She's now gone meatless.

This is actually a phrase from a favorite MONK episode of mine. Say what you want about me being old and having bad taste in television, I LOVE that show. In the episode my title phrase turns out to be a Russian phrase that means "this is not my coat".

In my life this phrase means, I going back to my old vegetarian ways. In the past two weeks, I have been feeling awful after eating meat. Some nights I just have an all over crappy feeling and yet others I feel nauseous.

Up until 4 years ago, I almost never ate meat. In fact, during my years of grad school I was a vegetarian. I think my body just works better and I feel better, when I am not eating meat.

I talked over my new veggie status with Mr. R and we decided to have our first week of meatless meals. (Well, meatless for me and semi-meatless for Mr. R). He swears he needs meat to live. Considering I am also off of soy products, this weeks menu is a bit of a trial & error for me.

Monday: Spicy Sweet Potato soup with spinach quiche
Tuesday: Leftover soup & pecan, cranberry, blue cheese salad (Loving the new Sargento salad sensation in the produce aisle)
Wednesday: Costco Orange Chicken (for Mr. R) with brown rice and roasted veggies (for me)
Thursday: Whole wheat penne pasta with vodka sauce (out of the jar).
Friday: Out! Mr. R and I are having a date night with friends.

Wish me luck on my new veggies endeavour. And let's hope my stomach feels better about the healthy choices I am trying to make.

Philippians 4:6-7

I read a lot of blogs on various spectrum from running, to decorating, to fashion, and some that can only be categorized as girlie nonsense. What I love about blogging is learning about the struggles and triumphs of others. I recently found a blog titled Kelly's Korner where the author documents her struggle with infertility and then the miraculous conception and healthy arrival of her baby girl. Her posts about prayer request and thanksgiving take me back to what is really important in life. It's not what's in my bank account or what size clothes I am wearing, or where I am going or not going on vacation... its about changes in our lives for the good and bad and how we work through them.

If you have been following my blog for the last few months you may have noticed that we at casa republican have been working out a few marriage, family, job, and health issues. No issue is life threatening or deadly. Our marriage just has a few kinks and the family status will come in time, I am sure. The job situation is stable for now. But... all of that being said I am still anxious and at times worried.

I am worried that I will not finish this marathon, that after this year my job won't be safe, that Mr. R and I will never start a family because something new will pop up that seems more pressing at the time. I worry that I may never lose this weight and that Mr. R and I will never be that couple who is just able to "be" in their marriage instead of working so hard at our marriage.

I promise there is a point to all of this background info.

My daily devotions took me to Philippians 4:6 & & today. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus".

So often I try to take care of everything myself. I want to be the one that fixes the problem. In the world's eyes I am a strong and independent person, but in the eyes of God I am a sheep in need of a shepherd who is able to meet my needs if I only ask. Man, is that a humbling and yet wonderful thought.

As I close this post, I will leave you with the words of Mary Southerland, "No matter what lies ahead, God is faithful. No matter how hot the fiery trial may be, God will deliver us. No matter what man says or does, God loves and accepts us. So praise God! Thank him today for every victory tomorrow holds! "

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

We sang this song in church this morning and I cannot tell you how great it was to let go of myself and my burdens and just really focus on God and all that he has done for me. Our message today was on the wonder of God. And to be honest it has been a very long time since I had contemplated how much God continues to do in my life and how very little I deserve his grace and mercy.

I wanted to take a moment from my daily musings, rants, and nonsense to focus on all the things in my life that are full of wonder and praise worthy.

1. Mr. R and I own a home and are able to make our mortgage payments and save for the future.

2. We are both currently employed and would not be if we didn't relocate two years ago.

3. We are credit card free. (And believe me this was a long time coming).

4. We have wonderful friends who accept us as we are and welcome us into their lives and hearts on a daily basis.

5. We have two adorable dogs (Simon & Sophie) who provide unconditional love no matter what mood we come home in.

6. We maintained our marriage for almost four years through times of love, anger, feast, and famine.

7. I live in a nation that allows me to express my opinions, vote for who I want, and better myself.

8. I am running a marathon in 4 short weeks with four other wonderful women who are constant encouragement even when I don't believe in myself.

When I list my praises out, I have so many things to be thankful for. Philippians 4:8 says it best. When I am overwhelmed, bogged down, or feeling unlovely this week. I will think on these 8 things and be filled with wonder and praise for my heavenly father who makes all of these things possible.

9/11

September 11th 2001, was the first national tradgedy I had ever expeirenced. I remember hearing about the Oklahoma City bombing and I read about Columbine, but I did not know those people nor did I feel a personal connection or loss.

I went to college in northern NJ a short 30 minute train ride from NYC. On the morning on September 11th I was worried about an organic chemistry test and by early afternoon my campus was on lock down. I spent that night attending a vigil in my school's gymnasium praying for family members, friends, and acquaintances that were lost or still missing.

Eight years later I am now a teacher to middle school students who have no memory of 9/11 and struggle to understand why a moment of silence is necessary to remember those who we lost in the twin towers, the pentagon, flight 93, and the firefighters and police men and women who gave their lives during rescue efforts.

Mr. R, a more gifted writer than me, wrote a response to Eli Saslow's article on teaching children to remember 9/11. (See below).

Today marks eight years since that terrible day of September 11, 2001. Many of us have memories of that day that we'll never be able to shake, but for children, that day is not even a memory - it's a lesson. I highly recommend you read an article in today's Washington Post by Eli Saslow.It's about one man's mission to remember his brother who was killed on 9/11 by creating a lesson plan that schools all over the country can use to teach about that day. Despite the obvious shortcomings of the lesson plan, the article did make me evaluate how we should teach about 9/11 to those who do not remember. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/10/AR2009091004425.html?hpid=topnews

Regardless of the many dark memories I carry from 9/11, the real lesson of that day is heroism and the unbreakable spirit of the American people. Think about the firefighters who rushed into the towers and the Pentagon - over 300 of them never came out again. Think of the thousands of people who lined up to donate blood just because they felt like they needed to help in some small way. Think of the thousands of phone calls from hijacked planes and burning buildings to husbands, wives, mothers, and fathers. Think of the prayer vigils. Think of the soldiers who were soon sent overseas - and who are still there, fighting to keep this from ever happening again. Finally, think of the brave passengers on Flight 93 - ordinary people who fought back knowing they would probably die in the process.

For those of us with these memories, it is our duty to teach the lessons of 9/11 to the next generation. So if you get a chance, thank a firefighter, police officer, EMT, or Red Cross worker. And if you have children, tell them why these people are heroes: They are the ordinary people that we never think about until we need them - but they're always there.

Running & Thinking

I think running in the early morning gives me the time and the quiet to actually think. (I know this may sound hard to believe with all the heavy breathing and gasping for air that my body is doing). The hour I spend on the road or the treadmill lets my mind wonder and imagine or pontificate.

My latest musings:

1. If senior citizens are spending all of their social security money on medical care, why not end social security and send that extra money over to health care. I can't figure out how cutting $500 million from the medicare/medicaid budget will help fund health care. (Do the math people!)

2. If I keep modifying my curriculum to fit the needs of every individual education plan am I really teaching my curriculum?

3. The Simpson's and south park were way ahead of the their time. The issues (nonsense) they covered in the 90s and early 2000s portray the stupidity I see on a daily basis. The episode featuring voting on the school mascot is sheer brilliance. I currently think I am in the same boat with the new state senate and gubernatorial elections.

4. Since when does parenting equal sending emails and throwing money at your child?

5. Why do so many people smoke. Didn't they have DARE programs at their middle school?

6. Obama's health care plan makes no sense and if you really think you can have a public and private plan simultaneously then I have a bridge to sell you. The old adage was right, you cannot have your cake and eat it too.

7. Why do politicians automatically assume they have your vote before they have proven themselves or their cause? Just because we live at casa repunlicana, does not mean I have to vote the party line. (aka please do not vote for Dan Quiggle on 9/15)

8. Aren't loose fitting skinny jeans the same things as straight leg jeans?

9. Why will my dogs eat baby carrots, but not slices of carrot?

10. And finally, why did the lesbians have to take over Birkenstocks? Those sandals are so comfortable and I miss truly wearing them.

Starbucks Wisdom

At casa republican we are avid coffee drinkers. As much as I would like to pretend I am a coffee snob, I will drink almost anything as long as it is served black and is full of caffeine. I found a Starbucks gift card at the bottom of my purse (a gift from one of my kiddies, cue smile) and just new a trip to Yuppie latte heaven was in order. (I can say the last phrase becuase we lived in the land of yuppies and starbucks for a short time).

As I was grooving on my caffeine fix I saw this quote stamped to my cup.

Embrace this right now life……take your bites with bravery and boldness since the learning and the growing are here in these times, these exact right nows. Capture these times. Hold and kiss them because it will soon be very different.

This quote was meant for me. I may be scared to death about my situation right now, but atleast I am here, I am breathing, I will learn from this, I will survive, and I will never have these moments again. Today I will be thankful for my right now and I will embrace my todays and tomorrows with a bit of boldness and a bit of hope (and of course a lot of prayer).

TGIF!

I made it through the week! It was a rough week. I am exhausted and I don't think I accomplished much at all. I am going to be grateful that I am employed, I have an awesome husband to come home to, and that I am healthier (mentally, physically, and spiritually) than I am have been in a long time. Happy Friday and here's to a better week!