Mississippi Mud a la Tonka

It's been a rough week at work. That makes it difficult to go to bed, because I know I'll just be getting up to go back again. It's not that I don't enjoy my job... just a stressful week dealing with clients regarding collection issues. 

Anyway, I was just thinking of a restaurant in Kansas City, MO... located in the Country Club Plaza. It's a little restaurant/bar called "Tomfooleries." It has a train that runs along a track above the tables and bar, which is pretty awesome. The other fun thing is its signature dessert, "Mississippi Mud a la Tonka." It's a Mississippi Mud dessert that is served in the back of a Tonka truck. I haven't had it in years, but I have a friend who lives right up the hill from it. I may have to wander down there again next time I'm up that way.

Arguments

So Superman is on TV... the old 1978 movie. They've made some amazing improvements in special effects since then.  ;) But, I texted my sister, initially thinking it was Superman II, which lead to this blog post. My sister and I have had some random arguments over the years. I thought I'd tell you about a few of them.

The "Superman II" argument

When I was still fairly young, my dad built us a new house. While it was being built, we lived in a duplex in town and were able to get cable television for the first time ever. During that eighteen months, Superman II was on pretty much non-stop. In fact, we had ever line memorized. To be honest, I don't recall the exact argument. I think we fought about whether Lois Lane INTENTIONALLY or UNINTENTIONALLY fell into Niagara Falls and subsequently had to be rescued by Superman. Thinking back, it had to be intentional, because she was testing her theory as to whether her new husband, Clark Kent, was, in fact, Sueprman. So, surely that was my position in the argument.  ;)

The "Cute, White Little Teddy Bear" Argument

My sister and I both claimed it. I couldn't even tell you where it is now. (She probably has it!)

The Infamous "Almond Peanuts" Argument

This one lives on. Michelle and I still argue about it. She was telling me one time about these new "almond peanuts," which, of course, made absolutely no sense to me. Finally it came out that she was really talking about the new "Almond M&Ms." She SWEARS she was saying "Almond M&Ms" the whole time, but I don't believe her. Which would confuse you more... "almond peanuts" or "Almond M&Ms." Really.

I'm sure we've had more arguments than that, but these are my favorite, mostly unresolved, arguments. :) Love you, Sis!

Ah... Superman is finally SUPERMAN. Let the fun begin!

NYE

Ha... I'm watching an episode of "How I Met Your Mother." It's the "New Year's Eve" party episode, and Barney has an incredible line toward the end... "Ted, give it a rest. Stop trying to turn this night into anything more that what it is, which is New Year's Eve... which is the single biggest letdown of a night every single year."

So true, so true. Though, just like Valentine's Day, every once in awhile, I get surprised.  :)

Adendum: Godliness vs Contentment

As I was thinking about it a bit more this morning, it dawned on me that I can strive for godliness, but I won't fully reach it here on Earth. I wonder if that helps confirm the second part of that verse? I can, and SHOULD, strive for contement now, but I won't fully be content until I'm in the presence of my true soul's delight. LORD, hasten that day!  :)

In the meantime, I will often be left wanting. And, maybe it's helpful to know that, so I'm not putting that weight on someone who could never really fulfill that anyway.

Being Content in All Circumstances

I've grown up being frustrated by my own lack of contentment. Now, granted, there's the verse in the Bible that says, "Godliness with contentment is great gain" (I Tim. 6:6). True, true. I won't argue with that. However, I have a sense that "I'll be content when..."

I've begun to wonder if there isn't some benefit to being discontent. Doesn't being discontent help to remind me that I'll never be fully content here on Earth? In fact, maybe it's my lack of contentment that actually points me to God. If I were fully satisfied with my own life, I may never seek Him... the one person who can ultimately satisfy.

So, I offer my discontent to God, along with the desires of my heart. And I also have a sense that, regardless of my future, content or no, I'll be alright. And, even in my discontent, God will be faithful.

Welcome to SNOWklahoma!

It's been one crazy week! We got about 13" of snow on Tuesday and have been pretty much homebound ever since. Tulsa doesn't get too much snow, so the roads are STILL snow packed, and it's been pretty treacherous trying to get around. Fortunate John has helped out a lot with his four-wheel drive truck. He's occasionally brought food and chauffered us around. He and Becky helped me clear the sidewalk and driveway, too. I finally got out today, because I felt guilted by an email from our managing partner yesterday announcing the office was up and running. (After making the dicey trip over there, I realized he hasn't made it to the office once this week.) Anyway, it was a difficult trek this morning, but it was snowing pretty good at lunch time, and they upped the expected snowfall to 4-6 inches. At that point, I took out and resumed my working from home. That's AFTER I helped dig several cars out of the snow in front of my house. I did get to meet a handsome neighbor of mine who lives around the loop from me. I love the new sense of community in Tulsa in the midst of weather crises!

Speaking of crises... here are some of my favorite terms for this snow storm:

Blizzaster
Snowmageddon
Snowpocalypse
Blizzard of Oz (for my favorite neighbors to the north)
Snowklahoma (for my Okie homies)

So, work has been a bit challenging. I definitely haven't gotten a full eight hours in any day this week. But, it's been nice to work from home and get to commisserate with friends about snow, life and our favorite TV shows. Oh yes... Happy (belated) Groundhog Day! I did celebrate by watching the movie. It's a classic!

That's about it for now. I'm packing and preparing for the warmer, welcome-weather of the Western Carribbean. :) Weather permitting, I'm headed there tomorrow morning. Have a good week, peeps. I'm goin' dark.