Wanted: Man of the Cloth

You may or may not have attended church today. You may or may not be part of a church. It's a pretty big part of my life and as I sat there this morning, it just felt kinda off. Why? Our pastor is leaving and it makes me sad. I will try to give you the USA Today version:
It's a small, rural church that's been around over 200 years. My whole life, I've been a member of my church. Even when I was in college and we lived out of state, I never attended church regularly anywhere else. My church is my church and it's just "home" to me and so many people there are like (and some really are) family to me.
When Steve and I got married, our pastor had recently died so we had another pastor we kinda knew do the service. When Savannah was baptized (I'm Lutheran), our pastor had just retired. He retired b/c of lots of drama and issues within the church. So, when Pastor Todd walked into our lives 3 years ago, we were ecstatic! Here was this young, dynamic person to bring life and harmony to our congregation - for the most part. I won't say everyone loves him , but overall, he is very well-liked and has done a super job.
Pastor Todd is in his early 30's and he and his wife have a baby. He's completely rejuvinated our youth program and his sermons have been approved by some of my Baptist relatives! Our Sunday school lessons have included the TV shows Everybody Loves Raymond and The Andy Griffith Show. And don't be surprised if he throws in a Tanya Tucker or Dave Matthews Band song either. One of my favorites was seeing him get in the inflatable kiddie pool at the end of Vacation Bible School when he knew all the cameras had been put away.
He announced in a letter last week that he is leaving at the end of this month. He's leaving for various reasons, but they aren't worth re-hashing. Nothing bad or illicit happened or anything like that. I understand, even if I don't agree, that he feels he made his decision with everyone's best interested in mind, but I'm still upset.
I'm sad for my family to not have a pastor to be there for us in good times and bad. I'm worried for my church. Will lots of people suddenly not come anymore b/c Pastor Todd is gone? Will the few "negative Nancys" in the congregation continue to ruin it for the rest of us? I'm mad that now the Sunday school class I enjoyed so much will probably never be the same. I'm mad that now Steve wants to use this as an opportunity to go to other churches when I don't want to go to other churches. I'm worried that our church will never have a Pastor that will meet all our needs and be able to stay more than 3 years. I'm sad b/c I really liked Pastor Todd and his family and now they'll be gone.
I know...I just have to trust that things will work out. Thanks for letting me get that out. I promise: the high-jinks and hilarity will resume next time....

Friday the 13th?

Normally that means bad luck. Or at least an uber-cheesy horror tale at some summer camp for large-breasted girls.....
It's been a good day here. I got up this morning and volunteered for the big consignment sale. It's part of the agreement so I can get in early and buy up all the good stuff get the best deals. But I am so excited! I spent $76 and already I have made over $100. The sale has 2 more days left!
If any of you are confused, there is a big children's consignment sale in my area twice a year. I sell stuff and buy stuff. I always do well as far as the things I buy and things I sell. This year has just been great. I think part due to the economy, of course, but I also know I had my things priced well.
For example: I bought a beautiful smocked dress for $8 and another smocked dress for $14. Each of these would retail for $30-70. Most of my things sold were in the $6 range.
All that and Savannah is crashing with grandma tonight.

Old School

I consider myself to be "old school." You know, like that Will Ferrell movie about old farts who still think they have it...well, yea, I'm kinda like that. Except I've never gone streaking down the road nekid.

You see, I don't text, don't tweet, don't follow, don't technorati, and don't subscribe. I do use email, do send actual birthday cards, do return phone calls and do read magazines. I don't have a laptop or an iphone. I do own an ipod, but I hardly use it now that I stopped going to the gym. I've had my current cell phone for over 3 1/2 years and it serves the purpose.

I'm not necessarily saying all those things are bad. Just that I am clueless on most of them and that's fine with me. Some of you may be saying, "Enough already, grandma," but I'm trying to make a point and that is, despite all that, I actually won a prize!

The SITS Spring Fling (a.k.a giveaway-a-rama) was Tuesday and I parked my feverish hiney in front of the computer and entered away. "For extra entries," many bloggers touted, "follow me, post me, subscribe to me, etc..." As tempting as it was, I passed on everything but leaving a comment or answering a simple question.

Yes, my SITStas, all I did was leave one simple comment for Sweet Home Amy and random.org chose me to win the SUPER CUTE tote! Kinda made being stuck at home with the flu worth it!

Thanks, Amy! You rock, my Southern SITSta!

Spring Fling

While I myself am not participating (did I mention we have the flu? You don't want me to ship you something with our germies on it!) you have to check out all the other SITStas who are having giveaways today. That's right- about 200+ giveaways today! Go here for all the merriment.

Guess What?

It is gorgeous here today. Sunny, around 80 degrees, not a cloud in the sky, AND I have today and tomorrow off from work. How great, right? Wrong. I am home with the flu. Fabulous.