Many people, when asked, will say this is their favorite time of year, "the holiday season." But how many of us simply pass over Thanksgiving to get to Christmas? We may say that the holiday season is our favorite but do we forget one of the main holidays involved? Its a valid question and I pray the answer is 'no.'

My world has become very strange. I am beginning to wonder how people view me. Perhaps, they view me the same, but if the tables were turned I would think I was a finicky person. Its annoying that I have had to become finicky. Perhaps finicky is not the right word. Sickly? Fragile? I'm tired of saying, "no thank you. I can't eat that." Then, again, needing to explain why.

Some people are very good about it and catch on right away. One lady made us some gingerbread for the office and let me know it was dairy free and soy free. I was so blessed that she took the time to even think of that. Made me feel normal again in a small way.

Pastor Pat tries. Its very sweet. He put some soup in our "Staff Cupboard" the other day and said, check it out you might be able to eat it, it has a lot of fiber in it. I knew right away that it was Progresso which has soy in every soup I have ever looked at, and just said, "oh ok!" Its sweet because he tried. I think that the fiber confused him because he knows it affects my stomach.

Another woman the other day kept trying to make me allergic to gluten. When I say, "kept trying" I mean about five times in our short conversation she said, "so you are allergic to soy and gluten?" "No, dairy and soy." "But I thought you were allergic to gluten?" "No, I never said that." "Well somebody is! Who said they were allergic to gluten?" Then a few minutes later, "so let me get this straight, you are allergic to Dairy and soy and gluten?" And around and around we went. She was making me laugh so hard.

This morning Chris came in and opened both the front doors up because it was such a gorgeous day out. There was a fire nearby and I could immediately smell the smoke. It bothers my eyes and throat so much that sometimes I can tell from that before I even smell it. I had to shut the doors and I felt so bad.

Then there's my nickle or aluminum allergy (not sure which yet)...

All these things mean I am constantly explaining why I can't....no I can't....No I'm allergic to....

Then when I get really frustrated I think of my cousin. My precious precious cousin who has 5 kids with food allergies. Such severe allergies that the only place they can eat out is In-N-Out and thats only if they get the hamburgers protein style with no sauce. My precious precious cousin who never complains. Who, I know gets discouraged but has more courage than anyone I know. Who deals with this much more than I do.

I think of her and I think, I have nothing to complain about.

So I keep on explaining. One day they will all understand and it will be no big deal anymore. Praise God! Oh wait, one day we will be in heaven and I can sit down with my cousin Nathan and teach him how to eat nacho cheese doritos dipped in cream cheese!!! PRAISE GOD!

Yesterday, as we drove to Sacramento and admired the beautiful colors of the leaves changing, someone said, "You realize that it is just rotting leaves!"

Today I was dusting and as I allowed the oils to soak into the wood it occurred to me how often we take something, kill it, then try to make it look alive again. Just think for a moment, we cut flowers, killing them, then stuff them into a vase filled with water and usually some sort of flower food, or soda to keep them alive longer. We cut down a tree then take the wood and add stain, some sort of protective coating and all kinds of fancy stuff just so it will not rot.

There is no Spiritual correlation here. When we are dead Spiritually we never try to make it look like we are alive. I mean, after all, that would be hypocritical would it not? And then to take our sin, which is basically death waiting to happen (James 1), and justify it to make it look righteous, well that is just ridiculous and we would never do something ridiculous.

So I suppose this is just a post with some random thoughts that will not provoke any conviction in my own heart. But golly, this post is sure pretty. Look at the oranges and golds and browns!

I'm watching this movie right now called Noises Off. it is the best movie ever!!! It cracks me up! I have never really had a cast THIS insane, thank God! Oh but this movie is hilarious. I think I will make it a requirement to watch before being in any plays :)

Last night I had a dream that I met a guy. Then I woke up this morning and realized it was just a dream. Needless to say I was feeling a little down in my singleness this morning. Not terrible, just somewhat. So I pulled out the tools that God has given me to combat these feelings and prevent it from becoming a self-pity party, His Word. My Bible study this morning ministered to my heart!

Then I pulled out another tool, fellowship. I jumped on facebook, asked for prayer and could tell right away that people were praying. Then I started reading a new book I got called "Did I Kiss Marriage Goodbye?" Which sounds depressing but its actually a book that takes your focus and puts it on God's purpose for you in your singleness.

Lastly, I put it all down and decided to jump in the shower. Let me remind you I am kid sitting so I am not at my house. As I reached for the shampoo I noticed something on the back of the bottle, "dull hair attracting duds?"

Did that say what I thought it said? I looked again, sure enough, "Dull hair attracting duds?" Well of course this required more investigation so I read on and under "what to do" it said, "It's way less complicated than the dating game - just lather and rinse."

At this point I laughed out loud and thought, "what was I thinking! I don't need that book or the Word or my friends, I just need shampoo!!!"

Parenting is quite the job. First, with the 3 kids last week I learned that even when kids are good and pretty self sufficient (they are 11, 13, and 15 ish) its exhausting trying to remember everything, answering questions, deciding on dinner, making sure homework gets done, cooking dinner, making sure chores get done, deciding dinner for the next day.

Did you know that kids have to eat EVERY DAY! That doesn't sound that crazy but it truly is. Every single day. 3 times a day!

Oh but the times of laughter and fun that comes with these kids is like medicine to my soul. My soul wasn't sick so maybe thats not it. Chocolate to my soul. Except its good for me. But Carrots to my soul just doesn't sound the same.

So, this week I have 1 child who is 15 years old (WHAT! It was just yesterday that she was 11). She is precious as well and very good as well. We have had some good talks about life.

But this one too...she eats every day.

I eat every day but for some reason its not as hard for me.

Next week I am back home and I am going to miss it. I will miss the dinner conversations, I will miss the millions of questions (children are inquisitive aren't they?), I will miss playing mom. But I will see them all again Sunday.

This post has no purpose. I am just in a rambling mood. A good mood. Just rambly.

Next week I am going to begin preparing for Christmas. Crazy as it sounds I am determined to be relaxed and enjoy the holidays this year! In fact, soon I will be teaching on Holiday Time Management and we will be talking about how to enjoy the holidays not just survive them. So, I will post more as I prepare.