Playing-in-the-Sand's Blog

July is national ice cream month! What's your favorite flavor?
Submitted by LittleWiseOne.

Ooh this is a difficult QotD--it depends on where I am getting it from.  If I am in Goshen, Indiana and have a chance to go to The Chief it would have to be #1) Toasted Coconut, #2) Coffee, #3) Butter Pecan.   In London, England it would be the Hagen Daz connected to the cinemas and it would be Cinnamon (not sure with or without Macademia nuts).  The Oberweis ice cream company does a killer dulce de leche!

At home I like to have vanilla (preferably Bryers) and ice cream sandwiches for the quick fix.

Needless to say Ice Cream is one of my favorite foods!

Are you going to be amongst the first people to buy the iPhone 3G? If so, when do you plan on picking yours up and which one will you be purchasing?

Though I would love to have all the latest technology, my LG phone and iPod Nano will have to suffice for the time being.  They both work well!

What are the 5 words that best describe your life right now?
Submitted by mojito.  

cluttered, chaotic, creative, lonely, pensive

Chicago Navy Pier Grand Ballroom

What will you remember most about this summer?

I will remember this summer as one where my friend's dream began to come true about finally being able to look toward moving where her family is.  I will also remember Harry Potter in 3D at the IMAX on Navy Pier, Gino's East Pizza, playing 5 crowns, buying handmade purses, eating  coconut pie, lounging in the water with two dogs--Sophie and Toby.  Most of all I will remember this summer for friends!

downtown

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7)

J. K. Rowling

People do many different things to cope with stress, loss, and "bumps in the road". How do you handle stress and hard times? 
Submitted by RedlyGal. 

One of the biggest thing I do is connect with a friend to have someone who can share the burden because it makes it easier to carry.  I also spend time playing piano or listening to music, one of my favorite groups is "Casting Crowns," they have a song called "Praise You in the Storm" that has helped me through some difficult times.  Knowing that God is there and that in the midst of a storm I can always call on Him helps; however, sometimes it takes someone to remind me of this--especially when I let the things around me seem to be overwhelming.

Who is the cheapest person you know?  (Not frugal... just annoyingly cheap!)
Submitted by kryan70.

I would have to say my aunt, she is constantly worried about money and makes sure that she lets us know how expensive the cherries were for the jello she made, the cost of the hamburger for meatloaf, and how much Christmas presents cost and wondering if they are getting used according to what she thinks they should be.  She comments on how much everything costs.  She is 80 years old but constantly will comment about finances...she recently had to purchase a new car due to her transmission going out...she continually is talking about if she should have purchased a different car or if she should have bought a Prius etc.  It has become an inside joke to see how long it is that it takes her to say something negative about how much something cost.  I love her dearly but sometimes it gets frustrating when this is her primary focus.  She has the best intentions and a good heart and I wouldn't want her not to be in my life.

I once had a therapist friend use the country song phrase of "when you hit rock bottom...there are only two ways to go...straight up or sideways."  I don't by any means believe you are at rock bottom...can you rest in the lull of life at the moment, I don't just mean breathe but really inhale deeply the air around you, knowing that it contains life and that breathing deeply allows you to relax and rest in the moment.  Often we get caught up in having to "do" or "be" something; however, based on personal life lessons, some shared by you, sometimes you have to come to terms with who you are...what defines who you are...what are you allowing to define you..."if this is as good as it gets--can you be happy?"  Too often this question comes back to me and I once again look at how I am defining myself...If I could no longer "play in the sand" would I be ok with that--does what I do define who I am? Is who I am ok? 

I too wish that there were changes in my physical appearence and I too would love the really cool wand...but what would I do first if I had it?   For me two things come to mind...have the ability to travel anywhere at any time without having to go through the hassle of driving/flying...just being able to disapperate and wish myself where I want to be, with the people who can see me for who I am...not defined by what I do or who I am related to.  The second would be a practical get my things in life organized, by things I mean physical piles of things that need sorted, tossed, or put in their proper places. 

Dissonance in music usually resolves by the end of the piece, and what you say about "controlled dissonance" seems to fit both life and your passion for worship and writing music. 

Last night at church a new series began and it talked about "the main thing."  The example of filling a container with small things and then trying to put the big things in afterward...vs putting the big/main things in first and then adding the details.  One of the quotes that I liked was "Keep the main thing, the main thing."  For each of us the main thing may be different or ultimately the battle between good and evil, God and satan.   

I do not feel as if I am good at putting things on the blog, since this is my first post, yet I learn and gleen so much from others.  Responding to friends can often mean platitudes and words of encouragment but sometimes responding means doing nothing but sitting with coconut pie, iced caramel mochas, and a good movie.  Sometimes when you are at rock bottom just being present is enough.