I Hate Selfies!

Though I often experience lighting difficulties, I love taking photos.  I like staged photos.  I like candids.  I like action shots.  I like nature shots.  I like all photography. . .all photography, that is, except selfies. 

I spent an hour trying to take my own photograph yesterday.  An hour!  An hour of my time trying to get a stupid picture.  I realize that it does take time to set up my tripod, change my camera lens, and scope out decent backgrounds, but an hour seems pretty excessive when I realize just how many photos were taken only to be deleted upon viewing.

Why is it so danged impossible for me to get a good self-portrait?  I don't know, but here are the ways that I screwed up the shot as the shutter clicked:
~ I was in a dark part of my house and I was too far away from the flash.
~ I stood too close to a mirror and ended up with horrible a flash reflection.
~ My dog started barking and I looked away.
~ My glasses weren't high enough or low enough and the frames cut my eyes in half.
~ My son whirled around to get his face in the shot. . .this from the kid who never sits still for a photo.
~ I turned at an awkward angle and it looked like my son's arms were growing from my back.
~ My son apparently moved the camera down after I adjusted it and I ended up with a photo of my boobs.
~ I tried several times to focus manually and ended up with fuzzy photos each time.

Of course, I also pulled this all-time classic move:
~ I blinked.

It's hard to believe, but the picture on the left represents my very best effort.  Do you ever take selfies?  What tips or advice can you share?

How Much is Too Much?

The act of tithing recently came up in passing with a family member.  They expressed surprise at the percentage of my income that I tithed when I worked for wages.  No, not just surprise.  Their mouth actually hung agape for a moment at my revelation.  Feeling somewhat uncomfortable, I shut my trap on the topic and changed the subject.  And it wasn't even an outrageously high percentage!

Tithing, for those of you not in the know, is cheerful giving to God.  It most likely is given to a church that the believer attends, but I have also heard of others who give tithes to charities they support.  A Christian doesn't necessarily tithe and a giver isn't necessarily a Christian.

The percentage of income historically tossed out as an appropriate tithe is only 10%.  In my research for this post, I've seen it suggested that most Christians only tithe 3% of their income. 

My theory on tithing has always been this:  Everything I have is a gift from God.  I might have worked hard and hustled my buns, but He ultimately can take it all away in the blink of an eye.  Additionally, I might be frugal in a lot of ways, but I can never be cheap with the One who has given me the gift of eternal life, the One who has blessed me with all that I have been given.

Here are some common questions I've heard (and asked in my pre-Christian days) about tithing:
~ Does tithing buy your way to Heaven?  ABSOLUTELY NOT!  Only faith in Jesus as the only payment for our sins is required to join the Heavenly Host. 
~ Does tithing make one Christian better than another?  Absolutely not!  Frankly, a Christian should not make a big deal about whatever amount they happen to tithe because tithing is between the giver and God.
~ Does your church rely on your tithing to operate?  Absolutely YES!
~ My "god" doesn't need cash, why does yours?  and  Is tithing an obligation?  Tithing isn't required for salvation, but a churched Christian will recognize that their church does not operate by prayer alone and most would want to give in order to support their pastors, building operations, any missions offerings, and other outreach programs.
~ Don't preachers just fleece their flock and rip off the tithes?  If you even remotely suspect your church leaders of financial impropriety, you really must find a new church.  It has been my experience that most men of God lead fiscally responsible lives since they have to rely upon the donations of the church membership for their salary.
~ I don't like some of the things my church supports so why should I give a tithe?  I might suggest that you either find a church that you 100% agree with philosophically or you simply accept that you will never find 100% agreement with any organization.
~ Do church visitors have to pay?  No, though they may donate whatever they'd like.  Supporting the church is the sole responsibility of the church membership.

Prior to my son's birth, I was on the financial committee for my church and I can attest that some very good Bible-teaching churches operate on a shoestring budget.  The widow's mite doesn't just bless the widow, it blesses her church.  That's not to say that the church expects to have all that you can offer, it's to say that offering all that you can will bless you and your church.  Here's to being cheerful givers!

Sadness in My Mailbox

I broke down in tears yesterday when I received the mail.  What arrived in my mailbox to make me cry like a little baby?  A catalog.  To be specific, it was a Hickory Farms catalog.

Why did a Hickory Farms catalog make me cry?  Was it because I'm back on Weight Watchers, but those fatty summer sausages and cheese logs are so darned delicious?  Was it because I love their candy baskets?  No, it was because I sent Hickory Farms offerings to my brother for Christmas for the last several years.

I had been enjoying a couple of weeks without any tears, so I guess that I was due to have a crying jag.  I stared at that stupid catalog, bitter tears streaming down my cheeks, and longed to make a purchase that I thought he'd like.  I'm afraid that the holiday season will be terribly difficult this year and it just hit me that I'll never make a purchase for my brother ever again.

I'm a WINNER!

Did you hear a loud BOOM this afternoon?  It was my head exploding over my crazy good fortune.  Let me explain:

A friend recently blogged about a giveaway that she recently won.  I don't often win giveaways so I was pretty excited about her major award.  It doesn't take much to impress me, does it?

I received an e-mail today and I can proudly proclaim that I'm also a WINNER!  I entered a giveaway and I actually won something!  I won a $25 gift certificate for Del Monte, courtesy of Del Monte and Airplanes and Dragonflies.

So far this month I haven't had to attend any funerals, I was able to visit my sister for a few days, and I won a giveaway!  The only way this month can get any better is if I finally conceive.  You can expect an update on that front in a couple of weeks. 

Actually, this month would also get a lot better if my followers finally start "Following" this blog - hint, hint!

Bento Bargain!

My friends and family know that I love bento-style lunches.  I've even blogged about my bento obsession at least once.  It doesn't matter if they are filled with traditional Japanese fare or not, it makes me giddy to see the tiny compartments filled with cute snacks.  Today our, admittedly American, bento lunch consisted of green salad, turkey sandwich, and yogurt.

A friend forwarded me a fantastic link and I want to share it with my readers.  See that Goodbyn in the Amazon link?  It is dishwasher-safe, comes with a water bottle, and doesn't have any small parts/lids to lose.  Would you be interested in purchasing one?

I bet you would if it were under $3, including shipping!  Click here for details and, yes, I ordered too!

Home Sweet Home

My family and I spent the last several days in Utah visiting with my sister and her family.  My son and her youngest are about two months apart in age and it was a real treat to see our sweet little boys playing together.  My son was so tired from the non-stop fun that he actually slept for a couple of hours on the road home and he even went to bed early tonight.

I made a tasty pasta dinner this evening and included my sister's delicious garlic bread.  Our bags are unpacked and laundry is tumbling in the dryer.  I'm currently relaxing while catching up on a missed episode of Boardwalk Empire. 

I'm looking forward to bedtime tonight as my bed is impossibly cozy & comfy.  As lovely as it is to visit family, and it is very enjoyable, it is always a joy to return to my own home.  "Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home."

Pop Tarts & Snow Suits

I've been on vacation in Utah for the last several days and I've learned a couple of things:

1.  I know nothing about cold climate clothing.
2.  My son thinks he has been deprived.

* * *

While roaming around a Wal-Mart, I noted that there were a lot of odd clothes on display.  I realize that different areas of the country like different fashions than other areas of the country, but these were really bizarre clothes.  They were weird puffy nylon jumpsuits and I couldn't imagine they were considered cool anywhere. 

I finally asked, "What's the deal with all these jumpsuits?"  Um, apparently they were snow suits.  I guess it's obvious that I grew up in a warm and sunny climate.

* * *

My son eats a pretty good diet and he doesn't eat a lot of sugary snacks, but he has just discovered the existence of Pop-Tarts.  He was hooked after the first bite and he has been begging my sister for Pop-Tarts every morning.  He's such a Pop-Tart fiend that he actually stole his cousin's Pop-Tart today.  Shortly afterward, I walked by him in the hallway and he cried for more "Pop-Tarts!" 

You know, it's a darn shame that they don't sell Pop-Tarts in California.  Sorry kid, yes, I'm that mom.