Vaudeville 2.0

Hysterical! Have a great weekend.

Autism, Advocacy and the Church

For those of you who are Christian and autistic, or related to an autistic person.

The Perverse Psychology of ‘Showing Off’

Anna wrote an exceptional post about modesty yesterday. Her main point is:

You do not need to sacrifice your modesty in order to prove that you are “comfortable with your body.”

The world’s message is the opposite:

You must show skin and figure definition to prove you are “comfortable with your body.”

I have been modestly dressed for long enough (2+ years) that this worldly proposition is blatantly absurd. The more I think about it, the more I become bewildered. Let me try to guide you through the world’s (il)logical process to arrive at the conclusion.

1. It started with the Greeks (like most everything else). They viewed the body as just a shell for the spirit. What one does (or not) with their body will not have any affect on their soul. Dualism. Dangerous Stuff.
2. If the body is a shell, and one can do whatever one pleases with it with no spiritual consequences, then why not “flaunt it if you got it”?
3. Also, like the Greeks, if you live in a materialistic world with a dubious hereafter, embrace and suck the marrow out of life. Gain as much glory for yourself so people will remember you when you are dead (The Illiad being the chief example here.) This is the only immortality.

*Greek History Lesson Concluded*

Commence Hebraic/Biblical Exposition:

1.  Jewish historical and contemporary thought does not create a dualism between body and soul. We are not aliens in little space ship bodies; we are Imagio Dei with the breath of God in our nostrils. We get to return after death to a new earth with new bodies. [For those of you confused about being angels with wings living in heaven for eternity...check Revelations.]
2. Incarnation. God loves the world. He came down into it to redeem and transform it.
3. God cares about each detail in our life, because we live out HIS life here on earth. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God with your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
4. We live to glorify Him, because our spirits and bodies belong to Him. Our personal glory means dirt.

According to the worldly standard, because I cover up more inches of skin (and hair) than the average woman, I am ‘uncomfortable’ or ashamed of my body. Does that ring a bell for my Christian friends? Adam and Eve were ashamed of being naked before God. Huh? How did that get flipped around? You see, Satan would like us to correct the “fall” through his wisdom instead of God’s wisdom. Ashamed of being naked? Naw, that isn’t natural. Just acclimatize yourself to reveal more flesh before other people and you will have more power and be pure again. What a stinking lie!

Sin will continue to reign as long as this earth continues in existence. There is a Way to be pure here, but it must be from outside our sensibilities.  God has provided the means, modesty, let is strive to walk in it!

Sample Menu

Because you were so curious to know what I ate yesterday:

Breakfast: 2 small scones (biscuit size) with butter, vanilla yogurt with sliced peaches.

Lunch: Generous cup of taco soup (like chili, but with a twist), and corn chips.

Snack: Power bar. Sometimes I need a little extra food between lunch and when dinner will be ready, especially if I need to cook that night. If I don’t snack, and I feel hungry, I most likely will have a sugar crash.

Dinner: Falafel patties wrapped in two small flour tortillas, Green Goddess dressing, and an apple.

Water was my only drink. No liquid calories!

Yeah, I could do better with veggies. Something in me just doesn’t like eating raw veggies in the winter time. My coworker asked me how I was losing weight. She said, “Is it because you eat such little, bird-sized portions?” I do eat smaller portions than others, but I make sure it is calorie dense, with protein and fat so I feel full at the end.

Monday Updates, with a spring in my step!

Just when I was about to have a nervous breakdown with my business class…it is over! We turned in the group project and presentation today and I also completed the final exam. Happy dance!!

I also walked to work today. It is exactly a mile and a half, door to door according to my pedometer. I just love getting all that fresh air into my lungs (in between car exhaust fumes) early in the morning. It reminds me of when I was a little girl walking to school every day. Children do not get to experience this hardly ever anymore. They have to ride the bus because the schools don’t want the kids getting hurt or kidnapped while walking. The neighborhood I grew up in had “Safe Houses” with placards in the windows where children could run to in case someone tried to steal them. Nowadays, I suppose no one is home enough to commit to being a safe place for children. How sad.

In Diet News, I completely fell off the Lenten train on Saturday while at Uncle Denny’s house. He keeps a wide assortment of cookies and ice cream, just too much to resist! Jeff and I crammed ourselves with sweets to the point of feeling queesy for good measure. I am back on track after all that gluttony! Sweets don’t really taste all that great in large quantities. The scale still measured 125 yesterday and my size 8 skirt feels comfortable today.

Speaking Forth the Truth

Just popped over to the Plain Catholic blog and read her Valentine’s Day posting. Thanks for the story, sister, and reminding us that sometimes we need to “butt into” other young ladies’ lives.

I often wish to say the same things to the young ladies I see in my church or the students on campus. Did they have a dad who told them they were pretty as a little girl? Have they ever experienced respect for their character from other men? Have they ever felt contentment about their appearance?

Losing Weight When You Don’t Have To…

If you noticed, I added a page tracking my weight-loss goals. I know many of my blogging friends are thinking, “Why does she need to do this?? She is ‘tiny’ already!”

Two reasons:

1. Psychological: I was much ‘tinier’ than I am now. My eating habits got sloppy back when I was first married. I also had my thyroid treated which slowed down my metabolism big time. That all compounded increased my clothing size and deflated my pride. Good and bad. I love the feeling of being lighter!
2. Health: My Dr. has warned me (and she is a no-nonsense person) that I cannot gain any more or else I cross over into ‘overweight’ for my bone structure. Egad. And if I want to get pregnant this year…this means I want to start it off the best way I can.

My actual starting weight post-Christmas was closer to 132, so I’ve already come down a ways. Anybody want to join me? I’d be up to doing some honesty e-mails! Time for lunch. On today’s menu is leftover Broccoli, Cheese, and Rice casserole, an apple, and some pecans. Yummy!

Footnote: For me, what matters most is not the actual pounds but the inches lost. If I gain some muscle and only get to 122 but my skirts fit, I will be one happy lady.

Easiest Hair Day Ever

Today was the easiest hair day ever. How so? I didn’t even comb it after waking up! If my coworkers only knew how rebellious I am! My trusty black cloth snood is my co-conspirator in this hair-revolution. It covers everything, from forehead to nape of neck.

Here is how I accomplished today’s amazing hair feat: Last night, I braided it, Heidi-style with two braids and small “ouchless” plastic bands. Those little things sure stay put! Slept on the braids all night. They looked pretty good after all that tossing and turning, but the hair above it was fluffed up. I whetted a comb and slicked down the fluffy parts. I picked up another plastic band and tied the two braids together in the back. Then I slipped on the snood right over the whole design and I was ready to go!

This hair escapade is part of my larger plan to wean my hair and scalp off of daily washings. My hair is almost to the middle of my back, so it is past time to be more gentle. I am aiming for every other day to start. How many times do you long-haired ladies wash your tresses?

Blinkie Questions and…

…is getting tired of having periods a(nother) reason to get pregnant?

So the baby fever is still on an ebb-flow cycle in our household. Neither of us has fully recovered. Jeff suggested that I volunteer in the church nursery to gain some practical experience with other peoples’ childlings. I am a pro with the 2 and over set but babies mystify me. They’re cute and cuddly but what exactly are you supposed to do with them? [Besides take care of both ends, play, and pat?] I know this might seem silly (and scary) to most of you. I do not live in daily contact with children. I have to learn somehow if I want a few of my own.

On a related front: I’ve lost three whole pounds and an inch off my hips in the last few weeks. That is substantial without really trying! My goal involves about 8-10 more pounds to feel more comfortable before heading into pregnancy. I’ll keep you posted.

Blinkies:

1. Yes, I wish to announce to the whole world that we want a baby. Blinkies seem to be the way Bloggy land does it.
2. How does one put in blinkies into the side bar of a standard WP theme?
3. Where did you all get yours?

Example of a Blinkie:

UK Parenting Advice

I was Uncool before Uncool was Cool

14 years ago, I was a junior high girl who did things no other junior high girl did:

• Sew
• Knit
• Card wool, spin, and felt
• Dye with Kool-Aid
•  Bake ‘artisan’ bread
• Garden - herbs and vegetables

Yeah, I was totally Uncool. After enduring years of questions like, “Are you crocheting? Oh, My grandma does that.” I have arrived at being Cool. It is a weird feeling. Now I am kicking myself for not being on the front edge of the crafting and DIY tsunami. Coulda had one of the first knitting blogs on the block!

Maybe, just maybe, I am at the forefront of a head covering movement? If the Modesty Movement is a good indicator, it might happen! In about 10 years….