update on the song

I found this while "googling": (re: Viva la Vida song by Coldplay)

To answer the question "Does it have something to do with Christianty?" Yes of course. Historically speaking this song touches upon the British Empire in which Christianty thrived. The song's message is identical to Jesus's quote “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36)

The song has reference to the crusades/revolution...it paints the picture of the material world. There are many Biblical references/passages in the song. (such as:)

>>And I discovered that my castles stand Upon pillars of salt, and pillars of sand<<

I believe this refers to: Matthew 7:24

The Wise and Foolish Builders
24"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

>>Be my mirror, my sword and shield <<

I believe this reference is found all over, especially in Psalms:

Passage Psalm 18:30:
As for God, his way is perfect;
the word of the LORD is flawless.
He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.

Passage Psalm 17:13:
Rise up, O LORD, confront them, bring them down;
rescue me from the wicked by your sword.

Oh, I could spend all day doing a Bible study on the possible meaning of the lyrics of this song. I think I've decided it's not slamming Christianity so I'm going to allow it to be one of my favorite songs for now.

Lookie what I bought today!

2008 Saturn Aura

When you're sick and tired of paying $4.13 a gallon for gas...you pull ahead 3 months on your lease and trade in your gas guzzling SUV for a little car that gets 30mpg on the highway. I'm sure gonna miss my Envoy, but I won't miss the high price to pay for all that room.

...now you realize all 7 of us will never ride all together again? *sniff. It was like closing a chapter in my life...no more mommy-mobile. I just hope we can fit 2 hockey bags and 4 hockey sticks in the trunk.

We Interrupt this regularly scheduled blog...

Coldplay...Viva la Vida

...Okay people...seriously-this is INSANE!

I have spent the first hour of my morning listening to this song. I heard it a few days ago advertised on tv during the Stanley Cup playoffs. I am on a mission to try and decipher the lyrics. I love, love, love the song, but I can't crack the code. And it appears that I'm not the only one who wants to know. INQUIRING MINDS want to know. What's it all about, Alphie?

Coldplay Viva la Vida lyrics:

I used to rule the world

Seas would rise when I gave the word

Now in the morning I sweep alone

Sweep the streets I used to own

I used to roll the dice

Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes

Listen as the crowd would sing:

"Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!"

One minute I held the key

Next the walls were closed on me

And I discovered that my castles stand

Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand

I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing

Roman Cavalry choirs are singing

Be my mirror my sword and shield

My missionaries in a foreign field

For some reason I can't explain

Once you go there was never, never an honest word

That was when I ruled the world

It was the wicked and wild wind

Blew down the doors to let me in.

Shattered windows and the sound of drums

People couldn't believe what I'd become

Revolutionaries waitFor my head on a silver plate

Just a puppet on a lonely string

Oh who would ever want to be king?

I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing

Roman Cavalry choirs are singing

Be my mirror my sword and shield

My missionaries in a foreign field

For some reason I can't explain

I know Saint Peter will call my name

Never an honest word

But that was when I ruled the world

I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing

Roman Cavalry choirs are singing

Be my mirror my sword and shield

My missionaries in a foreign field

For some reason I can't explain

I know Saint Peter will call my name

Never an honest word

But that was when I ruled the world

...So I dedicated my entire post today, my contemplative, thoughtful mind, to figuring out the meaning of a freakin' song?

Yes, you heard me right. Thank you for bearing with me and my NEED TO KNOW moment.

I'm going to dig into it and see what I come up with. I am convinced it has something to do with Christianity and I'd like to think it's a good message, not a bad one. I'll letcha know what I find.

Anyone have any ideas of their own?

...in the meantime, I'm gonna crank up the speakers and clean something.

What is he thinking?

Why, oh why...(when life is already crazy enough)...does dear husband call me this morning to proclaim we have a realtor coming over on SATURDAY to do a market analysis on our house? OMG!!! What is he thinking? I am NOT ready to even wrap my twisted train wreck of a mind around moving right now, not to mention getting my house prepared to have someone come and look at it with a discerning eye. I am paralyzed at the thought. Throw in the fact that I'm bordering on psychotic hormonally and you've got a fight in the making. Was I supposed to gleefully profess, "oh honey, I'd be glad to runaroundlikeachickenwithmyheadcutoff in order to be ready by Saturday?" I wanted to rip his head off. (If you're reading this... sorry dear, I did.) Is this his way of getting the house cleaned?

I'll admit, since all of this drama, I've been less than stellar in the housework department. I've been mentally burnt out, probably teetering on mildly depressed...but I'm working on it. I'm trying to find joy in simple things, being satisfied with what I've got, taking great pleasure in knowing that "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven". (Eccl. 3:1)
But hey- don't rush me along here... I'm a work in progress.

I just got a phonecall from daughter #2. It seems she wants me to come with her out to the "Flats" to take some outdoorsy photographs for her class. Basically, she admitted that she's afraid to go out there alone and wanted a companion (aka bodyguard). I was planning on looking at new cars today, but I decided maybe a little fresh air and a walk in the woods might do me good. Maybe I'll even take a few pictures of my own.

only in Michigan

I tell you, people... the weather in Michigan is absolutely unpredictable. I'm sitting here with a mild sunburn from a beautiful, balmy Memorial Day covered up in a sweatshirt, long pants and socks. It's downright frigid out there and I refuse.to.turn.on.the.heat. I walked my 3 miles this morning and I swear I had windburn on top of my sunburn. Yes, there's even a frost freeze warning tonight. Aha! I inwardly laugh at all those organized anal rententive gardeners who put all their plants in 2 wks. early to "get a jump" on us slackers. Yes, you heard me right- I am silently gloating at the notion of a May frost wiping out their crops. It must be hormonal...I'm not usually this bitchy.(just don't ask my husband or kids for confirmation.)

Is it no wonder that I have that Alanis Morissette song playing in my head right now? (I'm a BITCH, yada, yada)

I think I have to offer up the computer right now to the child who forgets to do his homework.
In the words of Arnold Schwarzenegger... "I'll be back".

All I want is a simple life

(I just wanted to say this is not me hanging clothes, but I'd swear that chick was hanging her clothes on my clothesline! I just want to know how they got on my roof to take that picture without my knowledge?)

Well, things are finally starting to settle down a bit around here. Everyone has returned to their own beds, bedding has been washed and hung to dry. Ryan returned back to his house and is trying to resume his life...of course, with one little glitch. (the fact that he can't drive) He's still pretty crabby about that and the fact that his entire summer will be spent on crutches, but I keep pointing out the fact that it could have been worse.

I'm still waiting for the pictures that Jen took at the studio the other day so I can post them. I forgot to take a "before" picture of the end table I picked up at a garage sale. It looks pretty awesome now that I painted it. I will post pictures when she sends them to my inbox. She's a pretty busy gal these days, ya know.

Speaking of my "inbox"...I got an email from one of Jacob's teachers saying that he was caught cheating on his homework assignment in study hall. Yep, the only one of my kids that wasn't in "crisis" somehow forgot to do his homework on the book, Great Expectations, and didn't realize it until the hour before class. It's not typical behavior of Jake, but I guess we all have lapses in judgement every now and then. Well all I can say is that he's darn lucky the teacher only failed him on the 30 point assignment and didn't turn him in on academic dishonesty. Needless to say, I emailed the teacher back and thanked her for calling it to my attention. Jacob was given an extra assignment (by me) entitled "Great Expectations", outlining the expectations that are placed on him by God, parents, teachers, and himself and the importance of honesty and integrity. He will turn it in to the teacher on Tuesday. We told him he was not allowed to play video games until the end of the school year and was not allowed to work out unless all of his homework is completely done first. *sigh. I just never expected something like this from him. I had a long talk with him and I am confident he won't be pulling something like this again.

Today Pat and Josh went and hauled a few loads of compost for my garden. I'm so excited to get it planted. I'll probably do it one day this week since the weather just hasn't been all that warm yet. The nights still seem so cold.

I spent a semi-lazy day on the deck, folding laundry, cutting up apples and rhubarb for an apple/rhubarb crisp, catching some rays and chatting with Pat over coffee...I made us lunch and we ate on the deck just the two of us.

I've been hanging all my clothes (except for socks) on the line in an attempt to keep down the power bill. It's actually quite cathartic. I love the smell of clothes hung on the line...I love to contemplate life while I mindlessly pin each piece on the line ...I love how the breeze blows them back in my face and how the dog patiently waits at my feet while I finish the task. Oh, the simple things in life that excite me. It just seems like such a long time since I've taken a moment to enjoy something so simple.

I'd like to end on a random quote I found:

A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces that she never did care for pie ~ Tenneva Jordan

Geesh, I guess my secret's out.

Where did this week go?

Wow...I can't believe it's already Thursday today...where has the time gone?

I spent all day Tuesday doing hair appointments and was exhausted. Poor Ryan said "the service in this place really sucked today"... I was so busy with other stuff...his ice was all melted, he was behind on his med schedule, he had to wait for food...tsk, tsk. I never said I was going to be a good nurse.

Wednesday Jen and I spent the day painting at the studio. Before we left, we set Ryan up with dvd's and video games...I made him a huge breakfast, stocked the fridge with broccoli/chicken alfredo and some chocolate pudding for lunch, loaded him up with snacks, gum, telephones and remotes, and Jen and I were on our merry way. Neither one of us felt like painting but it had to be finished. She wants to be up and running by the beginning of June...which is a few short weeks away. It's exciting and scary all rolled into one. I give her a lot of credit. She's a gutsy bugger.

Josh slept from the minute he walked in the door yesterday , woke up to eat something and went back to bed. Of course he neglected to do his homework so he had to stay home from school this morning to finish it. Ugh. I hate when that happens. I suppose the latest girlfriend drama has taken a lot out of him...it sure is nice for him to have time of his own again though. Maybe catching up on his sleep was just what he needed.

We were on the road to Ann Arbor by 8:30 this morning for Ryan's follow up appointment. Jordanne called and was in tears because her plastic surgeon won't be touching the scar on her forehead (from the Aug. 9th car accident) until after her wedding. She was really hoping they'd be doing it soon. I really don't know why they are waiting so long. I don't even see it when I look at her, but she sees it and in her eyes, it's unacceptable.

Ryan won't be able to drive until late June, but he gets his stitches out next week and starts physical therapy. He's allowed to shower and go to work tomorrow if he keeps his foot elevated. Sigh. I guess he's 15 again...and with gas at $4.00 a gallon I'd better get a smaller car if I'm going to be chauffering him around for the next month.

I got the mail yesterday and I swear it was Ryan's day of answered prayers. He got some cards from grandma and great grandma with a lot of money in them. (thanks mom...you are way too generous!) He was in total shock. He also got a $200 scholarship awarded to him and a $160 grass cutting check ALL IN ONE DAY!!! He was so blown away at the timing and provisions of God.


We got a call from Josh while we were in the doctor's office. He was all excited because XXXX Pools called him and offered him a job. Two weeks ago (when the girlfriend drama was in full force) I sent him a text message that XXXX Pools was hiring. He went and filled out an application, took the test and passed with flying colors. They were surprised that he was only a high school student. They were looking for a college guy to fill the position. They thanked him for applying but pretty much gave him the impression he was too young. After reviewing the applications, they decided he was the biggest and the strongest applicant for the job. He will be driving their truck and delivering pool chemicals. He's so excited to be able to get a good work out while working. It was so nice to see him excited about something again. (Thank you, Jesus!)

This week has been filled with so many blessings and answered prayers. I'm humbled beyond words.