July 30, 2008 at 1:58 pm (The Abundant Life)
Tags: brother, doctor, pregnancy
Well folks, it appears that I am with child. I have a bun in the oven, a pea in the pod, a . . . well I’ve run out of witty metaphors.
You see, I went to the doctor yesterday to see what the deal was. 3 months, no cycle yet I had a handful of negative home pregnancy tests. I stopped taking them over a month ago because they are expensive, and I was tired of being disappointed. Not that I was really wanting to be preggo (because while babies are cute – heartburn, weight gain, and birth are not fun). Still, it is disappointing to expect one thing and get another.
So I fully expected my doctor’s appointment to result in a prescription for something to get me going again along with a stern talking to about weight, etc. So maybe you can imagine my surprise when the nurse prances in and very nonchalantly says, ‘Well, you’re pregnant!” I know my eyes must have gotten huge as saucers because she looked a little concerned. It’s funny how nurses and doctors can say things to you in such a matter-of-fact way. She might as well have said, “This blouse costs $10.”
Jason and I are convinced that Jonah must have a very active prayer life for a 3 year old. I know for a fact he prayed hard for this, and the fact that he got what he wanted has been very exciting to him. He has already told me that the baby can have his baby blankets and teddy bears, oh and last night he yelled at my stomach, “Hello in there! You doing okay?! You want some toys to play with?!” This experience is definitely going to provide tons of blogworthy moments!
So the doctor thinks I am already about 12 weeks along. So it seems I have been pregnant all summer totally unaware. Figures. I just have to laugh as I write this. It figures!
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July 29, 2008 at 6:04 am (The Abundant Life)
Tags: Elizabethtown, friendship, Junie B Jones, last looks
Have you ever had an “almost friend”? Almost-friends come in many forms. There’s the pleasant acquaintance that you’d really like to get to know better but perhaps your schedules don’t mesh, so it’s just easier to be . . . acquainted.
Then there’s the vacation-almost-friend. It was there, it was real, it was over. This can apply to other friendly relationships too. Promised you’d write, promised you call – why ruin a fun thing by discovering they’re not as interesting as you thought?
Then there’s the kind I experienced recently. The kind of tragic almost-friend. Things are be-bopping along swimmingly when something unexpected crops up (psst . . . it’s called real life) You’d probably spent time with this person, shared some laughs, discussed important matters, you might have even thought you had a sure thing, but life crops up – raw and mean and totally out of the blue. It’s quickly and firmly settled, your bosom buddy turns into an almost-friend. I really hate this. I hate the “last look”. One of my favorite lines from Elizabethtown - “Because we have a moment here, let me tell you that I have recently become a secret connoisseur of ‘last looks’. You know the way people look at you when they believe it’s for the last time? I’ve started collecting these looks.”
Yup, I got a last look. A look that said, “Well we could have been great friends but this whole screwed up life thing of yours really doesn’t jibe well with my perfect one.” Sorry, I don’t mean to sound all “grouchy” as Junie B. Jones would say. Because on the other side of that is the real friend – the one who looks at you in the midst of a freak-out, a disaster, or a trip to Target with you and your unruly child and says, “Cool, she’s not perfect either.”
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July 28, 2008 at 3:59 pm (A Penny for my thoughts)
I must be expereincing a blogging funk. I have started and saved at least 4 drafts since my last post!
So lots of changes in the Zaragoza household – what else is new? About 3 weeks ago or so, I began searching for a new revenue avenue. These gas and food prices are kicking our butts. Long story short, God provided in an amazing way. A position opened up at Jonah’s preschool for a 3 day teacher, the same days that Jonah will attend. And Jonah’s tuition will be free. So, God didn’t just provide, He went above and beyond what I could of or would have asked. He’s just so good.
So now I am not only working on three magazines for the fall, but I am making supply lists, lesson plans, and attending training workshops. I love it! After a year off from teaching preschool, I am glad to be back in the saddle again.
Well, that’s all for now folks!
4 Comments
July 22, 2008 at 1:38 am (A Penny for my thoughts)
Tags: Dell, spyware, techie
I am pretty proud of myself. I made the techie man from Dell laugh today. Hooray! I am funny! You see, he was techie numero dos. The first guy I called was very enthusiastic. Too enthusiastic. I suppose he thought that my precious minutes on the phone not working on articles during Jonah’s nap time was a great time to explain to me in great detail what viruses and spy-ware were. I believe he said, “You see, Crystal” like we were friends or something about 50 times.
All the while I am thinking, “Dude . . . I do not care. I do have a working knowledge of computers and Internet. Please for the love of everything good just FIX this!”
After his little lesson was over he then announced that he was sure it was a really mean piece of spyware that would be virtually impossible to remove. Gee thanks. Oh and it gets better. Since I didn’t purchase my computer directly from Dell, he couldn’t do anything for me anyway and would have to transfer me to another department. Wow, and to think all that was just free advice!
So I kind of retold my little story to tech man number two and got a chuckle. The chuckles didn’t last long though. I guess they get really tired of hearing, “huh? Type what where when?” Long story short, the tech man was able to magically get into my computer. (Cue the Zoolander quote: “It’s in the computer?!”) It is really odd to see your computer seemingly working on its own. There was no spy-ware after all, just a glitch that was pretty easily fixed.
Thanks Dell Techie man number two, your services (and your laugh) are appreciated.
2 Comments
July 19, 2008 at 6:46 pm (The Abundant Life)
Tags: Jonah, pictures, shutterfly
Some new friends came over to visit last night and after dinner as the guys were jawing on about whatever, I decided to pull out Jonah’s baby pics for the wife to see. Only instead of a dusty old album, I just pulled out the computer. My how times have changed! I generally keep all photos in albums on Shutterfly and have done so for almost 5 years.
Shutterfly is great for so many reasons. I know that God forbid something would ever happen to my computer or my home that at least the pictures are there safely tucked away in cyberspace. Also, they make the most amazing prints and photo gifts including beautiful books and calendars. I’ve made gifts for probably every family member and used it to make and send cards. Okay, enough with the shameless promotion – I just love it!
As I was showing my friend Jonah’s baby pictures, I just could not believed how much my little man has changed in 4 years. I know I’ll post something equally nostalgic and sappy closer to his birthday in September, but I thought I would begin to share Jonah’s story along with some cute pictures!
So it begins . . . we moved to Nashville in April of 2003. I had just graduated from USAO, and we figured that Nashville was as good a place as any to get a fresh start. We both ended up working for Marriott hotels not long after arriving. I in the gift/coffee shop and Jason at the front desk and eventually in sales. Not 6 months into our little adventure, we discovered that an entirely new adventure was about to begin. I blame this partially on my Lifegroup at Judson which was then brimming over with pregnancy and babies. 
So here’s me 9 months pregnant with Jonah….all I can say is “wow. that hurt.”
Ah but it was worth it as 9lbs of love came screaming into our lives in September of 2004!
Truthfully, it’s hard to imagine him that small, that vulnerable . . . not talking incessantly. 
So, more to come. I’ll plan on posting some more of his journey through pictures as we get closer to his 4th birthday!
3 Comments
July 18, 2008 at 7:26 pm (Uncategorized)
Tags: movies
So with the Dark Knight coming out and everything, I thought I’d post something about movies. I also listened to a tid bit from BOB FM’s morning show today as they discussed movies that everyone else loved but you just didn’t “get it”.
While I’m seeing many glowing reviews of the latest Batman movie, I have also seen/heard some rather negative reviews too. Perhaps this will be one of these films that does not allow for much of a middle ground. You love it or you hate it.
Movies, like any art, are totally subjective in nature. I remember taking a film class while at USAO and being really surprised at the remarkably different impressions students came away with after each film. This is perhaps why I don’t give much merit to critics in general. So much of our lives, our perceptions seeps into how we experience things – especially art. I don’t see how a critic could completely separate themselves from the material they’re critiquing. Maybe I’m wrong, though. Maybe that’s just me! See, no objectivity.
So I got to thinking of movies that I loved that left others scratching their heads and vice versa. So I’ll start with movies that I don’t get. Weird Science. Jason loves this movie. He and his brothers find this to be the pinnacle of hilarity. I think it’s gross and well . . . weird! I tried to watch it with him a few months ago, and found myself asking him, “Okay seriously, what is so funny about this?” He looked at me like I had a squid coming out of my ear. Yeah, yeah. I just don’t get it.
For us, it would be The Office. This is a TV show of course, not a movie, but it’s our absolute favorite show. I have found this show to put people on pretty polar ends too – there’s just no middle ground. You get it or you don’t. I must say that if you are a true fan, watching it with other true fans is one of the most fun experiences ever. Which reminds me, Season 4 comes out on DVD September 2nd! Okie Office fans, be looking for an invite to a Season 4 marathon!
Other movies that I love that many don’t get . . . Napolean Dynamite, Heavyweights, Elizabethtown (to those who do – holler if you hear me!)
So, I’m dying to know . . . what are your film vices? What do others love and you secretly can’t stand?
2 Comments
July 18, 2008 at 1:06 am (A Penny for my thoughts)
Tags: lyrics, malapropism, The Who
I was reading a really funny post on Beth Moore’s Blog titled Malapropisms. I admit, I had no idea what malapropism meant. Didn’t pick that one up in my English studies I guess. Well, it’s basically saying one thing when you mean another. A verbal slip – and a funny one at that.
Well this got me thinking a step further about song lyrics. Have you ever sung your little heart out only to be informed that the words aren’t right? I’ll bet the informer wasn’t nice about it either (ahem, Jason) They probably laughed at you, too. This is especially embarrassing if it’s a really serious song.
So my big melodious malapropism was to a song by The Who called Who Are You. I grew up listening to The Who, thanks to my groovy parents, but had apparently been singing the wrong words my entire life. So Jason and I were pretty newly married and watching one of our all time favorite shows, CSI (No clue WHICH CSI we were watching however) and the theme song, Who are You came on. As the music played and I started to sing along, Jason began to giggle and then full out laugh.
You see, I was not singing “Who are you? Who, Who, Who Who” Oh no…I was singing, “Cool Rider, Cool Cool Cool Cool”
He still teases me to this day.
So, I need a good laugh! Don’t you? Please share your Lyrical mishaps with the world.
5 Comments
July 17, 2008 at 3:47 am (The Abundant Life)
Tags: life, loss, peace
I think I’d almost prefer for the world to come crashing down around my ears than it crumbling a little at a time until I look up in bewilderment. At least I know I’m paying attention.
Life is good, life is good, life is . . . something. Yikes! I am suddenly feeling like I got a chair pulled out from under me. Maybe you can relate. I supposed most people can. I think my new motto is: life sucks; God is good. Isn’t that in Ecclesiastes?
A friend, more like a sister, and her husband have expereienced devastating loss today. I don’t feel at liberty to share details, but if you’re reading this and you’re a praying person – please lift up the Cartwright family.
Here are some scriptures to help you, and them – along.
Psa 4:8 I will lie down in peace and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe.
Isa 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Rom 15:13 So I pray that God, who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in him. May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Phl 4:7 If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
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July 15, 2008 at 7:02 pm (Uncategorized)
Tags: forgiveness, friendship, grace, trials
Proverbs 16:24 “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
Have you ever been in a situation where you didn’t know where you stood with someone? Maybe it was a disagreement, a misunderstanding, or even circumstances beyond your control – still you’re left in this awful limbo. Another friend of mine describes it as an awful squeezing feeling in your stomach. Like lead butterflies.
I hate confrontation. It’s messy and unpredictable and my peacemaking nature just wants to run and hide at the very thought of it. Still, sometimes it’s necessary. It was today. I had to see where I stood with a friend. I was terrified. I’ll be honest folks, I struggle terribly with wanting acceptance from others. While I think this is pretty basic human nature for most, mine can become pretty tiresome. So I used Jonah as a cute-shield. How can you be mad at someone with a cute little boy in tow? Okay so Jonah had to come with, but I thought, “It couldn’t hurt right?”
Turns out I didn’t need Jonah’s cuteness after all. Turns out my friend has a heart the size of Texas. Turns out that she knows a lot about this thing called grace.
In Proverbs 16:24 the original Hebrew word for pleasant is no`am – grace. The original Hebrew for honeycomb is tsuwph – which indicates a dripping honeycomb, overflowing.
Overflowing with grace. Yup that about sums up today. I went from the doldrums of depression to the sweet relief of grace and reconciliation. A sweetness to the soul and healing to the bones. I was quickly reminded of God’s amazing love for me and his unwillingness to let go through what seems to me a long, dark tunnel.
Psalms 25:10 “All the paths of the LORD are lovingkindness and truth To those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.”
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July 15, 2008 at 3:00 am (I'm no Rachel Ray)
Tags: recipie, salsa
Jason’s office is having yet another celebration requiring food (note the jealous overtones), and I decided to use the opportunity to flex my culinary muscles. Okay, so this recipe doesn’t require much flexing, just good taste buds and chopping skills.
What better to bring to the office for a birthday celebration than chips and salsa? Oh not just any salsa friends; Pace will not do! He needed something hot and savory. The homemade stuff.
So since I love you all so much, I decided to share my beloved salsa recipe. I just realized that I have never actually written it down! Enjoy . . . or Ole!
Crystal’s Bag o’ Chips Salsa
(cause it’s so yummy you’ll want to eat the entire bag!)
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 good sized vine-ripe tomatoes (if you can get em’ fresh – all the better!) diced
- 1 medium yellow onion – diced
- 2 cloves minced garlic (I use the jarred kind)
- salt to taste
- ground cayenne pepper -adjust for heat level
- lime juice
- fresh cilantro ( 1/2 palmful – too much will produce a soapy taste)
- half of one small jalepeno, chopped
INSTRUCTIONS:
- have a food processor handy, even a blender will do if it’s all you have.
- add dry ingrediants first, then veggies and lime juice
- blend to desired consistency
- adjust spices to taste
- if you want it to get hotter, refrigerate before eating, otherwise – get out those chips!
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