For my next fast, I am contemplating a fast from fasting. I am really no good at giving things up anyway. Yes, I know, that's the whole point.
Please don't think about this too much. Just let me be, and be thankful that you are you.
On a totally unrelated note...
I thought I'd share some of my favorite posts from the early life of Gibbizarre.Enjoy!
Showing posts with label Lent 2009. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lent 2009. Show all posts
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
you will think this post ends like five times, but it keeps going and going and going
Seriously. Read this. So much has happened since I last blogged. Where do I start?
Let's start where we left off - after dinner on Friday night. It seems that the best way for me to fight my dependence on dessert so far has been to increase my dependence on coffee. So, Friday night, when Matt was desperately wishing that I had not participated in Lent, I requested that we make a stop for decaf coffee on the way home, and Matt reluctantly obliged.
On Saturday I had at least three cups of coffee at breakfast, and then I had to do some shopping for Mary's 14th birthday, a wedding, and Annie's 1st Birthday. On my way home, I picked up another tall coffee. I finished my coffee, wrapped the presents, dropped by Annie's Party, then Matt and I headed to Chuy's with the Gibson family for Mary's b-day celebration.
I brought carrots to dip in the jalapeno ranch since I can't eat chips, and I longingly watched all the children sip their Dr. Peppers, and I listened to Mary talk about her b-day cake which was sitting at home with white frosting and raspberry filling.
This was enough for me to decide in my mind that I was DEFINITELY going to eat the wedding cake at the wedding that we were attending that night.
Now, speaking of this wedding. It was in Buda, about 45 minutes from our house, but it took a little longer with SXSW traffic and all that jazz. I won't lie that I was a little grouchy after having two very unsatisfying tex-mex outings in one weekend. So, I took a nap on the way to the wedding, and I woke up as we were taking our exit in Buda.
I am sure Matt saw the Starbucks in the distance and prayed that I would stay asleep and miss it, but I saw it and immediately exclaimed, "STARBUCKS!" (As if I never get to go there.) "Can I get some?" And after an hour of traffic, Matt wasn't feeling it. He immediately denied my request. Next.
Finally, we pull up to the wedding location in Buda, and we are greeted by this dude who works for the facility. Conversation went like this.
Dude: "Since you guys are a little late, I am going to ask you to park here and walk up to the facility."
Matt: "Um, okay, but we're not late, the invitation says 6:30."
Dude: "You're actually lucky; they are delaying the start since so many people didn't show up at 6:00." Then dude gets on his walkie-talkie and guy is giving him directions to give us.
Leah at this point looks at the invitation more carefully, and notices a rather important detail that was previously ignored.
Dude and Leah at same time start talking to Matt: (Don't know what dude was saying, but Leah says...) "Look, Matt, FRIDAY the 2oth"
Matt: Leah, I didn't hear a word this guy just said. Shh.
Leah: MATT, the wedding was YESTERDAY... FRIDAY.
Matt to Dude: "Did you guys have a wedding here last night?"
Dude: "Yep."
Congratulations to us; we are idiots. Surprisingly neither of us got upset at the other for never checking the wedding invitation. Point us.
Anyway, after feeling really bad that we had missed a good friend's wedding, I immediately realized that I wasn't going to be getting any wedding cake.
It was about when we were in the middle of downtown on I35, stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic that Matt started to get a little tired of being in the car. Plus, we didn't know where we were going. Were we going to hang out with our Newly Nearly Married group? Were we going to the in-laws' house to get birthday cake? Were we going home? To a movie? Who knows!
Little side note: about 99.99% of our arguments happen when we don't have plans and when we are trying to decide what to do on the spot. We officially suck at this.
So, Matt's main goal is to get out of the car, and my main goal was to get cake. (Which understandably annoyed my husband who does not understand my behavior at all.) No doubt the best option was to go hang out with our NNM group which was having dinner near UT campus (and I was about 90% sure there would be dessert there.) But we weren't able to get in touch with them, so the next best option (for me anyway) was cake at the in-laws' house. This meant another 25 minutes in the car, but neither of us wanted to go home.
Of course 25 minutes later, neither of us had gotten happier with the impending circumstances. Let's just say Matt took it out on his parent's dog, Max, when we pulled up to the house. And I made a beeline for the birthday cake. Two pieces of cookie cake + two pieces of vanilla-raspberry cake + half of one UT basketball game later, we were both much better. On the way home, I asked for coffee again, but this was just a test; I knew I had no chance.
Fast forward to this morning. At our church, they bribe you to park in an overflow lot and ride the shuttle bus to church in order to open of parking spaces for visitors. They do this by giving you free breakfast and Starbucks coffee at the overflow lot. Naturally, we park there. I fill up on coffee, and usually get another cup AT church before our Nearly/Newly Class and another one before the service. Don't judge! Seriously. They are small cups.
So after a healthy lunch today, Matt and I had to make a stop at Target. Of course my brain immediately remembers that Target has a Starbucks. Of course I lack the ability to just say no, and pick up yet another tall coffee.
This was the last straw. As I took the last sip at around 2:45 this afternoon, I decided that this absolutely must end. I can't do it any longer. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to announce that I am not drinking coffee for a week. I may still go to Starbucks and have passion tea or green tea, but NO COFFEE. Yes! Another restriction.
Matt's response was something to the effect of, "I'm sorry that I don't believe you."
But can you really blame him?
This post must end. I originally had more to tell you, but if I went on, well, it would be way too much good material in one post. So goodnight for now.
Let's start where we left off - after dinner on Friday night. It seems that the best way for me to fight my dependence on dessert so far has been to increase my dependence on coffee. So, Friday night, when Matt was desperately wishing that I had not participated in Lent, I requested that we make a stop for decaf coffee on the way home, and Matt reluctantly obliged.
On Saturday I had at least three cups of coffee at breakfast, and then I had to do some shopping for Mary's 14th birthday, a wedding, and Annie's 1st Birthday. On my way home, I picked up another tall coffee. I finished my coffee, wrapped the presents, dropped by Annie's Party, then Matt and I headed to Chuy's with the Gibson family for Mary's b-day celebration.
I brought carrots to dip in the jalapeno ranch since I can't eat chips, and I longingly watched all the children sip their Dr. Peppers, and I listened to Mary talk about her b-day cake which was sitting at home with white frosting and raspberry filling.
This was enough for me to decide in my mind that I was DEFINITELY going to eat the wedding cake at the wedding that we were attending that night.
Now, speaking of this wedding. It was in Buda, about 45 minutes from our house, but it took a little longer with SXSW traffic and all that jazz. I won't lie that I was a little grouchy after having two very unsatisfying tex-mex outings in one weekend. So, I took a nap on the way to the wedding, and I woke up as we were taking our exit in Buda.
I am sure Matt saw the Starbucks in the distance and prayed that I would stay asleep and miss it, but I saw it and immediately exclaimed, "STARBUCKS!" (As if I never get to go there.) "Can I get some?" And after an hour of traffic, Matt wasn't feeling it. He immediately denied my request. Next.
Finally, we pull up to the wedding location in Buda, and we are greeted by this dude who works for the facility. Conversation went like this.
Dude: "Since you guys are a little late, I am going to ask you to park here and walk up to the facility."
Matt: "Um, okay, but we're not late, the invitation says 6:30."
Dude: "You're actually lucky; they are delaying the start since so many people didn't show up at 6:00." Then dude gets on his walkie-talkie and guy is giving him directions to give us.
Leah at this point looks at the invitation more carefully, and notices a rather important detail that was previously ignored.
Dude and Leah at same time start talking to Matt: (Don't know what dude was saying, but Leah says...) "Look, Matt, FRIDAY the 2oth"
Matt: Leah, I didn't hear a word this guy just said. Shh.
Leah: MATT, the wedding was YESTERDAY... FRIDAY.
Matt to Dude: "Did you guys have a wedding here last night?"
Dude: "Yep."
Congratulations to us; we are idiots. Surprisingly neither of us got upset at the other for never checking the wedding invitation. Point us.
Anyway, after feeling really bad that we had missed a good friend's wedding, I immediately realized that I wasn't going to be getting any wedding cake.
It was about when we were in the middle of downtown on I35, stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic that Matt started to get a little tired of being in the car. Plus, we didn't know where we were going. Were we going to hang out with our Newly Nearly Married group? Were we going to the in-laws' house to get birthday cake? Were we going home? To a movie? Who knows!
Little side note: about 99.99% of our arguments happen when we don't have plans and when we are trying to decide what to do on the spot. We officially suck at this.
So, Matt's main goal is to get out of the car, and my main goal was to get cake. (Which understandably annoyed my husband who does not understand my behavior at all.) No doubt the best option was to go hang out with our NNM group which was having dinner near UT campus (and I was about 90% sure there would be dessert there.) But we weren't able to get in touch with them, so the next best option (for me anyway) was cake at the in-laws' house. This meant another 25 minutes in the car, but neither of us wanted to go home.
Of course 25 minutes later, neither of us had gotten happier with the impending circumstances. Let's just say Matt took it out on his parent's dog, Max, when we pulled up to the house. And I made a beeline for the birthday cake. Two pieces of cookie cake + two pieces of vanilla-raspberry cake + half of one UT basketball game later, we were both much better. On the way home, I asked for coffee again, but this was just a test; I knew I had no chance.
Fast forward to this morning. At our church, they bribe you to park in an overflow lot and ride the shuttle bus to church in order to open of parking spaces for visitors. They do this by giving you free breakfast and Starbucks coffee at the overflow lot. Naturally, we park there. I fill up on coffee, and usually get another cup AT church before our Nearly/Newly Class and another one before the service. Don't judge! Seriously. They are small cups.
So after a healthy lunch today, Matt and I had to make a stop at Target. Of course my brain immediately remembers that Target has a Starbucks. Of course I lack the ability to just say no, and pick up yet another tall coffee.
This was the last straw. As I took the last sip at around 2:45 this afternoon, I decided that this absolutely must end. I can't do it any longer. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to announce that I am not drinking coffee for a week. I may still go to Starbucks and have passion tea or green tea, but NO COFFEE. Yes! Another restriction.
Matt's response was something to the effect of, "I'm sorry that I don't believe you."
But can you really blame him?
This post must end. I originally had more to tell you, but if I went on, well, it would be way too much good material in one post. So goodnight for now.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Matt Gibson, fed up with Lent
Leah and Matt have a Friday night tradition. It's called going to Maudie's, their favorite Mexican Restaurant in West Austin, indulging in chips, salsa, and queso while they sip 'ritas, relax, chat and watch the sunset.
Enter Lent. Leah and Matt still go to Maudie's, but Leah can't eat chips, or sip 'ritas (or even a coke for that matter), or expect dessert after the fact. This of course completely defeats the purpose of going.
Last night, Matt and Leah had a conversation that went something like this.
Leah: I'm going to get a 'rita.
Matt: No you're not, Leah. You can't do that!
Leah: Why won't you let me have fun?
Matt: I did not impose this on you. You imposed it on yourelf.
Leah: No, you're a pooper.
Matt: I can't wait 'till Easter.
Leah can't count how many times Matt told her to chill out last night.
Enter Lent. Leah and Matt still go to Maudie's, but Leah can't eat chips, or sip 'ritas (or even a coke for that matter), or expect dessert after the fact. This of course completely defeats the purpose of going.
Last night, Matt and Leah had a conversation that went something like this.
Leah: I'm going to get a 'rita.
Matt: No you're not, Leah. You can't do that!
Leah: Why won't you let me have fun?
Matt: I did not impose this on you. You imposed it on yourelf.
Leah: No, you're a pooper.
Matt: I can't wait 'till Easter.
Leah can't count how many times Matt told her to chill out last night.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
21 days to break a habit??
Is anyone else participating in lent? And is it getting harder or easier for you? Because I think I actually want sugar, Facebook, television, and all of my other forbidden activities MORE now than I did after the first two weeks.
Okay I lied. I really can do without TV; it's the other two that are getting me. (That might be because I ate dessert on my anniversary and at the wedding last weekend. It would have been rude not to.)
I just realized that you guys are probably wondering, "What are all her other forbidden activities?" Or maybe you aren't wondering that...
I won't lie that I initially did not tell you everything I am fasting from because, to be honest, it is very embarrassing.
I told you, I am an "all-or-nothing" person, so I don't just fast from one thing, man. If I'm going to abstain from anything, then I will abstain from everything. The opposite is also true: indulge in one thing, indulge in everything.
So here is the official list of everything I gave up for lent:
1. Naps (except on Sundays)
2. Waking up after 7 AM (except Saturdays)
3. Facebook
4. Television
5. Sweets (including soft drinks)
6. Fried Foods (including tortilla chips)
7. Eating out for lunch if I am not with someone else
8. Alcohol
9. Shopping for clothes
I get a weird pleasure abstaining from all these things. But I think it goes without saying that I am really looking forward to Easter this year. :)
----------------
By the way, original title for this post was "21 days to break a habit my butt." As you can see, I decided against that.
Okay I lied. I really can do without TV; it's the other two that are getting me. (That might be because I ate dessert on my anniversary and at the wedding last weekend. It would have been rude not to.)
I just realized that you guys are probably wondering, "What are all her other forbidden activities?" Or maybe you aren't wondering that...
I won't lie that I initially did not tell you everything I am fasting from because, to be honest, it is very embarrassing.
I told you, I am an "all-or-nothing" person, so I don't just fast from one thing, man. If I'm going to abstain from anything, then I will abstain from everything. The opposite is also true: indulge in one thing, indulge in everything.
So here is the official list of everything I gave up for lent:
1. Naps (except on Sundays)
2. Waking up after 7 AM (except Saturdays)
3. Facebook
4. Television
5. Sweets (including soft drinks)
6. Fried Foods (including tortilla chips)
7. Eating out for lunch if I am not with someone else
8. Alcohol
9. Shopping for clothes
I get a weird pleasure abstaining from all these things. But I think it goes without saying that I am really looking forward to Easter this year. :)
----------------
By the way, original title for this post was "21 days to break a habit my butt." As you can see, I decided against that.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
weekend entitlements
This whole fasting thing has served to uncover a lot of unfounded principles that I unconsciously live by... and it's only been 3 days. Unfounded principle # 1? On the weekend I am entitled to eating and doing whatever I want, no matter how explicitly counterproductive it is.
Think about it. During the week, abstaining from unnecessary pleasures is really not that difficult because you're in productive work mode. But come Friday around 4 or 5, what do you want to do? Relax, indulge, be totally listless and not feel guilty about it. Yes, it is much more of a chore to abstain from dessert and Facebook on the weekend. (I didn't want to admit it, but I made Matt change my FB password. It is really that bad.)
Surely there are several reasons why so many of us voluntarily sell ourselves into the weekend trance.
But today, thanks to the fasting, instead of living in this typical hypnosis, I have a clear mind. This clarity makes me more inclined to worship the Lord, to pray, to consider what my purpose will be for the next 10 minutes and the next 10 years. And I do, in fact, feel happier... for what it's worth.
So, these weekend activities are gifts, not entitlements. And as soon as I begin to feel entitled to anything, I become a slave to it. Perhaps there is truth to the 80's song, "Everybody's working for the weekend." My unsolicited advice? Work for the Lord; let the weekend work for you.
Think about it. During the week, abstaining from unnecessary pleasures is really not that difficult because you're in productive work mode. But come Friday around 4 or 5, what do you want to do? Relax, indulge, be totally listless and not feel guilty about it. Yes, it is much more of a chore to abstain from dessert and Facebook on the weekend. (I didn't want to admit it, but I made Matt change my FB password. It is really that bad.)
Surely there are several reasons why so many of us voluntarily sell ourselves into the weekend trance.
But today, thanks to the fasting, instead of living in this typical hypnosis, I have a clear mind. This clarity makes me more inclined to worship the Lord, to pray, to consider what my purpose will be for the next 10 minutes and the next 10 years. And I do, in fact, feel happier... for what it's worth.
So, these weekend activities are gifts, not entitlements. And as soon as I begin to feel entitled to anything, I become a slave to it. Perhaps there is truth to the 80's song, "Everybody's working for the weekend." My unsolicited advice? Work for the Lord; let the weekend work for you.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
new years resolution and lent update
Since I know you guys are wondering, I'd like to report that Matt is officially still in Chapter 2 of the Hillary Clinton Biography. It is sitting proudly on our coffee table, waiting patiently for his undivided attention. Of course, the biography has competition, and that would be me. Looks like I am winning.
On the "lent" front, I keep making subconscious migrations towards my forbidden activities. Sadly, these things have become such consistent habits that I do them without even thinking about it. Fortunately, my conscious mind has done a very good job of prohibiting me from partaking... so far. Am I the only crazy one who deal with this?
Oh how we love our blog readers!
On the "lent" front, I keep making subconscious migrations towards my forbidden activities. Sadly, these things have become such consistent habits that I do them without even thinking about it. Fortunately, my conscious mind has done a very good job of prohibiting me from partaking... so far. Am I the only crazy one who deal with this?
Oh how we love our blog readers!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Oh and P.S....
As far as I know Matt is not fasting from anything except the things that he has to fast from by default because of me. Ahem, television. Which means he is going to have to kick me out of the house when March Madness rolls around. Anyone want to start a book club?
Fat Tuesday
Fun fact: I LOVE 40 day fasts. I do them all the time (but usually they only last like 20 days, sometimes 10.). This might be because I am an "all or nothing" person... it might also be because I am a loser, but that's really not for me to decide. Life would be much better if I could learn Matt's approach... moderation.
Unfortunately, last week I participated in Fat Monday, Fat Tuesday, Fat Wednesday, Fat Thursday, Fat Friday, Fat Saturday, Fat Sunday, AND Fat Monday again. I was trying to make it all the way through today so that I could REALLY get motivated for 40 days of asceticism starting tomorrow, but my extreme lack of self-control for the past week has made it impossible for me to enjoy indulging in anything else on this lovely Fat Tuesday.
So I have already finished off all of the ice cream and candy in the house, and today I am getting mentally prepared for the lent of a lifetime, which includes but is not limited to a fast from Facebook, Television, and sweets. And for the record, I have never attempted to fast from sweets for lent before, so this could potentially get very ugly.
Hope you have a very FAT Tuesday.
Unfortunately, last week I participated in Fat Monday, Fat Tuesday, Fat Wednesday, Fat Thursday, Fat Friday, Fat Saturday, Fat Sunday, AND Fat Monday again. I was trying to make it all the way through today so that I could REALLY get motivated for 40 days of asceticism starting tomorrow, but my extreme lack of self-control for the past week has made it impossible for me to enjoy indulging in anything else on this lovely Fat Tuesday.
So I have already finished off all of the ice cream and candy in the house, and today I am getting mentally prepared for the lent of a lifetime, which includes but is not limited to a fast from Facebook, Television, and sweets. And for the record, I have never attempted to fast from sweets for lent before, so this could potentially get very ugly.
Hope you have a very FAT Tuesday.
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