Musical Encounters

I am now accepting applications and submissions for my music library. I feel like I used to be really good at finding new tunes and adding them to my life's soundtrack, but lately I feel out of touch.

This may be wishful thinking, but I feel as though fall is just around the corner and it's my favorite time of year to discover new tunage. There's just something about the cool breezes and fall leaves that demand a repertoire of perfect songs to fit any and all possible moods and thoughts. During the autumn months, more so than any other time, my thoughts and journal writings are generally always accompanied by a stellar song lyric or moving melody. I don't want to have a short supply this year.

So, I welcome your thoughts and suggestions (assuming someone actually reads this). I am pretty eclectic and would love a wide range of genres - however, punk rockers, country bumpkins and metal heads need not apply.

My headphones and car stereo thank you.

Flying Encounters

Yesterday I flew on an airplane - well, two airplanes to be exact - and I feel I must report the presence of an unticketed passenger. Who, you may ask, could possibly sneak past the gauntlet of security guards and x-ray machines? I'll tell you who: a fly.

With no regard for the law, the TSA or my personal comfort, the fly boarded the plane and settled in on my row for the duration of the flight. At first, I was extremely annoyed - I readily admit that I have yet to discover the beauty of God in this tiny creation of His - but after some thought, I began to feel sorry for the little fella. I mean, he was on a plane from California to Colorado. Leaving behind his fly family and all his fly friends. Not to mention the drastic temperature change I was certain would send his tiny body into shock.

On the other hand, maybe this was a planned escape. Maybe he had set out on a journey to make a new life for himself in the Rockies. Maybe he was tired of the hustle and bustle of California life, and was ready for some relaxtion and a sweet gig at a ski lodge.

OR maybe I really need to come up with better things to occupy my thoughts.

More Shamelessness

Maybe I just got back from two weeks at camp - yes, I am actually an adult.

And maybe when I got back I found out my cards are now available for purchase online.

And maybe I am freaking out.

AND maybe you should look at them HERE.

A Shameless Plug

At the risk of sounding way into myself and slightly self-seeking, I would like to announce the release of "Erindipity Greeting Cards."

I got insanely frustrated with Hallmark and other card producing types while my best friend was living in Ireland for a year. I would go to the store to find cards to send to her and would always leave disappointed and empty handed. So, I took matters into my own hands and started making my own cards to send to people. I showed them to a few family friends and long story short, they ended up in the hands of the fine people at Bradley Paper in Wichita, KS. They were kind enough to believe in my insanity and randomness, and have made the cards available for purchase in their store. It will be interesting to see if there are actually people out there who have the same kind of ridiculous sense of humor that I do. They actually sold eight cards the very first day, but I have a feeling my family had something to do with that. Only time will tell...

Moving on, here's a pic of the initial display:












We are working on some art and a tag line to place over the cards. Here's what we have so far:


Anywho, if you are in Wichita and in need of a card to send for some occasion, or really no occasion at all, you should stop in and check them out. You should check out Bradley Paper regardless. They are wonderful, talented people who really know their paper!

Ok, my advertisement is now over. As you were.

Edgy Encounters

This is my dust pan.













I bought it (and my broom) at Target in the "going to college" section, where things are super useful and super cheap.

THIS is said dust pan's saber-toothed edge.












I offer insane cool points to the person who can tell me its purpose.

I mean, besides helping me fend off ferocious dust particles and other fierce forms of filth.

4th Grade Encounters

Last year, I took on the task of teaching the 4th grade Sunday school class.

Wait. Let me rephrase that: Last year, I got suckered into teaching the 4th grade Sunday school class. While I realize many people prefer to work with elementary students, I actually prefer working with teenagers. I just really need a group that can understand certain things. Important things. Things like sarcasm.

Anyways, my time in 4th grade was not a total loss. I got some grey hairs out of it, as well as this little gem of an encounter:

One day we were talking about St. Simeon and how God had promised he would see Christ before he died. In the same lesson, we talked about St. Anna who lived and worked in the temple. Now, Anna was a widow. Her husband died after they had been married for only seven years. Just to be sure we were on the same page, I asked the kids if they knew what a widow was.

One girl raised her hand to answer.

Girl: Yes! It's like what my Sitti (Grandmother) has to write on papers when it asks "married, divorced, single or widow..." since my Jiddi (Grandfather) died.

Me: Exactly.

Other girl: Man, Erin, it must really stink to be a widow.

Me: Yes. It is very sad. Wait... I'm NOT a widow.

Other girl: But you're not married.

Me: Right, but I have never been married. My husband didn't die.

Girl: So, you mean, you're JUST single.

Me: Yes. Yes, I am... So, back to St. Anna...

It seems the only logical explanation for me not being married is that my husband must have died.

Thank you, nine year old girls, for your insightful comments.

Innocent Encounters

Our church recently started a Mom's Day Out Program.

Two days a week, the halls are filled with tiny people toddling their way around. My ears ring with their joyous laughter and giggles and, of course, their shrieks and screams when they realize their mothers are leaving them....FOREVER. No, not really. But sometimes the way they scream sure sounds like that's what they think.

Anyways, today one of our priests was walking down the hall and passed the toddler room. He walked by and waved and as he moved past the door he heard one of the kids say, "(gasp) I just saw GOD!" I love the genuine amazement in kids. The priest is always here, in God's house, and for all they know he sleeps here. So, naturally he must be God.

I miss the way the world, and people, looked through my childhood eyes. As the priest was telling me about this encounter, I couldn't help remembering my childhood vision of the Big Man Himself. I used to think that God looked like my dad. I vividly remember having dreams about God and even though I never saw his face, He was always wearing a robe just like my dad's and He had on my dad's slippers. Maybe it's because the first prayer I learned was the Lord's Prayer.

I would be the kid that took "Our Father," to mean "the father of my brother and I."