Addendum to the Previous Post and a Plea for Help

Okay, so I didn't mean to give the impression that I'm about to join the cutting club or something. Re-reading my post, I guess it does sound pretty melancholy. Sorry about that. I was actually in a good mood when I wrote it; maybe a little too contemplative though. 

I am not depressed.

I AM, however, in desperate need of cute sandals that don't cost a fortune. They need to be semi-professional too. I've looked at a few places, but I'm not going to pay $50-60 for sandals. I also don't like Payless because those shoes always fall apart soon after I buy them and they hurt my feet. 

So if any of you have suggestions of places where I can find nice, reasonably-priced sandals, I'd love to hear them!

Meditation on Spring

I am feeling lucky today and it has nothing to do with it being St. Patrick's Day. No pot of gold for me.

Every year I forget how the winter has lowered my spirits until spring comes around. Suddenly, I feel alive and hopeful again. It's a time of rejuvenation and remembrance.

This morning, when I was enjoying a lovely walk down the hill to work, I felt lucky to be alive. And I remembered that I am. I'm lucky that I can see the flowers blooming, hear the birds chirping, and feel the sunshine and cool air penetrating my skin.

Sometimes I forget that these simple things are extraordinary blessings. Like everyone else, I have sorrows. Some are deep and cast dark shadows over my heart. And I question and doubt because all I can feel is cold and all I see is darkness.

But nature teaches me things. I believe in the natural rhythms and cycles of the earth. No matter how desperate I feel during winter, I trust that spring will come.

Today it came. 

And I remembered that the rhythms and cycles of life are not unlike those of nature. Sorrow will not last forever. I just have to trust that joy will one day come.

For me, this is much easier said than done.

But today I am lucky because I remember that this is true. And it makes all the difference.

Adventas in Strippa Shoes

Like the old song says, "rainy days and Mondays always get me down."

Actually, just Mondays. I'm okay with rainy days. But I dread Mondays. I'm always half-tempted to pray for appendicitis on Sunday night just so I can avoid the inevitable, unbearable Monday. Except that I can't actually afford to have my appendix removed since I have the nation's second-worst insurance program (the worst insurance being none) and so it's actually cheaper to face a no good, very bad Monday rather than an emergency health crisis.

Maybe you hate Mondays too. If so, this post is for you. Because who can resist smiling when you see a picture of strippa shoes?

Deep in the ghetto of New Orleans, on a nasty, roach-infested street called Orange Blossom (such a deceitful name), there lived a beautiful maiden named R'Lyndria (we called her Lyn) who took her clothes off for money (but we won't dwell on that). As a bright-eyed, eager missionary, ready to sally forth and preach the word, I wanted Lyn to find happiness. And she did end up getting re-baptized (long story). She also showed us her strippa shoes. They were amazing. We even got to try them on and prance around while we read inspiring scripture. Unfortunately, I did not take pictures of them while I tried them on, but my companion had her picture taken in them. So keep in mind that I cannot take credit for being the foot model in this photo.  

Hopefully this has cheered your dreary Monday somewhat.

Or perhaps you are perplexed, as I have been, as to why strippas need shoes at all. Need I say more?