iMix Playlist: A warm Heart in a chilly December

Here are some songs I've been listening to lately.

my left eye

I’ve had a migraine for the last few days. I think it faintly began sometime over the weekend after several nights of inadequte sleep. It didn’t become terrible until late yesterday morning while I was at work. Early in the day I began to recognize that familiar smoldering, prodding feeling behind my left eye and took a Midrin. As the morning went on I started to feel nauseated. My boss took one look at me and called me “gloomy”. The people who know me well know I wear a migraine/headache as an expression on my face. My mom can easily spot something different in my eyes. After the pukey feeling began I realized I was closing my left eye. When I wanted to close both eyes I knew it was time to cry uncle and go home.I got in bed in a dark bedroom and napped and watched TV for most of the day. Sometimes I think I’d feel so much better if I actually would throw-up. But it doesn’t come easily to me. After hours of feeling nauseated I gave in and took “the big gun” – Phenegran. That stuff does the job, but I hesitate to take it because it often makes me feel so groggy the next day. That’s on top of the “migraine hangover” I always experience. I went to sleep pretty easily after that and slept well throughout the night.

This morning I felt groggy and hung-over. I thought the migraine may be gone. But I realized I still had that prodding feeling behind my left eye. Before the end of the day I was closing my left eye, feeling nauseated, and was ready to head back into a dark bedroom.

I recently found this drawing called “The Cluster Headache”. It inspired me to create my own art that represents how I feel when I have a migraine. I remember once reading that many well known artists – of various mediums – have suffered from migraines. And those migraines have led to some of their better known works. Maybe there is a little something to that...because this is one of my more detailed blog posts in awhile...

tanksgibing.

e r a

I’ve missed my blog just a little bit the las t few days. But just a little bit. Enough to feel like I wanted to come here and say something. I’m not sure what, though.

Hmmmm. Let's try this...

I’ve been reminded, lately, of how good a decision it was for me to move home to Bowling Green a few years ago. Sometimes it’s hard having one life in two cities. But you do what you have to do. Beyond being able to have some high quality time with my incredible parents and being back at my home church, I’ve made some really wonderful new friendships that have enriched my life immensely = Laura + Misty + Louis.

They’ve become part of my journey. I’ve been learning some really big, important things lately. God is teaching me. I feel myself changing as I’m walking my road. And these friends are often lampposts lighting my path. Other times they are like reflectors casting light back at me…showing me I already have the answer or affirming that I’m still heading in the right direction. Some days I end up in a dark tunnel. And they’ll shout out to remind me that I’m not alone. Or they’ll let me follow their voices as I find my out of the dark.

The Dangerous Wonder Era
The Dangerous Wonder Era is sort of like the Mesozoic Era in that it….oh nevermind. I have no idea that I’m talking about. But really…Several years ago I read the Mike Yaconelli book “Dangerous Wonder”. I was profoundly changed by that book. It intensely changed the way I see myself. I think that book gave me clearer vision to see myself the way God does. And it freed me a little more. I felt freer to be myself. Which is all I am called to be.

The Value City Era
One of the more traumatic experiences in my life was the time I got separated from my mother in a Value City store in Louisville. I wandered around the aisles for what was probably five minutes, though it felt like seven months, until I was in tears. Then a kindly, young motherly type came across me and told me she’d help me find my mommy. And she did. If you ever go shopping with me and you detect a look of panic on my face or in my body language if you suggest we “split up”…please understand. If you round the corner of an aisle without me and we get separated, please, just stand still. Call out the words “Value City!” and let me follow your voice. I will find you.

Well, that really had nothing to do with this next part (or does it?). I just wanted to reference Value City…Because I’m currently in the Value Era. I am learning (knowing) in new ways that my value comes from God. No person gives me my value. And no person can take my value away.

That knowledge is being woven into the fabric of who I am…

It is a great way to live.

As I see own self through this lens I’m able to see the God given value of others more easily.

This is a great way to love.

G-O-D & d-o-g

My cousin, Katrina, posted this on my Facebook wall on my birthday.

I look up and I see God. I look down and see my dog.

Simple spelling...G O D. Same word backwards...D O G.

They would stay with me all day. I'm the one who walks away.

But both of them just wait for me. And dance at my return with glee

thanks to everyone who made my brithday so great today

ten on tuesday: 10 favorite current athletes

Several years ago a director I worked with would start telling me some sports story when he'd notice a glazed over look on my face and would say, "Oh Jennifer, I forgot. You're not a jock." It's true. I am not a jock. I like college basketball. And I love IndyCar racing. The end. And over the last few basketball seasons I’ve barely paid attention – not even to my beloved Louisville Cardinals. Regrettfully, I can’t, in good concience, put a single Cardinal, Wildcat, or Hilltopper b-ball player on my list. I kind of want to put Steve Nash on my list, but honestly, I don’t really know anything about him. I just think I would like him…if I knew anything about him. Maybe I’d list maybe Phil Mickelson. But only because my dad follows golf so closely. And he’d want me to mention Bluegrass Boys, Kenny Perry and J.B. Holmes. So, I guess I’ll have to list 10 current IndyCar Series drivers - most of which have probably already ended up on some Top Ten list of mine on Dog Yarn Knit. There is one exception, Scott Sharp, who does not have a full-time ride in the IRL, but is driving in the American La Mans Series (for now…?).1. Helio Castroneves
2. Ed Carpenter
3. Sarah Fisher
4. Vitor Meira
5. Tony Kanaan
6. Graham Rahal
7. Ryan Hunter-Reay or...maybe Rafa Matos. I can't make up my mind.
8. Will Power
9. Justin Wilson
10. Scott Sharp

You can play along! Visit the Ten on Tuesday website.