Hair yesterday, gone today.

Change. Change is a good thing. And if it's not good at least it means something is different.

As a little girl I usually spent all school year growing my hair, not paying much attention to it other than which side of my head the pony should go on. But then summer would roll around an I knew it was time for a good chop!

So there I went to the salon of a family friend. $1 for every year of life to get my hair cut. A few minutes and a pony tail or braid of hair later I was free! I lived the freedom it brought; the feel of bluntly cut pieces resting on my neck, the inability to put it back. Smooth layers and nothing much to care for.

I had a similar experience today. 15 years later I still do the same thing. Grow it out only to chop it off! What can I say? I like change, ease, and not to mention a little drama. Can't beat change.

Best part!

I was at work today looking for pictures from an event just last week, and happened to come across a few pictures that I love, and here they are!

It's easy to say that baptizing kids is one of the best parts of my job. Even better is when a child actually asks for you to baptize them! What more flattering thing can a kid ask you to do? Just knowing they think you have impacted them that much or been that steady/influential in their life means the world to me. These pictures were from the VBS baptism, but I also have the honor of baptizing a co-workers daughter this weekend, also someone who chose me to baptize them. Even when work can be difficult or stressful, it's pitcures like this that bring me back to a moment and remind me why I do what I do.

Beach Camp

OK, I must admit I am currently exhausted. I cannot say why, unless I over-exerted myself at the craft fair this afternoon (highly unlikely) even considering the length of time and number of wrong turns it took us to get there. I mention this only because I really should be going to bed right now. Not only do I have kiddos waiting for me tomorrow morning (yet sadly few leaders) bright and early, but I will also be leaving for beach camp! I am excited to spend a week away and get to spend it with great friends, leaders, and young girls that I hope to bond with. What am I NOT excited about? Food.

It's sad, I know. Food is usually more of a hobby for me than anything else. But this is one adventure I have yet to break into. I've camped before and I have even been to camp sans gluten and dairy. However, I have never combined actual camping with my new GFDF lifestyle. Kindly M offered to reimburse whatever food I had to purchase for the trip, but sadly that did not make the purchasing or planning part of it much easier!

There I sat on my living room floor, surrounded by cans of this or that, a bag of rice cakes, a few apples, and plenty of pre-packaged energy bars (amongst a few other items). The question(s) remain: what do I eat? when do I eat it? how do I draw the least amount of attention to myself? and how will I feel full while getting adequate nutrients?

I had (slim) hopes that I would be able to work somewhat around what the girls' menu would be for the week, but quickly that dream was squelched. Hot dogs and chili. Those are the two meals I can work with. Don't get me wrong, I am thankful for those. I am thankful this is not the first adventure I am going on with food issues, thankful I have a supportive group of people that "understand" my problems, and thankful I have (sort of) means to take care of myself throughout the week. This is and will be one for the books.

If you are wondering what a GFDF person might purchase in preparation for beach camping (which I am sure you are), read below:

Tuna
Green Beans
Re-fried Beans
Corn
Peanut Butter
Rice Cakes
Turkey
Z-bars
Luna Bars
Trail Mix
Apples
Applesauce
Soup
Bagged Lettuce

Exciting, right? I feel like these are the sort of ingredients you might find on an episode of "Chopped" where top chefs are challenged to create 4-star courses with a selection of fresh, processed, canned, and otherwise inedible ingredients. If only I were so talents. Who knows. Maybe I will surprise myself, although that might be asking too much. At this point my goal is primarily to eat and not be noticed, not have to explain 32 different times (how many people will be there) why I am not eating what everyone else is. Well, since I am number 32, I guess that only makes 31 people to answer to. Joy.

I'll have to keep you posted on how this goes. Somehow I don't see this so much as a "Bear Hunt" as I do a killer whale to be reckoned with. Let's hope I don't pull a Jonah.

VBS 2009

To see what's been going on lately check out www.marinerschurch.org/vbs and enjoy.

Don't Panic

This is clearly something I do well. Interestingly I generally only do it in the planning stages and not so much in the moment. I don't think one way is better than the other, but I do know that this week I need to utilize my calm face. Unfortunately I tend to wear my strewed face without even knowing it. That must come from being an introvert--at least partially.

I just recieved a very last minute portion of our missions station at VBS. Thankfully it is here, it is exactly what it needs to be, and it is everything I had hoped for. However I had I laugh when I set my iPod to shuffle on "Coldplay" and the first songto play was "Don't Panic." oh the irony.

There are still details to be finalized but we are headed to the right direction. Phew. VBS is almost together despite all the detours and warfare (which, yes I think is real and no, I would never say that lightly). I can't wait for the end of by first day, for the end of the week, for the end of my first year. I am SO ready for year two. Can't wait to do it over again and with a year behind me. Now I cab actually speak from experience! I am also SO defy for having a social life again. So ready to men broken or bent friendhips. It's about time to work out my priorities.

But don't fret. I promise not to panic.

Not Me Monday!

After reading through a few other "Not Me" posts, I couldn't help but write one of my own, especially after a day like today--a Tuesday. But nevertheless I have more than enough Not Me moments to document. My only hope is that revealing my Not Me moments will be theraputic and bring a little light-heartedness to an otherwise overwhelming time.

So here goes. I'll start from the beginning.

I did not have a meltdown with a co-worker last week.

I did not spend 2-3 hours working on VBS while babysitting Co. I certainly did not follow that by working an additional 8-1o hours on top of my normal work weekend of 8-10 hours.

I did not have another meltdown today in front of 2 directors, the associate children's pastor, and 3 other co-workers today. I did not cry away all my make-up. I did not then have to present the missions station in front of 200 people.

I did not take away a volunteer's responsibility, and I definitely don't think she was offended or frustrated by it. I also do not think I have lost her as a friend. Or at least her support as a future volunteer.

I, at 22, would never, and did not call my mom twice today on my last nerve to share my incredible frustration.

I have certainly not been ignoring the Kindergarten script for VBS.

I did not come home only to wash away my sorrows with a glass of wine, chocolate chip cookie, and 97% fat free hot dog with ketchup.

My boss did absolutely did not call to offer her apologies for all my frustrations as well as the help of a co-worker over the next few days.

Deliciousness

Much to my surprise I actually made something gluten free that resembled normal food!


I figure since this blog was originally intended to document not just my life but also my successes and failures the gluten free (and dairy free) lifestyle, I might as well start including some of my experiences!

GFDF Ebilskivers w/ Berry-Rum Filling*

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/cw444/index.cfm?pkey=xsrd0m1%7C16%7C%7C%7C0%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7Cebilskiver&cm%5Fsrc=SCH

Ingredients
(Batter)

1 package Trader Joe's Gluten Free Pancake and Waffle Mix
3 eggs
1/4 c soy creamer
1 c unsweetened almond milk
3 tsp vegetable oil


(Berry-Rum Filling)
2 c frozen berries
1/4 c sugar
1/4 c dark rum

*Filled Pancakes

Directions:

Combine eggs, soy creamer, almond milk, and vegtable oil in a medium size mixing bowl. Slowly whisk together with electric mixer, then build speed until foamy (about 3 minutes). Mixture should appear slightly thicker and foamier on top.

Add wet ingredients to dry pancake and waffle mix. Stir slowly to combine; do not overmix. Batter will appear lumpy.

Meanwhile, in a small saucepan combine frozen berries, sugar, and rum. Combine and let simmer over medium heat until turns into consistency of runny jam. Turn off and let cool while filling thickens.

To make ebelskivers heat appropriate pan over medium heat. Spray pan with cooking spray or dab of vegetable shortening. Drop 1-2 tablelspoons of batter into each hole. Immediately drop 1/2 teaspoon of berry filling into center of ebelskiver. Most of the spread will sink to the center of batter. After 1 minutes (or until batter puffs up to almost 1 1/2 its orignial size) turn ebelskivers over using 2 wooden skewers. Allow 1 minutes for batter to cook then remove from pan using spooon. Be careful not to scratch pan if using a metal spoon.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Ebelskivers can also be made with no filling. Instead top as desired with traditional pancake toppings.


Enjoy!