funky doo

25 random things - from Facebook tag

This came from a Facebook tag game, but I thought I'd post what I put together on here aswell.

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.

1. I was a Cup Final baby - 6.5.78 Arsenal v Ipswich, Ipswich won. Non -English, think Superbowl but better!

2. My dad was a Station Officer in the London Fire Brigade for over 30 years and was present at the Kings Cross Underground fire and the Ladbroke Grove train crash.

3. I became a Christian at 15 through the nagging of my friend Hazel. I've never looked back and believe if it can happen (and make sense) to me, it can happen to anyone.

4. Andy (my husband) and I have been together for nearly 8 years. We met in September 2000, got engaged in March 2001 and got married on 20th April 2002, my parents wedding anniversary.

5. At our first wedding anniversary, we had spent 6 out of 12 months living with other people. At the current time, we have spent 16 months out of our 6 years 9 months married living with other people (all very lovely people I might add!) We now like to return the favour and have our house full as much as possible!

6. Matilda (our daughter, 2) currently has all 8 great-grandparents alive and kicking...praise God!

7. I have a lot of friends (something like 500 on Facebook) but very few soulmates. They seem to mainly live far away...: (

8. We moved to Maldon to be part of our church, Christian Growth Centre. We didn't have jobs, we hadn't sold our house and we only knew 3 people down here, but we knew it was the right move.

9. A doctor told us we probably couldn't have children 'by ourselves' - we proved him wrong!!

10. Our daughter's name (Matilda Grace) means powerful, graceful warrior.

11. I have lived in 17 different houses in my life - London, Surrey, Brentwood, Leeds, Northumberland, Gateshead, Durham, Little Totham, Maldon, Heybridge...I plan to live in a few more, maybe overseas??

12. I'm in the business of loving people. I don;t know what I'll be doing in 10 years time but it'll be something in that line of work (1 John 4)

13. I like to make lists and my favourite kitchen gadget is my menu whiteboard - yes, you may mock but it works!!

14. When I visited Cape Town and surroundings in 2001, I ate a sheep's eye. My signature dish is risotto.

15. I only just discovered that my town has an amazing Thai restaurant, that also does take away!!

16. When I was a teenager I LOVED Christian Slater - bit of a bad boy!

17. I am a trained teacher but prefer informal education. My mum is an expert at that.

18. In my dream neighbourhood, you live on my street - yes, you!

19. I work full time, Andy works full time but Matilda only has 3 days with a childminder - we consider that pretty good going...

20. I have a bit of an ebay obsession - especially for Matilda size clothes...bargains! Andy keeps having to remind me that I haven't 'won' it, I still have to pay!

21. My hair is the bane of my life - too thick, frizzy and generally unstylable. My style icon would be Audrey Hepburn - in fact my wedding har 'do was satisfyingly reminiscent of hers...just that my hair is strawberry blonde. You can;t have it all!

22. I love my job. I get to help people do youth work within a church a community context - and do it well. I get to be paid to be spiritual. I get to interact, meet with and be inspired by such a range of personalities. And I have great colleagues.

23. I try to blog www.alisssmith.typepad.com

24. We'd like to live in the States someday - not sure where but we'll see what comes up - something usually does! Our best holiday ever was this last summer when we had 3 weeks in Knoxville Tennessee and New York City...

25. My goal is Christ, my all in Him and His all for my life expressed in everything I do. I thank Him daily for my family, my husband, my daughter, my friends and all that He has blessed me with. I pray I do all I can to the best of my ability.

monday eve 26th January 09

the weekend that was: a weekend off! hurrah! finished the Young People, Sexuality and Spirituality conference on Thursday at St Mark's and headed home, picking up Matilda and Andy on the way. We took David and Brandy out for a British curry experience that evening as none of us could be bothered to cook. Friday was a horrible day, raining and miserable and we were all pretty tired, D&B slept til 12 and Matilda and I skived Tumble Tots and slouched in our PJ's til lunchtime. Then a trip to Tesco's and an appointment with a man about a new front door (now ordered!! in RED!) On Saturday we all went for a walk and a picnic at St peter's on the Wall, one of the oldest churches in England, built by St Cedd as a base for converting the Saxons to Christianity in 652 AD. Finished off with a nice pint in the Kings Arms in Bradwell and a roast beef dinner. On Sunday, we had a slightly different service at church, including anointing with oil and David and Brandy were able to share a bit about what they are doing over here and we prayed for which was great for them. They also joined us for Giraffe in the evening where we had American pancakes in their honour! I took David to the car hire place this morning and they have gone off to Cambridge today on their way to the Association of Christian Counsellors conference on Wednesday where David is key note speaker.

where i am at the moment: at home, having managed to clear the office a bit and getting organised for The Hub youthworker gathering tomorrow morning. The house seems cold so I have the fan heater on. Andy is out doing session 1 of Alpha today at church.

on my to-do list this week: prepping now for the Hub tomorrow morning, looking at Deep Grief, helping young people through hurt and pain. Using great material from Fuller Youth Institute. I'll be doing Equipping preparation for next week aswell, and preparing Street Pastor training, jointly with Andy for Saturday morning. I also need to start thinking about the Be Conference where I'm doing the 14-18 stream next month as I have a meet about that shortly.

procrastinating about: doing the washing up. I made myself a nice dinner with left overs this evening as I was home alone, but I've made a mess and I know I need to just roll up my sleeves and get on with it!

book i’m in the midst of: Started Jodi Picoult 'Change of Heart' which D&B bought me as a thank you gift. IT's very good and a tad unputdownable...but I must!

music that seemed to catch my attention this past week: Had a revelation about how good Hootie and the Blowfish are whilst driving this week, maybe it's cos they remind so much of being America and we've talked a lot about that this week. It was weird have D&B here and not Jack and Emily, although we rang them last night and it was so good to hear their voices!

next trip: I'm not away from home now til the first weekend of half term when we have Essential Calling vocations weekend. However, next week is an Equipping week and it always feels like I'm barely at home...

how i’m feeling about this week: I'm glad to have some space and time to catch up on stuff that's hanging over me a little - so I'm going from a week away from the computer to one stuck in front of it...that's the way it goes sometimes.

monday evening 19th Jan

the weekend that was: well, pretty manic weekend to be honest and I now suffer with the tiredness and yucky cold that's been brewing for a few days. Friday morning my mum arrived to watch Matilda while I sorted out for SOLID remix and my Labyrinth...still lots of bits to do and a difficulty in sourcing cork tiles. apparently they don't make them anymore and it was needed for a station of forgiveness involving a cork cross and some hooks. I improvised in the end with a cork notice board! My mum (DiDi to Matilda) took M to Tumble Tots and then came with me to Chelmsford for some last minute shopping bits, picking up Andy on the way which was a nice unexpected family trip! Friday night we had Discipleship Group round at Trevor and Susie's. This was a monthly thing til the summer, we've had a bit of a break for a number of reasons and a bit of a new configuration now that Karen and Shaun have joined us. We did the Heptagon from Mike Breen's Life Shapes, talking about the signs of life in a spiritual sense and how we might need to work on some of those areas.

Saturday was SOLID remix in the Cathedral - I'll post on that seperately when I'm feeling a bit more with it and recovered.

Sunday I was leading the service at church and we had a nice fajita lunch followed by watching Smart People and a little nap. I worked in the evening, prepping for the week ahead while Andy led Giraffe. We both went to bed with sore throats, headaches and generally feeling pretty unwell. Andy had a sick today and looks rough - I plodded through!

where i am at the moment: in the office briefly after a full day on the road and out and about. Supervision this morning with +Laurie considering some issues around my ongoing supervision in a wider way and also professional development. I am going to look into some options for progressing with MA study. I then had a Cluster meeting for the ECVYS Children and Family Network which I convene in Southend, Rochford and Castle Point. Disappointing attendance but some good discussions. Then a frantic to and from pick up of Matilda, back to home and then out again to see the doctor about some of my ongoing endo troubles which leaves me feeling even more wacked this evening!!

on my to-do list this week: Diocesan Youth Workers residential from Wednesday to Thursday. Followed by some much needed time off with our American guests and some chill time at home with Matilda! Am sure other bits will be done too, but that seems like enough to aim for the way my head is feeling at the moment!

procrastinating about: tidying the house, making the guest room bed, getting rid of clutter, emptying the airing cupboard. just need to go to bed really.

book i’m in the midst of: Finished Phillipa Gregory. I'm still reading Saturday's Guardian and also ploughing through the toilet training section of 'How to survive the Toddler years'

music that seemed to catch my attention this past week: I did a lot of listening to Coldplay X&Y this week while prepping for the Labyrinth, it just seemed to fit the mood.

next trip: away to Saffron Walden next week with Diocesan Youth workers. Just 1 night. I don't like being away from Matilda but I always feel happier when she can be with Yoriko our childminder rather than an ad hoc arrangement. Consistency is a good thing for her and for my sanity in my absence!

how i’m feeling about this week: I'm excited about the possibility of learning from David and Brandy this week on the whole thing of adolescent development, spirituality and sexuality. So much of my work is output so input is always a treat. I'm a bit daunted about feeling ill and getting through to the day off on Friday...so please pray for me!

a Matilda creation

I began an addiction to a magazine called Real Simple while we were out in the States last summer. Emily (who I miss hugely and who was our host, with her husband Jack for 10 days) had a huge stash of them in her lounge. Her and I had a few evenings in, while the boys went to the flicks or the pub or somewhere else, flicking through the mags and watching Jon and Kate Plus 8...don't ask!! This magazine is full of great stuff - recipes, interior design, organising tips, storage solutions, beauty stuff, fashion, budget ideas for everything -ooooh, just love it!!

Anyway, my sister went out to New York in September and brought me back the latest copy of Real Simple (they don't do subscriptions to it yet in the UK) and one of the ideas in that edition I am really making use of at the moment. Matilda is well into her drawing, painting, making (mess mainly), baking etc. anything she has to wear an apron for! One of the problems we have is keeping a record of all she has made when our fridge isn't really big enough as a display board!

Real Simple suggested taking a digital photo of each design classic and keeping a copy on the computer, displaying each item for maybe just a few weeks and then putting it away or getting rid. It's a genius idea!! One of many that you can get from Real Simple!! Please let us subscribe in the UK!! I might start a Facebook petition!!

If you're our Facebook friend then you might have seen Matilda's gingerbread house before Christmas. One of the other things she brought home for us around that time were homemade placemats, decorated by her and then laminated. So, from our file of photos of Matilda's creations here are some recent gems!

     

Matilda's placemat (above)

A fireworks picture (right)

Daddy's placemat

You never know, these could be worth a fortune in a few decades!

monday again...

the weekend that was: Friday was my first 'Friday' day off (I have previously taken Thursdays) so Matilda and I went to her new Tumble Tots class. She graduated last term and is now in the 2-3 year olds class, which is set out a bit differently and it took her a while to adjust. She didn't like the fact that while she had to go through a tunnel, climb over a hurdle and swing like a monkey that other kids got to play with hoops!!

Andy's parents arrived on Friday night from Newcastle to celebrate his birthday with us. We cooked a lush Chicken dinner for them, along with some of our Girdlebuster Pie from New Year and enjoyed catching up and watched a bit of TV.

I sloped off early as I was working on Saturday, alongside my colleague Steve Kersys, Children's Adviser for the Diocese. We had been invited to Rochford Deanery to help volunteer leaders and clergy and others engage with issues and resources in youth and children's ministry. What was so impressive was that on a Saturday morning, -4 degrees and dismal, we had 25 people turn out and listen, work, think, chat and network. The lunch was also very impressive - 3 choices of casserole with jacket potatoes, followed by 3 choices of crumble and homemade wine! No quiche and rice salad here!

Andy was on Street Pastor training again on Saturday, so his parents had Matilda and met him in Chelmsford when he was finshed - Andy came back with a new teapot for me which is fantastic, copious and beatifully decorated!

Birthday boy did well yesterday turning 28! He had already had a new digital radio from me, but also got a new watch, clothes, 3 foody books and lots of money! He was on Pa at church but we went out with some friends for a lovely pasta/pizza lunch and then chilled at home in the afternoon while Matilda napped. In the evening, our Giraffe youth group descended, bringing cake, pringles and mayhem and we considered extravagant worship, exemplified by the woman who anointed Jesus with perfume. A great end to a lovely busy weekend!

where i am at the moment: in the office - I don't really write for this blog unless I am in the office...I'm not that dedicated. I have been working since 8am, clearing the desk and getting stuff prepared for the week ahead.

on my to-do list this week: clearing the desk (semi-done!), Labyrinth planning as last week. I also have some meetings to think ahead to which involve planning for our young people's vocations event in February which is coming round quick! This time next week, we'll be welcoming David and Brandy to our home from Tennessee. They are speaking at the youth workers retreat I mentioned last week but are staying on to see England and before going to Derby to speak at the conference for the Association of Christian Counsellors.

Other to do list stuff includes tidying the house, going to the doctors about an endo relapse (of that, more another time) and catching the new CSI episodes which I have Sky+'d!

procrastinating about: Labyrinth - I do one little bit and then get distracted. Also need to get some paperwork sorted for a meeting about the Asheldham Centre, which I hate doing. It involves figures which I am not too good at - it's why I'm a youth worker!!

book i’m in the midst of: The Virgin's Lover, Phillipa Gregory. I'm into historial fiction at the mo.

music that seemed to catch my attention this past week: I listened to Billy Joel while writing my thank you letters for Christmas. I'm also well into Seth Lakeman, especially after the programme about him on Sky Arts last week, awesome singer songwriter and such a physical performer.

next trip: away to Saffron Walden next week with Diocesan Youth workers. Just 1 night.

how i’m feeling about this week: I always feel apprehensive about big events like the Labyrinth, lots to prepare and having to communicate my ideas to others so that they happen...it's hard. But I'm looking forward to welcoming a couple a hundred young people to the Cathedral on Saturday!

having a plan and making it happen

I like a format of regular posts that give an overview of someone's life - seeing the patterns and the regular stuff that happens, the struggles, the lists they have...ysmarko is one of the best and most interesting.

So as a goal for 2009, I'm going to start with a pattern of a weekly (minimum!) post with the same headers and see what patterns come out and give some reflection on the life I lead - interesting and reflective for me and hopefully for you too!

I'm gonna start with the questions that Marko uses, but will probably add my own and see how it develops as we go forward...

the weekend that was: Friday we said good bye to my parents who had been staying with us to celebrate New Year. We had taken the tree down in preparation for an Open House on Friday afternoon, with various church, work and others expected! 3pm rolls round and no one arrives. Andy has a snooze along with the mulled cider he had made...and still no one. matilda was beginning to wonder what all the frantic cleaning and cooking for actually for! Then, 5.30pm, the door goes and the beginning of the swarm came through the front doo, to eat our left overs and toast 2009! Our friend Shaun stayed over since his wife was on nights and she arrived on Saturday morning, fresh from her shift with bacon and rolls ready to cook!! Saturday passed in a bit of a blur until Andy went out for his Street Pastor shift and I tidied up and went to bed. Left Andy in bed on Sunday morning (it had been a quiet night in Chelsmford, but he still didn't get in til 3am) and went to church. Afternoon was spent eating ham broth (yum) reading the paper, doing some preparation for Giraffe (our 15+ youth group) and then welcoming Giraffe at 7,30pm! We looked at goals for our life and how do we measure those against God's goals for us...with a segue into swearing and how we use our money, especially if we are lucky enough to have any. Ended the night talking to my sister in law about booking a short break in the Easter holidays in the Peak District with her, Andy's brother and our neice.

where i am at the moment: in the office, with the fan heater on. It's snowing in Maldon and I also need the heater to dry out my mobile (personal one) which I dropped in a mug of tea earlier!!

on my to-do list this week: clearing the desk, planning for Labyrinth I am doing at the SOLID re:mix event next Saturday (17th), expenses claim and sorting out Equipping bookings that have flooded in over Christmas. As well as that, looking ahead to our Youth Workers residential 21-22 January on the subject of Young People, Sexuality and Spirituality - at St Marks in Saffron Walden. I'm not teaching but it's a lot to organise still!!

procrastinating about: most things...like walking through treacle today! It's nice to have a lcear diary day at the beginning of a new term to get things done, but I'm much better under pressure...so roll on 2 days of meetings tomorrow and Wednesday!!

ho ho hootenanny!

hi! it's been a while but Christmas is my excuse!! I am sitting here, at home, alone while Andy is out and aboutwith Matilda at the sales and doing a few other jobs. I am peopled out! This season seems to have gone on for a long while - beginning with Matilda's 2nd birthday back in the wilds of December and continuing with visits to Surrey, flights to Newcastle, then Durham, Washington and back home again. We then had people for dinner every night between Sunday and last night(Friday)...phew! We did manage to get rid of most of the 'bad' food yesterday at our OPen House which makes today a start the diet day...

Enough of that! The new year of work now beckons and it's starting to loom large. I have plans, big plans, to change lots of things, do things better and differently and be more efficient. I could share them with you here...but I haven't quite formulated it all yet...I have cleared my white board tho, so that's a start!

I was instant chatting on Facebook with my friend Phil, a student pastor out in the States and he has just started a new blog www.youthworktalk.com. He's keen to hear feedback and to interact with readers, so do take a look and join the conversation!

That's all for now - I am going to make the most of my alone time and do something different that computering...so Happy New Year and talk soon!