drops of faith

this was probably one of the worst weeks i have ever had.  there has just been so much sadness in my heart surrounded by multiple disappointments. by friday i was at the end of myself wondering if anyone really cared, especially Jesus.

i have been pondering over those verses in 2 corinthians where paul is talking about God's grace being sufficient for him and all of this crap about power in weakness.  i just don't get it.  it seems so opposite for me.  my belief is based so much on my circumstance and whether i feel like i am being cared for.  i am ready for that to change.  i want to believe God is who he is and that he has called me his own and that changes everything.

jesus has been so gracious to us the past 2 days.  if i were him i wouldn't give any mercy to someone who is as messed up as me, but he does.  and its amazing.  i love how i can't even believe on my own and he comes and gives me little drops of faith.

on friday derek went to pick up our jeep that was in the shop and when he went to pay for it, the guy said that it had already been paid for.  amazing.  my dad is amazing.  and sneaky.

derek and i had been planning all week to go on a date saturday night.  even though we didn't really have enough money to go, we decided our mental and marital health were more important than financial stability.  derek decided where we were going and so last night we went to the purple onion in downtown saluda.  we had never been before, but it was one of the cutest restaurants ever.  they had live music and it was just one of those times where you knew you were in the right place.  we ran into a few people we knew, mike deaton, my boss' husband and becca's mom and step-father, whom we adore.  we had a fabulous meal, with great wine and a fabulous swordfish entree (which we split).  as we were finishing up, our adorable waiter (whom i am sure needs to be dating one of my friends), told us our meal had been paid for.  i just started balling.  it was just one of those moments where you felt God's presence and you knew everything was okay.  

so, this week has been a turning point in my grief, where i am realizing for the first time in over 9 months that God really does have my best interests in mind and he is caring for me.  this morning at church, josiah was preaching on the spirit's work in our lives and when he is referred to as our "guide", it really means "way-shower".  the spirit is in our lives to take us to the way, Jesus.  i am sensing that he is guiding me towards Jesus.  i found more encouragement in remembering that even Jesus asked for the cross to be taken away if there was another way.  and that in my pain, asking for a way out is okay, but it may be through that pain that i really experience a deeper understanding of Christ's love, grace, and mercy to me.

Mickey Mouse Bull Sh....

So apparently we had a little house-sitter while we were in NYC. 

Monday night, after a relaxing weekend home, Sum went to bed around 10 (as she usually does), and I was up late (as I usually am). Playing guitar, some Xbox, the usual routine... and I heard a little crackling noise coming from the kitchen. So, kitchen lights were out so I walked in there, cut 'em on and look towards the bar where the noise had originated from. To my surprise, right beside the candy dish was a tiny little mouse, could be the smallest one I've ever seen. Funny thing is, he didn't run. He stood on his hind legs and looked straight at me. Me and you, mouse, staring contest. Go. 

Funnier yet is he had something in his hands. Not a little something. This crazy mouse was holding a Hershey's kiss (which was half as big as his body). Now its 1 am and Summer is fast asleep, so I didn't wake her to come look... I was scared he'd run away, and as I looked at him looking at me I thought, "wow, what a cute little mouse... too bad you'll be dead soon."

Then the search for my mouse traps commenced with zero luck. So the mouse had a day to think it over, decide if chocolate was worth risking his life. After paying a ridiculous $1.27 for only 4 mouse traps... (ha. cheap) I set one with a bit of peanut butter. Mainly because it goes good with chocolate, and obviously this guy is not the biggest cheese lover. :) And then the pay off. I unwrapped a Hershey Kiss... left it open on the bar for him to smell and lust after... The Kiss of death.

All night... No mouse. No 'SNAP' of the trap, not even the scratching of his little feet. Guess he learned all he needed to know in our staring contest. He must have seen it in my eyes that it hurt me deeply to have to kill him, and left, saving both of us the agony of him getting caught in the trap. Thanks mouse.

But one thing bothers me... The trap didn't go off... but the Hershey Kiss is gone. No sign of it this morning. Maybe Sum ate it, or threw it away... or perhaps the mouse is just too damn smart. We'll never know.

Unfortunately, I couldnt get a picture of the little guy holding his candy, so I've decided a pencil sketch "police style" would suffice. 

Have you seen this mouse? Contact Derek @ derekandsummer.blogspot.com

New York, New York... a conversational blog. :)

derek: happy early anniversary to us. and as some of you know, we treated ourselves to an anniversary trip to NYC.

summer: and we are in love. with each other. and nyc.

derek: it was an awesome week, and we made it the whole week without getting on each others nerves at all. as long as summer got to read the maps. :)

summer: i realllly love maps.

derek: it was a pretty smooth trip up, aside from the 10 block walk through harlem early monday morning. we got off the bus at the wrong stop. right street... just 10 blocks too soon.

summer: we had decided before we left we weren't going to take a taxi the whole week, but i wanted to take one to the hotel when i realized we had so far to walk. but we persevered. i am also obsessed with subways fyi.

derek: and maps. of the subways. i think i maybe saw the subway map twice, when sum asked if she had something right, which she did. I was just trying to remember it all in my head...  after dropping the bags at our hotel (www.hudsonhotel.com) we headed down 9th ave to grab some lunch. couldn't find too much that interested us in hell's kitchen...

summer: it sucks there.  don't go.

derek: lunch didn't suck, just not so nice down there. hell's kitchen sucks, and movies about hell's kitchen suck (daredevil).

summer: moving on. i signed up online to get free tickets to letterman to hopefully give to derek for christmas, but seeing as how they called last thursday, they didn't make it in time for christmas.  BUT, we did get free tickets and we were supposed to pick them up at the box office on monday between 4:30 and 5:30.

derek: and we DID. just barely. because i'm stupid and thought it was 4:28 when it was actually 5:28...

summer: i think i should be in charge of maps AND time.

derek: ouch. we made it, we were just the last two people in line, which meant the last two people to get a seat, which ALSO meant we had to sit in separate sections. I sat by an old couple, and a foreign couple that smelled a bit funky like certain parts of the city. ew.

summer: and i sat by a cute little chinese man who laughed at all the wrong parts because he didn't understand a word. poor thing.  also, one thing that is annoying about going on a trip with 2 people, is that you have to put your camera in someone else's hands and they always take crappy pictures.  so, we have like 3 pictures of us from the trip and they suck.  (i.e. this picture to the right).

derek: dinner monday night was fantastic... we took the subway down to SoHo, in search of a restaurant called Blue Ribbon. which was packed. and a long wait. so the nice host guy sent us down the street to one of his favorites, shorty's 32.

summer: i bet you can guess, i am also in love with this place. the decor was fabulous and the adorable british host was a delight.  the only annoying thing was that it was so small and...

derek: the douchebag with the bike helmet that kept falling on summer. he was the seventh of an annoying party of six that was sitting next to us at a table for four. but the meal was incredible and the wine was good. after finishing there it was time to head back to the hotel and end day 1.

Day 2:

summer: # 782 favorite thing about new york- bagels.  we went to the museum of natural history. it rocks. derek was really obsessed with taking pictures of fake animals in their habitats. i am sure he will want to share them with you, but i have put a limit on his number:).

derek: i can't read maps, tell time, or take pictures. :)  i wasn't OBSESSED, 

summer: haha. "krissy i'm not obsessed".

derek: i took like 3 pictures of animals... just to see what the pic would look like. geez.

derek: and it looks pretty cool huh? COMMENT ON MY AWESOME LION PIC. oh yeah the bagels were awesome too. just agreeing with summer. yum.

summer: so day 2 was tuesday, american idol day.  i was a little worried that we might not get to watch it, but we were so exhausted from taking pictures of fake animals all day, that we stayed in the room and watched it.  i love it so much. um, hello, david cook is awesome.

derek: 3 frickin' pictures, and a guy gets a bad rap. we didn't even see david until we got home on tivo. but we did (at least i did) fall dangerously close to idol worship at this point earlier in the day:

derek: sooo day 2 was awesome, and bookended by an amazing dinner at rosa mexicana. guacamole made tableside, chicken enchiladas, and a pitcher of sangria. yum. so good we went back. check day 4. ha.

day 3:

summer: we walked across the brooklyn bridge and almost got swept away by the wind, and we visited the world trade center site. we had done so much already, we weren't sure what we were going to do that evening.  we were having lunch at a diner in the meat packing district, florent, and i got a text from a random number.  it was emily's dad.  her parents were in new york and had bought tickets to see Jersey Boys, but couldn't go, so they gave them to us.  we were so pumped!

derek: thanks steve and christy! it was my first broadway show, and i thought it was awesome... great songs and talent, and it got me even more excited for our big show on thursday night (wicked). the show was at 8, we had eaten lunch at 3, so decided we would eat dinner after the show. which was late. so who is gonna be out eating dinner at 11:30? Should be empty right?

summer: i bought derek a book for christmas called NFT (not for tourists) guide to NYC.  i actually bought it for me, but gave it to him.  oops. they recommended this place called, the spotted pig (thespottedpig.com) and said that it was the hippest place to eat in the city. and of course, i want to be hip:).

derek: ha. my gift. kinda like when dad bought me the nintendo games HE wanted to play when i was a kid. :) so i did what a good husband would do, and gave the book to summer to hold all week. with the maps. :) back to dinner... we got there at 11:30, and it was packed. no room to move, and barely room to sit. amazing dinner though, and even the 6 dollar beer tasted great. :)

day 4:

derek: met a friend for lunch, shopped, visited rockefeller center, checked out the MoMA. kinda a wrap up day, doing everything we didn't get in days 1-3... which wasn't much. relaxed before our big night at the show. summer's dad got us a great gift to one of the best restaurants in the theatre district, Sardi's, and we ate a good meal there, then walked through Times Square to the theatre where Wicked was. 

summer: i had been wanting to see Wicked for a long, long time. kevin bought us tickets for christmas, and we were really lucky to get them because it always sells out months in advance.  it was everything i had hoped it would be. i think my mouth was open for like 3 hours straight because i was in awe. really, you should go if you have a chance. we think it is worth a plane ticket and a night's hotel just to see it!

derek: yeah, everything was amazing about it, from orchestra, to voices, to story, to the set (wow). go check it out... After that incredible show it was back to Rosa Mexicana for more guac and sangria, a perfect last night in NYC.

summer:  day 5 basically consists of packing and leaving. it was like a week long date in nyc and it was perfect. sorry this blog is kind of long, we just really loved it.  it was a really great break for us to get away from everything that is so difficult here and take a break from reality for a week.  i am really thankful.

derek: as am i... everything about the trip was wonderful, especially the company. thanks em, for picking us up and dropping us off at 6 in the morning on your day off. hope everyone enjoyed this long-ass blog. :) and if anyone's interested, next week i will hold a clinic on clock reading, map reading, and animal photography... :)

Put the pedal to the... mud......al?

In like a lion eh? Today was my first official mountain bike ride of the year. Now I have been excited about this day since Christmas, when my wife worked out a nice gift for me with a clipless pedal/shoe/cleat setup. I've ridden since I was 13, and never used them til today (for those of you who aren't in the know, basically your shoe snaps in to the pedal so you are essentially attached to your bike). Everyone I rode with had similar setups, so I figured... "time to take the plunge."

Unfortunately for you readers, I didn't have some horrible carnage filled wreck that I could talk about for hours. But this was interesting... After 3 months of snowboarding in 50 degree weather and sun, I put on my riding shorts and bike for a few hours in 20 degree weather and SNOW. Now it was flurries, but still snow. Just isn't right. Thanks a lot Al Gore, you screwed the weather all up. :)

Well a wreck-less (and reckless :) ) day was a good thing, but I must admit; I'm still getting used to having my feet attached. Haven't perfected the little ankle twist release deal yet... So at the end of an hour climb, my legs were ready to give out. Literally 4 feet from the summit of our ride (all downhill from there), my legs quit, and I was too tired to try and release my feet. So I toppled over on the side of the hill into some lovely red mud. :) 

Some of you won't care in the least about mountain biking. But everyone says "blog more, blog more" so here's a little snippet of my day. I went all out too, even have a nice pic here for your enjoyment. My legs look a little tan, but thats only because they are completely covered in mud. The RAZR camera is below average at best. :)  

  

- derek

Being Born...

Woohoo today's my birthday. A bunch of you crazy people left me facebook comments which I appreciate. In fact, my page had more action today then its received in the past 6 months combined. :)

So Summer LOVES birthdays, and I will say she sure is good about making me feel special on birthday week. Yeah week. She doesn't do birthDAYS. Monday night was a tasty meal at Salsa's, one of my favorite places downtown, followed by drinks and dessert at Old Europe. Good night with Kristen and Jared who were in town on 'business' at the Grove Park. Rough job. We shared some very "sophisticated" conversation, right guys? HA.

Tuesday was low key... It rained ridiculously, and I had to drive across town for free lunch with a client. Worth it. A little photography class for Summer that night, so my brother came over with my birthday present, and he and I played it... (skate. for 360) That was a fun day 2 of birthday week.

Today (day 3) was actually my birthday. Right in the middle of the week, so that works well. I was treated to lunch at Umi by Kev and my boss Nathan. I love that place. Best sushi joint around. Our waitress is hilarious, she never stops smiling. Either because she's genuinely a happy person, or she thinks its funny that she has
no idea what we're saying. Language barriers are awkward.

Longest afternoon ever, just wanna get home and have birthday dinner. We went to my parents for dinner, steak and potatoes, with some incredible desserts. Summer, her dad, and my parents got me new CD player for my truck with an ipod connection. The last one was showing its age, and the last CD i put in the old one sounded like it growled at me before it started playing. I'm definitely excited about listening to my music with NO STATIC from the stupid FM transmitter. You know what I'm talking about.

So 3 days in, its turning into a pretty sweet week. See some of you at my birthday party Saturday night... i think. If you weren't invited, call Summer and come anyways. I'm easy.

...and Living Forever!

So in August, my cousin brought us an orchid when Summer's mom passed away. She thought it was beautiful and we've kept it since. Other's commented on how lovely the plant was (Emily, Amanda, etc...). She kept very good care of it, and the plant seemed quite resilient. Watering it from time to time... even keeping it near the window to allow in some sunlight. Then last week, she went to check on the plant and move it back into the kitchen. Noticing the dust on the bottom leaves, she brushed them off and noticed... that shit is fake. Returning to the living room where I was playing xbox, I hear these words "OH MY GOD, DEREK... THE PLANT IS FAKE." Holy cow. Newsflash girlies, the orchid is made of plastic. And my wife loved it.

Soooo, birthdays, valentines, heck you name it... I'm gettin' the prettiest plastic I can find. Let's see if we can pull of another shenanigan and get all you ladies to believe its REAL. I will admit, I thought it was too, but I'm no flower expert, nor did I give it a close inspection. So I am gonna claim 'uninformed' on this one. Here's a pic of this amazingly convincing plant. Enjoy.

The "Olden" Days... on a Friday

Today, poor summer is laid up in bed sick with some kind of über cold. so I took off work and took her to the doctor and such. But a day off of work is nice to relax, too bad its alone...

once summer was properly medicated and sleeping, i set out to do a little job i'd put off since, ohhh... last april. as a wedding present, sum got me a really nice record player to complement all the old vinyl i'd somehow inherited from my grandparents.  flippin' through some pretty awesome old records from elvis, to johnny cash, u2, boston, fleetwood mac, journey... all super old with faded jackets. and as i sit here halfway through johnny cash "live from folsom prison", i just have to share that this is pretty stinkin' sweet. no, its not blastin' loud in my white earbuds, sandwiched between 6,000 other songs, but 'cocaine blues' and '25 minutes to go' just sound a little better played on this thing.

i'm not trying to sound like one of those condescending audiophiles who thinks modern technology is stupid, 'cause i love my ipod.  but i will recommend you give old vinyl a chance, especially if you've never played a record in your life. the experience is great for the music lover... or maybe it'll convert you into a music lover if you're not. :)

...so back to me... alone... with johnny playing... as sad as it is that my wife is sick, i guess this turned out to be a pretty good friday. i think i'll keep my rear end right here on the couch. until i get up to put on the fleetwood mac record. or maybe some phil collins... :) 

-derek