Category: Life

All About Me (Part 1)

If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you may have gleaned a few tidbits of info about who I am and what my life is like. I hope so, as I try to be open and honest in my posts. 🙂 But there are some things that you may not know yet. And if you just recently started following “Out of the Mud and Mire,” you may have a few questions about me as the author.

So here is a list of “All About Me” questions, along with my answers, to help you get to know me a little better. If you have a question that isn’t listed here, please feel free to leave it in the comments! ❤

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
My Mom named me after the singer Crystal Gayle. 🙂

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
A week or two ago when my friend posted an article that was heart-wrenching.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
It’s okay, I think it can be pretty when I really try hard.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Hmmm, I’d never really thought about it! I like turkey the best I think, but it has to be paired with provolone cheese. 😉

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Not yet!

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
It depends on what this other person is like. If they wanted a friend who is out-going and who loves going to different places, I might not want to be my friend. But if the other person is looking for someone who is quiet but sweet and who can at times be silly, then I’d be friends with me.

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
Naaaaa, only when I’m mad, and then I feel really bad about it, lol.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yes I do!

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Probably not…but if my Hubby or a friend wanted me to jump with them, I might scrounge up the courage to do it.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
I don’t really eat a lot of cereal – but I do put granola with almonds into my Vanilla Bean flavored yogurt.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Yes, it’s easier to get them off that way, and easier to put them back on!

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
I don’t see myself as being a very strong person, but my husband and my family tell me that I am. I just know that I have only gotten this far because of God’s strength…and it will be His strength that continues to get me through each day. So I guess I am strong in God’s strength. 🙂

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Okay, have you ever tried those Ben and Jerry’s “Core” ice creams, where in the center there’s a huge dollop of some kind of goodness? I am in love with the Salted Caramel Core flavor.

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
If they look friendly and approachable or not.

15. RED OR PINK?
I would say pink, but it has to be a pale, understated pink instead of a dark pink.

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
Right now it’s my body – I would feel much better if I could lose a few pounds and get in shape. But I’m trying!

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
I miss my mom and dad and brother and grand-mom, who I moved an hour away from when I got married. I know it’s not very far, but it’s still difficult to get down to see them. We do talk on the phone often, for which I am grateful. And I’m grateful for my family-in-law who live close to me (my mom-and dad-in-law live only four blocks from us).

18. WHAT IS THE SPARK FEATURE THAT HAS HELPED YOU THE MOST?
Okay, I’m not sure what this question is asking for. I got this list from sparkpeople.com, so maybe that’s what it’s referring to with the “spark feature.” But I’m not a part of that forum so I can’t answer the question. 🙂

19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
I’m wearing slippers right now, and they are pink (a pale, understated pink) and white.

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
Well, I don’t know if this counts because it’s a drink, but I was just sipping on a Starbucks iced caramel latte. Yum!

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
I don’t have any music on right now. I know many people find music helpful when they’re working on a project, but when I work on something – like this blog post – I find quietness to be more conducive to quality writing. 🙂

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
I would be a light teal or a sea-foam green…or maybe even a pretty coral

23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
I like the smell in the air after it rains, the smell of coffee, and the smell of dinner that’s been cooking in the crock-pot all day.

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
My Hubby! He called to let me know he was on his way home from work.

25. MOUNTAIN HIDEAWAY OR BEACH HOUSE?
Mountain hideaway – there’s just something about the mountains that are so majestic and peaceful. I’d like there to be some kind of pond or lake, as well. 🙂

Thanks so much for reading! And as I mentioned, you can leave any questions that you might have for me in the comments section. Stay tuned for Part 2!

What Does Depression Feel Like?

It’s not wanting to get out of bed in the morning – and sometimes I don’t.

It’s a cloudiness in my mind that just sucks the life out of my thoughts and emotions.

It’s wanting to isolate myself from other people.

It’s desiring to stay inside the house because it’s kind of my “safe place.”

It’s putting on a smile when I’m around others so they don’t know I’m not feeling well. How would I explain my struggle to them?

It’s feeling lonely – oh, so lonely – even though I’m the one who chose to be by myself. I sometimes feel like there are very few people who understand.

It’s fear, doubt, and a lack of confidence.

It’s feeling like I’m in a deep, dark pit – and like I have no way to climb out of it. Thank goodness the Lord is there to help!

It’s a complete lack of energy. I often want to crawl back in bed, even if I just finally got myself out of it.

It’s a total lack of motivation. Simple daily tasks are huge undertakings for me.

It’s not enjoying the things that you used to enjoy. I used to like so many different activities…but now I just can’t get myself to do them. I have been able to get back into reading and writing, and for this I am grateful.

It’s feeling different. Not normal. Like I don’t fit in.

It’s fighting – fighting every moment of every day to focus on the beautiful and the good, instead of focusing on my struggle.

 

Those are some of the ways that depression plays out in my life. Do YOU struggle with depression? If so, what does depression feel like for you?

Giving Grace

“I did it again!” I cried, as my mind started to spin in all directions. I had just indulged in that bad habit I was struggling with. Instead of talking to God and receiving His forgiveness, I fell into a pit of despair.

I admit, I struggle with believing that God has given me grace. When I fall short for the umpteenth time during the day, I feel like I should be punished. I feel like something bad will happen to me. And I feel like I just don’t deserve the love that God offers. Maybe you have felt the same way.

But what about giving grace? What about sharing that grace – which we can so easily receive from the Father – with others who hurt us in some way?

I struggle with this, as well. And sometimes, it’s not even when someone does something horrible to me (which is extremely difficult). Sometimes it can just be dealing with the imperfections of everyday life.

For example…have you ever gotten upset when someone cuts you off on the road? I have. What about when they pass you in a no-pass zone, or drive 25 MPH in a 45…or 45 in a 25, for that matter? What about when they ride your bumper so close that you’re afraid to make any sudden stops or turns? Yep. Bothers me too. And this is one area where God is showing me that I need to give grace.

Is it right? Do they deserve the grace? No. But the thing is, grace isn’t about getting what we deserve. If we got what we deserve…we’d all be separated from God. But He gives us grace! And we need to be willing to share that grace with those around us.

Another area where I struggle to give grace is when I’m on the phone. You know what calls I’m talking about, don’t you? The calls that you have to make about a bill that is incorrect, or to your insurance company, or something of that nature. You make the call, wait on hold for way too long, and then are connected to a representative who is not able to assist you with your problem? Yeah…I struggle with those calls.

But the representatives I’m talking about are people, too. They make mistakes like all of us do. So what would it take to show a little grace? It would probably help them a lot…and it might even help us to feel better about the frustrating situation.

So the next time you are struggling with impatience…the next time you are annoyed or offended by someone…and the next time time things don’t work out quite the way you want – remember, God has given us grace. And we need to be willing to give that grace to others! ❤