It's not just me

There are some long overdue repairs needed here at the church, as well. I arrived at work today to find that:
-the furnace won't work, making my office feel like a fridge;
-my computer decided to crash for the 9th & 10th times in 3 days;
-the right arm has fallen off my office chair; and
-MY PERSONAL mug is missing!!

Okay, the last one isn't a home repair issue but it does add to my frustration. On the bright side, I can get all my anger out of my system at paintball this afternoon. "Come 'ere, youthy youthy..."

Help Wanted

I’m a strong independent woman but when my dad doesn’t come to visit for a while, things start to deteriorate in the home/car repair department. Then I turn to guy friends, draw them in with the offer of free food and nag them into service. Buddy proved himself quite handy by fixing my broken cupboard door. Check out the manliness:
Anybody out there interested in some apple pie & soy ice cream in exchange for dealing with any of the following issues:
-1 lame closet door
-1 squeaky windshield wiper
-1 non-functional ipod fm transmitter
-3 burnt-out light bulbs
-1 loose windshield wiper
-1 naked clutch petal
-several banging pipes
-1 crooked shower head
-1 broken car-door-switch which connects to my "headlights are still on!" warning signal (note: you can either offer to fix the switch or make yourself available 24-7 with booster cables)
-2 temporarily ‘fixed’ cupboard-door-hinges

Other Highlights

The conference feels so long ago after Thanksgiving food and madness but I promised highlights and you're getting them! Fun times included kayaking,

beautiful fall scenery,
tantalizing ice cream from the big moo,
inappropriate placement of chocolate chips, :)

and a field trip to the beer store.

ps. for those who have had the misfortune to be around me after I've eaten dairy, be assured: I abstained from the ice cream. For everybody's sake.

Conference Wounds

Just returned from the Alberta churchworkers conference yesterday. Many good moments of fellowship, discussion, worship. But the highlight, by far, was the night we played Spoons.

I've spent many hours playing spoons and it's often turned violent. I've played spoons with other churchworkers and have learned that they can be the most aggressive players in the game. I particularly remember a moment at the National workers conference in Winnipeg a couple years ago when a certain pastor (who figures into this week's story as well) yanked DPS Judy Ellard to the floor BY THE HOOD of her sweatshirt to get to a waylaid spoon first.

Yes, I know the risks of this game. But I have NEVER in my life seen Spoons interrupted mid-game, so that a player can be rushed to emerg for 4 stitches. Now, I don't want anyone getting paranoid. I'm not telling this story to expose the extreme dangers of this game. Rather, I'd like to pay tribute to the dedication of Pastor Matty Zip. In the face of battle, he clung so tightly to his spoon that it actually sliced through the skin between his fourth of fifth fingers. What a hero.

Matt & Curtis reenacted the scene for your viewing pleasure.

Keep in mind that Curtis is only an actor here; he was not involved in the original incident. I also have a close-up of the wound but I'll save that for the eyes of the strong-stomached.

Stay tuned for other highlights from the conference...