Disqus - Latest Comments for Gretchen

Re: Brighten your home with flowers – Flora 2000 giveaway

Gretchen — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 20:16:00 -0000

I adore the Gerbera Daisies Bouquet. Roses are great but I love the simplicity of daisies.

Re: I love pearls – Pearl Paradise giveaway

Gretchen — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 20:20:00 -0000

The Sasha is gorgeous and simple.

Re: http://ourlittleapartment.blogspot.com/2008/09/pursuit-of-happiness.html

Gretchen — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 22:34:00 -0000

I'm so jealous...I've wanted to take a design class for a while. And you will have to share!

Re: http://ourlittleapartment.blogspot.com/2008/09/worth-it-wednesday-because-youre-worth.html

Gretchen — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 23:58:00 -0000

Dang, I've totally been considering buying some tweezerman tweezers and you just sold me on the idea. Love the feature--I may have to join in!

Re: http://ourlittleapartment.blogspot.com/2008/10/thoughts-on-journey.html

Gretchen — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:00:00 -0000

Ashley, this is so cool. I've been doing a lot of thinking about this topic myself lately, so your example is something of an inspiration. I know it will be challenging at times, but you definitely have a ton of talent and desire to do great things with it. Good luck!!

Re: http://ourlittleapartment.blogspot.com/2008/10/ode-to-grandmas-donuts.html

Gretchen — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:58:00 -0000

We make our with lemon glaze--yum!!
So unhealthy, but SO good.

Re: http://ourlittleapartment.blogspot.com/2008/11/one-with-friends.html

Gretchen — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 22:38:00 -0000

Yeah, I wasn't allowed to watch it either. Then I went away to school and my roommate had them on DVD and I completely binged on them my freshman year. It was AWESOME.

Re: http://ourlittleapartment.blogspot.com/2008/11/you-can-ask-whatever-you-like.html

Gretchen — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 00:29:00 -0000

What inspires you as a designer?

Re: http://ourlittleapartment.blogspot.com/2008/12/faq-4-on-design-cleveland-smiles-and-le.html

Gretchen — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 15:23:00 -0000

First, I totally meant to say this sooner, but thank you for the wonderful compliments!
Your proposal story is one of the best I've heard, especially your response. Classic!

Re: http://ourlittleapartment.blogspot.com/2009/01/worth-it-wednesday-free-is-even-better.html

Gretchen — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:32:00 -0000

My mom took my brother and I to the library once a week as kids and I've been going ever since. I owe my desire to become a librarian all to her.

Re: Man cooks up the Virgin Mary on the grill - ExChristian.Net - News and Opinion

Gretchen — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 01:47:00 -0000

Okay, I kinda see the figure of a woman and a baby. But if you ask me, looks like she's trying to suffocate it. Maybe that's why Jebus thought he was the messiah.
Makes you wonder......

Re: Supreme Court to decide if atheist groups can sue Bush - ExChristian.Net - News and Opinion

Gretchen — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 09:42:00 -0000

Good for them. It's about time someone challenged Bush on his faith-based programs. Maybe now, since there isn't a blank check in congress anymore, we can finally get rid of this mess.

Re: Waking up from the nightmare - Testimonies of Ex-Christians

Gretchen — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 13:29:00 -0000

Thank you guys for your kind words. It's been six months and I still miss her. But I feel like this experience has given me the drive to finally break away from my fear and guilt. For the first time in my life I finally get how completely rediculous it is to fear something that is just plain stupid. I feel like I've been given a gift.
I've been reading posts on this site for awhile now. It's still amazing to me how christians leave such vile and judgemental comments but claim to care about you and your 'soul'. I started wondering, was I ever that hateful? Did I ever sound like some of these people? It makes me angry that I could have ever been as small and ignorant as some of them. I'm just glad that I can now say with pride " I no longer believe".

Re: Waking up from the nightmare - Testimonies of Ex-Christians

Gretchen — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 14:12:00 -0000

Crap. That last post was mine. I wonder why my name didn't show up?

Re: Waking up from the nightmare - Testimonies of Ex-Christians

Gretchen — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 19:22:00 -0000

Rebekah, all I can say is wow. I knew it would only be a matter of time before the obligitory apology by someone who has a relationship with God and Jebus and not a religion, commented. You're not sorry about the loss of my grandmother, you're trying to pretend to be sorry. What you are feeling is pity. Pity that I no longer believe in your magic fairy godfather.

You have judged me. In your mind I am a lost soul that needs to be saved. Well, I don't need to be saved by your hanging saviour. I saved myself. My journey may have started because of my emotions, but I broke from Xtianity, and Jesus, because of my brain. The more I learned, the more I saw that all of it was a lie. All of it. Every word God and Jesus supposedly spoke, every miracle performed, every word that was written down. The bible is the biggest lie of them all.

Re: A long journey - Testimonies of Ex-Christians

Gretchen — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 11:08:00 -0000

"i don't find being an ex-Christian easy; I do, however feel that I am being honest with myself and others."

Rachel, I couldn't have said it better myself. Some xtians feel that us exs should just play a "just in case game". They would rather us lie about what we believe. How insane is that? They promote morality, but lying is okay. Great morals, eh?
Just wanted to say welcome.

Re: Getting an IPOD NANO!

Gretchen — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 18:48:00 -0000

to cute! I don't have a Nano, just a regular MP3 player but I love it. Enjoy!

Re: Catavino Gets a Makeover

Gretchen — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 15:15:58 -0000

It looks great for a start... I have been playing with WP a bit and am still having problems... Congrats!

Re: The Literary Side of Port Wine

Gretchen — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 17:56:25 -0000

Strangely enough when I think of the literary side of Port, I think of your typical 18th Century novel that requires the ladies to retire to the parlor for tea while the gentlemen are served Port and cigars.... the trick was that the gentlemen each consumed about a full bottle of Port during the course of an evening...

Luckily, we live in a time when the ladies are allowed to enjoy the Port as well....

Re: How I pushed women into boxes

Gretchen — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 18:33:00 -0000

Hi Jonalyn, I'v been following along and enjoy reading your proccess.

Re: The Jesus Family Tomb: A Conspiracy for Jacobovici

Gretchen — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 12:53:00 -0000

I was really interested in this story and it really made me reevaluate my faith. It also made me do some research into the claims that the film makers made. I came across a very interesting blog that you might be interested in. It's "benwitherington.blogspot.com". He addresses some of the major points and does some of the more tedious research that needs to happen. Very interesting!

Re: "Ruby Slippers" Hits the Pavement

Gretchen — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 19:07:00 -0000

Congratulations Jonalyn!!! I am so happy for you and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy!

Re: Found: Mean Girls. Lost: Solution

Gretchen — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 02:26:00 -0000

While reading your post I was reminded of a particularly low point in my Jr. High career. There was one girl in our group of friends that was.... gorgeous. She looked older than all of us, dressed artsy and cool and had perfect sultry green eyes and long honey colored hair. She was known for borrowing clothes and sometimes returning them with stains or some other blemish.
So....I decided to pay her back. blechhh. I borrowed her much loved "Phantom Of The Opera" t-shirt and another friend and I tortured it. We bleached it, tore it and completely ruined it (at my house). Then I brazenly walked down to her house and gave it back to her with the breezy explanation that it had been washed with some bleach. so, yeah.... sorry.

I cannot believe how mean and horrible I was. It still haunts me to this day!

Oh yeah, there was also a batch of exlax brownies that we brought to church youth group at one point.

Seriously, what makes girls so mean???

Re: Found: Mean Girls. Lost: Solution

Gretchen — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 02:26:00 -0000

I really agree that it is just plain old sin nature with the female "mean girls" twist.
The reality is that with some maturity and grace women don't have to compete and compare. I believe that comparing and competing with other women comes from poor self worth and that's the reason it gets especially ugly around the teenage years. Girls haven't come to see who they are or where they belong and the insecurity manifests itself in ugly ugly ways. There are many women who haven't grown up, and the behavior continues into adulthood.

Re: Her Opening Chapter

Gretchen — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 02:06:00 -0000

Knowing the people involved makes this post especially sweet.
I keep being amazed at how much sweeter my marriage becomes with time but it's fun to think back on those months just after the wedding with all of the change and poinency.

Re: A New Book Project

Gretchen — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 22:29:00 -0000

What I'm wondering is, if women have told you that they don't connect with you or support you for those reasons?

I feel like although there is some cattiness out there much of it can be overcome very quickly by entering into relationship. For example I may notice that a women is thinner and prettier then me but when I take a moment to connect with her, that doesn't matter anymore unless she chooses to let it be an obsticle. The reality is that most women and people in general want to be known for who they are inside not what they look like or have on the outside.

I believe that everything comes down to how we percieve ourselves and how we choose to relate to others and that it's not about how others relate to us. Meaning that we can choose to let others come into our lives and be open or we can be aware of how others may or may not percieve us and feel hurt or judged by something that someone may or may not think about us.

I'm sure that a book about this topic would be very interesting!

Re: A Theology of Female Embodiment- One Month of Pregnancy (in five installments)

Gretchen — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 21:17:00 -0000

I've been through this.... I feel every emotion again as I read this.

Re: When Religion Hurts Women- Yearning for Zion Ranch and Mars Hill Church

Gretchen — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 01:54:00 -0000

A couple of thoughts about Working and mothering.
As a mother of one young child I now understand the importance of being available to to my family and home. I work two days a week and those days I come home tired and socially worn out. It's hard to deal with a toddler, laundry, and basic things on those days. I can't imagine working much more than I do.

I (now) have strong feelings about the importance of women's role in the home and I do feel that it is a major problem in our society that we encourage and applaud women so much for building a career while they have young children and a husband that need them. I'm not talking about the single mom who is desperately trying to survive. She is a symptom of a broken society. (fathers not fathering, lack of community etc...)

I'm talking about the women who doesn't feel fulfilled by the role she took on as a mother. Mothering is NOT glorious. It's tiring and can be a boring, sometimes (alot of the time) thankless job. There are no financial bonus's no certificates or applause but it is the most foundational part of our society.

I understand that financially many women need to help bring in a little extra. That's what I have to do but my first and most important job is mothering. I don't think that it is in the best interest of my son to have someone else spend everyday with him. They don't care about him like I do and he knows it. I don't ever want him to feel second to my whims or selfish need for accolades. I LOVE my job of styling hair. I'm good at it. People love what I do but in the end I'm left with the questions, "How have I loved my family? What lasting impression did I leave on them?, and are my desires in the best interest of those that I love the most?" These are basic issues of selfish verses selfless. This doesn't mean that I won't spend time nurturing my self as a creative interesting human being. I will always have hobby's and interests. But they never take precedence over people. Especially little people that I love and am responsible for!

I know that as life goes on things change. My son will go to school grow up and need a little less of my undivided attention. I may be able to put in more time at the salon. But not at the expense of his safety, well being or needs.

Your comment about "traditional motherhood" not being in the Bible rubbed me the wrong way because it occured to me that when the Bible was written there wasn't a question of whether mother's mothered. It's just common sense that mother's mother.

It means women have to put self aside. Just as Father's have to put self aside to love, provide and protect.

I'm sure there is more but not for this format.

Re: When Religion Hurts Women- Yearning for Zion Ranch and Mars Hill Church

Gretchen — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:36:00 -0000

Jonalyn, I agree with most all of what you said. I do believe that dads can nurture just as well as moms (my husband is an example of this).Moms tend to do it more because of pregnancy and breastfeeding etc... This subject is pretty complex and I do agree that not every situation is the same.
I like the example you gave of your Psychologist friend. I'm sure that she is doing the absolute best that she feels for her family. It would be interesting to ask her kids and many like them what they would have preferred when they have grown. I think most kids feel safer and less of a second priority when parents have more time with them. No matter how good the care, kids need parents not nannies on a regular basis.

I know that this is not necessarily what you are saying but is sounds a little like that.

I do believe that women can be involved in business and commerce as the Prov. 31 women is without working full time outside of the home like women today do. Most likely her children were by her side or with her mother/sister if she was away.

There are alot of nuances to this subject and this really is a difficult format for such a discussion. I realize in writing this and my last post that alot is being left out. So, thank you Jonalyn for addressing this subject. It's a hot one! =0)

Re: What Mothers Tell Us About God

Gretchen — Thu, 01 May 2008 18:23:00 -0000

What a sweet article Jonalyn. God is a good God isn't He?
I really had fun thinking about your last post and I ended up talking with Heidi at length about it. Very good stuff. I realize that I have a hard time truly expressing my unformed opinions in writing. =0)

Re: Prince Caspian: Why the Movie is Not Worth Seeing

Gretchen — Sat, 17 May 2008 02:46:00 -0000

How can a movie ever live up to a book? The only instance that comes to mind is "Anne of Green Gables" which was so artfully and thoughtfully done it really had the same feel as the books.

My heart sank when I read your post because I have been anticipating the movie so much. I have to admit that the trailers have left me a bit cold. I recently read the book in preparation for the film and it looks like it will be a hard act to follow.

There is so much back story and texture to the book and I'm sure it would be hard to capture that magic and flavor in an epic Hollywood film.

I'll see it in the theater but will be aware of the subtle and not so subtle changes.

Re: Lynching Today

Gretchen — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 00:29:00 -0000

Thank you for sharing this Jonalyn. I have seen this so much in the youth I have know and those I don't know.
I pray that I would be sensitive to the soul of not only my husband and child but to those around me.

Re: Intelligender?

Gretchen — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 11:13:00 -0000

I have a friend who used this test recently. I guess that there is something novel about being able to find out so early on. It's like instant gratification for gender determination!

Re: Off-roading and Quilts

Gretchen — Mon, 04 May 2009 01:12:00 -0000

What a beautiful gift! And, that picture is hair raising!!

Re: In The Mood For Emo

Gretchen — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 22:42:00 -0000

Hey if you like the Get Up Kids, you should check out the Paper Chase. They've got a similar, yet unique sound you can check out at www.thepaperchase.net. Oh, and they're currently on the Explosions in the Sky tour throughout the US

Re: Failure Follow-Up

Gretchen — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 14:19:00 -0000

For a truly great opinion (in my opinion), check out "The Worst President in History?" by Sean Wilentz, an historian from Princeton, the Rolling Stone, posted April 21. Not that I wasn't already convinced! Great to get facts.

Re: Post-Press Conference Letter from Human Rights Campaign President to Speaker Dennis Hastert

Gretchen — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 12:50:00 -0000

In response to the inevitable gay-bashing arising from Foley-gate (I'm not a member of the GLBT community, just a human rights advocate), Randi Rhodes on Air America consulted the Pediatric Journal for information about who preys on underage kids. Turns out 98% of the boys who are abused are preyed upon by heterosexuals, and 99%+ of the girls, it's heterosexuals. It's so NOT gays and lesbians who are pedophiles. She's a raver, but I love her. She's referring to the GOP as the Grand Old Pedophiles. I haven't done it, but I know you can check out her web site for links to this information. She's also one of the few I've heard expressing genuine concern for the pages and not just for the political fallout. Wow, the hypocrisy of the Republicans on the issue is truly appalling.

Re: A Reflection of Him- updated.

Gretchen — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 00:25:00 -0000

LW, what an amazing way to honor these truly incredible women. Great, great post.

Re: Welcome To Middle School

Gretchen — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 00:41:00 -0000

Dear Lord, that will be me in 2 years! Ack! Actually, I'm about to start home schooling my soon-to-be 6th grader...But my 4th grader is just fine where she's at: "I don't wanna be home schooled, Mommy!". Okay. No problem. :)

Re: Thankful Thursday..

Gretchen — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 22:22:00 -0000

How exciting for Auntie Laurel. Feel better soon, and can't wait for your Sept 1st news.

Re: What church do you attend? Or are you Atheist or Agnostic? - Letters to the Webmaster

Gretchen — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 17:21:00 -0000

I was born and raised in Indiana, too. And, unfortunately, I still live here. I have to agree with you, though. "Have a Blessed Day" seems to be the patented response in these parts. Sometimes, I want to tell them to shove "blessed" where the sun doesn't shine.

The worst part about where I am is the annual Church of God Convention. They come in like the plague and every business switches to "god mode"; so next year these morons will come back. It's pathetic if you ask me.upoz

Re: Satan is blinding you to the truth - Letters to the Webmaster

Gretchen — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 07:13:00 -0000

It always amuses me when xtians think satan is ruling our lives. No, the underground boogeyman is not whispering in our ears telling us what to do. Most of us actually studied the bible and found it for what it was, a fairy tale. So that book, an outdated one at that, you quote means nothing.

Re: You people are pathetic - Letters to the Webmaster

Gretchen — Sun, 12 Mar 2006 16:23:00 -0000

Wow, fear tactics and snide remarks are sure going to lead ME back to the flock. I've been looking at this site for a few months now and it's posts like this that solidify my belief that I made the right decision to turn my back on "god".

Re: http://www.weekinrewind.com/2008/09/giveaway-playstation-3.html

Gretchen — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 09:15:00 -0000

I would be worshiped like a goddess if I were to win this one!

Re: http://4littlemen.blogspot.com/2009/09/where-else.html

Gretchen — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 23:04:28 -0000

We live in a suburb of Denver. I love it. In 20 minutes, we can be standing in the center of downtown Denver.

In 20 minutes, we can be at 8,000 feet, looking at a range of 14,000 foot peaks.

I feel like we have the best of both worlds.

Re: http://4littlemen.blogspot.com/2009/07/blog-hop-favorite-recipes.html

Gretchen — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 21:35:47 -0000

I like your blog :)You photos are especially breath taking!

I am having a great time collecting things to try from the blog hop!

Hop on over and check us out at: http://simplysoares.blogspot.com/ if you have a chance :)

Re: http://4littlemen.blogspot.com/2009/05/its-baby-food-time-baby.html

Gretchen — Thu, 28 May 2009 11:57:55 -0000

Tooth-led feeding is an interesting idea, but doesn't always translate well into the developmental realities of every child.

I'm glad you are always quick to say it's what works for YOU and that you have the wisdom to see it simply isn't true for everyone.

I find my kids are ready to start solids when they begin greedily eyeing my food as I eat, lunging at the sight of a fat dinner roll, drooling over a meatball, suddenly waking more at night to eat. They want more, teeth or not. Their tummies do the talking and their teeth don't always get the memo.

Of course I don't go from breastmilk to sausages in one day. We do the normal slow introduction of appropriate baby-friendly foods, pureed freshly at home or from a jar in a pinch.

If I waited for their teeth to tell me what to do, my fifth child wouldn't have been able to eat his own birthday cake. He only had two teeth.

Re: http://4littlemen.blogspot.com/2009/04/lets-talk-about-homeschooling.html

Gretchen — Sat, 16 May 2009 17:49:00 -0000

I LOVE that the lady that criticised your spelling/grammar then said "spelt!" Um, that's not a word...Perhaps you mean spelled? I have no experience w/homeschooling, but wish you and your family the best of luck.

p.s. you used "it's" the right way, too. I was an english major;)

Re: http://4littlemen.blogspot.com/2009/02/meeup-giveaway.html

Gretchen — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 14:08:00 -0000

Oooh! I like the mocca red with earth solid. I am totally in the market for a baby-wearing device, too!