The Tip Conundrum

I'm merely minutes away from getting my hair done, and trust me, it desperately needs it.  It's been almost four months since I've had it cut and colored, and right about now, I'm feeling like an overgrown dog.  Sitting here thinking about the gloriousness of sitting in that chair completely relaxed has got me thinking about what I'm going to tip my hair stylist.  That got me thinking about this whole tipping thing.  It's not the first time I've thought about it, but it's the first time I've blogged about it.  

I hate tipping.  It's not so much the fact of giving someone something extra that I think they deserve.  It's the obligation to tip.  Let me say this, I don't mind tipping servers at a restaurant because I go to a restaurant and pay for the food.  I don't necessarily pay for the service.  Therefore, I think a tip is warranted.  If the server did I good job, I have no problem giving them a tip.  I was a server once, and I made $2.13 an hour.  I relied on tips to pay the bills.  I don't think though, that the patron should be responsible for almost completely compensating the server's pay.  That should be the job of the establishment. 

Then there's the obligatory tip for people like a masseuse, a door man, a bell hop, a nail artist, and said hair stylist.  My feelings are that I'm already paying for the service.  I'm paying to have a massage.  I'm paying to stay at that hotel.  I'm paying to get my nails done. I'm paying to have my hair cut.  Why should I tip when I'm already paying for the service.  Don't get me wrong, I tip these people, and I feel like I tip them fairly.  However, I feel that I'm obligated to tip even though I'm already shelling out sometimes hundreds of dollars to have this service provided to me.  I don't understand how our society has gotten out of control about who we should tip.  There's even a tip jar on the counter of our favorite coffee shops.  

I'll keep tipping, even if it is a little begrudgingly.  Maybe I should change my outlook on it and be a cheerful giver.  Isn't that what God has asked us to do? It says in His word that "God loves a cheerful giver".  I guess then I should look at my heart and change my attitude on it.  

"Lord, help me to be a cheerful giver today when I tag on that extra dollar amount to my hair cut."  Amen. 

:)

Haven't Blogged in Awhile

I decided to visit my blog today and noticed that I haven't blogged since April.  What is wrong with me?  I guess I haven't had much to blog about, but I'm going to try and be more diligent about it.  

Let me start by saying that the holidays are here, and I'm eagerly anticipating them.  We are staying in Springfield for Thanksgiving, but heading to Seattle for Christmas.  What is it about the holidays that puts a smile on most people's faces.  For me, it's this:

-Eating until you have to unbutton your pants

-Having leftover turkey for weeks after the big event

-Listening to Bing Crosby sing "White Christmas"

-Watching "White Christmas"

-Watching "A Christmas Story" over and over again on TNT

-Watching "Christmas Vacation"  (am I seeing a trend here)

-Putting up the Christmas decorations

-Scoping out the shopping deals 

-Getting up at 5 am on Black Friday and braving the crowds

-Putting up the Christmas tree and having Alyza help

-Traveling to Seattle to spend time with family

-Being with family on Thanksgiving

-People being in great moods because of the holidays

-Seeing Alyza's face when she opens her gifts

-Drinking Tea Tang

-Smelling cookies baking in the oven

-Eating cookies right from the oven

-Pumpkin Spice Lattes

-Having to bundle up to go outside

-The many Christmas parties and programs 

-Celebrating the birth of my Savior, Jesus

I could keep going and going.  What do you like about the holidays?

Another Name Change

As I've been reading some of my standard blogs today, I have found that, yet again, I need to change the name of my blog.  At first, it was alysononehotmamma.blogspot.com.  I chose that name because that's where I was in life.  I had just had a baby and I was defining myself.  It was a hard time in my life because we had just moved from Florida where my husband was in youth ministry and I was a middle school teacher.  I loved my students and the friends we had there, and we moved to a place where I was no longer doing what I loved.  Don't get me wrong; I loved youth ministry at the time, but it wasn't my job.  It was Ryan's.  I was just a mom.  I know that some would say "You aren't JUST a mom!", but at the time, that's what I felt like.   

Then I changed my url to notyourtypicalpastorswife.blogspot.com.  As a pastor's wife, I felt that I was called to be exactly that- "not your typical pastors wife".  I know that may sound stupid, but I wanted to break the mold.  I wanted people to know me by who I was, Alyson, not by what "title", if you will, that I held.  I wanted to be different, not for the sake of being different, but to make a change in people's lives.  I wanted them to see Alyson before they saw that I was a pastor's wife. 

Well, now my husband and I aren't in church ministry so I'm no longer a pastor's wife.  Therefore, the change to my url became necessary.  I'm in a place right now that I have had to redefine who I am, in a way.  We aren't pastors anymore.  We get to enjoy church as congregants.  We don't have to be at every function.   We have our weekends and nights free to do what we want.  It's a different feeling, and it's refreshing.  Our ministry is something totally different now, and it's very exciting.  Yet, during this transition,  I've found myself struggling a little with what my role is right now.  I'm no longer a worship leader or pastor's wife.  I'm a mom, wife, daughter, sister, friend, and co-worker.   It's a very strange place to be in, but I'm finding that I'm relying on God to truly tell me who I am in Him.   I'm Alyson-His daughter that He created for His glory.  Thus, the new url name change.  Yes, it's simple and doesn't have a lot of spunk to it, but it's who I am.  I am Alyson Moore, and very happy to be that. 

It's Different

I haven't blogged in awhile due to our recent relocation.  I've also felt so out of the blogging loop since we got our new Mac.  All of my favorite blogs were bookmarked on our old computer, so I've been a little lost.  I'm back now, however, and ready to blog.  Let me start by saying, for those of you who are wondering, our move went well.  We are at Ryan's parents waiting to close on our house.  It's a foreclosure home, so the word is that it will take a little longer.  That's fine with us, I guess, but I am a little anxious to get in there and start my life.  Right now, I feel a little disjointed.  Ryan started his job last week, and I've been doing whatever I can to fill my time. In Portland, I had many activities to fill my week-playgroups, Bible studies, coffee dates with friends.  Here, I have nothing.  Ryan keeps telling me to give it time.  We've only been here a week and a half, so I guess I should listen to that advice.  He can be right sometimes. :)  It's just been hard for me to go from a packed schedule to a schedule that is one big hole.  I've been continually looking for jobs.  I have my resume at at least ten different places, so if you remember, please pray that the perfect job will come with the hours that I need.  I'm desperate to be around other people.  I've also been researching preschools.  I think I've found the perfect one for Alyza, but I have to get her back on the potty regularly and I need a job in order to pay for it.  Just writing this makes me think, "man, life sure has changed".  

I'm lonely at times, but I know that this is a season.  There are so many exciting things going on that I need to focus on.  I'm excited about finding a new church and getting to be congregant again.  I've forgotten what that feels like.  I'm excited to get involved in a new worship ministry. Frankly,  I overly excited to get involved in a new worship ministry.  That is my passion and calling and something that I cannot abandon.  

I'm excited about the new opportunities that Ryan is going to have at this new job.  There are so many connections, and we've already been in contact with people we haven't seen for years.  God has some great things planned.  Now, it's just a waiting game.  

I'm excited about the new house.  It's 4 beds, 2 baths, and 1800 sq. feet.  It has a great backyard for a swing set and entertaining.  I can't wait to have friends over for games and barbeques.  

In the meantime, I need to realize that this season of being disjointed is exactly that-a season!  This too shall pass but for now, I'm going to be researching all of the wonderful things Spgfld has to offer us.  

We Are Moving! (Didn't I just post something like this?)

Yes, the title you read is correct...We are moving...Yet again.  Ryan has accepted a position in Springfield, Missouri as the Young Adult Ministries Coordinator for the Assemblies of God.  It's an incredible position on the national level, and we are stoked for it.  Our last Sunday will be March 8th, and then we are off.  It's crazy how it's all come up so quickly, but we know that God is guiding us and has given us this great opportunity.  It will be different not being in "church" ministry, yet we will be ministering on a national level to people all over the US, which is incredible.  Please keep us in your prayers as we make this move and start this new area of ministry. 

My Vice

Today, I came to a conclusion. I am addicted to Diet Coke. I finally realized this when I was downing my third can last night. At that rate, I'm going through a 12 pack every 4 days. It's madness, I tell you. I crave the taste, the bubbly carbonation, and the refreshing coldness. The problem is, I have no desire to give it up. I probably should since I am trying to lose weight. My justification is that it is diet and not regular, so I'm doing ok, and I probably am. However, I should be drinking water. The only time I can drink lots of waters is when I'm at a restaurant and I have lemons, and the server keeps refilling my glass. I have no problem getting my water requirements in then. But if I'm at home and I have the choice between water and diet coke, I reach for the diet coke. Especially if it's Diet Coke with lime. Nothing beats it. Absolutely nothing. On the brighter side, my 4th weigh in is tomorrow, and I'm on track to be down 10 lbs in one month. I hope to keep this rate up. By the summer, I'm going to be a whole new person, and that keeps me motivated. ;)

She's Fat???

Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably heard the media having a hay day because of Jessica Simpson. It's seems that she has gained a little weight, and the media is on her like white on rice. It's a shame. Let me first say this-she's maybe gained a few lbs, but the biggest problem is the outfit. The mom jeans that she is wearing are not flattering, even on the thinnest of people. The color is horrid as well. That color of jean would make anyone look bigger than they really are. I actually think the belt works. I've watched "What Not to Wear" many times, and Stacey and Clinton are always saying that belts help define a waist. It works here, however, the tank top is a little off. Jessica has a chest, and it seems to me that this tank top makes them look bigger. Maybe it's the size of the straps. I don't know. I do know that she still looks great.

I have other issues with the whole media blitz that is surrounding this. WHO CARES??? I mean, really? Who cares if she's gained a few pounds. She's in love, at least that's what it seems like, and who hasn't gained a few pounds when you find the person you want to be with. Jessica is still a beautiful woman. This is the exact reason why I hate the media. They are saying she's TIPPING the scales at 135. TIPPING the scales, people. If she's tipping the scales, then most of us have crushed them. I wish I could be 135 again. The only time I was ever that skinny was when I had an eating disorder in high school. Literally! The media needs to back off. This is why we have girls and women all over America and the world that have body issues. It disgusts me. It amazes me that we've been saying this for years, yet magazines, media, etc., haven't changed their tune.

I do find it humorous that Victoria's Secret has changed their mannequins in stores to look a little "fuller". Is that what you call "fuller"? I want to see a mannequin with stretch marks, saggy boobs, thunder thighs, and a mom pooch. Once they do that, then they can say that they've altered their mannequins. Until then, they shouldn't say anything. Nothing has changed.

As far as the whole Jessica thing is concerned, I think she still looks great. Everyone needs to leave her only. When this happens, I believe we'll have more girls and women that feel better about themselves.