March 31 - December 29, 2019


March 31, 2019
» absence of malice

Earlier this year, I happened to check my junk/non-friend messages at Facebook, and I found a month-old email from my ex. He wrote that he'd discovered my website and had "spent the last two hours" reading about what a horrible boyfriend he was.

I was nothing short of stunned to know that he still frets about that. Even as far back as the page linked above, I shared that I have no hard feelings. To borrow a quote from television, "I spent that anger a long time ago."

So, Ray, while I do *not* want to reconnect, I absolutely forgive you. When it comes to our past, at this point, if I were to be angry at anyone, it would be at myself, so foolishly desperate to hold on to someone who was so obviously not a good fit. I should have listened to wise counsel. I should have tried harder to communicate instead of ranting on and on (and on and on) in a journal. But I have peace about it all when I chalk it up to lessons learned. That time made clear to me what I do -- and do not -- want in a relationship; that clarity has no doubt helped me avoid some additional heartbreak. When I look through the filter of faith, I'm so thankful that even when we mess up big time, God can make beauty from those proverbial ashes. :)

So, Ray: forgive yourself. It happened and we can never undo it. Accept that, like me, you could've done some things better... and the next time you have an opportunity, do them better.

Close that chapter for good, and keep moving on with your life.

"And that's all I have to say about that."

May 25, 2019
» Wherefore was I Juliet?

When I started this site I was in a place where a string of failed relationships left me too disheartened to even think of trying again. Therefore, TV and movie dreamboats became the objects of my affections. It just seemed easier. To be sure, it was less painful. IIRC, my reasoning was, "At least I KNOW that won't go anywhere."

Somewhere during that mindset, I surfed across Kidd Video's song "Video Romeo," and it became a kind of anthem for me, so much so that I opted to blog here under the banner of Video Juliet.

A few years passed and my jadedness was clearly ebbing away because I ventured back into the real-life dating pool with a great guy. [They do exist. Color *me* stunned. ;) ]

Fast-forward to not so long ago, and that so-called video world has largely dropped off of my radar. Sure, those stars still get in my eyes. But, happily, a moniker that speaks only of pining for Hollywood hunks no longer reflects what I'm about. In spite of that, "Juliet" lingered since I had no particular inspiration for a more suitable name.

Until very recently, when the lyrical expression melody rising (from "Spirit Sing" by Zealand Worship) got stuck in my head as having potential for a new signature phrase. I toyed with various permutations and kept going back to medley rising, for three key reasons.

(1) It echoes my experience of late, recognizing what God is doing in my life, in "the finding and the searching," grateful for the journey(s) to where a song -- hope! -- is rising.

(2) Because the going is not always so simple, "medley" expands the musical theme to multiple songs, making it analogous to the jumble of thoughts and emotions resurfacing in my current season.

(3) By indicating an assembly or collection, the medley concept lines up with that of my long-time personal site, eclectic.

Given the previous rationale, I am forgoing my typical practice of hashing over decisions ad nauseam.

And -- just like that -- the proverbial page is turned to begin the new chapter of medley rising.

"Juliet has left the building." ;)

November 16, 2019
» new layout for rusted-crush – done!

In carpentry, they say to "measure twice, cut once."

When I'm reworking a website's content and layout, I "brainstorm for a week, decide one thing."

Nevertheless! Last week I finished and posted my latest project: updating rusted-crush.com.

If you're thinking, "Hey, that looks like eclectic," fret not! The similarity is by design, part of a strategy to give my website collection a more unified format.

Next up, neloo.com and fannesite.com will get "unifying" makeovers.

The primary objective for this streamlining effort is efficiency, for visitors in navigating between features and for me in maintenance. Building from a template will certainly save time in forthcoming layout designs.

Website work will resume in 2020(??). Until then, I'll largely be occupied with the annual review plus real-life gotta-dos (chores, organizing) and wanna-dos (Christmas!).


December 29, 2019
» a year in review - 2019

1. What did you do in 2019 that you'd never done before?
participated in the Walk Through The Old Testament Bible study, learned to check the traffic flow in Google Maps, used the Opera browser, noticed quail in the yard, set a snap mousetrap, tried less-sugar Chobani and Campbell's Healthy Request Bean and Bacon Soup, purchased and cooked a non-fish-stick-equivalent fish fillet, heard the train-rumble sound of a possible nearby tornado, printed at Staples from a flash drive, and got bit by a tick

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
For 2019 my goal (repeated from 2018) was to spend more time on what adds value to my life, and I did indeed labor in several "valuable" areas. Loosely in order from least to greatest attempt: improving communication, nutritional eating, accomplishing tasks more efficiently, and upward thinking of the Biblical kind.
For 2020, my theme is to simplify. Pare down my stockpile of stuff. Reduce over-analyzing and over-to-do-listing. Focus more on the next priority, and less on nailing down the legion of conceivable tangents.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully, no. But quite a few people I know lost loved ones.

5. Where did you travel?
only to local cities that I've visited before

6. What would you like to have in 2020 that you lacked in 2019?
the ability to consistently style all of my hair in a way that looks good to me

7. What event from 2019 will remain etched upon your memory?
seeing the storage shed door open, and realizing that someone had cut the lock

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
completing an overhaul of my signature site, www.rusted-crush.com

9. What was your biggest failure?
Far too many times, I was annoyed with certain people -- and I peevishly let them know it. :winces:

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
In addition to regular recurrences of familiar digestive, sinus, age-related, and overuse issues, a backache slowed me down for a month.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
I purchased a tall cabinet to corral my foodstuffs. (Technically, the unit is for storing officesupplystuffs but it's fine as a pantry.)

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
A group I'm working with on a certain project. They listen when I talk (WOW, NOT EVERYONE INTERRUPTS), and they make me feel as if my input is appreciated.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The main object of my affection sent a *clear* sign of disinterest in a Painfully Awkward Moment. I don't think he intended to be harsh, but I distinctly felt the harshness of rejection. :*(

14. Where did most of your money go?
household expenses

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
the -- mysterious, wonderful -- ways God is redeeming my story

16. What song will always remind you of 2019?
probably "Look Up, Child" by Lauren Daigle because the phrase was part of this year's resolution

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier or sadder? happier
Older or wiser? older. I reach for reading glasses more than ever. (Sigh.)
Thinner or fatter? judging by my clothes, about the same
Richer or poorer? judging by my bottom line, about the same

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
nipped a potential negative in the bud

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
balked at the slightest deviation from what I was expecting

20. Did your heart break?
For the first time in years, no. Although -- to be sure -- there were plenty of hard days that bent it

21. How did you spend Christmas?
I worked on these questions while waiting for late-risers. ;) My mom, sister and I opened our gifts around nine-thirty, after I set up our 22-year-old, low-frills video camera. I then took pictures of our decorations and unwrapped gifts, and we cleaned up. Lunch was red salmon loaf, corn, boiled potatoes, and crock-pot green bean casserole. A lovely afternoon of casual puttering was followed by a soup supper. I walked outside to enjoy the 70-degree sunny-ness. The fam and I ended the day watching DVDs.

22. How will you spend New Year's Eve?
I have to work. Later, the fam and I will watch DVDs, and then ring the new year in as we typically do: sleeping. (At least, we'll attempt to sleep, because the neighbors usually go overboard with fireworks.)

23. What was your favorite TV program?
My TV time is still spent rerunning past favorites such as Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Quantum Leap, and Parker Lewis Can't Lose. I also added What's Happening? to my DVD collection.

24. What were your greatest food discoveries?
I gained an affinity for snacking on Oatmeal Squares cereal, for Publix egg salad on an Aldi rice cake, and for Ezekiel bread. I also found a delicious and versatile broccoli fish bake.

25. What was the best book you read?
Jesus Calling by Sarah Young is the only book I'll finish this year, but it remains an all-time favorite. Almost every day, some truth in it resonates with me.

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
"Native Tongue" by Switchfoot: set to a mesmerizing beat, the lyrics are a fresh look at the wonder of God's amazing love. (Not to mention a challenge to me to be more loving.) "The Strength to Let Go," also by Switchfoot, expresses my heart's prayer in the struggles of this current season.

27. What did you want and get?
My tick bite did NOT result in symptoms of a tick-borne illness. #PraiseTheLord

28. What did you want and not get?
for my new coworker to have potential to become a close friend

29. What was your favorite film?
There were none. I thought Captain Marvel was okay. I pretend Avengers Endgame was just a bad dream. #NeverHappened

30. What did you do on your birthday?
It was largely a repeat of last year, with taking the day off from work, computering, shopping in Madison, and hiking at Rainbow Mountain Trail. However, there was some newness in that the heat set a record: 100 degrees, in October! That meant cutting my hike short. On the bright side, I could shed my fall layers for a cute summer top.

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
if I had connected more with people

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2019?
still business casual -- with function over fashion, since I prefer not to shiver all day in our 63-degree office

33. What kept you sane?
choosing peaceful thoughts

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I was drawn to the strength and competence of Captain Stottlemeyer on Monk. Also, after seeing Captain Marvel, I outlined a fanfiction scene inspired by Jude Law.

35. What political issue or news story stirred you the most?
For a change, a positive news byte stood out to me: "I feel like it's so easy to love. People like that, you never know what they're going through. You just want to help them." - gymnast Katelyn Ohashi's gracious response to would-be body shamers

36. Who did you miss?
my former coworker, Tricia

37. Who was the best new person you met?
Clarice and Beth from church

38. What changed the most in your life this year?
Sweeping reorganization efforts continued across the board. Two significant changes were renaming my blog and being relieved of the website forums that I started back in 2004.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2019.
Earlier this year a tweet by Beth Moore ("Thought I'd arrive at spiritual maturity then just abide right there undisturbed... Instead, here I am... still grappling") caught my eye because it echoed my own perplexity. I, too, expected some sort of fill-her-up zap, after which I'd be perpetually unflappable. :sheepish: The lesson for me has been that when I trust that God *is* working, right where I am? That struggling is part of the faith-building process? Hallelujah, what a awesome gamechanger!

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"I know You have Your reasons for everything, so I will keep believing." ~ "No Matter What" by Kerrie Roberts


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