Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Four Types of Stares: Which One are You?
My husband is learning to process people's gazes. He requires oxygen. You would think he has leprosy the way people look at him with a cannula in his nose pulling an oxygen tank. He almost gets more attention than me. I don't care if they stare. (Steve calls me an exhibitionist.) I just want to understand why people can't take their eyes off of me. Now, Steve is another story. He don't want to go out in public anymore due to the stares. He's always been a very private person. Me? I'll seductively pull down my long black socks and show you my prosthetics if you want to see them!
Over the years, I've classified four stare types. They are:
- The Sneaky Stare. This type starer notices me but glances straight ahead like they're not going to stare. I walk toward them and at the very last second when we're walking past each other, when they KNOW I'm not going to know they stared, they quickly shift their eyes in my direction for that gratuitous look-see! CAUGHT! Uhhhh, you're not sneaky at all and if you'd just ask me, I'd share my story with you!
- The Blatant Stare. This bold starer just don't care if they get caught. They gawk, turn around in circles to make sure they seen what they think they saw and will probably ask me "What happened to your foot?", "Did you hurt your foot?", "Were you born with Polio?" etc. I've heard them all. Please...stare all you want but don't jeopardize my dignity by playing 20 questions.
- The Backwards Stare. This type's curiosity gets the best of them. They're cool and collected when they notice Tammy has a problem. They don't want me to feel uncomfortable or "stared at" so they look away, until, I get by them. Then they look back at me trying to politely figure me out until they realize I know their type. When my eyes meet theirs, it's over! CAUGHT! I've often wished they would turn into a pillar of salt.
- The Apologetic Stare. This is the worst starer ever. Bless their hearts. They mean well, but when you're stared at the entire length of a 10 mile mall it's difficult to accept those Basset Hound hung down jaws and sad baggy eyes that seem to say "I'm so sorry you're hurt and limping." Really. People. It's okay!!! If you sincerely feel that sorry for me, hand me a dollar or the keys to a new car with a disabled tag. Please don't stare!
I made it my calling to teach my children to accept others as God made them. That's a whole 'nother subject because mostly people are the way the world has made them.
My favorite personal wisdom is this: If everyone had something "different" to deal with.....people would be "different", possibly even polite. If you gotta stare, stare hard to see the good in people not to figure out the bad.
Here's looking at you,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Thursday, August 6, 2015
Coming Clean: my Secret Addiction
Lisette and I watched Finding Nemo yesterday. Do you ever feel like Bruce? He's the shark that loves to eat fish. My favorite scene in the movie is when he confesses his addiction. Hi. My name is Tammy. I'm addicted to eating at midnight or after. Seriously! I wake up every night and simply cannot resist the urge to eat. I started this bad habit with my first pregnancy 28 years ago! I still cannot control it. And, it's mostly sugary perfection.
You're probably thinking don't buy yourself treats or don't make them, right? I'm that smart. But, don't you just love a warm, crispy toasted piece of fresh bread with melted butter, sugar and cinnamon on it? I do! Yes. I'm that pathetic midnight snacker you see in commercials or movies ransacking the pantry or fridge for food. I've actually woken up with crumbs on my clothes that I don't know how they got there. I'm confessing this to you so maybe I can stop this insanity.
I'm thankful and surprised I'm not overly overweight. That's my body with Bruce's head in the picture. Eating at midnight is terrible for my digestive system. I feel awful the morning after. I'm allergic to sugar and most food chemicals. The allergic reaction causes baggy, saggy eyes. I wrote a blog entitled 5 Tips for Problem Eyes hoping I'd follow my own advice. Nothing has worked so far. Just last night I ate seven or eight little chocolate donuts after midnight. I made it all better by washing them down with water. I can't walk to exercise due to my disability so minimizing food consumption is the only way I have to control my weight.
My bad habit probably seems silly to you. Midnight snacking is extremely frustrating to me. Embarrassing even. I could probably be a cat burglar I've become so good at sneaking in and out of the pantry so my husband doesn't catch me. I know he knows! One night I was in the pantry with the door closed, my daughter and her boyfriend came home from a date settling into the den to watch TV. I was trapped in the pantry for three hours in my t-shirt and undies. There was no way I could get past them without being seen in my shirttail. I'm surprised they didn't hear me laughing at myself and then almost crying when the reality of being a 51 year-old-woman trapped in a pantry controlled by my own sugar vices struck.
As James 5:16 instructs, please pray for me if I cross your mind. I would love to be healed of this mind game.They say "mind over matter", but it's more like "mind wrapped around a Twinkie and won't let go"! I'd appreciate your tips on overcoming habits/addictions if you've successfully done it. Reply to this email or email me at tammy.stafford@hotmail.com. Confession is good for the body and soul.
Feeling crumby,
Tammy
Thursday, July 30, 2015
End of Season Sale
Do we treat salvation the same way? I hear a lot of people say "I'll go to church when I'm ready." or "When I need Jesus, I'll go." As I was surfing department store websites this week for clearance sales, I pondered how many people wait to the very end of their life's season to accept Jesus. Our freedom cost him his life. Salvation isn't getting any cheaper. Christ bestows redemption freely. However, you can't and won't be stingy to accept it. Salvation will cost you your pride, anger, resentment, fearfulness and every other human imperfection I could name. You will have to give it all to Jesus. Godly peace is the still the best bargain around.
Am I really getting the best deals waiting for end of season sales?
1. I'm not really getting what I want, I'm settling for what's available.
2. I could have been enjoying my purchases for a lot longer time.
3. I would cherish something that costs me more.
These same truths apply to our salvation.
1. Jesus can help you get out of life what you really want instead of settling for what comes your way.He's not only a ticket out of hell but he's a provider of a better life now. I'm talking about things that matter most in life like love, family, fellowship, faith, etc. Let him guide your life with righteousness.
2. Accepting Jesus is the sweetest thing you'll ever do at any age. But, a rebirth early on in life allows you to enjoy him a lot longer here!
3. As the old saying goes, when you have "skin in the game" or you apply all of yourself to something, you cherish it, you care for it, you protect it with your life.
Jesus has "skin in the game". He protects you and me with his life. Don't wait for the end of the season to get a better bargain. There isn't one. Don't wait until you're ready, come when Jesus calls. Don't play the waiting game too much. You may be penalized for delay of game, get setback 10 yards and the clock run out while you're trying to make a decision. Or worse. You could be that ugly sweater that never gets purchased! End of season sales are fabulous and Jesus does attend them but allow him to pick you off the rack now. He's already paid full price!
Don't wait,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Saturday, July 25, 2015
I Sang a Song with Warren Buffet
Sloane and I attended, for our first time, the Pampered Chef
National Conference 2015 in Rosemont, IL just outside of Chicago. The
excitement of the general session soared when Warren Buffet took the stage to
play the ukulele and sing "Happy Birthday" to founder Doris
Christopher. That's the day I sang a song with Warren Buffet! Did you know he
owns Pampered Chef? He recounted his story of buying the company 14 years ago.
Mr. Buffet attended his first Pampered Chef Kitchen Show where he participated
in an apple peeling contest and lost! He says "I didn't buy the apple
peeler/corer that night. I bought the company!" Needless to say, I
was impressed with his insight and wisdom but overwhelmed with his humble yet
charming kindness. His message is "Love what you do and who you do it
with."
During the sessions with the executives of Pampered Chef, I felt like endeared family. I attended the conference with my typical cynical attitude thinking I'd skip the workshops and general sessions, as I usually do with all conferences, because nothing would be of value. WRONG! First time ever I sat through every last second of the conference sometimes on the edge of my seat and sometimes out of my seat on my feet! What was so special about this conference? The people! Doris Christopher is a jewel! So humble although so rich. Her eyes dance like a kid at Disney World full of wonder at what she's created. Rightfully so!!! There were 3500 attendees. She has touched so many lives.
The close of the conference brought tears as consultants shared their stories of free vacations, how the opportunity has changed their lives and how their friend invited them to join their team. Every testimony ended the same thanking their friend saying "We're glad you ask!" More consultants and their friends were spotlighted sharing their incredible stories. Doris ended the conference with her team surrounding her at an empty kitchen table, looked into the camera with genuine caring and said "There's room at the table for so many more!" Gave me chills. Don't just take my word for it. Watch the moving video here.
I learned many things to apply to my Pampered Chef business but here's the biggest takeaway I got from the conference...
Am I sharing the opportunity of Jesus Christ with everyone I can? Will I have people that stand up after they take their free trip to heaven and say to me "I'm glad you ask!"
We were given a mantra for recruiting into the business. "There's a recruit at every show but is there a recruiter?" It made me consider this. "There's a seeking soul at every show but is there a witness?"
Luke 22:29-30 Jesus says, "And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father appointed unto me; that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom..." Jesus also said in John 21:12 "Come and dine..." I got the message. Did you?
During the sessions with the executives of Pampered Chef, I felt like endeared family. I attended the conference with my typical cynical attitude thinking I'd skip the workshops and general sessions, as I usually do with all conferences, because nothing would be of value. WRONG! First time ever I sat through every last second of the conference sometimes on the edge of my seat and sometimes out of my seat on my feet! What was so special about this conference? The people! Doris Christopher is a jewel! So humble although so rich. Her eyes dance like a kid at Disney World full of wonder at what she's created. Rightfully so!!! There were 3500 attendees. She has touched so many lives.
The close of the conference brought tears as consultants shared their stories of free vacations, how the opportunity has changed their lives and how their friend invited them to join their team. Every testimony ended the same thanking their friend saying "We're glad you ask!" More consultants and their friends were spotlighted sharing their incredible stories. Doris ended the conference with her team surrounding her at an empty kitchen table, looked into the camera with genuine caring and said "There's room at the table for so many more!" Gave me chills. Don't just take my word for it. Watch the moving video here.
I learned many things to apply to my Pampered Chef business but here's the biggest takeaway I got from the conference...
Am I sharing the opportunity of Jesus Christ with everyone I can? Will I have people that stand up after they take their free trip to heaven and say to me "I'm glad you ask!"
We were given a mantra for recruiting into the business. "There's a recruit at every show but is there a recruiter?" It made me consider this. "There's a seeking soul at every show but is there a witness?"
Luke 22:29-30 Jesus says, "And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father appointed unto me; that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom..." Jesus also said in John 21:12 "Come and dine..." I got the message. Did you?
THERE'S ROOM AT HIS TABLE FOR SO MANY MORE!
#Happy Spoon,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Check out my Pampered Chef website and outlet prices at www.pamperechef.biz/tammystafford. Place your order right online!
Check out my Pampered Chef website and outlet prices at www.pamperechef.biz/tammystafford. Place your order right online!
Friday, July 10, 2015
How to Obtain Greatness
I've meditated and asked God for years about homosexuality. He showed me it is like any other sin. Before you gasp, inhale too much saliva and choke, please let me try to explain. Ask yourself this question: Do I sin with Jesus in my heart? The answer is "Yes, you do." But, homosexuality is repeated sin. I don't keep repeating the same sins. If gay people were truly saved, they'd turn from that lifestyle and please Jesus. Right there, I want to say "Point out someone else's faults and run the risk of having all yours exposed!" Numbers 32:23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out. My girls heard this verse many times AND believe it!
I've been thinking of Matthew 18:3-4 since the gay marriage ruling. Jesus talking "And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Glance back at the picture of my beautiful granddaughter Lisette. That's a picture of humbleness, so innocent and unknowing. Sometimes I get lost in her undemanding, unselfish love! I remember a line from the old song Blessed Assurance that says "Filled with His Goodness, Lost in his love." If you've got a grandchild you've probably experienced being lost in love. Have you ever had the same feeling for Jesus?
As I contemplated writing this week, I wondered if Jesus would be pleased with me saying homosexuality is just another sin in a long list that we all commit. I always want some blessed assurance from him that I'm sharing His Truth. I got it! I've been in VBS this week with seven Kindergarten boys. Last night, we studied about the fiery furnace and trusting Jesus. I asked the young sprouts whom they trust. They gave me great answers; Mom, Dad, Grandpa, Grandma, my uncle, etc. Then Javier looked at me with big brown innocent eyes magnified through his adorable glasses and tenderly said "I trust everyone." What faith! What compassion! What love! What humbleness from a child. If we could only see through their eyes, speak with the kindness of their tongues and love out of the abundance of their hearts, we could obtain greatness in the kingdom.
Humbly,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
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