So the story continues … Yesterday Pastor Sheilah & I were at the Owen Sound hospital for a pastoral care training session. There were about 40 people in attendance. The trainer explained that we would be breaking into groups of about six for small group discussion. The trainer encourgaed couples to be in separate groups. In my head I counted off people and I could see that Pastor Sheilah & I would be in the same group. Since I was sitting closer to the head of the table, I watched to see if the woman at the head of the first section of tables would get up and switch into another group (leaving her husband to stay in the first group.)
The woman did get up out of her seat & so I announced to her and the rest of this “first” group of six people, “Oh, I’ll come into your group because we’re a couple.” I said this “nodding” my head over towards Pastor Sheilah. You should have seen the look of horror on Pastor Sheilah’s face … then I realized what I had said! I moved into this new chair, and the older gentleman said, “So you’re a couple?” I stammered and said, “We’re not a couple. She’s my Supervisor, so we’re together.”
Sometimes (rarely that is!) my mouth just keeps getting me into trouble. But I swear it was all so innocent on my part.
Since yesterday & today, Pastor Sheilah has made me publically tell this story several times. She’s not sure if I’ll pass my internship now!!! I told her I had to blog this story – because I knew that “you” … “my people” would understand I was only using the trainer’s words. You understand don’t you?
Understand??? Are you kidding?? This is *hilarious*!
What did Doug say when you told him?
Understand? No! And I’m sure Doug will have no comment on this because I am sure he knows just how innocently something like this could happen. I can’t understand how one’s mouth can get them into trouble …. never experienced that myself!!
OOOOH Mary – we are such kindred spirits now aren’t we?
In fact I have not remembered to tell Doug ….. because he would understand my innocence.
However, when I did tell Pastor Sheilah’s husband (Andy) he nearly fell off his chair laughing.
I can see Andy laughing now…..
—
On another note, I really am my mother’s daughter… look at the similarity of our responses, and we didn’t talk first!
And dearest daughter, is there anyone else you would rather be like?? Just don’t answer that, okay …. at least not on this post!
Kristin: Couples come in all sorts of packages these days, so take your pick
you know what? There is something about seeing John Pulley’s name beside “It all started out so innocently” that just doesn’t seem right! What do the rest of you think?!?!?
Actually, I’m wondering more about his wife, Liz. I thought she might explode, she was laughing so hard when I told her this story!
I think I “could” but I won’t tell John’s photography “incident” story … and I think that story could be classified as “it all started out so innocently” … but that is really only true from Liz’s perspective …I don’t think John was very innocent.
Mary – You really have me wondering how “not-innocent” John really is … & what other’s opinion might be!
Mary – In this situation is the opposite of innocent “guilty” or “worldly”? I just need that clarification.
How can you people think anything other than my photography story being nothing more than an attempt to satisfy my wife by taking a picture of some deer (that’s four legged ones).
“Satisfy my wife by …”
This post is simply too much for me!
This blog is not R rated, right?
(Although that would be a good comment on an internship report card…. “Intern’s blog not suitable for younger readers. Reader discretion is advised.”)
Oooooh, Jennifer … I’m cackling with hysteria!!! I love it! I didn’t realize how many ‘play on words’ were running wild on this blog!
I am shaking my finger at all of you!
I highly doubt, Rhett, that will do anything to straighten up your mother, or John, or Jen or …..
What did I do???
you did take this blog to a “R” rating, remember?! Sometimes, Jen, you are soooooo much like your …. FATHER!
I believe that I was merely commenting on other people’s comments.
In fact, Mother dear, I believe it was you who drew attention to how some of the words on this thread could be misconstrued…
Why aren’t any of you commenting on how well Doug and I raised our son? Now I’m innocent in all of this … it really is all Mary’s fault … I think John really was innocent … but Jennifer – you only encouraged your Mother and I think my son was very correct in shaking his finger at ALL of YOU (He knows how to identify ‘folly’ when he sees it – not that he ever saw that at home … )
So what’s the story, Kristin? I see two reasons why Rhett would point out the folly on this thread.
1 – He was exposed to so much folly as a child that he can spot it anywhere.
OR
2 – He is so wise because of his wonderful parents.
Does anyone else have an opinion?
Kristin knows an innocent person when she sees one. Thanks Kristin.
Ah yes, but those of us who have known you for longer than 6 months know the truth. You can only play the charm card for so long there, Mr. Pulley.
“Charm Card” – I love that one!
I think we can all agree, now that you know my mom, that I have had to rise above certain obstacles in order that I might be normal.
Rhett, you and I have much in common.
Rhett: What do you call normal?
Mary! Mary! Where are you when I need your support???
I think we need to start an “Under-Appreciated Mothers (& Fathers) Club”!
Rhett … you have no idea how much you and Jennifer have in common in relation to your mothers…. it’s almost scary … but I think “delightful”, too!
John – I don’t appreciate you encouraging Rhett to share more!
Rhett, I may be in Calgary for a couple of days around the end of May…. let’s grab some coffee and talk about our mothers. We can form the “Children of ‘Normal’ Parents Club”.
Kristin: Do you have to be normal to take part in what goes on at this site?
Hmmm. Well John I thought by putting normal in italics I wouldn’t have to explain myself. Let’s see. I suppose balanced might have been a better word. See what I did there? Italics again.
The one thing you can be sure of is that I am not spoiled like my mother. What a brat!
Definitely Jen. Send me an email: rhett AT rockstarpoet DOT ca and let me know when you are around.
RHETT ….. WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!!! NO ONE HERE WOULD EVER DESCRIBE ME AS SPOILED OR AS A BRAT! I don’t care that you put a “smiley face” after the statement!
(Note to Rhett – all capitals means I’m talking to you sternly, so hear that voice! I’m sure it resonates deeply in your memory bank!)
(Note to All – as it relates to pastoral ministry, I don’t ever use ‘that’ voice. Just saved for kids! Not sure why I feel compelled to clarify! I have no guilt over my child rearing practises!)
Kristin … I was waiting to see if you could defend yourself ….. and yea, YOUR TRUE SELF is now showing! POOR RHETT!! Being blasted publicly by his mother after he goes to all that work to set up a website for her where she can tell all….
NOTHING scary about Jen being like her mother, I’ll have you know!
However, along with our empathy for “poor Doug”, we will add “poor Rhett” to our conversations from now on. And Emily, we do sooooo hope you are like your father!
John – if you have to be “normal” to be part of this site, there’d be no site in the first place!!
King Arthur: On second thought, let’s not go to Camelot. It is a silly place.
Rhett – I’m almost afraid to ask, but I can’t resist … how is Emily like her Dad? I thought she was a clone of me?!?
Mary, Jen, John — are you going to put up with Rhett stating that this site is “a silly place.”
I’d rather like to think of this website as Camelot ….. “pastoral” (or is that supposed to be “pastural”?) and idylic. A place of calm and reason, where justice prevails for all that is good and evil is squashed.
Monty Python? English humour? I think not!
Mary – the point I was trying to make was that it’s scary how much you AND I are alike … but delightful! (Not how much you and Jen are alike.)
What I’ve written about Rhett!!???!!! You should see the things he’s written about me and/or Doug! They are always lovely glowing compliments!
Kristin: It is my honest opinion that you and Mary are definitely not alike. You both may have some similar characteristics, but alike? I think not!!
Rhett: Although you may think this is a silly place, I would say it is most entertaining. There are times when it leaves you thinking, gives you time to reflect and definitely gives times when you either smile or like your mother, laugh your head off.
Nothing wrong with silly.
I’m insulted, John!
I agree with you, Rhett! Cheers!
“Nothing wrong with silly” … especially true for PJ Sillypants! She’s a silly, wonderful kitty who has John wrapped around her paw!
No need to be insulted Mary. After all, God made us all different, but made only in His image.