Yikes!

...and just when I thought things had settled down...

DH woke me at about 4am telling me he was going to the ER. WHAT?!?! He's fine, but evidently he has strained the ligaments attaching his ribs to his sternum and is in some pretty major pain. Lots of happy pills. But I can't check on him at the moment, because there is something wrong with our phone line - so no calls in or out. Ugh.

________________________________________

So, I had a rookie pick up my kiddos from school yesterday (if only to give Beaner a break and allow me to remain in her good graces - LOL) Everything went fine picking up DS2 - thanks to Mapquest (I told you she was a rookie - as well as new to the area!) The problems started when she went to get DS1. The school is on a one-way street - which was not a problem - but evidently the flow of traffic was such that she didn't see the car next to her and - well - hit it. Eek! Everyone was fine, but she was understandably upset. And DS1 was patiently waiting, unaware of the unfolding drama. I just felt so HORRIBLE! She assured me everything was fine, though. Big, BIG shout out to Bridget!! Thanks, girlfriend!!
_________________________________________________

The kiddos spent the night with a friend Saturday night. The main reason is for new video game competition, as opposed to any deep friendships, I suspect. DS1 was describing their evening to us and said that they got there around 6pm and by 8pm "we were bored sick out of our pants." ...um...

Monday

Note to self: Next year, make sure YOU get the Monday after Thanksgiving off, instead of friend-boss! Eek!

Thanksgiving was nice - went to BIL an SIL's house. Very thankful for family! LOTS of food and she sent home lots of leftovers with us. Didn't get to make Mamaw's Coconut Cake for T-giving, but will definitely try it for the church holiday banquet-ish thingy!

Friday I was a slug. No shower, didn't venture out of my comfy spot very often, remote firmly glued to palm. Awesome!

Saturday DH worked, so I actually DID some stuff (*gasp* - I know!) Lots of laundry, some cleaning, some shopping - but it was all stuff DH asked me to pick up - so no pressies.

Sunday I sang with the PT. Good times. We've got such a great group of people involved in the worship ministry. Just don't get us giggling...

And today - ugh! DH is in a class every day this week. We're going to be a "normal" couple where we both get home at the same time (approximately), look at each other, and wonder what we should do for dinner. Great. How do people DO this every day?!?

So there's my weekend in a shallow nutshell - I'd go into more detail, but it's almost time to go home, and I haven't gotten to all my work today...(bad girl!)

Letting Go

I heard something the other day on our local christian radio station that has stuck with me. The DJ was talking about an issue with which she was trying to deal, and she faithfully presented it to the Lord. She offered it to Him - praying with her hands out and palms up. There was no resolution, and hadn't been for awhile. She said she heard Him tell her to turn her hands over - and drop the problem into His care.

I know I've been guilty of this same action - offering it to Him, but keeping my hands ready to take back the issue if it's not taken care of to my specifications or timetable.

Lord, remind me that You are bigger than any problem I may be holding on to. Help me to turn my troubles over to You, to drop them into Your hands, because mine aren't big enough to carry them.

Monday

So our date Saturday was SO much fun! We dropped the kids off at the sitter's house and we were off! Our instructions for the evening were to not worry about the kiddos and to stay out late! And as our sitter was keeping the boys overnight, the world was our oyster. Well, we stopped and got food for Wrigley and then we were off! Well, we couldn't decide on a restaurant, but agreed on one and then we were off! Well, that one was way too full, so we agreed on another one and then we were off! But first, a stop - and one that made major DH points!! We went to Teddy-Set-Go (a Build-a-Bear Workshop-type place) and we picked out a new family member. Coltrane was 'born' Saturday at 6:15pm, with a special wish in his heart from DH to me. (MAJOR points! Especially when he had to kiss the guardian angel bear insert and make a wish right there in the middle of the store!) And then we were off! To the second restaurant - which was full, so we agreed on a third option and then we were off! To a restaurant that wasn't overcrowded with really good food. So after our yummy creole dinner, we decided on ice cream for dessert and we were off! And since there were no movies out that we couldn't live without seeing, we decided to rent a movie or two, but we had just gotten our ice cream, and ice cream just won't wait! So we decided to go home and see what movies were playing on TV (none) and decided to scour our movie collection. So, we were home by 9:30, eating ice cream and watching "Million Dollar Baby" by ourselves with no interruptions from the kidlets. It was AWESOME!! Fun, relaxing, romantic - everything a date should be!

Hooray, Thursday!

Good, GOOD mail day today!! Victorian Trading Company catalog, free book, samples from Dove, and...dadatada! My annual T-giving installment of Malley's chocolate covered toffee!!

(Cue the rejoicing peasants...!)

Y'all 'scuse me while I hibernate and indulge the rest of the day...

Wednesday

It's evidently autumn (that's for you, Skip!) because evidently, I'm coming down with something. Ugh! Feeling sluggish, congested. Oh well.

Not much is going on around here - just maintaining. And sometimes that's all I can hope for.

Sorry 'bout the melancholy tone today! I'm not down or anything, just kinda emotional and tired...

...gray skies are gonna clear up - put on a happy face...

_______________________________________

And now for something completely different (with apologies to Monty Python...)

Check out Fajita's blog: http://www.homefront.blogspot.com Love the idea!

...and look! She's stitching!

The Traditional Princess
You are generous, graceful, and practical with both
feet planted firmly on the ground. You tend to
be a little on the old-fashioned side. You
value home, hearth, and family life and love to
be of service to others.
Role Models: Snow White, Maid Marian
You are most likely to: Discover a hidden talent
for spinning straw into gold.

What Kind of Princess are You? - Beautiful Artwork (Original Music is BACK!!!)
brought to you by

Gather 'round the table

We've been invited to DBil and DSil for T-giving this year. And I've been pressuring DH as to what dish we're taking to the feast. I'm uneasy that we (he) haven't decided yet. Today he decided to make the decision mine. Eep! I don't cook much, because I've been blessed with a wonderful DH who enjoys being in the kitchen, so I don't need to cook. And all my Sil's are known for a dish or two - know what I mean? One is known for her macaroni salad, one for her spaghetti, one for her cookies, one for her greens, etc. "You're bringing xyz, right? 'Cause it won't be abc without it!" "I look forward to your xyz every year!" *sigh*

I've tried to come up with new and enticing things in the past, only to be handily rejected in the nicest possible way. I guess all I'm known for is not cooking.

Any suggestions, Blogvillians?

LOLOLOL!

This cracked me up today...!

http://news.yahoo.com/comics/peanuts;_ylt=AmTp1MS_r1kz5mADI6ItndwDwLAF;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl

Tuesday

Got a phone call last night letting us know that some friends had their second baby girl yesterday afternoon. Can't wait to see her!
__________________________________________

How many times do we tell God what we're going to do for Him? I mean, we make all these plans to work to further His kingdom - door knocking, street corner evangelizing, studying the Bible with people, serving the church, etc. - which are all good things, don't get me wrong! And we pray, just to keep in touch. I am so guilty of this! I want to do good things, things I think He wants me to do, but a lot of times, I just dive in, simply letting God know what I'm doing, instead of seeking His counsel.

But what about what He's already doing? How often do we, in our zeal, mistakenly get in the way of His work? I think our prayer should be "Show me" instead of "watch me."

...and it's over!

The craft auction, that is. And it seems to have been a great success. According to preliminary reports, we were able to make about as much as in years past, which was terrific and a HUGE relief! Next is the holiday season and then the women's retreat.

My aunt brought me the stuff my mother was sending to me Saturday. I was surprised at the stuff she kept, in particular, letters and cards I sent her when I was in college. Sheesh! I had no idea I was so shallow and insipid. And as I'm fairly certain that I will never have a library named after me that will clamor for my "papers" I'm pretty sure I can trash them. I also have a lot of pictures from my childhood and the baby clothes she kept for me. Can't decide exactly where I am in my feelings on this. I don't know.

In other news, DS1 had his first Parks & Rec basketball game Saturday - and they won! And he got to help them win! This is a huge deal, because B-ball isn't a sport we 'do' in our house. Football, and the Cubs, but no basketball. So, the idea that he scored two points and got a steal after only one practice - woohoo! Go number 5!!

I haven't done any stitching for about a week now. Too tired and too busy and in too much pain. The change of season has really done a number this year on my carpal tunnel. Ugh! And I can't find any of my braces to wear. I'd really like to get some stuff done, for goodness sake!

The looming terror that is...the CRAFT AUCTION

Okay, well maybe it's not that bad, but it is pretty frightening! Tomorrow is the big day, and between now and then, I literally do not have time to breathe. No. Really. DH is working OT today, I had teacher conferences this morning, haul the kiddoes to a sitter (unexpectedly), work a full day (and THAT's going just GREAT!! not.), head out to the church to decorate and set up, go home sometime and clean my house from top to bottom in anticipation of family arriving tomorrow while once again I am setting up/decorating at the building, only to head to DS1 basketball game tomorrow afternoon, and then, oh yeah, the craft auction itself. See? No breathing. At. All.

Satan is at it again. I love working on the auction. I love how it all comes together in the end. I love being a part of this ministry which helps support hurting women in our area. I love that my family is coming to visit and that my grandmother is going to be not only at the auction, but also in church with us Sunday. (hooray!) I love that DS1 finally has a chance to play in a sport he enjoys. I love that I have a place to live, and that my family is comfortable enough there to be truly "at home." I'm grateful that I have a job (although the flexibility I once had seems to be eroding quickly.) I'm happy that DH is willing to put in extra hours for the good of his family.

Maybe instead of looking for the bright side, I need to polish the dull side a little bit more?

Tuesday

Haha! I'll post BEFORE I start work today! I'll foil you yet, silly workplace!!

Okay, DH - here are the seven blog topics I've pieced together for you:

• Would you make a good Survivor contestant? Why or why not?
• What is your worst fault? Your greatest strength?
• How do you want to be remembered?
• Any regrets?
• Share your testimony.
• What is your heart's desire?
• Of what accomplishment are you most proud?

There ya go - have at 'em!

__________________________________

I recently finished a very...um - interesting book, shall we say. It's called Lamb - a novel - The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore. (With a title like that, could you blame me for picking it up?!) While the book as a whole is completely irreverent and definitely fiction, the premise is interesting. It covers those missing childhood and young adult years. Christ knows He's the Son of God but doesn't know what to do, or how to be the Son of God. Moore takes his characters on a search for the three magi for Christ to be "trained." If you can get past the language and the questionable situations, it really gives a new spin on Christ's human side. One scene really impressed me - it's toward the end of his ministry and He's been trying to tell his disciples what the kingdom of God is like and He's completely frustrated because they just aren't getting it. He and Biff take a break and Maggie (Mary Magdalene) runs up to them.

"You two are the ninnies here. You both rail on them about their intelligence, when that doesn't have anything to do with why they're here. Have either one of you heard them preach? I have. Peter can heal the sick now. I've seen it. I've seen James make the lame walk. Faith isn't an act of intelligence, it's an act of imagination. Every time you give them a new metaphor for the kingdom they see the metaphor, a mustard seed, a field, a garden, a vineyard, it's like pointing something out to a cat - the cat looks at your finger, not at what you're pointing at. They don't need to understand it, the only need to believe, and they do. They imagine the kingdom as they need it to be, they don't need to grasp it, it's there already, they can let it be. Imagination, not intellect." (Emphasis mine.)

Hmmm...