Lily (and, of course, Craig and Rhonda)

My niece got into town late Monday night and I went by my parents to see her last night. She remembered me. She got this huge grin and ran right up to me and gave me a big hug and said--"Bubbles". Well, what do you expect, they were blowing bubbles at the time.

Too cute. I'll have pictures later.

Go here and Click, DAILY

This Site has found sponsors that are willing to give donations if there are people willing to go and click on the site. There are several categories and I would encourage all to click on each one. Hunger, Breast Cancer, Child Health, Literacy, Rainforest, Animal Rescue. Even if these things are not your cause, it takes all of 30 seconds to do a click in each category. A page will come up after the click with a list of their sponsors, but there is no obligation to go to thoses sites.

Also they have great things to buy that also give more. When you purchase an item from this site part of the proceeds go toward the cause. It will tell you how much food, or money will be donated because of the purchase. You can also give a gift directly to the cause (such as high-efficiency stoves for Sudanese refugees from Darfur) and they will wave shipping costs. Start thinking Christmas Shopping.

This is just a win-win situation. Go forth and click. All these are causes close to my heart, esp. child health and animal rescue. Thanks for clicking.

My Garage Door has Issues out the WAAZOO

So, here is the story. My garage door opener ever since being installed has made this strange buzzing sound. Constantly. Not just when the door is being opened and closed but ALL THE FREAKIN' TIME. It turns out that there is a problem with the mother board. I, like many I have talked to, had no idea that a garage door opener would have a mother board, or that if it did it could go screwy. So the new mother board has been ordered and is ready to install, I just have to find the time to get it done. Simply put, my garage door has mother issues.

But, this isn't all. Like most people with mother issues, the door also has other issues as well. Apparently the "upforce" of my opener is improperly calibrated. This is why it didn't open all the way and I ran the back of my van into the garage door. To my defense--I didn't just back into a closed door. It open, mostly--so much that looking out my rearview mirror, I saw the outside world. Had I been in a regular size car and not the van (any one want to buy a van, anyone at all?), I would have cleared all but an antennia. As it is I hit the roof of the van--no damage to the van (you know for anyone interested in buying it--it still looks good), but I managed to pull the seal off the bottom of the garage door and knock it off track. Luckily my dad was available to come over and look at it--he called the garage door guy (it is still under warrenty) and that is when I found out that I have a garage door opener with mother issues and upforce issues (sounds like it needs Viagra).

I Think I'm Addicted

I have never worked somewhere where I have constant access to a computer. Never. The last place I worked I had to travel across the big city of Gallatin to the main office to get to a computer and even with that, I would not have access to email. But now I sit in front of a computer for most of the day and that means constant email and facebook access. And there is something about that which is appealing because I keep checking every 1/2 hour to hour to see if I have a new message. Have you emailed me lately???

Let me just say that this does not keep me from my work duties as days here are usually light (the exception being Mondays when I run payroll and the beginning of the month when we close out the previous month). That being said I still like to check my inbox and see what I have gotten. Usually it is from Old Navy or Amazon or even J.Jill.com--all worthy places to shop (if you have the finances, I do not). I have 3 email accounts and I check them all regularly. Yahoo and MSN only once per day, but my Bellsouth account, I just can't seem to get away from.

By the way, does anyone have a Bellsouth account. I do not like the new email. If I accidentally hit the right button a box will come up that will not go away even if I click somewhere else on the email. I have to actually make a decision to do one of options in the box (open the email, respond, delete, etc.). And I don't know how many times I have deleted an email that I want to keep because I had been reading it, then decided to highlight the ad emails in otder to delete them and it was still selected. Why does it have to open up a new window when I want to read an email? It used to be that I could go from one to another to another by clicking next.

So, the point of this blog. No such luck, because there really is no point, but to sum up...

... I hate Bellsouth's (or more accurately AT&T's) new email, but I just can't keep from checking it.

Ready to Work

I am so excited. My dad came over this weekend and we worked together to finish assembling my new workbench. I don't think I have ever been this excited about some thing made out of wood ever. I now have all my stained glass equipment (well all but a few items) at the house and I am ready to start my next project.

It is for my cousin's house and I don't have to pay for the glass. Get to do what I love AND no out of pocket expense. I am ready to work.

Bragging on Myself and L.T.

I have discovered a passion for flower arranging that I never knew that I had and here is some of the results. L.T. and I did the flowers for a reception this weekend and actually got to do a ton of flowers.

Sad

This week at church, our music minister retired. He had been at the church for 30 years. A very impressive number. This longevity hardly effects me (except for the Wow status) because I have only been at the church a little over two years. But I am truly saddened to see him go. He wasn't just a song leader or a choir leader, he was truly a man who had a heart for people and a desire to minister. I chose this church because of the music and I stayed at this church becasue of the music. Now, we all have claims on M.E. and rememberances of his ministry that is a blessing. For my own part he was the one I turned to for advice and prayer during my divorce. I go to a large church and feeling close to a pastor in that size churhc is next to impossible, so M.E. was my minister of choice.

Last night, I went to the first choir practice without M.E. and it was something of a surreal experience. The first thing our new interim did was switch the soprano and alto side. So I am singing from what feels like the opposite side of the world. This will take some adjustment, as will learning his directing style. On the up side, he is good. He will be able to carry this choir during this time of transition. We had a reception for him before choir and he truly made an effort to great each choir member as they came through and to get to know them a litt.e I really liked how he continually empansized that we are singing more than words and more than notes, we are singing a message. Another bright side is that my friend L.T. has come out of alto retirement to help support the transition (or maybe out of a sense of curiosity?). I think I will get into trouble sitting next to her--a little too much talking going on, but choir has never passed so quickly.

M.E. will be missed. Truly missed.

Oh, How I Love those Rainy Days

I have decided that as a constitutional admendment, no, forget admendment, write it on the actual Constitution that all rainy days, especially those that have been following drought should be an offical come into work late day. I have more than just selfish reasons for wanting this.

First (and yes this one is a little self-centered) I would like to be able to sleep in a little bit. Can you imagine how much more productive I could be if I were allowed to stay warm and cosy under my covers for another hour or so? Not to mention that the dogs hate going out in the rain. This would leave me with less pressure to force them outside in the drissle-i-ness. Even Dodger this morning did not want to go out, but stayed in bed for an extra few minutes.

Second, I came across so many wrecks this morning. It is just unsafe to attempt to travel in this weather. If allowed an extra few hours at home, everyone would be able to wait until it was a little lighter outside and be that much safer when driving to work.

I know it is too late for today, but we have to think about the next rainy day and declare it an "It's raining so everyone should just sleep late and come to work when they feel like it" day.

Otherwise I am loving the rain, my grass is loving the rain, my flowers are loving the rain. I have missed the rain--Welcome rain to Middle TN, hope you can stay a few days.

Two Babies is Too Many?

Okay, I read this story this morning and was completely floored. A woman is suing the doctor that did IVF on her not because it didn't work, but because it work too well--she is having twins. There are many points that I am taking issue with.

First, and I know that this is my bias--Can twins really be such a problem? Most couple going through fertility stuff and IVF are thrilled that they can have two babies and not go through the procedure again. IVF is majorly expensive and quite a pain to go through. Did this couple not realize that multiple births are inherent? I see nothing in this that is the joy of parenthood. There should be a sense of being "thrilled" at the prospect of double the blessing. Also, part of the lawsuit is to pay for loss of work. Let's follow this logic for a little bit. Are you going to sue your child's classmates when the inevitable happens--little Johnny came to school with a cold, passed it on to your precious one and now you have to miss work to take care of her? Parents give up a lot for their children.

Second, has American litigiousness spread toAustrialia and other countries. I am amazed to see a lawsuit of this nature in other countries. To me this is right in line with suing McDonalds because the coffee was hot or suing the tobacco industry because you got lung cancer despite having started smoking after the surgeon general warnings were release. IVF has the risk of multiple births, always has. I understand the desire for this woman and her partner to have children, but if you are choosing IVF as the means, you are at a much greater risk of having twins. Surely the risks were known ahead of time. Have we entered into a worldwide phenomenon of lack of responsiblity?

Just a thought.

Too Cute

Okay, you have to go to this web address for some dog tricks. You can type in commands--tell him to sit, roll over, playdead, shake, fetch, etc. And of course save this one for last--tell him to "kiss." Worth a look at.

Almost a Month at the New Job

Okay I have been at my new job for almost a month now and I have not blogged about it (or so Lacy so kindly pointed out last night). It is going great. It has a few draw-backs (smokers in the office, slight mildew problem and hot in my front office area). But that is just the space. The actual job, going great. I know, I know--I've already said that. But it is. I now have a job that I get off at 4:15 and it ends at 4:15. I used to dream about my job before, I used to worry about my kids and what they would have to go home to in some cases. (I still worry about those kids), but with this job, I am not adding more worries to the pile daily.

As far as the workload--very doable. We get a lot of sales calls, but the official position on that is put them on hold until they give up. It almost seems mean, but talking to them seems worse, it is so time consuming. Besides change is not something this office embraces, so I doubt that a saleman would be able to convince them to buy a product they have been doing just fine without, thank you very much. Apparently I worked something of a miracle by getting them to buy and strategically place Ionic Breezes around the office (my own tabletob Breeze sit pointed directly into my breathing space. Nice, huh?) Oh, my other official office duties include payroll (who wouldn't like to print their own check) and accounts payable (okay, I know, paying bills--but at least it is not my own or with my own money). So besides doing some other reports, I am also the glorified errand runner. I have made bank runs and lunch runs and snack runs, etc. At first I didn't like it so much, but what do I care. It breaks up the day, making it pass very quickly. It gets me out of the office. And I get to take a company car. Speaking of company cars, my favorite would be the Lincoln. Air conditioned seats. I mean who wouldn't want cold air on their rear end in this weather (and for winter the seats are heated).

I still have my private practice and have been adding a couple of clients each month I am there. I hope that it keeps growing as I will be losing the group-home gig at the end of the year. And that was my bread and butter for covering the rent at my office. If my practice keeps growing though, I should be quite okay (recommend all your friends to me).

So that is the update. Sorry that I have been so remiss about blogging, I have recently become slightly addicted to facebook.

Last Day

That's right, tomorrow is my last day as a school-based therapist. I will be doing private practice and a receptionist job (starting next week). I am excited about this change and think that it is very good timing for me. I am very sad about all the kiddos that I will be leaving behind. That will be the hardest thing, even if they are in good hands.

But now, I don't know if I should change the name of my blog. Stuck in School just won't fit anymore. Any suggestions? I would love to hear them. Strange things like "Turkey Toes" keep popping into my head and I can't get something serious. Of course I could always just leave the "Stuck in School" and just pretend like I don't notice.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix

That's right I went to the midnight showing last night with all the other HP nuts. And it was good. They combined a few scenes, but it could have been worse. It was amazing how they did the whole sucked into Voldemort's mind thing.

Now that I have seen the movie--I can't wait for the last book. I am so impatient.

Tubbing in Townsend

This is the second year that I have done this, but basically we rented tubes from the River Rat and for one low price you float down the river and then are bused back, float down the river and bused back... For as long as you want until 5:00pm.

Now I know that it has only happened twice, but it hasn't failed yet, someone will fall at the first set of rapids. This year it was my mom. I went with parents, aunt, and 7 year old cousin. So we thought that we would tie all the rafts together. Not a great idea. It's okay for two rafts to be tied together, but with three or more, you have a middle raft. Mom was in the middle raft and her tube got stuck on a rock. Normally an untethered tube would simply spin around and dislodge itself from the rock and continue downstream. Being a tethered tube and a tethered on two sides tube, it was in a bind. No sooner did mom's tube get caught on the rock than the force of the other tubes flipped it over. I looked back in time to see my mother going feet over face into the water.

So, word to the wise--I would recommend the fun of tubbing in Townsend to anyone. Just don't tether more than two tubes together at a time.

I love alliteration.

Dodger at the Vet

Well, Dodger went to the vets office today and got a clean bill of health. No intestinal worms. Clean teeth. Perfect weight. Sweet and wonderful to all employees at the office. While there they trimmed his nails for him--that was the hardest part. No he didn't finch when they took his temp. He didn't even seemed to notice when they did the fecal sample. Shots, no problem. Oh yeah, and he stood so still when the vet was checking his ears that she let me look into his ears (a little wax, but beautiful color). But nail trimming? He freaks out. They didn't even nick the quetical (spelling?), but he flips out. He started flipping out just when he saw the clippers. I think it is a mental thing. But at least no more of that annoying clicking as he wonders the floors.

PS, has anyone ever had their dog vaccinated for kennel cough? Dodger doesn't even get boarded and she insisted on the vaccination. Nose drops. I will confess, he wasn't so keen on that either. I think that as long as he can see what they are doing to him, he doesn't care.

I Love Air Conditioning

I did a home visit today with a sweet family. The visit went great. We talked, we laughed--all in all a good therapeutic visit. The problem--it was at 3:00 in the afternoon and they don't have air conditioning. The funny thing is, their dog kept wanting to sniff my armpits (although I am certain they should have been detectable from across the room).

Afterwards I went to a visit at the clinic and though I usually complain about the coldness. Not today.

Air Conditioning--what a great invention.

New Job

I have a new job. I have to temper my joy a little as I have several friends needing jobs right now, and this one just feel into my lap. What this means??? I will no longer be "stuck in school." Actually, my day job will not be doing therapy at all. I got a job as a receptionist, with opportunity to move up in a year or so to office manager. Sadly enough the receptionist job pays more than my current, Masters Degree required job.

I was approached with the possibility several months ago, but just wasn't ready. Also, I knew that I would be asking a lot (money above the base salary, extra vacation time). The job just seemed like a long shot. They gave me what I wanted and I took the job. I turned in my resignation today. In my current job, what a mess--they require that to leave in good standing you must give 4 weeks notice and you cannot take paid time off during that time and oh, yeah--you also don't get paid for holidays. What a load of doggie poopy! And I have two dogs, I recognize doggie poopy when I smell it.

So, I focus on the positive--with my new job I will leave it behind at 4:15--no worries will follow me home. I will have a lot of down time--more blogging??? And I am able to maintain my private practice (so I don't have to leave my therapy hat behind completely). With with job, I get to avoid the burnout that I was definately headed for.

The Big Easy

I just returned from a mission trip to New Orleans. I am happy to report that more and more houses are being built and more of the locals have returned, but I was astounished by the devastation that is still evident. I truly hope that we do not forget those from New Orleans.

A Tribute to Bob

So this is not the best picture, but it is the only one I have. Let me introduce you to Bob. Bob is a Betta fish. I call him Bob the Betta--kind of after Bob the Builder.

Last week, Bob died. This is not a sad time though, Bob lasted over two years. The funny part of the story is that this is actually Bob 2. Bob 1 also lasted about 2 years or a little more.

Earlier this week I took Dodger (my little dog) in to get his nails trimmed. Sometimes it is just easier to pay the 10 bucks. While at the pet store, I spotted the Betta display. After much deliberation, and tugging on Dodger's lease so he didn't bug the other customers in the store, I found him--Bob 3. So I take my dog, my nail clipping receit and Bob 3 to the cash register. Dodger, of course, being as cute as he is attracks the attention of all store the employees and gets so excited on seeing the male cashier that he pees on the floor. I get that cleaned up, start to check out. Well, Do I have a Petco card? Yes, I think so, just not with me. That's okay, we can look it up by your phone number--well it turns out that that is in my ex's name. Do I want to get my own? Sure, I guess so. Then as I am filling out the information card, Dodger takes it upon himself to walk into the cashiers station and become tangled around his legs. I finish the transaction and finally I am ready to leave--Dodger is not. I get him disentangled from the cashier and we go out the door.

It is only after I get home (oh about 20 minutes away) do I realize that although I paid for Bob 3, I did not make it home, or even out of the store with Bob 3. So, I call Petco, trying to think of the best way to reassure them that I do not normally neglect my pets or leave them places. A friend picked up Bob for me and he is now safely installed in the bowl on the mantel.

Upcomings!

It has occured to me that it is a while since I have blogged. The main reason for that, It's Summertime! and the livin' is easy. And this is another wonderful time when I blog about how much I love my job. Although I still work during the summer my hours are somewhere between 2-5 hours a day and most can be done from my computer at home. I do visits to this kids home during the summer, this can be challenging and sometimes scary, but it does give a great picture of what these kids are dealing with on a day to day basis.

So, I want to refrain from bragging, but I have been swimming--Love swimming. I have been golfing--Love golfing. I have been walking and bike riding and planting a tree and all sort of fun and exciting stuff. The only summer activity that I haven't gotten a chance to do would be camping. But I don't exactly have a camping buddy anymore and I am finding myself to be sufficiently independent, camping alone just seems boring.

Still I can't complain. Next week I will be in New Orleans on mission trip with my church's youth choir. We will be singing and working with Habitat for Humanity and running a Bible Camp, visiting the French Quarter. I am looking forward to a fun week, but I must confess, I am also a little intimidated. Yes, I know that I work with kids and teenagers every day of the week, but I have to say that is one on one. This is a massive group of kids. Pray for me.

Mutual Suffering

I have friends. Lots and lots of friends. Not going through the best time of my life, and my friends are there for me. They call me, they check on me. They buy me cards and write encouraging messages that sometimes makes me cry. They take me out and keep me annoyingly busy for the homebody that I am. They are wonderful, wonderful friends. They will listen and sympathize on my bad days when it seems the tears just won't stop. They laugh with me on the good days--but don't assume that "finally she's done." They happily volunteer to do bodily harm to the person who is the source of all this pain. They are there.

But there is something to be said for mutual suffering. Misery doesn't just love company, it needs company. I had dinner tonight with a mutual sufferer. Her story is just like mine (I know that I complained about this in a previous blog, but this is a different day). Tonight I was able to talk to someone and know that they understood me because they are right there with me. It is not that I want only miserable people around me, but aometimes, I feel guilty being around happy people. I hate feeling that I am sometimes dragging them down into my depths. And I don't want to be that person. I don't need miserable company 24/7. That would be horrible, but to be around those that also suffer and share in their pain is a connection that, may I say it, is sacred.

Beware, I am about to get preachy here. Through this time I have been reading a lot in the book of Psalms. Just last night I read "My heart is sick, withered like grass, and I have lost my appetite." YES, that is me. Or how about this one from 2 nights ago "I cried out, 'I'm slipping!' and your unfailing love, O Lord, supports me. When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer." David's words and the psalms that he wrote appeal to me as well. I have held onto misery and have needed its company through this: "As for this friend of mine, he betrayed me; he broke his promises. His words are as smooth as cream, but in his heart is war. His words are as soothing as lotion but underneath are daggers!" It is hard when your best friend has turned against you and all he has to offer is self-pitying.

Wow, Did You See This?



I am all about weather. Storms absolutely fascinate me. I know that it is not the safest pasttime, but when a storm comes through, I love to just sit by the window or stand behind the storm door and just watch the storm. It is not just the lightening that amazes me, even though the lightening is the best. I like the wind and the rain and the sheer volume of white noise that a storm creates. Good stuff.

Amazing Home Remedies

A friend sent these to me and I had to share them. There are times in life that you feel you just can't smile, this is one of those. Anything that will lift your spirit during those times is amazing and this is one of those. Thank you Gayla-girl--good luck in your next adventure. (Oh and these are not serious, so no one try them at home and then leave me hateful comments--not sweet.)

1. If you are choking on an ice cube, don't panic. Simply pour a cup of boiling water down your throat and presto, the blockage will be almost instantly removed.

2. Clumsy? Avoid cutting yourself while slicing vegetables by getting someone else to hold them while you chop away.

3. You can avoid arguments with the Mrs. about lifting the toilet seat just by using the sink.

4. For high blood pressure sufferers: simply cut yourself and bleed for a few minutes, thus reducing the pressure in your veins. Remember to use an egg timer.

5. A mouse trap placed on top of your alarm clock will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button.

6. If you have a bad cough, take a large dose of laxatives. Then you will be afraid to cough.

7. Have a bad toothache? Smash your thumb with a hammer and you will forget all about the toothache.

8. Sometimes, we just need to remember what the rules of life really are:
In life, you only need two tools - WD-40 and Duct Tape.
If it doesn't move but should, use the WD-40.
If it should not move and does, use the duct tape.

9. Remember: Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.

10. Never pass up an opportunity to go to the bathroom.

Thought for the Day: SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES ..... THEY ARE NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING ... BUT THEY STILL BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN YOU PUSH THEM DOWN A FLIGHT OF STAIRS.

Hope that you had as much enjoyment as I did. I laughed so hard--and the windows are open so I am sure that my neighbors are unsure of my sanity.

Flower Month Revisited
Just to brag on myself a little bit. I did this arrangement for church. I love working with flowers, it is so hard to make them look bad.

Mother's Day

I have to say, this Mother's Day has not been as bad as ones in the past. For the past 3-4 years, my Mother's Day celebrations have been getting progressively more depressing. Fertility issues can do that to a person, but this year, not so bad and I was surprised. I guess when not actively pursuing a baby, Mother's Day can actually be about my mother, and not in the pursuit of motherhood.

I am currently in motherhood limbo and for now, that's okay. Hope that you had a good mother's day regardless of the motherhood status that you find yourself in.

Flower Month

I am on what I would consider the most interesting committee ever to be formed in a church. I am on the Flower committee. I have been asked to sit for committees before and have sometimes said no and sometimes said yes, but never really liked the idea of committees or the bureaucracy of committees. At work I am on the Scanned Records Committee--this decides what old records should be scanned into the new system for access from the computer. At other churches I have served on a Children's choir committee and a hospitality committee and I believe that there was some missions committee somewhere along the way.

This committee is right up my alley, though. I don't have to make important decisions, there are no reports to be made to the concregation, and most fun of all--I get to be creative. So this month is my flower month. I have a Flower Month buddy. We both work to create the arrangements in the sanctuary for the month of May. I was on the committee last year, but something about the second year, with some experience under my belt feels good. I can't wait.

April showers, brings May ...

Colorado trip

Lily is one year old.





On the trip, I went skiing (first time in oh--12 years). I went hiking. I baby sat. I had a great trip.

Re-Read of 2007

There are certain books that are so good to me that I re-read them annually, or at least every other year. Not to sound too much like You've Got Mail, but Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin is on that list. My first P&P exposure was actually through the A&E Mini series with Jennifer Echols and Colin Firth (still an enduring crush). Then I read the book. From there I have read and re-read all the completed Jane Austin books. I am on my third copy of P&P as the other two were falling apart from so many readings.

For my current Re-Read, I am preparing for a book I have waited, on edge, for a year. Harry Potter, Book 7. I wanted to start my re-read of book 1-6 and take my time savoring the books and the unfolding plot, but I have yet again, gotten caught up in a fever. I started less than a week ago and I am already halfway through book 3. I have pre-ordered from Book 7 Amazon.com and hope that 7/21/07 gets here before I have to re-read Books 1-6 more than once. I will confess, I was so excited about this pre-order until a friend told me that she did this with Book 6 and they lost her order--she got it 3 weeks later. Now I am nervous. I really want this book on the day that it comes out.

3, maybe 4 things to say

1. First session in my private practice went well today. I am well on my way to being private practice counselor extradinare. (Can you tell that I really like saying "private practice?")

2. I leave for vacation in Colorado tomorrow. Yeah, a little bit of much needed relaxation. Not to mention getting to see my niece who just turned one year old.

3. I have dogs fighting under my feet for my attention. Fighting, playing, what's the difference?

4. Teachers arrested in Sumner County--That is a little too close to home. I have been in all of these schools and have met some of these teachers. What were they thinking?

Private Practice

That is right, I said private practice. Well, it is just part-time private practice, but I see my first client in my private practice tomorrow. I am so excited. For those that read this--I am keeping my school-based job (insurance, money, etc. all make it necessary to stick with the day job). But I have had it officially cleared through said job to pursue this opportunity. This is an unbelievably empowering step for me.

Private Practice--it just feels so good to write it, to say it, to shout it from the mountains. Which is where I will be next week, the Colorado mountains. I will be admiring my beautiful niece that just turned one and relaxing as much as possible.

The Drama of the Eye Wash Cup

My Dad is a huge fan of the eye wash cup. Has used one for years. It is a great contraption that seals around your eye and washes out dirt. You would mix up a salt water solution that tasted like tears, put your eye to the cup, lean back and blink a few times to let the water you know, wash out your eye.

Here is where the drama comes in. My dad's eye wash cup that probably dates back to B.C. (my parents way of saying Before Children--oh, and that would be 32 years). As I was saying--his eye wash cup got knocked off the counter and got a chip in it. Hopefully, you recognize that something used to wash gunk out of your eye should never have broken glass anywhere around it or in it. So he threw out his eye wash cup and put it on the grocery list. Surely, Wal-mart carries this handy, dandy and very useful item, the eye wash cup. WRONG. And so the search began. Not at Wal-mart, not at Walgreens, can't be found at CVS and no sign of one at Eckerds. So, he went to the internet. Surely the internet would not let him down. You can find anything on the internet these days. Ebay, yes, Ebay did have a few eye wash cups up for grabs. Only these were antiques and in all sorts of fancy colors and a little on the pricey side of things. My Dad didn't want fancy colors and wasn't even too sold on the idea of an antique eye wash cup. After all, who knows what kind of shared eye diseases could come from that, not to mention the possiblity of small chips in this old glass.

How was the problem solved? He finally found a dealer that sold them wholesale. He bought a case of 15 in order to get one. So, everyone in the family got one. My mom and my dad now have their own eye wash cup--no sharing please. I got one, of course. I believe my brother and his wife will each get one--maybe even one for my neice (yes, the one year old). I am sure that my aunt and cousins are also on the list. And the rest, well they will go into storage just in case the current eye wash cup meets the same untimely end.

It Has Turned Out to be a Good Day

This doesn't always happen you know, bad start to the day turning around to be a good day, but today was one of those days (it actually wasn't a bad start, just a mediocre start). Last night before bed I thought about turning on the heat (after all the temperature was dropping). Thinking about the heat and getting the heat going are two different things. I have discovered that I am actually kind-of miserly--I don't want to spend the money to heat my house in the middle of April, it just seems counter-intuiative. So I grabbed myself an extra blanket and went to bed. I woke up freezing this morning. And I was not the only mammel in the house that was craving heat. Miriam (Austrailian Cattle Dog), Dodger (Some sort of Terrier Mix pup), AND Moses (the cat that usually shuns cuddling when the dogs are even in the house) are all laying around/on me. I had Miriam on my right, by my hip. Dodger was on my left in his usual spot (my armpit). Moses thought the best place for him was on my chest, stretched across my neck. Did I mention that I have allergies? Cat hair by my face, not so good. Normally, this would bother me, but I was happy for the warmth. I did not want to move from my little nest, but the animals sensed that I was stirring. Moses was first--he stood up and promptly went to stand on my bladder. Dodger began to lick my ear. Miriam, getting jealous that Dodger was getting attention decides to lunge at him--right over my belly. "I'm up," I yell.

Then comes a promise to fullfill--I was to go to water aerobics with my mother. Not too much of a big deal--I like water aerobics. Did I mention that this is Senior Swim water aerobics--my mother being one of the young whipper, snappers of the group? So, I stood out like a sore thumb, being only 30 and the only one without a swim dress.

So how did my mediocre day turn around? I found some beautiful sounding windchimes. That's right, windchimes. They are melodious. I am easily pleased--at least today.

Spring Break

This is the great time of year called Spring. I love Summer too, but Spring (aside from Winter and Fall) is my favorite. I understand what you are thinking, when it comes to seasons, I am a little wishy-washy. I will admit, I like them all. They each have some wonder about them, something great. What I like most of all about Spring is discoving the flowers that keep popping up everywhere. Just last week I was visiting a friend and her dogwood trees looked completely bare. This week I went back and they were in full bloom (she has about 20-25 trees that line her driveway). It was beautiful.

It is not just discoving flowers that come back year after year, it has to do with unexpected growth too. When I moved into the house two years ago the yard had not been well cared for. (Neither had the house for that matter). So, last summer I discover that I had a Peony bush. It came up, but never bloomed. Well, it came up again this year, but my expectations were low. Two days ago, I noticed a bloom--it is so beautiful. Spring truly is the best season (that is until Summer gets here).

Yes, this is actually a picture from my yard. And I did nothing to nurture it, just cleared back the burmuta grass.

Have a Happy Spring.

Am I really just like everyone else?

I feel the need to ask this because I have always thought of myself as a truly unique person, an individual. No, I am not. And this has happened many times in my life, but more so in the recent days. I tell about something going on in my life--and someone has a story to at least match mine and usually will top my story. These days I hear a lot of "me too." I hate "me toos." It's like saying your current pain doesn't matter because I have also gone through or am going through this. My brain knows that this is not what they mean by "me too," but sometimes my brain short circuits. Is that really surprising? In times of high emotional crises, my brain goes a little haywire and instead of acting on thoughts from my brain, I act on feelings from my heart.

I am a listener. My career, my chosen profession is based on being a listener (you know, mental health therapist and all). So I sometimes have trouble cutting people off in the middle of their "me too" stories. I know (in my brain) that they are trying to reach out, to have a shared experience. After all that is a huge thing in life and something so powerful--a shared experience. Even if we weren't there at that exact moment, our brains still search for a similar example, something that helps us to wrap our thoughts around it and to understand better where that person is coming from. But I feel (in my heart) so frustrated and hurt that they just didn't let me talk. A "me too" has happened.

I am going through a divorce. And there are way too many "me toos" out there when it comes to this story. My husband doesn't love--really "me too." I never saw it coming--really "me too." My life is a cliche these days. I feel like it has boiled down to a simple "me too" story. The sad thing, I still love my husband very much. I still want to do what it takes to work it out, and I haven't gotten many "me toos" on this one.

School Days, She says with a Sigh

I have to say that working in an elementary and middle school there are many times when I look back at childhood and say, "Thank you Lord for my thirties." But I picked up one of my kids from gym class the other day and they were playing kickball. Do you remember kickball? Now I couldn't hit a ball with a bat to save my life, but there was something magical and wonderful about kickball. Kicking that ball as hard as I could then running with all fury and diligence around the bases. I realize now that a home-run in kickball wasn't such a big deal. But in gym class, in elementary school, if I got a home-run, I was on top of the world. So from kickball my mind wondered to other amazing elementary school games. Tag. Dodgeball. Even a little bit of square dancing. But my most favorite of all--the parachute.

We had names for the way we would do the parachute. The ripple--this is where you shake it as hard as you could. The mushroom--you would lift it high in the air and run to toward the center, then run back out before it came down over your head. And then you would walk in a circle, or all hide underneath it. A couple of years back (maybe three years ago now), I was on mission trip to Romania, working in the villages of the Roma (to say "gypsy" is a derogatory term). And they had a parachute and did the same things that I remember doing in gym class (that great time of day in elementary schoo). Kids are kids no matter where you go. And fun is fun, no matter what the language.

Boy, do I miss gym class. I go to the gym now and it is just not the same. Walking on a treadmill, riding a stationary bike. Not the same as kickball.

Don't I have the cutest niece?

Blogs on Dogs

I have to talk about the challenge of trimming a dog's nails. I am finding that a trick that will work for one dog will not necessarily work for another dog. My older dog, Miriam (Australian Cattle Dog), will not like getting her nails trimmed, but she will tolerate it. I have her lay down on her side in front of me and hold her feet close to her body. This eliminates any jerking back and keeps me from clipping too far down. (Anyone who has ever made the painful, bloody mistake of cutting a dogs' nails too far down knows what I am talking about). I trim all on that side, have her flip over and do all on the other side. Miriam will then get a treat for ALL the nails.

I tried this with Dodger, my little terrier cutie. He would have none of it. I couldn't even get him to lay down. The first trick I tried with him was successful--sort of. I would wait until he would fall asleep on the couch and then go after whatever nail was exposed. Dodger is smart--he started sleeping will all his paws under him. But I have found a new trick, hopefully this will continue to work with success. I actually got 4 of his nails trimmed tonight. I stand and hold him in my left arm, all four paws sticking straight out. Then with my right hand I trim one nail. After I am done with one nail and only one nail, I put him down clap my hands and say "Yeah Dodger, Good Boy." and then I give him a treat. Amazingly enough, he came back for more. So I did a 2nd nail--same way. When he had finished his Milkbone--he came back for more. So on and so on.

Dogs have such great and individual personality. It is amazing how they are so different. Trimming nails doesn't even scratch the surface. (Yes, Yes, I know--stupid pun).

Amazing Grace--a review

I just saw the most heart touching story I have seen in a long time. It is about the abolition of the slave trade in England and the politics that went into this decision. It is historical and amazing. It is always so important to remember the suffing of others outside of ourselves. I have been going through my own personal tragedy and it meant something to be able to sit in a theater and be reminded yet again how insignificant my life is. This man gave the best years of his life fighting for a cause of such nobility--human freedom.

I had thought to sit down and write this beautiful review of the movie, but I'm finding my words and my eloquence fading. Just go see the movie--you will learn so much.

Family Ties

I just recently bought the first season of

"Family Ties." As a kid I had a huge crush on Micheal J. Fox and always thought this show was hilarious. Still do apparently.

Here's the thought... I am having trouble thinking up any family sitcoms now that are not focused on the disfunction rather than the hilarity of an everyday, intact family. I am not saying that there are no good sitcoms out there. I am loving "The Class" and "My Name is Earl." "Rules of Engagement" is pretty funny too. Good, funny stuff. But no families. Do you remember "The Cosby Show," or how about "Growing Pains?" I miss the families.

The thieves, the thieves, the flithy little thieves. Where are they my Precious?

I just recieved a call from my creadit card complany. There have been some strange charges on my account--nearly $7000. I still have my credit card on me and I have been racking my brain to discover how my number has gotten out into the world. There are, of course two possiblities. 1. Someone I know. or 2. From the internet. Altough I can't rule out someone I know, I will say I recently attempted to buy a Cross-Stitch pattern off the internet and never got the pattern. I ordered it from www.salt-and-pepper.com. They seemed well established, but I give them my credit card number, I don't get the product I ordered, and I get massive amounts of charges.