How to... Make Christie Pull Her Hair Out

1) Have her apply for grad school for a second Masters.
2) Have her think about studying and taking a graduate entrance exam.
3) Have her look at the "to do" list that grows faster than she can run to complete them.
4) Have her animal family start acting like a bunch of, well, animals.
5) Have her not get enough sleep or coffee.

That's about it. Please excuse me while I look up some wig makers.

“When your goals seem too difficult to reach..... move the posts closer.”



                                                                 ~Phil Long

Forgetfulness

Usually, forgetting something is considered a bad thing. Forgetting where you placed your keys will make you late for work. Forgetting the date of a major battle will affect your test score. Forgetting the date of your spouse's birthday...too horrible to consider.

Forgetting is sometimes a blessing, though. Working with children who have suffered abuse and neglect, and with foster parents who have taken them in, sometimes I wish I could spread a little forgetfulness. I wish I could help the children forget the pain they have suffered or have witnessed. I wish I could help the foster parents forget some of the more minor transgressions of the kids, as a running tally of sins is never good for a relationship. I wish I could forget some of the pain I feel when I see one of my kids hurting.

The only advantage to not forgetting is the opportunity which arises for learning. For my kids to learn how very strong they are and how much they can overcome. For my foster parents to learn the little "imperfections" in their kids, so they can love all that is perfect within the kids even more. For myself to learn how to better help, to better love, and to better serve my families.

So maybe this is why God doesn't make it easy to forget. Forgetfulness--with all the seductive lure of ease--leaves no room for growth in character and wisdom. Plus, it would put the sticky pad makers out of business.

“O sleep, O gentle sleep, nature's soft nurse, how have I frightened thee, that thou no more wilt weigh my eye-lids down and steep my senses in forgetfulness?”



                               ~William Shakespeare

Rested, Well, Kinda

So, I took a kinda-sorta break this weekend. I was able to stay home and just do home stuff. No running around to ball parks, birthday parties, or exotic lands.

As such, you can actually see my kitchen counter again! Now, this might not seem like a big deal to you, but, to me, it's HUGE! It means, slowly but surely, I'm regaining control of my house. (Slowly would be the key word in that past sentence.)

My next goal, I believe, will be to tackle the kitchen table. Lord be with me!

“Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling the sidewalk before it stops snowing.” 

                                                ~Phyllis Diller

Tick Tock Goes the Clock

I swear, some days I feel like the clock is set to fast forward. I celebrate on New Year's Day, go to bed, and wake up the next day in June.

I guess part of this feeling of lost time comes from not having a spare weekend for the last five weekends in a row. Not that the weekends were filled with root canals and SAT exams. They were just filled with no time to get the "normal" stuff done like laundry and housework and just lounging for a few minutes.

This past weekend was all about my little girl turning 8. We had a birthday party at my mom and dad's house with family and family friends. It was a great party with the kids playing blocks and chasing each other and the adults laughing and talking. But, wow!, afterwards I was tired.

So, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this weekend will be free. Nothing to do but housework and laundry and maybe, just maybe, a little lounging.

I'm late! I'm late! For a very important date! No time to say hello or goodbye! I'm late! I'm late! I'm late!

          ~ The Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland

Day 3 on Land

The third day we were in Belize. Belize included a long drive on a bus to a long river boat ride to a long hike to some pyramids.  It was all actually pretty fun. Well, all except it being 105 degrees. That wasn't that great.



My son at the top of the "smaller" pyramid.



My son climbing the 80,000 steps to the top of the pyramid. (Maybe a slight exaggeration.)

Some really rare birds of Belize. Can't remember their names. I think one was Bob. (Add groan here.)

“There are some people who knock the pyramids because they don't have elevators.”

Day 2 on Land

After a day like today, I REALLY wish I could turn back time and return to my vacation. Unable to warp time, though, I will attempt to recapture part of that fun feeling by looking at some great photos.

Day 2 on Land was in Roatan, Honduras.  Our tour guide, Sonja, was a sweetheart. She managed to take us zip lining, monkey petting, and snorkling without losing any of us. It was a fun (if really hot) day.

My young man taking the lead!

My little girl flying!

This monkey was smarter than some people I know!

“It's important to learn what works for you so at the end of the vacation you really do feel like you had a break from your work.”



                                                ~Mark Walker

The Reason for My Leave of Absence

I haven't been posting for the last few days, but I've been busy with a project. The wedding cake for my young neighbor. Totally worth the effort for her!

“I love the art of cake decorating. Wedding cakes are my favorite. I like the feeling when you finally get it on the table and walk away. You know you did something for someone's special day. It's very rewarding.”



                                     ~Tina Hainey

Love Is in the Air and I Need Coffee!

I am posting from my ex's apartment using my phone. I do this because, today of all days, the power at my house went out. This in itself would not be that big of a deal (except for no air conditioning with hell-like temperatures), except for the fact I need to complete baking 6 layers of wedding cake for a wedding on Saturday. I need coffee!