Fresh Flowers Change Everything

On Thursday, my first day of school, my parents sent me flowers.  They send me flowers every year on the first day of school.  This was the tenth consecutive flower arrangement from my parents. My mom always asks the florist to do a school theme.  One year, I got flowers in a porcelain pencil vase.  Another year it was a school bus.  (My toddler kids LOVE the school bus.)  I don't remember most years, but I remember that they have never missed.  This year, it was a red vase with apples and pencils.  And the flowers are BEAUTIFUL.  

Now the flowers are on my kitchen table.  We had a showing today.  We have another showing tomorrow (Thank you, Jesus).  If most people are like me, they will see the fresh flowers and not be able to resist making us an offer.  And I will forever be indebted to my parents for providing the fresh flowers that looked so beautiful on our table that sealed the deal on our house.  

HOLLA - 

Seeing Things Through Different Glasses

I got new glasses today.  I haven't gotten new glasses since about 2000 - that's a lot of adjusting these eyes have got to do in the next few days.  I am only wearing them for an hour or so at a time so I don't get a headache from the eye strain.  Vegging out at the computer isn't helping much, I suppose.

I've realized lately that my life isn't as much about the things that are happening as it is the way that I'm looking at those things.  Attitude has become my new mountain to climb, and I haven't even laced up my hikers.

Let's start with marriage.  Ben and I just celebrated our five year anniversary in July.  When we got married, we said we'd spend our five year anniversary in Antigua.  Instead, we dropped off our sweet 15 month old into the care of my parents while we dined at the Melting Pot.  Not quite the Caribbean escape we had planned, but it was celebratory nonetheless.  Ben and I never used to argue or snip at each other.  It was actually kind of disgusting how well we got along and connected with each other.  I could sometimes catch a friend or two puking into the corner as we laughed and giggled and flirted with each other endlessly.  Now that we're parents, it ain't so easy.  Time together is short.  We snip often.  I wonder sometimes what happened to that amazing connection we used to have.  Since I've never gotten this far into a marriage before, I'm realizing this is simply the changing of the tide, and we must adapt.  My mind says, "Freak out!  Something has gone terribly wrong!  No longer are you the couple you used to be!"  And my heart says, "Look into his eyes.  Remember the love.  Watch him play and laugh with Amelia.  Feel his gaze rest on you when you aren't looking.  He is and will always be THE ONE."  I think I should listen to my heart.

School is about to start.  Last year was not so great.  Great personally for me, yes.  I am proud of the teacher I have become, although I still have a long way to go.  It was no so great professionally in ways I can't really explain.   When I think about starting back, although I am excited to get back into my classroom, my stomach turns to knots.  I will be praying incessantly for peace and wisdom, and the ability to shut my mouth.  More importantly, I need to not care so much about little things that ignite my angry fire.  I may not be able to change certain situations, but I can change my attitude and my outlook.

Our house.   Is still.  For sale.  It hasn't been quite a month, but not a looker have we had.  We don't want to lose money, but we've come to the realization that we must lower our price if we want to get out of here in this crap economy.  We won't be purchasing our dream home by far, but three bedrooms, a two car garage, a basement, and a yard would be nice.  If we are still here at Christmas, it's up to me and my attitude to be grateful and not the Grinch.

We are tightening our purse strings, once again.  A few years ago, we read Dave Ramsey's The Total Money Makeover.  We paid of our credit cards, never to be used again, and started our Debt Snowball.  We even started to take Financial Peace at our church, and then the stork arrived.  Since then, we have slacked off in a major way, although we have kept the credit cards from creeping back in.  It's time to get serious again, though.  No more needless trips, outfits, activities, etc.  Oh boy, will I be tested.  Especially because where I work ain't exactly home to the "have-not's", if you know what I am saying.  But we have a plan for our future, and we have to be strong.  My heart needs a money makeover in order for our family to have one.   80% behavior, 20% head knowledge, says Dave.  We must!  We must!  We must increase our....financial responsibility.

So I've got my work cut out for me in the attitude department in the way that I view life.  Hopefully, like these new glasses, I will make the needed adjustments.  Otherwise, bring on the Tylenol.

HOLLA -

I'm Okay, You're Okay

My life is messy.  Is yours?  I'm guessing it is, because I am hearing lots of stories lately about people's messy lives.  I personally have a hard time swimming through the goo (That's what I'll call the hard stuff.  Goo.) and floating on the pretty surface, soaking in the goodness of life.  I think I was born this way, and God don't make no junk.  However, I know there's always room for improvement, and God wants me to work on it.

I'll even admit to you that I like hearing about other people's goo because it makes me feel better about my own goo.  There, I said it.  It is terrible, isn't it?  But it's true.  Sometimes I get it in my head that I'm the only one treading goo and everyone else seems to be getting a nice tan on the beach.  The truth is, though, that we're all swimming through the goo together.  This is why I don't understand why people blog about/post/tweet/talk/etc. about their non-goo lives, because I know it's a bunch of crap.  Of course, the objective here is not to obsess or lament over the goo, because that's no way to live.  But empathy always wins out over superficiality.  If you want someone to swim in the goo with you, call me.  I'm a great goo swimmer.  I would love to keep you company.  

In the meantime, let's remind ourselves that this is all temporary.  There's a goo-less place waiting for all of us.  It's called heaven.  And although I appreciate all of the lessons that I'm learning here on this lovely planet, I dream about being home, free from worry and the troubles of this life.  (Goo.)

It seems that I am not the only one who feels this way, because many, many amazing people have written songs about this very thing.  I cling to these words so tightly and I know in my heart they are true.  If you are in the goo and are yearning to be free, please click below.  And remember that you are not alone.  It's going to be okay.  I'm okay, and you're okay.  Okay?  Okay.  

 HOLLA -