A Little Blessing

I call my mom when I get really nuts and just need to vent. She's great about just listening and saying "Oh yes, Honey, that's totally normal" and "Don't be so hard on yourself" and "You are a great Mommy, don't worry so much" and things like that. The other thing she is really good at is telling us that she will pray for us to have a little blessing....some little thing that is so unique to us, so tailored to our hearts, that it must be a hug straight from God. I knew that when we hung up today (and I was still blubbering) that she would be asking God for a blessing for me.

A couple hours later, she called again. Two phone calls from Mom in one day is not normal and I was pretty sure someone had died. (Ah yes, my Inner Optimist is a little weak these days). I was wrong! She called to tell me that my email to Country Living Magazine had been published in the April issue!

So there's my little blessing. Made me cry all over again. Thanks, Lord.

Okay, so I don't actually hate the guy...

Okay, I've been thinking about this a lot. I know it's weird, but I think maybe I'm just avoiding thinking about killing my super-whatever. Anyway, I found the ending of The Bachelor very upsetting. I'm not going to apologize for getting into the show, because it's really just about people trying to find someone. I'm really happy and have my Someone and want other people to be happy too. I think this particular version of the show was interesting: it was a free trip to Paris. If you are young and single and could take the time to live in Paris for six weeks, it would be kind of an adventure, so I don't think it's all weirdos and losers that participated.

I guess I just found it so very dissapointing that Travis didn't pick Moana because she was really interesting. My theory is that initially, he was attracted to her because she was athletic, a little stand-offish, adventuresome, and then later got really picked on by the other girls (who were frankly, super-jealous and intimidated by her, for good reason) which made her a wounded bird and made Travis feel like a hero. But then, as time went on and she really fell for him, she started to reveal things about herself that were intimidating to Him. She cooks, speaks Italian, surfs, etc. etc. and I think a part him of realized that he could match up with her in Paris, but in real life, he is not all that. I was disspointed because if he had picked her, he would have been saying that he was a super great guy for real, and that he was equal to her. It's cool to see a really great couple that really matches up to one another. The fact that he backed down and picked the really vanilla girl says that he might be a good looking young ER doctor, but he's really just kind of two-dimensional. He and Sarah are probably a nice couple, but not very interesting...there's no spark, no contrast, no "wow factor."

I like wow factor. I see it in some of my friends' marriages and I have it in mine. I just like to see how one person can spur someone on to something great.

I HATE TRAVIS< THAT ROTTEN PIECE OF GARBAGE!

I AM SO UPSET~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WE HAVE INVESTED HOURS OF OUR LIVES WAITING FOR TRAVIS TO TELL MOANA SHE IS THE ONE AND THAT PIECE OF ROTTEN GARBAGE PICKED SARA FROM FRICKING NASHVILLE!!!!!!!!!!! I AM SO MAD!!!!!!!

THIS IS NOT GOOD TELEVISION. THIS IS NOT ENTERTAINING. THIS IS CRUEL AND WRONG AND SICK. WE REALLY FELL FOR THIS GUY AND HE JUST PROVED THAT HE IS ....NOT NICE!!!!!!!

I DON'T CARE IF YOU DON'T WATCH THE BACHELOR. I DON'T CARE IF YOU THINK THIS IS SILLY. THIS IS MY BLOG AND I AM TELLING YOU THAT I HAVE BREATHLESSLY WATCHED THIS COUPLE FALL IN LOVE AND THEN AT THE LAST MINUTE HE GOES AND PICKS THE WRONG GIRL....THE PAGEANT GIRL....THE PERFECT ALL-AMERICAN, TALKS TOO MUCH, IS TRYING TO CONVINCE HERSELF THAT SHE CARES FOR HIM BECAUSE HE'S A DOCTOR, VANILLA, BLAH BLAH BLAH......OOHHOHHOHOHOHOOH. I AM SO DONE WITH THIS SHOW. I AM SO MAD. MOANA COULD HAVE MADE HIM INTO AN INTERESTING HUMAN BEING. NOW, HE IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE NOTHING BUT A KEN DOLL.

SERIOUSLY,

SERIOUSLY.

COME ON.

Vinnyism 111

My super-hero-loving son just called to me from the bathroom to tell me that he had produced something that was, and I quote (because I could never make this up)....

"The sidekick of diarhea."

Well shut my mouth....

...and call me silly....

I just got the payment for my aluminum pitcher ...from the Delaware Art Museum. Cool! And last week, a couple of thermoses went to be props on an off-Broadway show call Trial by Water. Before that, a bowling trophy went to a Country Living Magazine shoot. That's pretty cool, huh?

Yeah, I like this goofy job of mine.

I have 36 new email

Does that ever scare you to death? I mean, come one...36 messages...they can't all be happy campers.

I need to conjure up that optimist I was trying to be.

Weird Math

I've been thinking lately about how strange the mundane details of our lives are and how they add up to a life spent in service to God.

This is my to do list today:
pack ebay boxes/print labels
wash, iron box of antique clothes to get ready to list on ebay
help Mattie with schoolwork
clean the kitchen
fold laundry
put the kids in a tubby
fix supper
pick up the house
drink a lot of tea and try to fight off this stupid cold


In what economy does this add up? I spend my days in such a bizarre way...for example, yesterday: driving around all day to thrift stores, the post office, the bank, the library, checking out houses, trying to find estate sales that were advertised but never did find them, picking up Robb from work, going to mall to hang out with the fam and window shop, come home, put kids to bed, eat chips for supper, watch random 10 minute portions of 20/20, the nightly news, Nightline, Jimmy Kimmel, and Oprah, before somebody (not me) finally got up and turned off the tv (the remote doesn't work). I don't know if I love it or if I need to get a haircut and a real job.

Chalk this time up to my 40 years in the backside of a desert, I guess. I'm pretty sure there isn't something else I'm supposed to be doing. But it sure ain't the Promise Land.

Talking out of Two Sides of my Mouth....

...I am both elated and annoyed....

when a scratched up aluminum pitcher that I bought for a quarter sells for 46 dollars. Of course, I can use the cash. But who is sitting at a computer somewhere plunking down that kind of money just because a good designer made the pitcher? Why do they have money and I don't? God, if you would just give ME some extra money, I promise I wouldn't spend it on such a silly thing...at least...I'd only spend a quarter on it...

The Ever Industrious Charleigh-Brown-Eyed-Girl...

....strikes again. In Charleigh's economy, things that are in zip-lock bags belong to the dog, since Sidney's dog biscuits are indeed in a plastic bag with a zip-lock top. So of course, a bag of expensive trail mix, with yummy yogurt covered nuts, dried berrries, coconut, sunflower seeds and other good stuff looked like dog food too. What else could a self-respecting, bright-eyed little girl to do? Into the dog dish it went.

Goodbye nightly tv snack.

Happiness may be a butterfly...

...but unhappiness is like a skunk....when you least expect it, it will reach out and smack you up the side of the head for no good reason, lingering in the air with its foulness until you do something radical about it.

New Fav Movie: Elizabethtown

We got Elizabethtown to watch this weekend. (And may I just interject that it was a fantastic weekend because I got to hang out with my favorite person for hours! It's been awhile since that happened).

Like other Cameron Crowe movies (Jerry McGuire, Almost Famous), this is a story about how one person can change the entire course of another person's life for the good just by getting them to focus on things that matter verses things that distract and mesmerize us, but ultimately have no lasting value. A quirky story-line and believeable characters help. But the reason I liked it best is because it made me homesick. I've lived a lot of places and quite frankly, you'll never get the country out of this girl. I will always be part of a big family, complete with black sheep and adventure seekers, and homely, seemingly unimaginative people who've survived great passion, loss and tragedy. I adore my hometown and the folks. And yet, I can't sit still. I don't know if I could just live in one place for the rest of my life...I have to hit the road...I have to go see stuff and be places and do things. I'll always love a roadtrip.

Some other plusses about the movie... a fabulous soundtrack doesn't hurt. And lastly, any movie that takes the time to highlight some of the fun of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, (which I just explored LAST WEEK), well, hey, you gotta love it. What a delight in a movie to see that Hollywood actually realizes (albeit briefly) that there are more places in the USA than New York City and Los Angeles.

The kids and I did this one of Dad

Does this look like me?

Found this fun cartoon maker on a friend's blog and it's so fun to play on. Does this look like me? Be sure to check out Robb's on the Grenz. And by all means, have fun trying it yourself by clicking on the title.

TWBP: 3: a tie

This weeks best product is a tie:

Rechargable batteries. Between our Miss Pacman obsession (Robb and I play almost nightly after the kids go to bed) and the digital camera, I could blow through regular batteries about twice a week. We had two sets, but Charleigh removed the set from the Miss Pacman game and I have been unable to locate them, though I've searched the house over. I'm pretty sure she fed them to the dog. (So honey, could you pick up another set?)

AND

My new waffle maker/grill. I just got this Christmas present from my brother (Amazon shipping sure is interesting sometimes) and it's awesome! The waffle sides flip over to a flat panel which you can fry eggs or bacon on. I don't have a grill here at HH. It also makes four waffles at time. I tried it out the other night and everybody got hot waffles when they were ready for them. It's made by Black and Decker and I like it.

Shoot....it's like winter or something

Woke up last night to sound of something pelting against the window. Turns out it was snow...and kind of a lot of it. There's about 2 or 3 inches out there sticking to the ground. After Robb got to work this morning, he called to tell me he was there safe. The reason that this is a big deal is that it really is unsafe to drive in snow down here. Just one example: a woman had PARKED her SUV in the PASSING LANE. So it's not the snow that's dangerous, it's the blizzard of complete idiots.

Let's Hear it for the Boy!

Sara, thanks for getting this song stuck in my head!

I think it was last week that I praised women for their ways of comforting one another. But I wanted to say a few things in praise of good men, and especially my husband...

I love the fact that men do what they are convinced they have to do. They don't whine, bellyache or complain, but just keep a stiff upper lip and do it. My dear husband is holding down two jobs that are not his be-all and end-all, and yet he is doing an excellent job at both, earning the praise of his superiors. I'm really proud of him.

Men are big mushballs about their women. I got the sweetest and most loving cards from my hubby, my dad and my brother, and of course, my son, for Valentines day. What more could a girl ask for?

Men are wicked strong. I'm no wimp and can haul laundry, a kid, or a lot of groceries, but Robb can toss me on the floor and tickle me until I scream before I can blink. It's true....girls really do like "guys with skills."

Men are oblivious to dirt. The same annoying thing that makes them completely oblivious to the muddy footprints they track all over your clean floor, make them fully capable of doing horrendously dirty work without freaking out.

Men can kill stuff. I kill a lot of little nuisance things, but I confess that I always feel really bad....one minute that stupid little ant is a living creature and the next minute, he's a smudge on my keyboard. (yeah, they're back). Men, on the other hand can just wipe something off the map when it needs to be done. I basically can't kill anything over a half inch without having that weird chill in my stomach. It must be that dominion thing.

So there you go.

You gotta give me props for creativity...

So, I picked up Robb and A from the airport the other night and returned home to the unmistakeable and nauseating stench of skunk at close range. I'm still not sure if Sid got sprayed full force or if she was just a victim of the overspray, but as time went by, it was obvious, she stunk. We all know what the cure is for dogs afflicted with skunk-tastic, but I just hated the idea of it. So... my ingenius solution? Febreeze.

It woulda been super cool if it had worked.

I found it!

Eureka means "I found it" and considering the curvy-ness of the roads and the dark, it was pretty amazing when I did, indeed, find it! Here are some pics of this beautiful mountain getaway!

On being poor

In the grand scope of the world, we aren't poor. Poor is when you aren't allowed to have a credit card. We aren't poor, we just can't afford things.

I've always been cautious about the phrase "God spoke to me..." I shouldn't be, but it can preface some weird things. I think this morning, though, that God really did speak...or at least he brought into focus some things that had been very blurry to me for some time now.

When we lived in Foxboro, I came to feel like a poor urchin pressing my face against the glass where our church members were warm and filled in their comfortable 300,000 dollar homes. I grew embittered when we couldn't afford to join them for dinner out after church on Sunday, to dress in their kind of clothes, or to even live in the same town as them (we lived almost in Rhode Island because we couldn't afford any housing where the church was located). I was often relieved when they cleaned out the food pantry and gave the close-to-expiration canned goods, baby food and milk to us. In that church, it was made clear that pastors and their families (and this went for our sr. pastor as well) were not equal with the other church people, especially the professionals, even though they had a similar level of schooling and experience. It was frankly, humiliating. Some of the people secretly gave us large gifts of money, some kind-of realized it was inappropriate, but for the most part, the board was more concerned with their rainy-day funds. When we left, for a multiplicity of reasons, I was relieved, but I never dealt with those feelings of inferiority.

In Michigan, it wasn't much of an issue, because most people were pretty much at the same level in our church and town. A few people had more and a few people had less, but for the most part, it was pretty much a common experience, and frankly, I had my house of dreams and was very content.

I knew that moving to such a successful area of the country would pick the scabs of my old wounds and lately, I confess, it has really been bothering me. Probably because it looks like won't be able to afford the kind of house I would like to have here.

I am being really honest, here, because I think real honesty is the best way to really deal with things.

So this morning, I realized that I had been feeling a tremendous amount of guilt for wanting Vintage Fellowship to succeed. But in all truth, as I examined these feelings closely, I realized that my desire is not so much for wordly wealth and security apart from God. My desire is to be at a place of freedom (not independence from God) where we can best minister to people. If I have to constantly be concerned about the bottom line, I cannot give my best efforts to serving God. I think of some of the really impactful people in my life, and they are people who managed their resources well so that they could do what God wanted them to do at the drop of a hat, without asking "Can we afford to do this?". Rather than fighting this tendency in my personality, I should be thankful that God made me this way AND that he gave me the visionary husband I have. We form a great team. Right now, we have little. I intend to be faithful with that little. Whether or not God gives us more is really up to Him, but I intend to keep working toward freedom not indenture. Because we chose this situation (and have no board setting our salary) I don't have to feel humiliation and inferiority.

I don't know if this strikes a chord with any of you or not. Maybe you think it is awful of me to even think of money at all. I felt like that for a long time. But guilt doesn't do a thing for the kingdom...it just paralyzes. I have become convinced that God made me this way on purpose and I can bring Him glory and contribute to the kingdom by thinking about money, earning money and by using it well. This isn't the end of my thinking about this issue, but this was an interesting flash of insight that occurred to me this morning.

God Hears Desperate Housewives

He whispered in Sandy's ear to take my kidlets so I could run a multiplicity of errands in Fayetteville without dragging kids in and out of a dozen stops.

He nudged Charles and Phyllis to take them to Pizza Hut (in a raging blizzard...well, it was snowing anyway) on Saturday for a couple of hours so I could mop the floor, which I have wanted to do for about a month, but the planets had not aligned correctly until then.

And then, my angel of a husband sent me on an overnight getaway at a bed and breakfast, where I got a massage, hit the shops, and had a pretty great time just sorting through things that take time to sort through. There was a time when a break from the Hollyhock House would have seemed silly....but months of confinement, hard work, and lonliness have taken their toll. I knew I was getting short with the kids, and I was starting to forget the feeling of taking a deep breath. The only thing that could have made this time better would have been having Robb with me.

TWBP: this week's best product

I don't know if I will ever get over pizza in New York. We used to scrape together whatever change we could find and go down the block to get a "pie" from around the corner. It was all we could do to keep our grubby paws out of it until we got home.

In MI, Main Street did a great job, especially with their soft crust. Too late, we discovered their bread sticks, dripping with butter, cheese and garlic....a meal all by themselves.

In AR they have nothing. At least I haven't found it yet: they've got square things and little thin things they call pizza, but come on....

So it was a nice surprise when out of desperation I tried the uncooked pizza from the Walmart deli. It baked up nicely, has a decent crust and a good size for a 7.00 pizza. This week we tried the supreme, and I would definetly try that again. It's no chicken and bacon, but it's not bad.

The good news for you....you can get it at Sam's Club.

I saw this in the window and had to have it....

Seriously, this outfit says everything about me right now: I'm doing Sesame Street and combat at the same time. Found it at Walmart and couldn't resist. Vin likes my pants. Charleigh likes my shirt. Mattie said she didn't like my shirt and then asked if she could wear it.

This pic's for you Babe!

Of Glasses and Claustrophobia

Well, it's the end of day one wearing my new glasses, and it was quite nice to read the computer screen and not have the distinct impression that there were really two of everything. So far, they are okay. But as I was getting dressed, I had a crazy freak-out moment. I was wearing a pink shirt and my glasses have a distinct orangey tone. What have I done????? How long will I have to wear glasses that clash with my clothes??? For that matter, how long will I have to wear glasses????? Shoot...it's not like my eyes are going to get better! I can't exactly just stop wearing them, can I? I'm in this for like...life. The walls are definitely closing in on me....it's getting warm....too warm.....

We make choices in life. And sometimes choices just have to be made, whether we want to or not. The laws of cause and effect take over and one thing leads to another and next thing you know you are living in a van down by the river....or at least in a house you don't own.

If I was Lot's wife, I'd turn into salt too. I always look back. I always have moments when I think, "What the heck did I do????" I know I can't go back, but I have to have one more glimpse of what I had. And then I have a panic attack or a moment of hysterical claustrophobia. The change is just too much to take sometimes.

"I don't really need glasses. Just throw that file away and I'll go back to squinting."

"Here, take this baby back. I made a mistake. Turns out I'm no hero. Heroine. Whatever."

"No, really, I'll wear skirts to church Sunday morning, Sunday Night and prayer meeting on Wednesday, sing hymns only, and give up wine. Just let me back in...."

and then I remember how I got here. I remember that when you believe something and you act on it, stuff happens. Crazy stuff. Scary stuff. Good stuff. Bad stuff...or stuff that looks bad, and then you realize months or years later that it was actually good stuff....like being able to see.

one of my favorite hymns just came on my iTunes: Be still my soul. It's so instructive. Shhh. Here...put this bag over your face. It's okay.

Where the Tantrums Go...

Charleigh was pretty mad at me the other day because I let the other two take a bath in the big whirlpool tub and so she pulled off her shirt and threw herself on the floor for a good ol' kickin' and screamin' tantrum. My tactic with tantrums is always the same: I have no dealings with terrorists. So I went back to work, put on my headphones and forgot about her little fit.

A little while later it occurred to me that it was pretty quiet, so I went to investgate and found an extra doll on the bed. She just wore herself out.

The past has taught us...

...that there is never a good reason to doubt God's goodness.

Are you sensing a theme here?

In the last couple of days, I have gotten a pretty good view of the waves we are walking on here and I'm not going to lie and say that I am not terrified and maybe sinking a bit.

If you feel the sudden urge to pick up the phone and cheerlead, please don't. Instead, please pray that I would be able to believe that even if our house sells for a loss, it is not an indication that God is not for us. Yes, you read that right. It feels like if it doesn't sell and put us in a safer financial situation that He is not in this venture. I'm not trying to set out a fleece. I do trust Him. Afterall, who ever heard of people living in a lovely little house for four months for free? And yet, that manna is getting old and I can't help having an appetite for some divine chicken.

So pardon my mixed biblical metaphors and join me in hoping in God.

yeah, its still good

Like a river glorious, is God’s perfect peace,
Over all victorious, in its bright increase;
Perfect, yet it floweth, fuller every day,
Perfect, yet it groweth, deeper all the way.

Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest
Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.

Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand,
Never foe can follow, never traitor stand;
Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care,
Not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there.

Every joy or trial falleth from above,
Traced upon our dial by the Sun of Love;
We may trust Him fully all for us to do.
They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true.

Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest
Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.

Superbowl Struggles: Who to root for?

I have to say, I was quite torn about how to cheer for the game last night (so I slept a bit during the third quarter).

Having grown up in Steeler's country, I am sympathetic to the blue collar, good ol' boys from PA. (My daddy is a rabid fan). Of course, this creates its little tensions since I am married to a guy whose blood runs orange for the Cleveland Browns...(a guy who will tell me that he has loved the Browns longer than he has loved me.) Despite my husbands' claims that I'd be turned out of my bed for rooting for the Steelers, I nevertheless had the feeling that it was their turn. Heinz Ward and Jerome Bettis are both undeniably likeable.

On the other hand, Matt Hasselbecks' parents attended our church in Boston, and quite frankly, I've rarely met a more wonderful person than Matt's mom Betsy. We met together in a small Bible discussion group with two other ladies for several months and I just came to love her to death. Betsy had the reputation in church for being the kind of person you could call on in trouble, and she could swoop in and make things better. One of twelve children and a mother of three strapping boys, she always had a smile on, and instantly made you feel happier just because she was there. I think I mostly watched the game to get a glimpse of her.

I really do think the refs took the game from the Seahawks. Rothlisberger's touchdown in particular seemed a poor call. With that momentum, the Steelers went on to play well in the fourth quarter and finish with the win. I feel badly for the Hasselbecks, but I'm happy for my dad, as long as he doesn't gloat too much!

Did you ever...

...look at one of your kids and realize that, for a variety of reasons that are pretty good, said child has been wearing the same shirt since Tuesday.

yeah, me neither.

The State of the Union Address

I always watch the state of the union address. And not because I like politics....but because I like my husband. I absolutley do not share his passion for politics. I did well in my 9th grade civics class, and I am pretty impressed with hubby when he knows the names of obscure senators. I thought it was really sexy (in an Alex P. Keaton kind of way) when I saw the signed head-shots of Newt Gingerich and Al Damato on his walls when we were dating. But I digress...

I think you have to be kind of difficult, a little pig-headed, and for some, a little underhanded to be successful in politics. I don't really want to elect someone who is squeaky clean, quite frankly, because I'm pretty sure between the media and the opposing party, he'd be decimated. And, this being a republic, someone who is "too good" is not representative of the complex and multilayered (ie sinful) people that make up this country now. (Not that people weren't bad in the past, they just had different social codes).

That being said, I love W and always have. The minute he came on the political stage as a candidate, he was my guy. I know that 50 percent of that is because he reminds me of my dad. But the other 50 percent is because I believe he knows what he is doing. He's not TOO good, he's got character, he's smarter than they say he is, and I fully believe he knows stuff about Iraq that we won't know until Fox does a special about it in like 50 years. I think he has the character to take the heat from his critics because he knows it is good for the country in the long run.

Here are some other thoughts: I like the speech and thought it was good. It was quite entertaining to watch peoples faces...albeit cranky ones. Quite frankly, I have to wonder if it is even possible for one person to really lead a whole country. When the country was formed it was 1/4 of the size and their was no mass media. People were better followers then. I still believe in the balance of power, I mean, we can't just leave everything to the courts and the professional politicians in congress, but I just wonder how much they ever really get anything done with everyone jostling for their positions.

I can't imagine who will be elected next. Really, there are so few people I want to look at for 8 years. I'm deeply grateful for a lot of reasons that John Kerry wasn't elected, not the least of which is that he's an awful looking fella to be on my tv screen every day.

Political parties are going to have to change with the emerging culture. Quite frankly, the right no longer embodies all that I believe. We're going to need some other options because neither party really expresses what the next couple of generations believe either. I'd like to suggest the Green Day party (angst and anger) vs. the U2 party (optimism and activism). Yeah, that should do it. And put a concert or something in the middle of the State of the Union Address. At least give us a commercial break. I confess, my attention span is only about 20 minutes long and I'm not going to be all brainy and say otherwise. I guess I want my MTV.

And that, my friends, is the unglossed opinion about politics from a person who votes faithfully and almost 100 percent republican every time, while having not much faith in politics as a whole.

BTW: here's my pic of W just before I shook hands with him back in October of '04.

I AM getting glasses...

Well, it's official. My eyes have been "bugging" me for several years now, and though I've had at least two eye exams in the that time frame, I always seemed to slip by without any prescription. So, our health insurance finally kicked in, and got an eye appointment (bless my husband, he called 14 places to get us in!) I liked this doctor immensely, not only for getting us both in, but also probably because we are the same age.

I think I flunked with flying colors. She decided to dilate my eyes which I have never had done before, and for those of you who also don't wear glasses (wait a minute...do I know anybody without glasses????) that relaxes your eyes enough to accept a prescription after working so long without one. Well that sure did the trick. I am apparently near-sighted and have an astigmatism. What a relief! Since I was having trouble with far away AND up-close objects, Robb had been kidding me about geting bi-focals.

While I'm pretty sure I got some nice frames, I really can't remember. What I do know, from what the doctor told me, is that I am in for an uncomfortable 6 weeks while my eyes get used to the glasses. She suggested starting by wearing them an hour a day and building up to wearing them all the time.

I have secretly always wanted to wear glasses. (I know, most of you are literally groaning out loud). Mostly, I'm just glad she didn't tell me I was being a baby. That would have been the worst. And being able to see will be really handy.

so much to blog, so little time....

Hey Happiness fans, I will be blogging about a couple of things in the near future, but I am too crushed for time right now. Look for entries on the following topics:

How everyday life adds up
Am I getting glasses tonight?
A new realtor
My response to the state of the union address.

Now if I could just have 32 hours a day, I'd be sitting pretty.

My Daughter was Student of the Month at Providence Classical Christian Academy

She won a five dollar gift card to Barnes and Noble, and her teacher said it was because she was so helpful getting the new girl in her class adjusted. Yeah Mattie!