Extraordinary in the Ordinary

"That's it!! No more craziness. No more late, late nights. I am producing a schedule that I will adhere to every day of my life. I am taking control!"

These were my thoughts about a week ago. I'll be honest, when everyone was getting their gifts in heaven, I did not get into the Will-Be-Organized line. Instead, I was probably off in some corner talking and laughing. dang!

So, here I am, always trying to make some sort of order out of chaos. I wrote the new schedule in my journal. Schedules stress me out. So, three days into it, I sat on my bed in tears, trying to explain my situation to my husband (while he was holding his iphone/planner in his hand, mind you. He was a good one and stood in the will-be-organized line).

"I feel like I'm in a box and I'm about to explode! I want to do something crazy like...like...paint a wall purple!"

"Purple?"

"Or maybe hang some lime-green beads in a doorway!"

"Hmm."

"Alright, I'll just go to bed."

Life can be very ordinary...same, same, same. But, while trying to get a little bit of order, I can find the extraordinary--like Joseph learning how to ride a bike this week! Extraordinary! Or getting candy bars, all around, at Target for 100% Spelling Tests. Extraordinary! Or writing in my journal everyday this week (thank you very much). Majorly extraordinary!!!

Hope you can find some extraordinary in the ordinary...it's just so much more delightful!

real life

My day started really great. And then daily life just settled in. By the time the afternoon hit, the wheels were comin' off the cart. Homework wasn't getting done, piano wasn't getting practiced, shin guards couldn't be found, and my kitchen looked like a peanut butter & jelly bomb went off.

As I ran into Albertson's this evening to grab poppy seeds and frozen pizza, I looked down at my navy blue top. All I could see was a nice big banana shmear all over the front of me. I'm so classy. At least my shirt wasn't white!!

Craving Beauty

Meet Victoria, my new friend. I have driven by her house a hundred times, but it wasn't until last week that I finally noticed her garden. It took me back by surprise, the roses, the freesia, the daisies...I just couldn't believe my eyes! After turning around to admire the beauty again (and again and again), I decided to just go up to the door and tell the person so. Victoria answered her door and after me explaining that I just LOVED her roses (and also explaining that I wasn't a complete weirdo...maybe just a little one), she proceeded to explain and teach to me, in broken english, about each rose, its name, and how to care for it (by the way, did you know that if you plant a banana peel, all cut up, in the ground by the roses' roots it will be more fragrant?). I came back a couple days later with a notebook to take scrupulous notes. She's coming over in January to help me plant my roses. I can hardly wait! I felt so happy and uplifted. Why? I think our spirits crave beauty...and not the beauty offered at the MAK counter (although they have really great lipstick). This kind of beauty is created by God...the master creator. After admiring a pink sunset, a starry night, falling rain, sparkly eyes, a bright smile, a soft touch, a velvety rose we are uplifted and happy...the kind that lasts.


Anyways, let me step down from my soap box. I solved my no-window-in-the-laundryroom dilemna. I've been doing my laundry...outside. My dryer is busted, so my boys and I configured a new way (after spending time at the laundromat last week). I love my new way.

School is in session, AND I pulled them out to go to Disneyland with Adam's brother Peter and family. All had a great time. I didn't feel any guilt until yesterday Annie told me how lousy she did on her Science test "because we were gone when she announced it". Ah well.

Gotta run and wake everyone up for school. Now go and have yourself one beautiful day!!

One of the illusions of life is that the present hour is not the critical decisive hour. Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year. He only is right who owns the day, and no one owns the day who allows it to be invaded by worry, fret, and anxiety. Finish every day, and be done with it. You have done what you could.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

(Did you notice, A? Emerson.)

pouring rain

When it rains, it pours...

MAMA MIA (said with feeling)!!!

I used to like the little show, Ratatouille. Not so much anymore. In fact, it will be a good long while until it is popped in the DVD player at this house. (I hope none of you are eating, while reading here). We have had a serious mice issue. Did you know the food of choice nowadays for mice is peanut butter and cheese fishy crackers? Okay, I'll stop. Just be grateful you aren't developing a relationship with mice snappers and DCON...like my husband.

And speaking of husband, my poor husband. We were in the ER last night...kidney stones. I've only seen him in this kind of writhing pain once before in our marriage, 11 years ago...kidney stones. I love taking care of him. I know having a husband as a hospital administrator doesn't offer perks like an all-expense paid, luxurious business trip or early evening arrivals from work; however, it does offer one very wonderful, very important perk. As I was driving him to his hospital last night, he picked up his phone and called the dr. on-call. He told him he was coming. We went through the back door, walked right in the room, and he was hooked up to pain meds in 10 minutes flat. We were in and out of there in an hour and 15 minutes. I need to remind myself of this perk, especially when it feels like I haven't seen my hard-working husband for days. A urologist friend called today to check on him. I could hear the dr. trying to convince Adam to come in for a CT scan. Adam said (while wincing in pain), "Oh, I'll be okay." Then I heard, "Okay Adam...good talking with you. Now, let me talk with your wife." Needless to say, he went in for a CT scan. He's sleeping right now.

California has fires. more fires. fires=Savannah's asthma flare-up

My grandma-Dorothy had a stroke last week. She's still in the hospital. I've been thinking a lot about her and her frustration in not being able to talk. I'm sad of that. But, the Lord is mindful. He always is. I have faith in that.

BUT, the silver lining is (and there always is one)...I have such supportive family and supportive friends. Friends that take my kiddies when I need to run off to the hospital. Friends that feed my kiddies. Family that calls. Family and friends that pray.

Life is busy. Life is good. With every shower, brings lovely flowers. I'm counting on it. (I'm almost finished with my laundry...a definite flower).