It seems to me a lot of people, like us, are wondering what they should be when they "grow up". From hours of on-line job searching of numerous cities and states - it has become quite evident - you can go anywhere if you want to be a physical therapist.
Thank you baby boomers.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Bambi rule
Well, I guess I now know that my grading idea was dumb because I can't write when I am in a below C state. Because I am logical enough to know that everything I am feeling makes no sense what-so-ever and because the movie Bambi has had a profound impact on my interpersonal dealings for many a year (who knew?)
Here's the deal – our camera (purchased for it's claim to fame durability) was damaged and sent in for repairs – before Christmas. The slow and incompetent Olympus people returned it in worse condition- AFTER we missed the holidays. So finally this week they sent us a replacement camera – thus explaining the lack of photo blogging.
Also, (if you can't tell from my not-so-gracious description of the poor customer service people) I haven't been the most gracious lately, and following Thumpers ever pertinent advice, I have tried to adhere to the rule, “If you don't have anything nice to say – don't say anything at all.” (Well, at least refrain from writing it for the whole world to see.)
Current situation. We don't have a job, a car, a house, nor are we any closer to these things than we were 6 weeks ago. My husband is annoyingly calm and enjoying himself mooching off his parents for a bit and getting caught up with friends, family and his motorcycle. My children are loving eating ice cream 5 times a week and spending the night with friends. Our friends seem to be loving having us around, and as of yet there has not even been any complaining amongst our parents about our extended stay. So, apparently, I am the only one freaking out. I am the only one who lets her expectations float away like a released helium ballon on every wind of opportunity. I have been “sure” of the next step about every 72 hours for the last 3 weeks. Totally to have the winds change on me or better yet just get dashed into a horrifically thorny tree or electrical wire. So I am feeling zapped... but maybe just a little awakened by it all.
And all the cliches to “let it be,” and “enjoy it while it lasts” seem far to apropo. And I find myself clinging to the the Psalms of waiting upon the Lord with my fingernails. I am humbled by the graciousness of my in-laws, and overwhelmed by how posh** our life really is. We could be so carefree – if I let us.
While looking for the correct spelling of this word (which I still don't know that I have) I found these things:
1. The definition of the word: luxuriant
profuse, plush
abundant, ample, copious, deluxe, dense, elaborate, excessive, extravagant, exuberant, fancy, fecund, fertile, flamboyant, flourishing, fruitful, lavish, luscious, lush, opulent, overflowing, palatial, plenteous, plentiful, prodigal, productive, profusive, prolific, rampant, rank, rich, riotous, sumptuous, superabundant, teeming, thriving.
2. How to overcome horrible web formatting when transfered into office
3. These 2 web sites which will come in very handy as my kids get older and I become even more clueless (if that is possible):
http://onlineslangdictionary.com/
http://www.urbandictionary.com/
4. A lecture that I had heard about but never had taken time to listen to by Randy Pausch.
You learn something new every day.. even if it is surfing the web at midnight for new reason in your in-law's basement. Thank you blogging ritual
*** 6:30 a.m. Internet surfing of classifieds for house, car and job is even less enjoyable with a internet hangover from a pointless web surf the night before. Thank you blogging ritual
Oh and things I am taking time to do – that I never would in ANY other season of life:
Learn to do my duaghter's hair
Go on a random road trip with my parents to re-zone their water rights, distribute Bibles and low-and-behold – stop at a train club display with a 3 legged dog and eat way too much ice cream
Here's the deal – our camera (purchased for it's claim to fame durability) was damaged and sent in for repairs – before Christmas. The slow and incompetent Olympus people returned it in worse condition- AFTER we missed the holidays. So finally this week they sent us a replacement camera – thus explaining the lack of photo blogging.
Also, (if you can't tell from my not-so-gracious description of the poor customer service people) I haven't been the most gracious lately, and following Thumpers ever pertinent advice, I have tried to adhere to the rule, “If you don't have anything nice to say – don't say anything at all.” (Well, at least refrain from writing it for the whole world to see.)
Current situation. We don't have a job, a car, a house, nor are we any closer to these things than we were 6 weeks ago. My husband is annoyingly calm and enjoying himself mooching off his parents for a bit and getting caught up with friends, family and his motorcycle. My children are loving eating ice cream 5 times a week and spending the night with friends. Our friends seem to be loving having us around, and as of yet there has not even been any complaining amongst our parents about our extended stay. So, apparently, I am the only one freaking out. I am the only one who lets her expectations float away like a released helium ballon on every wind of opportunity. I have been “sure” of the next step about every 72 hours for the last 3 weeks. Totally to have the winds change on me or better yet just get dashed into a horrifically thorny tree or electrical wire. So I am feeling zapped... but maybe just a little awakened by it all.
And all the cliches to “let it be,” and “enjoy it while it lasts” seem far to apropo. And I find myself clinging to the the Psalms of waiting upon the Lord with my fingernails. I am humbled by the graciousness of my in-laws, and overwhelmed by how posh** our life really is. We could be so carefree – if I let us.
While looking for the correct spelling of this word (which I still don't know that I have) I found these things:
1. The definition of the word: luxuriant
profuse, plush
abundant, ample, copious, deluxe, dense, elaborate, excessive, extravagant, exuberant, fancy, fecund, fertile, flamboyant, flourishing, fruitful, lavish, luscious, lush, opulent, overflowing, palatial, plenteous, plentiful, prodigal, productive, profusive, prolific, rampant, rank, rich, riotous, sumptuous, superabundant, teeming, thriving.
2. How to overcome horrible web formatting when transfered into office
3. These 2 web sites which will come in very handy as my kids get older and I become even more clueless (if that is possible):
http://onlineslangdictionary.com/
http://www.urbandictionary.com/
4. A lecture that I had heard about but never had taken time to listen to by Randy Pausch.
You learn something new every day.. even if it is surfing the web at midnight for new reason in your in-law's basement. Thank you blogging ritual
*** 6:30 a.m. Internet surfing of classifieds for house, car and job is even less enjoyable with a internet hangover from a pointless web surf the night before. Thank you blogging ritual
Oh and things I am taking time to do – that I never would in ANY other season of life:
Learn to do my duaghter's hair
Go on a random road trip with my parents to re-zone their water rights, distribute Bibles and low-and-behold – stop at a train club display with a 3 legged dog and eat way too much ice cream
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Future memories
This entry has little to do with anyone else – but I have come to realize that all forms of journaling are gone from my life but this blog. If it isn't recorded here, it is lost in the abyss of my retched (and I do not use that term lightly – right girls?) memory.
So in 5 years this what I want to remember about this week.
We tried to send my parents on a spur of the moment vacation to Cozumel but it was spoiled by the stomach flu. ALWAYS BUY TRAVEL INSURANCE.
The stomach flu then moved day by day through Chrissy, Lucy, me, dad, david, mark, Joan, Jay, BJ, Katie, Jude... and others are waiting in fear, having witnessed the most sever retching of the decade.
Lucy is becoming amazing – chitter-chatter, reading books with us (finally), wooing everyone with her charm and when that doesn't work – demands. I swear she gets smarter and more social by the day. More unpredictable and exciting.
Jude is just pretty much watching TV and playing video games. I hope there is a season for everything. And some of them are short seasons.
I have had one-on-one chats for over 20 hours this week with friends and family far and near – and I am starting to feel “connected” again (“Catching up” at this point could qualify as a part time job.) Oh yeah, if I got paid.... how could we make that happen?? :)
Until that pans out - Jarod will continue the job search thing.... which is the first way I know he loves us.... 'cause I hate applying for jobs – especially if it involves a federal government internet application with more than 3 passwords and 14 steps.
The second way I know he loves me is by planning the most amazing retreat for us at Wilson lake – in a cute little cabin – with a plethora of my favorite foods, games, movies and books. The grandparents took on the kids – even a Dr. appointment and I was totally surprised and totally relaxed.
So this is a good way to start the year – after 40 hours of one-on-one relaxation – we figure we are starting 2010 with 5 times the bonding time as we had in all of 2009.
Bring it on – I am starting to feel prepared for whatever happens next.... (that's gonna come back to bite me isn't it?)
Oh – and in case I wonder in 5 years how we were doing all this financially – let's just say that living with the parents is highly humbling but super financially efficient. But future me – Don't think about it as a longterm savings plan.
My mom just sprinkled an entire box of baking soda on the carpet to keep the puke smells at bay. In Honduras the woman bought their baking soda by the tablespoon and when they saw my box – couldn't believe that such an extravagance existed. I never told them about this particular ritual – nor the open boxes of baking soda we place in the fridge.
My dad is explaining the inner warfare of the human immune system to Jude – who appreciates the anatomy lesson given in Braveheart style – as well as the continual assurance that his side will win – and that perhaps the casualties will be cleared by Sunday school tomorrow morning.
So there is my diary today for future me: you gave your life an A.... your handling of it a B.... work on gratitude, grace and patience.
So in 5 years this what I want to remember about this week.
We tried to send my parents on a spur of the moment vacation to Cozumel but it was spoiled by the stomach flu. ALWAYS BUY TRAVEL INSURANCE.
The stomach flu then moved day by day through Chrissy, Lucy, me, dad, david, mark, Joan, Jay, BJ, Katie, Jude... and others are waiting in fear, having witnessed the most sever retching of the decade.
Lucy is becoming amazing – chitter-chatter, reading books with us (finally), wooing everyone with her charm and when that doesn't work – demands. I swear she gets smarter and more social by the day. More unpredictable and exciting.
Jude is just pretty much watching TV and playing video games. I hope there is a season for everything. And some of them are short seasons.
I have had one-on-one chats for over 20 hours this week with friends and family far and near – and I am starting to feel “connected” again (“Catching up” at this point could qualify as a part time job.) Oh yeah, if I got paid.... how could we make that happen?? :)
Until that pans out - Jarod will continue the job search thing.... which is the first way I know he loves us.... 'cause I hate applying for jobs – especially if it involves a federal government internet application with more than 3 passwords and 14 steps.
The second way I know he loves me is by planning the most amazing retreat for us at Wilson lake – in a cute little cabin – with a plethora of my favorite foods, games, movies and books. The grandparents took on the kids – even a Dr. appointment and I was totally surprised and totally relaxed.
So this is a good way to start the year – after 40 hours of one-on-one relaxation – we figure we are starting 2010 with 5 times the bonding time as we had in all of 2009.
Bring it on – I am starting to feel prepared for whatever happens next.... (that's gonna come back to bite me isn't it?)
Oh – and in case I wonder in 5 years how we were doing all this financially – let's just say that living with the parents is highly humbling but super financially efficient. But future me – Don't think about it as a longterm savings plan.
My mom just sprinkled an entire box of baking soda on the carpet to keep the puke smells at bay. In Honduras the woman bought their baking soda by the tablespoon and when they saw my box – couldn't believe that such an extravagance existed. I never told them about this particular ritual – nor the open boxes of baking soda we place in the fridge.
My dad is explaining the inner warfare of the human immune system to Jude – who appreciates the anatomy lesson given in Braveheart style – as well as the continual assurance that his side will win – and that perhaps the casualties will be cleared by Sunday school tomorrow morning.
So there is my diary today for future me: you gave your life an A.... your handling of it a B.... work on gratitude, grace and patience.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Knowledge to begin 2010
I sit here tonight, folding laundry in a quite house (My parents just left for a spontaneous trip to mexico - Jarod is taking our kids to his parents - and the men who live at my parents are already in bed with the stomach flu) and my mind is beginning to process – a little.
You live and you learn – but I never seem to learn fast enough. In the last weeks 'home' I have been reminded of past lessons that should be deeply engrained in my soul – things that, though I hope may change – should be planned on as I enter the new year:
My parent's dryer eats socks at a phenomenal rate, and they never shall return.
Water passes under the bridges of life – even when you are far from them – and there is never going back.
Regulating heat with a wood stove in freezing weather is always a game of roulette
It hurts to miss people. It hurts to have missed out on the lives of people that you are with.
Children will pass the stomach flu to at least 2 other people with each puke
The members of my family will drink water out of any other person's glass, even if they are puking
Stomach flu and hidden breading parasites make for a lovely combo.
Small crowds are usually better – but they seldom have cheesecake
If children have grandparents, their parents don't need to buy them ANYTHING. EVER. Except, maybe a vegetable.
Kids adapt better. I am no longer a kid.
Tradition is comfortable, oh so comfortable, when nothing else makes sense.
If I have information I don't want my mom to know – don't tell Kristi Luetters.
If I have information I don't want my mom to know – don't tell anyone in a small town because inevitably a 85 year old woman will hear and it is all down hill from there.
Don't make life plans.
Make life plans with pencil.
Erase life plans, and bring plenty of cardboard boxes to assist in the organization of living out of a suitcase, while someone, somewhere, sketches out new life plans.
Speaking of change - check out this photo comparison of a little over a year
You live and you learn – but I never seem to learn fast enough. In the last weeks 'home' I have been reminded of past lessons that should be deeply engrained in my soul – things that, though I hope may change – should be planned on as I enter the new year:
My parent's dryer eats socks at a phenomenal rate, and they never shall return.
Water passes under the bridges of life – even when you are far from them – and there is never going back.
Regulating heat with a wood stove in freezing weather is always a game of roulette
It hurts to miss people. It hurts to have missed out on the lives of people that you are with.
Children will pass the stomach flu to at least 2 other people with each puke
The members of my family will drink water out of any other person's glass, even if they are puking
Stomach flu and hidden breading parasites make for a lovely combo.
Small crowds are usually better – but they seldom have cheesecake
If children have grandparents, their parents don't need to buy them ANYTHING. EVER. Except, maybe a vegetable.
Kids adapt better. I am no longer a kid.
Tradition is comfortable, oh so comfortable, when nothing else makes sense.
If I have information I don't want my mom to know – don't tell Kristi Luetters.
If I have information I don't want my mom to know – don't tell anyone in a small town because inevitably a 85 year old woman will hear and it is all down hill from there.
Don't make life plans.
Make life plans with pencil.
Erase life plans, and bring plenty of cardboard boxes to assist in the organization of living out of a suitcase, while someone, somewhere, sketches out new life plans.
Speaking of change - check out this photo comparison of a little over a year
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