Wallowing

Forgive me if I don't answer my phone for the rest of the day. The phone calls I have received so far this morning have been such that I am not willing to risk answering another one. Because, really, what are the chances of it being someone with good news or kind words? Slim today. {Plus I have caller ID, so if you're friendly I'll call you back. . . . tomorrow. You wouldn't want to talk to me now anyway.} It's just one of those days. I'm completely overwhelmed with the circumstances of my life and I don't want to see or talk to anyone. I know it's ridiculous -- my life is pretty simple compared to most -- but sometimes I just really wish I lived by myself in a cave where no one wanted or expected anything from me. So I could wallow without feeling guilty. I'll be back tomorrow with a bright new outlook. Promise.

Today

Memorandum

To: All Household Team Members

From: Mom (CFO, Senior VP, Head of Maintenance)

Subject: Kitchen usage during Summer schedule

As I'm sure you are aware, due to our current summer schedule the staff kitchen is seeing much heavier traffic than usual. I feel it is necessary at this time to remind all crew members of the guidelines regarding kitchen usage.

1. The kitchen appliances (other than refrigerator} should only be used during designated meal times.

2. Designated (and reasonable) meal times, as determined by the management are as follows: Breakfast: 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. (to accommodate for differences in shift starting times.) Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and Dinner: 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

3. Please try to coordinate your meals with your team members. (eg. if you would like to make macaroni and cheese, you might ask everyone else if they would like to share a box with you.) This will eliminate food waste, decrease water consumption, and alleviate dish pile-up in the sink.

4. Dishes used during meal preparation should be rinsed out and placed in the sink for further cleaning. Please do not leave dishes anywhere other than the sink. The desk, coffee table, arm of the couch and counter tops in any room are not "close enough" to the sink to count.

5. Likewise, the phrase "I'll get that in just one minute" should not be used as it relates to removal of dishes from aforementioned locations. A DVR has been provided for your convenience, therefore waiting for a commercial to rinse dishes should be unnecessary.

6. Furthermore, if you allow the dog to lick the remnants of food off of your dishes, the dishes are neither a) clean nor b) the dog's responsibility. You must still return these dishes to the sink for further cleaning.

7. If you are hungry at times other than designated meal times, you will find prepackaged snacks in the pantry. Perhaps you would also occasionally consider the fruit bin in the refrigerator as a reasonable source for snacks.

8. As dinner is often provided by the management at no cost to you, please check with the manager on duty before consuming anything after 4:00 p.m. to be advised of dinner's ETA.


Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter. I feel that following these guidelines will result in a much happier and more pleasant workplace for all involved.

Never.

“I will not leave you comfortless:
I will come to you.”
John 14:18


I'll never grow tired of reading that.
Never.

Ten on Tuesday

1. I started this post 15 minutes and have yet to come up with 1 thing, 10 should be near impossible.

2. Summer vacation started on Thursday and I have yet to sleep later than 6:30. Boo!

3. Maddy has 7 softball games this week. One yesterday, one today, one tomorrow, one Friday and 3 Saturday. Add to that practice, All-Star practice and cheer practice and you've got a very busy girl (and mom!).

4. Elek has had it with softball games.

5. I want to redecorate my house. Especially my bedroom. This is not a good thing. We've only lived here 16 months and nothing really needs to be redone. I just get bored with things.

6. I'm addicted to the Clorox Bleach Pen.

7. 15 more minutes have elapsed.

8. I got my replacement Kindle yesterday. So happy. I never want to go 3 weeks without a Kindle again.

9. I really want an iPhone. Not getting one any time soon, but want one.

10. Watching "I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant" on TLC. I find this show nutty because seriously, how do you not know you are pregnant?

This I Know

I know that I can learn something from every person.


I know that time heals wounds.


I know that the process of creating makes me feel deeply happy and close to God.


I know that we each have something important to do on this earth and I get excited when I feel like I'm figuring mine out.


I know that patience is one of the most divine qualities and I'm definitely still working on it.

I know that laughter makes everything more bearable.


I know I sleep well when I've accomplished a lot in a day.


I know that I shouldn't keep score.


I know that helping others is an important part of life.


I know I need to care less about what others think.


I know that each year of my life will pass faster than the one before.


I know that Madison, Ian and Elek were supposed to be mine.


I know that marrying Michael was not only the right decision, but a privilege.


I know that I can change.


I know that all I have comes from the Lord and He's pleased when I share it.