Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen K words that describe Susan:

1. Kids - I've got 4 of 'em. I teach 'em everyday. I LOVE 'em! It seems that kids have been a part of my life since I was--well--a KID!

2. Kiss - I love 'em too!

3. Kaleidoscope - I love looking through a kaleidoscope. I think it pretty much describes my life. Multi-faceted and ever-changing and pretty colorful.

4. Kansas - I've never been there, but it makes me think of the Wizard of Oz which is one of my favorite movies. I've been known to tell people, "You're not in Kansas anymore."

5. Kairos - This is a greek word for a very special moment in time. It is the "right or opportune moment". I can honestly say I've had several "kairos" moments in my life. And I'm blessed for each one.

6. Karaoke - I love to go to karaoke! It's so much fun to listen and sing along. I've been known to karaoke with my colleagues until the wee hours of the morning!

7. Kashi - This is a cereal that I like, but I don't eat enough.

8. Kentucky - My very favorite place that DH and I have lived. It is the perfect mix of seasons. People are beyond friendly. My DS 1 was born there. It represents, for me, a very special time in my life.

9. Keeled - I know this is a strange word, but it makes me think of those who are "even-keeled". I'm not always so good at this, but I try.

10. Keepers - This is the name of my VERY FAVORITE children's book by Jeri Hanel Watts. It is not one that is often shared, but it is a beautiful story of a young boy who learns the power of passing down stories in a family and a Grandmother that learns that all people can be "Keepers" of family stories.

11. Kelly and Keven - Weird that these names would pop up...but they represent two of my chidlhood friends. I lost touch with Kelly long ago, but Keven still lives in our hometown and I see he and his family every so often when I am up visiting there.

12. KFC - I like this place, truly I do. It represents, however, a funny family story for us (a Keeper?). When DH and I lived in #8, we were driving home one time and passed a large billboard that said "Birthplace of Kentucky Fried Chicken". I looked at my young DH and said, "I didn't know that Kentucky Fried Chicken was made in Kentucky." I must admit that after the long pregnant pause in the car, I wanted to move to #4! It's not uncommon for someone to ask me (21 years later) when we pass one, "Do YOU know where Kentucky Fried Chicken comes from?"

13. Keynote - I've been able to give several keynotes in my career. I really enjoy this. Between us, though, I wonder if that would have happened if they knew my KFC "secret"?

K was not as hard as I thought....but I'm glad there aren't 14!!

Wordless Wednesday: Summer's Coming...

DS 4 enjoyed cooling off in Grandpa's pool.

Tunes on Tuesday...

The person who runs the Music Memoirs site, lost her Grandmother this week, so I am going back and doing the Tuesday Tunes from Week 29.

Word Association Week!

Remember name the first band/artist/song/album/instrument etc. that comes to mind when you see these words.

Drum: The first thing that comes to mind when I see the word "drum" is my DS 2. He plays them with such drive. I love watching it.

River: OK, it took me a few minutes to dig this one up, but the song was called "Water Grave" and was written by Steve Chapman (not Steven Curtis...) and performed by the Imperials in the late 70's early 80's. It is the song that led me to be baptized by immersion in college. The chorus says,

I'm going down to the river my Lord,

I'm gonna be buried alive

I want to show my heavenly father

The man I used to be finally died

Sea: "Under the Boaardwaalk...down by the Seeeaaaa..yah....on a blanket with my baby..."

Sand: For some reason, Jimmy Buffet comes to mind. I can't picture an album with sand on it, but since he sings so much about the sea, I'm quite sure there's sand in there somewhere.

Travel: Definitely MY favorite 70's/80's band comes to mind...Journey

Time: If I could save TIME in a bottle...by Jim Croce.

Journey: I didn't see this one before I put "Journey" for Travel...so now I'm going to put "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" by the Hollies, and later recorded by the Osmonds, which starts out "The road is long with many a winding turn..."

Number: "One is the loneliest number..." by Three Dog Night.

Theme: Hmmmm...I'm stumped on this one. Don't know why, but "Music of the night" comes to mind from Phantom of the Opera.

Magic: Two songs come to mind here: Barry Manilow's "Could this be the Magic" and CCR's "Magic Carpet Ride"

And I thought this was going to be a "mindless"...just-do-it-and-post-it-meme! It took me a over an hour to get it done. Oy!!

Weekend Window

It's been a while since I have done a "weekend window"...but this weekend, with all it's twists and turns, is one that calls for it....

Friday I went to the wedding of a couple that works at my school. It was in a local mansion that sits on the water...a gorgeous setting. We had a lot of fun celebrating with them. It was, however, the second wedding of the year that I attended where the word "God" was not uttered one time. I guess it's more proof that more and more "kids" are being raised sans any faith at all. When a friend of mine mentioned God to the young bride, she said, "We don't really 'DO' the "God-thing"." So, while it was fun to celebrate with them, it was also quite sad for me.

DS 2 went to Grad Night at Disney World on Friday. They go stay all night and listen to bands and ride rides. He slept pretty much all day on Saturday.

On Saturday, DS 1 found out he could not ship out 4/28 as expected. They have been looking at his medical records and stuff and are kind of in a holding pattern. The Sgt. told him that he "might" get to go out next week. Or he may have to wait until Fall. At any rate, they are supposed to give him a "for sure" date by this coming Friday. He is quite frustrated by the delay.

Saturday we bought DS 3 a bike so we could go out on the trail. He and I rode a total of 18 miles! It was a gorgeous day and the trail was, once again, full of people and critters. On the way out we saw plenty of birds and a black snake...on the way back, there was a BIG Florida Gator sitting right on the trail! (Note: the picture on the left is a couple we found at our state park last year.) We didn't see Mr. Biketrail Gator until we were pretty much right next to him. Needless to say, we swerved to the OTHER side of the trail (maybe 6 feet away) and rode FAST! Trust me, my cardio was heightened at that point. And I was much more vigilent as we made the trek back to our house.

Saturday night, DH and I went to a LOVELY Hawaiin Fusion restaurant here in town. They are known for the Sushi and Fish entrees. I had a dish called "Hawaiin Ono". It was delicious. We also had some wonderful appetizers and salads. He and I don't get out alone as much as we'd like due to our hectic schedules...so it was nice to linger over a meal and enjoy each other's company.

After church on Sunday, I drove to Tampa to see my cousin who was visiting for the weekend. DH flew DSs 3 and 4 up there then they took my brother up for a flight. Here they are just after landing at the little airport in Tampa. I think they had a good time.

DS 3 stayed with me in Tampa and came back in the car. DS 4, however, flew back with DH to our house. DH said DS 4 was "driving" about 50% of the time on the way back...and has now decided that he'd like to take flight lessons right away. Yeah, right!

DH left this morning for Texas. DSs 3 and 4 are home today not feeling well. I am home with them, so perhaps I'll get a few things done around here that I skipped this weekend!

In the meantime, there are some big decisions being made here in our house that I cannot discuss here yet. It's nothing "bad"...only a change in direction. Please pray for our family as we help work through what steps to take in the next few weeks.

Happy Monday!

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen J words that describe Susan:



1. Jesus - He's the #1 "man in my life"...and I'm thankful that He's blessed with all my other "guys"!

2. Joyful - Most of the time I am joyful. I know we are supposed to "count it joy" in all things...I confess, I don't always. But, at my core, I am joyful and joy-filled!

3. Jaunt - I love to take little "mini-trips" or jaunts out to explore. When DH and I were dating, we'd find a water tower off in the distance and then drive to see if we could find it.

4. Jabber - I think most who know me well would agree that I LOVE to jabber! I love to talk and visit with friends and family.

5. Jealous - Not a pretty "J" word...but one I admit that I wrestle with. This is something that is better for me in the past few years, but every once-in-a-while it creeps in and I find myself jealous of something. Thank goodness my #1 (Jesus) has helped me so much in this area.

6. Jazz - I do enjoy jazz music occasionally. It's not my music genre of choice, but I love relaxing to it sometimes.

7. Jelly - Grape with peanut butter please!

8. Jeans - If I chose my clothes everyday, this is what I'd wear.

9. Journal - I kept journals when I was a teen and young adult. Now, this is my journal.

10. Judge - I tend to judge situations. Again, not a "pretty J" word, but real for me.

11. Justice - I believe in a sense of "fair"...I hate to see people mistreated.

12. Jingle - I just LOVE this J word...it reminds me of little commercials and Christmas.

13. July - My LEAST favorite month!

This was the hardest list yet!!!!!!

Wordless Wednesday: Camo No More!

Music Memoirs...

Melli has been playing this meme over the past couple of Tuesdays. It really has "my name" written all over it, since I LOVE music...leave it to me to "join" on the week we talk about "worsts" in music! Oh well, I said I was going to do it, so here goes:

It's about the worsts in music:

What's the worst song you've heard in the past week?
Hmmm...I don't know. I suppose it's "Complicated" by Avril Lavigne. I really don't "like" that song.

Have you ever bought an album thinking you'd love it, only to hate it? What was it?
Yep, I so have done this. I bought an album of 50's, 60's and 70's music (it was multi-CD's) and it sounded like it had been recorded in a tunnel! I threw it out. It was painful to listen to...

Are there any artists that you used to like but wish would just go away now?
I honestly cannot think of any. I really like old and new artists. There are those I don't listen to as frequently today, but I don't "wish they'd go away".

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Update: My floor is going in, and I'M LOVIN' IT! I can't wait to show you pictures.

Look What We've Been Doing....

DS 1 is preparing to leave for basic training. This weekend was the "surprise cammo party". Since we're getting new floors on Monday, I decided to "cammo" my carpet on Friday to "decorate". It all started with an idea...and ended with one very surprised DS 1! As he entered the house, we played the Army Song. Thanks, Aunt Heather, for the photos...and the rest of our family and friends for making it a memorable event for all of us. Enjoy!!

Thirteen I words that describe Susan:

1. Independent - And if we were on "F" week, I'd add FIERCELY to that word. Although I think this is a "good thing" for the most part, there are times that we must depend on others. It's hard to do when you think you can "take care of it yourself" all the time.

2. Introspective - I am a thinker. I am constantly "thinking about my thinking and my feeling". Again, this can be good or bad. I think sometimes it makes me seem withdrawn when I'm really not.

3. Idealistic - I put this word then confirmed it with this definition of idealism: "the tendency to represent things in an ideal form, or as they might or should be rather than as they are"

4. Interpersonal - When I re-entered the public school arena several years ago, The Theory of Multiple Intelligences was being investigated. This theory basically states that there are several ways of "being smart"...one is interpersonal, or that idea of relating with others.

5. Instructional - I love to teach and, most of the time, to be taught.

6. Imaginative - I have a very vivid imagination. I love creating things in my mind and with my hands.

7. Impatient - At times, I am extremely impatient. I hate having to wait for things that I want NOW! Still I work to improve in this area.

8. Inquisitive - I love asking questions and looking for answers!

9. Inspired - Children, nature, music...these things inspire me.

10. Intense - Some people might tell you that I am a "driver". When I get something in my head that needs to be done, I am often intense as we move into the project. However, I am also NOT a detail person, so I can become intensly bored and thus, distracted at times as well.

11. Involved - I love being involved in organizations and causes.

12. Intinerant - When DH was a full time pastor, we were in an ininerant system, this meant we moved every so often.

13. Implications - I LOVE this word! It's one of my favorite to say...and to think about "what are the implications of __________?"

Wordless Wednesday--Go Rest High On that Mountain

My friend Susan in New Symrna Beach, 1976.

Susan with my brother, Greg, and me at Redington Beach, 1977. And from the paper today...

Weekend Recap

This past weekend was a busy weekend with both emotional ups and downs.

Friday, my boss and I talked at length about the changes in my own job next year. Of course, as I noted before, we are going to lose support personnel at our school. In essence, this means the team I work on will be somewhat disbanded or altered greatly. Some roles that are currently there will not exist at all; others will change drastically. Mine is a job that will change as two jobs are rolled into one. Our talk was very candid. I am thankful that I work in a place where I can be who I am and state my opinion. I know the job will change drastically next year…and I feel confident that, at this point in time, I am making the right decision to continue to hold the position.

Friday night was our school carnival. This is a really fun event with rides and games. It is fun to see some of our families who simply don’t get to do this sort of thing, come out and spend time together.

Friday night was also the time that I found out about the loss of my friend, Susan. It shook me up for sure. Her funeral is this Wednesday. Please say a prayer for this family if you think about it.

Saturday morning and afternoon was spent making arrangements for several things. By late Saturday afternoon, I was ready to do something different, so DS 1 and I went and bought me a bike. I have to say riding through Target on a bicycle (when I haven’t ridden for 20+ years) was a hoot! He and DS 4 and I rode on the new bike trail by our house. We went 13 miles total. It was a beautiful way to spend an evening with my boys. I plan to ride again as soon as my own “seat” recovers!!

Sunday was church with an awesome sermon. I am hoping to recount some of it here as it was one of those “makes you think” sermons. Sunday afternoon was LAZY! I even snuck in a little nap.

Last night I went to DS 2’s GF’s house to see their “senior pics”. She has a relative who is a photographer and went around our beautiful town taking several shots of them both individual and together this weekend. There were more than 600 photos when it was all done! They are gorgeous. I cannot wait to get the CD with some of them so I can share.

That’s pretty much the recap. I pray that your weekend was a blessing!!

Fingerprint Friend

I believe that every person who crosses the path that defines your life and mine leaves a fingerprint. Some are more welcome than others. In some cases, the fingerprints fade over time. But they are there.

And in some cases, those fingerprints become an important part of our defining moments. Those moments that create WHO we are, and WHY we are, here in the present.

Last night, I learned that one such person who impacted my life left this Earth unexpectedly on Thursday evening. We really haven't kept in great touch over the last 22 years. But she is no less important in my mind or in my heart. We did have the opportunity to visit last year at the 50th anniversary of our childhood church. Looking back, I only wish I had had more time to sit and talk with her at that event. Or that I'd made the time afterwards.

Susan and I became BFFs before "BFFs" were all the rage. We met each other at church when we were 11 and 13 years old...although we had been going to church together since we were 4 and 6. Her Mother was our church organist (and still does the job there). Her Father was an usher and a trustee. Their family were charter members of the church.

When I entered the UMYF (Youth Group), I met Susan. We instantly clicked. Of course, it wasn't uncommon back then to meet "other Susan's", but we liked comparing the things that we had in common starting with our names. We each had younger brothers. We loved our families. Our Dad's worked for the same company. As our friendship grew, we shared EVERYTHING with one another. And I recall many times before one of us could drive, that our parents would drive us back and forth to each other's houses (almost a 30 minute drive) so that we could "hang out."

Our faith was being formed during those years. We talked hours and hours about God and who He was to us. We talked about what was right and what was wrong in the world. We sought out our purpose for existing here. We experienced many wonderful spiritual services in and through our church at that time.

As I reflected last night about all those memories I shared with Susan, beside our "faith talks and development," music was probably the biggest thing. We LOVED to listen to records...real vinyl ones...for hours. When 8-track tapes came in style, we listened to those too. Some of our favorites were: Linda Ronstadt, The Eagles, James Taylor, Carly Simon, Jackson Browne, Jimmy Buffett, Cat Stevens, and Billy Joel.

In fact, a few years ago, I was driving to Tampa and listening to the 70's station. On my way there, they seemed to play song after song that dredged up memory after memory of this time in my life. I remember driving up and down the beach to hear the Buffett album in it's entireity while eating Frosty's from Wendy's!! I remember choosing songs from these albums that made us think, and using them at our Youth Group meetings. I sent Susan and card shortly after that day to tell her what a neat walk down memory lane it was for me. She and I emailed with one another and "caught up" a bit after so many years.

And there were books. We shared a love for reading. She, for the more deep/thinking type books. I, for the more sappy/human-relationship type books. Still, it was because of Susan that I read Flowers for Algernon, The Hobbit, and a nonfiction book by Hugh Prather, Notes to Myself. It was also because of Susan that I tried to read the "monster book", Watership Down. I quickly got lost in the rabbit warrens and had to put the book down.

I also learned a little more about TV (and movie stars) during our friendship. We loved to watch Starsky and Hutch and Saturday Night Live (Mr. Bill and Roseanne Rosanna Danna). I remember going to the movies together to see The Way We Were, A Star is Born, Silver Streak, Smokey and the Bandit, and GREASE! In fact, I think we saw Grease more than five times in the theater that summer.

In addition to music, entertainment and books, there were trips with the Youth Group, working around the church, and weeks at their condo on the beach, vacations with my own family, just to name a few. Over the years, we laughed together and cried together. We fought. We became friends again. All of these things make up the fingerprint that this very special person had (and has) on my life.

Last night, as I was reminiscing, I pulled out my journal of "sappy teenage poetry" that I wrote back then. It also includes a collection of quotes that touched my teenage heart. She added some quotes from Hugh Prather in her own handwriting. Here are two that really struck me:

"Next time I will... From now on I will... --What makes me think I am wiser today than I will be tomorrow?" And the second, "I am what I started with, and when it is all over, I will be all that is left of me." And the third, "No one is wrong. At most someone is uninformed." (To which she added her own words, "I am never wrong!") Oh to be so young and naive again!

In there, I also found a letter from Susan to me. She wrote, and I believe these are HER words, "A friend is someone you can go to when you're scared and lost. Someone you can depend on, always." I thought, "Yeah, that defines my "take" on friendship still today." I think I learned what it all means to "be a friend" in those formative teenage years...from the fingerprint of my very best friend at that time.

And for that, I am forever thankful.

Friday...Feeling Fine and Frustrated

I'm feeling "fine and frustrated" all at once! I am "fine" on the homefront, actually I'm ecstatic because I found my floor!! I ordered it and hopefully it will be in over the next week to ten days. Pray it gets installed by next Friday for me, will you? If not, then it will have to be the week after which isn't the "best timing" for me....but still better than May!

It's a very cool story, because when I "let it go" the other day, there was suddenly an entire new vendor added to the store that I have been using. She called me. I stopped by and I loved not ONE but FOUR! I was able to bring it home...felt one was a perfect match...AND it was cheaper than the one that we originally were going to select. God is good!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm frustrated because our county is going through HUGE budget cuts that will result in teacher lay-offs. There are people in my school who will not be able to work in our school next year. There are also people whose jobs will change drastically in the next year. I don't know how this will impact me or my job...but suffice it say that it WILL impact. It's hard, because I love my school and I love the people there. We are family. Please pray for this situation.

Specifically I am praying for peace for the administrators that have to make these huge cuts (at the district's direction). I'm praying for those who may not have a job next year--our youngest teachers. I'm praying for those whose jobs will change drastically next year and thus may choose to do something totally different.

Have a great Friday!

Thursday Thirteen - H

Thirteen H words that describe Susan:



1. Hang-ups: I have 'em. Who doesn't? I loved the poster that was popular when I was in college--"I have a hang up for the one who was hung up for my hang ups."

2. Helping: I love helping other people. I've told you before that I dream of being a philanthropist. This is why the band is in the corner of my blog "Help Make Poverty History". We can ALL do something to help with this. For information, visit One.org. Please consider helping!!

3. Hands: I am a "hand person". I notice them and actually it's one of the first things I noticed on my DH when we met.

4. Home: I love being at home. Although I am not so domestic, I DO love to be in my house and visit with people there.

5. Healthy: I'm relatively healthy in that I've really had no long term illnesses or any such thing. I'm working on getting healthier as I'm still working out with the trainer twice a week and other times beyond that.

6. Hugs: I love to give and get HUGS!!

7. History: This was not my favorite subject in high school, but now I LOVE reading historical work and visiting historical sites.

8. Hope: I live each and every day knowing that my hope is in Jesus. This makes those moments when I am "sweating small stuff" really insignificant because it is He who sustains me.

9. Husband: I have the BEST husband in the world. He continues to dream big and pursue his passions. I am so very blessed to have him in my life.

10. Held: I love this song, by Natalie Grant. I posted about it as Hurricane Dennis approached the coast in 2005. The words are amazing. You can read more here.

11. Heart: I pretty much think from my "heart" all the time. I'm a sap and I know it. I let my emotions get the best of me sometimes. Although that can lead to real hurts, I'm not sorry.

12. Heaven: I am 100% excited that I'm going to spend eternity in Heaven! I love reading about those streets of gold and mansions waiting for those who love Jesus there.

13. Hostess: Even though I am not domestic, I do love entertaining. I enjoy having people over and visiting with them.

14. I had to come back and add two more "H" words after posting the original 13. HALLELUJAH...HILLSONG United's Shout to the Lord was the finale on Idol Gives Back.

{Despite ending up with 14 words, I think "H" was the HARDEST--a good "h" word---so far!}

Some Days I DO "Sweat the small stuff"..

I try not to, truly I do, but some days I do sweat the small stuff. I know you're not supposed to do that. I know that it's not productive. I know that it only breeds stress within. I know. I know. I know.

But I sweat.

This floor is about ready to drive me crazy! I have yet to find one that I really "love". I bring home samples. I put them under each different piece of furniture to check for compatibility. I have all the other eyes in my house look and give their opinions. But I haven't found it yet.

I wanted to get it done before my DS 1 leaves for Basic Training. In my haste to "meet this deadline", I narrowed it down to two floors that that I could "live with". I got the estimates for both. Then I brought both samples home AGAIN to hem and haw around about it.

Last night I realized that I was "sweating". I dreamed about flooring!! I tossed. I turned. I weighed out the two options in my sleep. And this morning I woke up tired and more confused than ever. So, I did the thing that perhaps I should have done to begin with....

I prayed.

Now I know that God's got bigger "issues" to deal with. I know that floors are not high on His list of priorities. But I know that He doesn't want me to be in a state of confusion and chaos. I know that He doesn't want me to be so focused on a floor that I miss some opportunity to be the person He needs me to be.

As I prayed, I thought "What are you thinking? When you find it, you'll know. When you are certain, this will be fun and not the drudgery that it is now."

So, I called the new flooring store that I am working with. I assured them that I WILL make a decision. I just explained that I need to really consider my options so that I can find that one that jumps out at me and says, "Take me, I'm yours!"

And I'm happy to report that tonight, thanks to my little talk-it-out-session, I'm "Sweat Free"!

I KNOW I have Expensive Taste...BUT

I almost passed out when I found this darling pair of strappy sandals in our local Department Store. They had the "bottom" of the first pair and the strap of the second pair shown on the left. I turned the shoe over and the price tag was $380! I had to ask myself, "FOR WHAT?" I mean, there's hardly anything to them!

Then, I left that store and went to one of my other favorite stores to do some clothes shopping. I tried on a cute little skirt and wanted just a simple little tank and cardigan to go over it. The lady went out and brought me the set pictured at the right. Now, let me tell you this is nothing more than GAUZE. It's completely see-through and as light as you can imagine. The cost? Just the little flimsy cardigan is $138! The tank underneath it is $68!

I liked it. Truly I did. And even though I know my taste is expensive, there's NOT A SNOWBALL'S CHANCE IN (you know where) that I'd pay those prices for either one of these things.

I DO believe that you "get what you pay for" in some cases...but the more I thought about it today, the more I thought "My goodness, the Emperor is riding around our mall with NO CLOTHES." Can't anyone see the obvious here? There's nothing really special about either of these items. Someone somewhere thought his or her design was worth ridiculous prices and so they put the tag on it.

And someone with MUCH MORE expensive taste than I will walk into these stores and purchase these items because they can.

I've learned another "secret" though. In a few months when "she-with-ridiculously-expensive-taste" gets tired of her strappy sandals or gauzy cardigan, she will throw it into a bag and send it off to our local thrift stores. It is there that I "might" see it and spend a whopping $4.99 (or less) for it! And sometimes, I can go in there and find these designer items with store tags still attached because they've NEVER BEEN WORN.

So, yes, I KNOW I have expensive taste, but I know how to feed it. Because I also LOVE nothing more than a good bargain.

Update...

DS 2 went to the doc and he only has pulled ligaments and tendons. He also has several bone bruises. The doctor told him to start putting weight on it gradually and gave him anti-inflammatory meds. This is good news as it will mean a shorter recovery time. Here he is playing drums for his GFs church band last night at Arts Night. You can see he's wrapped up at both knee and ankle. So, really, it's just another "event" in the life of an athlete.

Thank you all for your prayers.

{This is for Sandy...the "big ball" in my post below is Epcot at Disney.}

Some Photobucket FUN...

I'm finally falling in line with all my blogging buddies and doing this meme on my own blog.

I've had fun reading them, so I decided to play too.

Here are the directions:
1. Go to http://www.photobucket.com/

2. Type in your “answer” to the question in the search box.

3. Use only the first page!

4. Insert the picture on your blog!

1. What is your current relationship stat?

2. What is your current mood?

3. What is your favorite movie?

4. What is your favorite band/singer?

5. Where do you live?

6. Where do you work?

7. What do you look like?

8. What do you drive?

9. What's your favorite TV show? (Currently)

10. Describe yourself.

11. What are you doing today?

12. What did you do last night?

13. What is your name?

We Interrupt TT....

I was working on my "H" list when my DSs 1 and 2 called to say that DS 2 has been injured in the indoor soccer game tonight. They think it could be his ACL...DH is on his way to meet them at the hospital (an "ugly" H word) and I'll keep you posted.

In the meantime, please pray for my DS 2. He's had more than his share of injury this year.

Hugs,

Susan

(Update: The ER sent DS home and told him to see a Sports Med person if he's still in pain in a couple of days. Seems to be soft tissue.)

Can you hear me SCREAMING??

If you listen real close, no matter where you are in the world, you might hear me scream! Actually, it's not quite that bad, but I AM frustrated.

You might remember I wrote that we were going to put wood floors in our house back at Christmas time. Well, we decided that was a bit crazy to try and do all that and decorate and entertain and remain sane. So we put the project on hold.

Now, here I am three months later and ready to move forward on the floors. I went to the flooring store on Saturday and the guy once again gave me the price on the heavy duty laminate that I liked. The guy I talked to is actually their "installer" whom I had not met previously. He told me that he'd lay it for 50cents less per sq. ft. That's a bit of a savings, so I invited him to come out yesterday to do the formal measuring and give me a bid.

Let's just say, based on our Saturday conversation, we figured one price and by the time he left and revealed all the "other stuff" we'd need to buy, our cost was almost double what we were thinking! Grrrrrrr!!!

I immediately got in my car and went to all the competitors in the area...explained that I wanted to know the rock bottom...no surprises. I brought home MORE samples and am now more torn than EVER about what to do. They are all in the same ballpark, but I must say that I am leaning toward the other stores that were up front from the beginning.

The other thing I noticed yesterday is just how DIFFERENT something can look when you see it in the store vs. in your home! Right now, I'm waiting for a call from one of my new "flooring best friends" to tell me when they get their brand new hot off the press samples in the store.

I hope to make a decision by tomorrow so we can put this little project behind us. And I'll try to keep my primordial noises to a low roar so as not to disturb any of you!!