um.... wow!

This.

is Utterly.

Amazing.

but the mind is still fertile!

Each time I try to get a project started or completed today, as is the case most days, some certain small people in my life have several urgent demands or emergencies. Therefore, I have decided this phenomenon needs a name:

"Productivus Interruptus"

devotional entry

Back in June, one of my favorite people gave me a book, a devotional, as an early birthday present. The entry for today, November 11, spoke directly to me. Perhaps it will to you as well.

exerpt from

A Cup of Comfort: Women of the Bible Devotional

edited by James Stuart Bell and Susan B. Townsend.

Life in the Light

Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons.

Luke 8:2

• When Jesus met Mary, she was trapped in a dark world of endless nightmares. Shunned by the townspeople, she wandered alone and afraid, unable to enjoy even the simplest pleasures in life. Then Jesus healed her and made it possible for her to enter a world of light and laughter. No wonder she became one of His most devoted followers. I'm sure those who had known her before her miraculous change found it difficult, if not impossible, to recognize her.

• When some of the people at church share their stories with me, I find it very hard to believe that they were once the people they describe. Many people have been completely transformed.

• Only God can accomplish such a miraculous makeover. He can turn sorrow into joy, hideous into beautiful, and mistakes into moments of opportunity.

"thank you" falls short

In gratitude for all Veterans, thank you.

Happy Veterans Day/Day of Remembrance/Armistice Day

***

***

In Flanders Fields

by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)

Canadian Army

***

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

***

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

***

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

being thankful

King and kids go to beach this past Saturday.
Car breaks down halfway home.
I am stuck at home, an hour and a half away.
I have a huge event at the high school I am committed to.
I make a few calls.
Two amazing friends and a tow truck come to their rescue.
One takes #s 1, 4, and 5
Two takes King, 2, and 3, plus a friend of 2's.
$800 later, with the car safely in the driveway, I am sitting in awe at some pretty majorly wonderful, awesome people in our lives who, without batting an eye, offer help.

I am stripped down to pure gratitude and thankfulness.

snappy morning

"Daddy, for breff-diss, I want Scrabble eggs."

****************************

Me to #2: "Did you take a shower last night?"
#2: "No ma'am."
Me: "Well, better go ahead and take one this morning, since you wore your uniform last night." (When he got to football practice, he discovered it had been cancelled.)

#4: "Is that why it was so smelly in my room last night?"

silver linings

All of a sudden this morning, just after the big kids went to school, the power went off.

For about an hour I was walking around my house, much like a ball in a pinball machine, bouncing off all the things I couldn't do.

When it first went off, my initial thought was: oh, the kids won't be able to watch PBS, let me quickly think of something fun they can do while I get some more housework done (this is my most productive time of the day). They grabbed a book and a refilled juice cup and I went into the kitchen.

Oh, that's good that the washer is finished, I'll switch the laundry. Nope. The washer is actually NOT done, the power is just off. Stupid!

Well, then, I will vacuum. Nope. Power is off.

Hrm... sew the binding on a quilt I am making? Sewing machine won't work, silly.

Dishwasher? Nope (and who wants to wash them by hand?!?!?!)

Call and report it to the power company? Cordless phone. Duh.

Starting to get the hang of this "bumping into walls" thing, I scooped up my children, fell onto the couch in one great big embrace, and just held them for a bit. We enjoyed giggling together. Then we read together the book "A Bad Case of Stripes" and then we played a very silly game of pat-a-cake where we try to clap really loudly and yell "PATTYCAKE PATTYCAKE. BAKERS. MAN." I guess you could call it Obnoxious Pattycake.

Anyway, so all that to say that despite the frustration in not being able to be productive, I am very glad to have had the opportunity to just sit and do a handful of nothing at all.