Caffenated Randomness

I found this on the blogosphere a couple months back and put it in my to-do file for my blog. I thought it being a Friday and all, it'd be fun to have a lighthearted post today. So ....

The game is to share 25 completely random things about yourself and then tag a bunch of people to do the same.

1. I've recently switched back to caffeneited coffee from being a long time decaff drinker. My husband rejoices over this!

2. I love dogs!! All kinds, any kind. I really wish we had a dog.

3. I didn't want kids when I got married. Then I read a book and my mindset was changed. I wanted lots and lots of kids. We have one.

4. I love getting pedicures, esp in the spring and summer when I wear sandals 99% of the time.

5. I love doing my nails (fingers) and have a nice collection of polish now.

6. In the 2nd grade I remember being asked what I wanted to be when I grew up and I said: Vice President. I didn't want the responsibility of being President!

7. I am the youngest of 4. Hence, not wanting responsibility.

8. I had/have an older sister who did so much for me when I was young. See #6 & #7 above.

9. When I was young, probably 5 or 6, my older brother tickled me so relentlessly one day that I couldn't breathe. I don't like being tickled by anyone.

10. I want hubby to work for a company who will transfer us to Brazil for a couple years. I want to live there and soak in the culture, sunshine and language.

11. I listen to Pandora almost exclusively now.

12. We don't own a microwave at the moment.

13. We own 4 computers, 1 doesn't work, and one is a dinosaur that still has photos on it that I need to get off so we can donate it.

Boy, this randomness is harder than it looks!

14. My mil (who passed away last summer) used to watch QVC all the time. And she would buy stuff! I have now taken up the mantel. I watch QVC when there isn't anything else interesting on, which is more often than one would imagine!

15. I haven't bought anything from QVC yet, tho. Hubby is thankful.

16. Bad customer service really, really irks me.

17. My hubby went through massage school. He gives me a massage every week or 2. I'm his only client =)

18. I'm writing a children's novel. I've thought about it for years, but have only just started putting pen to paper.

19. I made up stories in my head growing up. I was always the star, the heroine, the leading role.

20. I love words and putting words together. I love language. And wish/want to learn other languages.

21. I'm learning portugese. Very slowly! And revisiting the french I learned in high school. I should consider spanish since it is the easiest to learn.

Almost done--whew!!!

22. I watch The Clone Wars cartoon on Friday nights, every Friday night, with my son.

23. My favorite part of church is worshipping God in song. I love to sing and worship Him.

24. I've been known to take my knitting to church and knit during the sermon. Hubby hates this so I only do it when he's home sick or studying.

25. I get bored easily!

There you have it, 25 random thoughts from me. If you've gotton this far, consider yourself tagged. Who's up next?

Til next time ....

Doing The Happy Dance

Yesterday we had our follow up meeting for my son. We had our first meeting with the school a month ago. It was a hard meeting. But we were prepared. I wasn't sure what to expect yesterday. I was pleasantly suprised by everyone coming on board with our desire to move Josiah into a self contained classroom. We have wanted a different classroom for Josiah ever since he was placed in his current classroom, almost 2 years ago. And we got what we wanted! I'm doing the happy dance, with a bit of moody bittersweet thrown in. Being an idealist I wish that Josiah hadn't had to experience the last 2 years where he has been. And not knowing if we will even still be in Boise next year, it feels a bit like a hollow victory.

But I'm consoling myself that even if we move, now I know what to ask for in the next district. I am learning. I love to learn. But I'd rather learn things that I'm interested in, rather than these lessons that are thrust upon me. Guess I'm having one of those "welcome to holland" moments (referring to the poem of the same name about being a parent of a disabled child. If you haven't read the poem, do so! It explains so much)

But onto the happy dance for now! Twirling around with my son who's big brown eyes captivate me every time.



Til next time ....

If ... If ... If ...

If Michael gets a fulltime job in his career field after graduation, when will it happen ....

If we move out of the Boise area, where will we live ....

If we move quickly enough, will I be able to plant a garden this summer ....

There are alot of "ifs" in my life right now, and not alot of answers yet. I'm hopeful that God has a plan for us, but I'd sure like to know what it is ASAP. Ever feel like that?

Michael has 5 more weeks of school, and then he's done! Finally! At long last!!! One chapter ends and hopefully, the next chapter begins. The chapter of being employed full-time again. As we were talking today, he mentioned that he hasn't worked full time for 7 years. That seems like a lifetime. And yet, its gone so quickly that I hadn't really realized that it has been 7 years .... 7 long years of searching, seeking, finding our way after our lives changed forever. 7 years of trying to be the supportive wife as I watch my husband lose so much, and yet he never lost his faith in God. Seeing him stand strong in his relationship with the Lord.

I have been so proud of his resolve to retrain and find something he can do to support his family. Tho we had a misstep out the gate, he finally found a niche that he can do even with his limited eyesight. He could have given up and decided to just take the $$ the govt provides, but he wants to return to work. He wants to provide for us, his family. I am so grateful for that. And for the way he's fought through his limitations to excel in school. He's never asked for special treatment from his professors though it is within his rights to do so. It takes him longer to complete assignments and read, but he rarely complains (at least about that!)

So here we are at the end of a long journey for our family. At crossroads not knowing which new path we will be heading down. Only God knows. Yes, God knows. A new place to live for sure. Maybe even a new city. Which would mean a new school for Josiah .... and a new church ... and finding new friends .... Maybe even a new garden to plant. But the one constant, the one "not so new" thing I can hold onto, is the Lord God Almighty will be traveling this road with us. Before us, behind us, and right next to us.

"The steps of a man are established by the Lord; and He delights in his way. When he falls, he shall not be hurled headlong; because the Lord is the One who holds his hand." Ps 37;23

Til next time ...

Making Progress on Decluttering

Hubby and I have been talking for awhile now about getting a storage unit to store stuff in since we don't know where we are going to be after his graduation. Whether we stay in Boise or not, this makes good sense for us. So last week during spring break, we found a place that had a half price deal for the first month and not bad prices for the rest.

Today we took 6 boxes to our little unit and stacked them inside. And no I don't have a picture, I forgot to take my camera to record the occasion! But let me tell you even in our small space they looked forlorn and lonely.

But what this did back at the apt was clear out some space so that I could rearrange a few things and get back into some corners hitherto buried. This makes me happy. I took out my spring wardrobe items, culled thru my winter clothes, and started a new bag of "to be donated" stuff. I'm making progress again!

We found a few puzzles and games that had been squirred away that we realized we don't want to hang onto. And I found some old jeans that I'm going to remake into shorts for the #1 son. I made shorts for him a couple years ago out of some old maternity items I no longer needed and weren't fit even for donation and with some judicious cutting they turned out great.

Up next is to pack up books, culling again what we don't need to hold onto, and move them into the unit. I'm not going to know what to do with all the space I'll have in a month or so.

Til next time ....

Spring Break Review

Last week was spring break for the #1 son and the college student. We had plans but the weather was crappy all week so we scrapped em. Crappy weather: that would be at least 2 days of snow, yes snow in April, along with downpours of rain, hail one day, cold wind gusts and dark clouds blocking out all sunshine. Not only was it crappy weather, but it was unseasonally crappy. We are usually in the throws of spring by now, 60-70 degree days with sunshine. And since spring usually only lasts a couple weeks around here before the start of summer temps, we try to enjoy every moment of it. Sigh .....

So instead, we wasted, frittered, and generally did nothing worth reporting. Until friday. Friday we took the #1 son to see the new movie "How to Tame a Dragon" I hadn't thought much of the movie based on the lame previews, but it was a delightful movie. Great storyline, great characters, great animation and graphics. If you have a young one who wants to see it, I heartily recommend it.

Then we went out for dinner at Five Guys, Burgers and Fries---do you have one of these in your town? Wow! it has become my fav burger place. They only use fresh, not frozen potatoes for the fries and you can tell. Mmmmm! goodness. Then we went over to our church's Friday service. First time we had gone, and I'm so glad we did. They handed out a paper that had scriptures to read and led you thru a time of prayer and worship. The band played and you could sing along, or not. Loved that time praying about things on my heart and getting my heart right before the Lord.

Saturday was full of errands, swimming at the Y for #1 son and Michael, a nice dinner, oh and did I mention that we came out of the apt to a totally flat tire! Yikes!!! So we spent some time and moolah at the local Les Schwab Tire store. Gotta love those guys. They know what they are doing when it comes to tires.

And then yesterday was Easter. Ahhhh! Words can't express my enjoyment of celebrating the resurrection of Christ. His sacrifice, His love, His amazingness!

Now the boys are back in school and routines are being picked up again. Its a good thing!

Til next time ....