attack of the toads…

with two dogs, three children and one husband in the house I decided to spend some time this evening outside. I sat on the deck for a while and then thought I’d water the garden and some trees around the yard. I forgot one MAJOR scary thing…the TOADS. I got the water on and the hose straightened to reach the trees and then boom - TOAD #1 jumps out at me. I scream and jump on the garden rails (they’re wide). I obviously intimidated said toad once I was higher than him because he darted off under the deck. I kept my eye on him as I finished watering the beans. It was getting dark so I didn’t want to lose him and then be attacked later as I made my way toward the safety of the house. Unbeknown st to me his co-conspirator was waiting on the other side of the tomatoes. Scream #2. funny…no one from the house came to see if I was OK. maybe it just seemed loud outside because of the ECHO!!

anyway, I forfeited turning off the water so I could make my escape, climb the stairs and enter the safety of our home. Almost scream #3…TOAD #1 was waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs!!! I climbed the outside rails then up and over the side to make my break.

Paul had to go out and turn the water off. the toads left him alone (for the most part). We all know how many attacks from toads are reported every year. I will NOT become a casualty.

NOOOOOO!!!!

a lap and 1/2 left and Carl Edwards bumps Jeff Gordon on a restart and he’s out. He was in 2nd!!! &%*#!!

a taste of Ireland…

Last night Brad and Michel treated Paul and I to a wonderful evening. Great food and fantastic entertainment. Many of you know for a few years now Paul finds me an Irish instrument for Christmas. The chanter and the bodrhan (bow-rawn) have been the most difficult to learn. I’m finding I’m more of a visual learner than a reading instructions from a book learner when it comes to musical thingys.

Anywho…we got to listen to Cathy Ryan and the lads play all Irish tunes and one jazz song. Duncan played an interesting tin whistle, the illian pipes (Irish version of bagpipes) and the violin. Patsy (a man) was on guitar and Cathy sang and played the bodrhan. They were all amazing. I was at the perfect angle to see how she held the bodrhan and how Duncan fingered the pipes. I loved it all. The Irish tunes make you smile even when they’re sad.

Paul and I dream of going to Ireland someday to visit before it looks completely like America. Thanks again to Brad and Michel for thinking of us and letting us live a little of Ireland before we actually go.

girl’s night out/detox

ahhhhh, it was nice getting out last night with a couple of my sarcastic sisters. it was fun eating, shopping and talking. to top it all off i stopped by starbucks on my way home. i decided to try something new - a non-fat green tea latte. the gentleman taking my order made one for me and asked me to try it before deciding to keep it or not. it turned out to be too sweet for my taste. he asked what i would have ordered and i mentioned an iced chai. he made me a venti and then didn’t charge me for anything. how nice.

when i arrived home my family was playing cranium in the kitchen - the boys were winning. the dishes had been done and no one was fighting.

i will be getting out more.

recovery mode

my brother is officially married! What a beautiful wedding, very summery. The bride, groom and brides daughter were all in white. The bridesmaids were in yellow and the guys in black tuxes with yellow accessories (is that what guys call the the extra stuff?).

After having family here for a week I’m ready to chill. No one was demanding or required us to entertain but I still wanted everyone comfortable and happy. My mom was happy to get a whole family picture, minus one. It’s the first time in almost a year our whole family has been together in one place at the same time.

We spent mornings and evenings talking on the deck - oh!…I painted our chairs red, can’t wait for all my friends with that artistic flair to see. I was sitting on the deck one morning watching the clouds roll in - thunder and lightning accompanying the awesome visual- enjoying the new look on my chairs when I realized…hmmm, …huge clouds, thunder, lightning and I’m sitting in a metal chair. No matter how relaxing and incredible the view, I’d like to live to see another day.

Ok, back to recovering. This week I’m not cleaning anything (unless the baby dog we’re watching pees on the floor again) and cooking very little. I’ll take the kids swimming while I sit and read and that’s it! I think my book is calling my name right now! Patricia Cornwell…love her.

p,s,  I didn’t mess up the processional OR the recessional!  I did get teary and had to pull it together so I could see the notes.

boy george quote…

“what good is anger”

when asked if he were angry after being denied a visa.

he’s facing court in the UK for holding a male escort against his will.

and yes…will really means will in this case.

practicing the piano

i love to play

i will choose a piano over a keyboard any day

i love to play when no one is in the house

this doesn’t happen often

i’ve been practicing wedding music quite a bit lately

my little (younger) brother is getting married

SATURDAY

if i mess up the wedding march i think i’ll just die right there

i think i’ll go run through it again right now.

fear and love…

“When we fear, we don’t love well.” Paul saturday night

deep

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you;

not as the world gives, do I give to you.

Let not your heart be troubled,

nor let it be fearful.”

John 14:27 NAS

“I’m leaving you well and whole.

That’s My parting gift to you. Peace.

I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left -

feeling abandoned, bereft.

So don’t be upset.

Don’t be distraught.”

John 14:27 The Message

St. Francis of Assisi and beyond

today we attended a memorial service at St. Francis of Assisi Church. It was sad and beautiful. The rituals the Catholics follow are interesting.

This all reminded me of a statue of St. Francis that Paul had registered for when we were getting married. He never did get it. we just need to find the perfect spot for one (no Kris, not on my piano).

The service today also reminded me that it’s all about love. We forgive, live, laugh, cry, serve, get served, etc all because of love. Love of God and love for each other. This past year God has really helped me deal with issues that have caused pain in my life. It’s difficult to explain the way He has directed my thoughts and heart - I know it’s Him because the changes have not been easy and at times I haven’t wanted to change. Yet when push came to shove (and encouragement from Paul and my friends) I knew to move forward I had to move through the pain, anger, hurt, ugh.

Now comes time to really put my mind and heart on the same level. I’m having to face people who have shown me nothing but judgementalism and no support during one of the most difficult times in my life. Here is where love needs to prevail over how I would really like to respond. My need and desire to forgive comes from God’s directive for us to forgive so we can be forgiven. That’s important to me. It’s become important to me in the past year as a beginning to a deeper relationship with God. I’ve had to trust Him when I just wanted to do things my way because it’s comfortable that way - not truly healthy for my heart and relationships but comfortable. Also, the most hurt I’ve experienced this past year have come from christians. That made me angry at God for a time…don’t ask why because I’m not sure. I’ve had to move past that too…still moving sometimes. I wish He would just slap us all into shape and then we could all be shiny, happy people.
Instead for me it’s slow slow slow. I hope He realizes life goes by quickly and the sooner crap is dealt with the longer I have to spend on fun stuff…like exercising and learning Latin.

??

humans

heart

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