Fancy Math

Migraine +
Vicious nausea +
Sore throat+
Achy body +
Bad attitude
_______________
= ME

Hope

It's been a rough week, several weeks. I didn't realize my game face actually shielded what was really going on so well. I've been informed. I blogged several months ago: "Will there be rest for the weary? When is my turn?'

This evening found me some rest. Not like sleep. But but like my heart could open and be acknowledged and old hurts put to rest. I forget that I need to be an active part in my life. Yes life goes on around me, but I can either choose to engage, or retreat. I'm really good at retreating. Not so good at engaging.

God can have His "God Moments" but it can be so much more powerful and meaningful when there is someone(s) there to share it and GET it too. Creates a bond and memories that remind me that God is good, and life CAN be amazing, and difficult, but not to forget that I have a part in this too. This brings me hope in the midst of a very trying time.

Horton

I think I was an elephant in my past life. No really. If I could identify with a cartoon, it would be Horton.

A little awkward, easily thrown off course, intimidated, but dedicated. Big ears, big nose, confused expression. Loves flowers, but for more than the obvious.

New Addition

Here's Bitty anxiously watching them bring the new addition to this family:

Here's the before picture of this empty corner in the living room:

And here's the after:

That's right. We are the proud "parents" of an 1898 Weber piano. It's been part of my dad's family since its birth. But now we get to have it in our own home. This is going to be good, really good. This is the piano that I learned to play on and it will be the one my children learn to play on too. Dad, Grammary, and Great Grandma Vonnie have done the same and I am excited we get to continue the tradition.

Wednesday's a Good Day

I go to pick up the kiddos from church this afternoon. There I see several of my favorite people. I peek in at B in her office but she is busy. I peek in at my kids in separate class rooms. They are too--busy and happy.

I see CJW and talk about the house. She is getting her house appraised today and says she's got 1/2 her house in her car so there's not so much crap in her house when the appraiser comes. I almost can't stand up because I'm now laughing so hard. That is SO something that I would do.

Then I talk with another mom and we are tying to explain to yet another mom how we sometimes trade children to keep our sanity in check. No really. Put the fear of God in these kids by trading parents. What's up NOW?

I look up and see Buffy across the parking lot. She holds her hand up like a phone to her ear. I shake my head. She raises her eyebrows, and I cough. Without a spoken word she and I have had an entire conversation about how yes I got her message, no I won't be able to make it to dinner, I'm feeling sick. HA! Mommies have their own language.

I love my friends.

A Day in The Life

Hubby's out of town for a couple days visiting his Best Buddy. I think they were planning on painting his house, but *somehow* ended up at Costco buying Best Buddy a 58inch TV. How does that happen? I mean I know that I personally like to shop, but if I over-indulge at least I do it and hide it. I don't go out and flaunt it with a GIGANTIC TV. Sheesh. Men.

Bitty was a sick little Bitty yesterday. And when I talked to Hubby today he said that he actually spent all day yesterday at Best Buddy's throwing up with a fever and chills. And I said, "Don't hurry home." Really....take your time...

I have a theory about what I think Middle Bebe will grow up and be. I'll leave it at that. But today in the car we had the music cranked, and I knew she could carry a tune, but HOLY SMOKES! That kid can sing! Although I never dreamed that my 7 year old could belt out "Gunpowder and lead." She's got a few tricks up her sleeves it seems... hmmm hmmm hmmmm... and she's got that little sassy attitude and hair flip that just... reminds me even more that when she gets to high school... I'm gonna need a shotgun of my own. Great.

Meg's 2008 in Pictures

Here's some pictures from 2008 that sum up my year. Some of the these I took myself, and others I totally stole from unsuspecting friends...

No-see-ums and Their Cohorts

While in Mississippi, I encountered bugs. I'm ok with bugs. Not terribly fond of them. But not totally freaked out either. I can manage. I did NOT get eaten alive while I was there. Yay me! Three bites total, actually, on my arms. No biggie. I'm thinking I'm pretty awesome. But again, I am wrong.

Get home and sleep sleep sleep. Go to work, be with the kids, sleep sleep sleep. And ITCH like CRAZY!!!

Am I having a delayed reaction to the no-see-ums? I don't think so. Did I bring them home with me in my clothes and bag? I think that's a no too. But... here's what I think really happened:
1. Get bit by 3 no-see-ums in Pearlington
2. Little no-see-ums secretly laugh to themselves
3. Meg gets home and thinks she's good to go
4. Boulder-Creek-no-see-ums smell TRAITOR no-see-um scents on Miss Meg
5. They then ATTACK Meg in an effort RE-CLAIM their territory
6. Not cool AT ALL

Mad

“The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars..." -Jack Kerouac

Back in Cali

Got in late last night. I was in FOUR states yesterday, cool huh? Mississippi, Louisiana, Nevada and California. Whew, and I am exhausted. I think I've only been awake for 3 hours yet today. Bless hubby and the kids for having the house clean and being quiet. Life is good.

I'm still processing the week's adventures. It's still so much to wrap my head around. In a nut shell this is what stood out to me the most:

*God's people don't need things. They just need Him and hope and they can get through anything, including a Hurricane.

*The young adults on this trip have made me EXCITED for our future. They are beautifully simple and kind and humble.

*I am a quiet person and hate being vulnerable. I was emotionally vulnerable on this trip and God has blessed me for being so.

I'll have more to write later I'm sure. But for now this is it.

Last Night in Pearlington

Yesterday's post I said it was day#4. I lied. It was day #5. And today is Day#6. Who knew? Not me apparently. Oh well. I've got bigger fish to fry. I'm picking up some really snazzy sayings like that since being here in Mississippi. Love it.

Today was the hardest physical labor day for me. I lopped trees and bushes and vines with the loppers. I like that word too. Then cleared away the brush and put it into a fire. FUN! But the really fun part was finding the treasures underneath all of the above. Kitchen plates and bowls. Butter dishes. Silver spoons. Vases. People's lives really. Wow. I found 2X4's in the trees above my head. Hmmm...it was good to work hard and sweat and feel the burn in my muscles.

The people here in Pearlington (though I assume this might actually be a southern thing, and not just Pearlington)... the people are so nice. Not just the people whose houses we are working at, but the clerks at the stores, the barista at Starbucks, the neighbors, the random people who wave and smile as you are walking around. In California people seem to be bothered by EVERY LITTLE THING. But the people here in Pearlington have lost EVERYTHING and are still the most genuine, caring, authentic people I think I've ever met. I don't hear them complain. I hear them tell their stories of the hurricane and know that this is part of their process of healing. But there's not a mean bone in their bodies.

This is the kind of town I could live in. Really. I could skip over the hurricane part, but the rest of it, I'd take in a heart beat. How blessed I've been to be here and work and pray and love and cry and stop and say thank you.