Equilibrium

A winter storm visited our area this week.
Two weeks ago we had some ice accumulation as well. Depending on where you are from, this would barely register as a blip on the radar.
The South, however, goes six shades of crazy at a possible hint of extreme (to us) wintery weather. We live in an area on the freeze line, so weather could go either way for us. Thankfully, it wasn't too bad.

Tuesday, we waited with nervous anticipation to see if we were frozen over on Wednesday. It rained and rained on Wednesday, but I'm so grateful that the temps hovered just above freezing so ice was mostly in the tops of trees and not on the ground. Since I live in town, I don't drive over any bridges, so my life went on as usual.

Well, sort of. We lost power like many did. It does something to my psyche by throwing me off balance. I realize just how dependent I am on electricity and how I have to think really hard to figure out how to adapt. It was unsettling.

The irony is, I have half a dream that involves living off the grid. Which really means not being beholden to anyone for my electricity and comforts while still having all those comforts.

I was so puzzled by why so many lost power when, 2 weeks ago, it seemed that we got more ice, but few lost power. This time, there was lots of rain, little ice but power went out all over town. Businesses, homes, traffic lights...crazy. And lots of traffic! I'm grateful that we were without power for only 6ish hours. Others are still without power and it's been over 30 hours. There are predictions of it lasting 3 days or more.

The positive thing for me is that it helped us make a list of things we need for an emergency situation like this. An alternate source of heat is one. I'm looking at woodstoves and fireplaces. We have GOT to learn to be more self-sufficient. And teach our daughter too.

I'd love to hear your ideas!

Half a Day Mayhem

Morning.

Thinking I have to be at work later.

Finding out I have to be there earlier.

Discovering a deluge of rain has begun.

Remembering the umbrella is at work.

Thankful for rain boots as I RUN two blocks through the rain.

Saying an unexpected hello to the State Board Inspector.

Ditto to the expired license. (Whoops.)

Telling a client they can't have the appointment they want because it's in my lunch hour.

Realizing lunch hour can be shifted.

Making a client very happy once brain kicks into gear.

What a crazy morning!

Who's Your Grammar?

I posted a status on Facebook today that sparked a record (for me) 18 comments.

What would incite such scintillating conversation?

Grammar.

Oh yeah. I live on the edge.

In the process, I learned of this website. (Herein is the link to the particular issue that plagued me.) If you want to learn some dirty little literary secrets, go take a peek.

Looky What the Dog Dragged In...

To those of you who remember me remotely, I have not, as otherwise suspected, fallen off the face of the earth.

And....good news:

We now have the computer of our (my husband's) dreams. The iMac has come.

*cue the heavenly choir*

But.

He doesn't want it on the internet. That lasted about a day. Or less. As a consolation prize, he purchased an iPad for me. A wi-fi iPad, to boot.

I knooooow!!!!

I don't need his ole stinky computer anyway.

Except to edit photos and stuff.

But that's all.

I promise.

*snort*

Just So You Know I'm Still Here...

Life, since I last posted, has shifted into fast(er) forward.

We are borrowing a laptop, so we still don't have the (end all, be all) Mac yet. It's coming, one day...

In the meantime...

This year we lost all three of the cats we'd had for the last 15 (ish) years. We have CoCo left, whom I rescued out of the middle of the highway a year ago. A week before we left for vacation, we put down our last old cat. We had a week to enjoy the relief of being a one pet family. And we were not even home.

On the last day of va(stay)cation we went to a friend's house to "play" with the puppies her dog had.

You know what's coming don't you...

We now have a 2 pet home. But I swear a dog is like having

6 cats. Except 6 cats would be a WHOLE lot easier! (I've never had to walk a cat.) All I do anymore is, take the dog potty, walk the dog (2x a day!), get the dog out of the trash, tell her to get down, stop biting, etc. I've also never washed a cat.

Dogs, are clearly high maintenance.

But then I see this face.

Exactly.

Looky who posted on her blog...

So, in addition to my normally spotty posting recently, I now can't post much even when I want to. Lightening struck a couple of weeks ago and took out the only computer we had. It wasn't much, I admit, but it would still surf the internet when it took a mind to. We are now in search of a computer. Definitely getting an Apple this time, but we can't just run pick one up in the same way we do when we run out of milk.

In addition, the riding lawn mower has bitten the dust. That doesn't have a whole lot to do with this post other than to point out that my house and everything in it seems to be crumbling around my ankles.

On a brighter note, we got a puppy. (IS that a brighter note?! Doesn't seem so when I get up at 1am to let her out to tinkle.) I have tons of photos on my phone, but can't upload them...ya know...no computer. If I figure out how to do it from my phone, you'll be the first to know. I promise.

Peace out.

Love and Loss

This has been a hard year for us where cats are concerned.

Last fall, we began putting our cats outside. One of the cats thanked us by promptly leaving. For good. That's always hard because there's no closure. Did the cat go somewhere and die? Get hit by a car? Take up with someone else? I'll never know what happened to my beautiful golden eyed, silver Monaco. But it seems appropriate that, just as she walked into our lives 14 years before, she would walk out as well.

We got Monet as a kitten, and not too long afterwards, were given her half brother, Tiger. Monet was the "alpha" cat, not only bossing around the other cats, but us, as well. A couple of months ago, a pack of three dogs came through my yard and killed my girl.

Last year, a white cat started skulking around and helping himself to my cat's food. He was very skittish and I was torn between chasing him off and trying to tame him. Guess which won out? I put food out for him so he'd leave my cat's food alone and began the slow process of taming him. Turns out he was a huge mushpot who, while he never let me pick him up, sure did love being petted. Earlier this year, he got sick and a couple of days later died of an unknown cause.

Tiger was just happy to be here. Content to sleep and eat, he did nothing to rock the boat, but he sure didn't appreciate anyone rocking his boat. Once he got comfortable (wherever that was) he didn't want to be messed with, thank you. Unless it was time to eat. Again. That's why, last Saturday, I knew something was wrong when he turned up his nose at his breakfast. I immediately took him to the vet. After a week of tests and finding what was NOT wrong, we realized there was nothing more that could be done and made the difficult decision to euthanize him.

So now, we have gone from 4 cats, to 1 in rather short order. God knew exactly what I would need when he had me pluck a "black sock" from the middle of a busy highway a year ago. My little tripod legged Coco is just a year old and full of love, affection and playfulness.

A balm to my grieved heart.

Ride 'Em Cowgirl!

Summer seems to be sweeping me away...

We have been busy with day-to-day things that somehow consume every available moment so that there is no time to blog about potential bloggable moments.

I have a new worry that has developed in the last two days: my oldest cat, Tiger seems to be very sick. I took him to the vet Saturday and he has fluid in his abdomen. Why or where it came from seems to be the big question. Could be anything from an inflamed liver, to a virus called FIP, which is untreatable. He has refused food since Saturday. I lost Tiger's half sister a few months ago to some dogs who attacked her in our yard.

To say my heart is heavy and distracted would be an understatement...

I Went Down Deep...

Memorial Day weekend found me and my family traveling with friends.

Sounds lovely. Especially since my friend volunteered her 15 year old daughter to help watch my daughter.

I began picturing myself languishing about and alternately living it up like Don King.

Then Jean says, "Oh, and bring your machete."

WHAT?!! Where are these people taking me??!!

Turns out, we were headed deep into the woods of Alabama.

Creek behind Hezzy House
Hezzy House backview
Hezzy House frontview

No. My side is not hurting me. (Unless you count the machete

poking me in the ribs.)

BTW: That machete wouldn't cut hot butter. Nor would it bruise

the leaf of a briar bush.

But it pains me to think about it, apparently...
To be continued...

An ALMOST Interesting Post...

I feel that we are on the verge of getting a new computer for my husband. This cheers me greatly because perhaps, then, I wouldn't have to worry about uploading my pics onto this computer because he's in the middle of some project that I might screw up because I was uploading pictures.

Case in point: This post is NOT going to regale you with my AWESOME Memorial Day weekend hijinks because I CAN'T UPLOAD MY PHOTOS RIGHT NOW.

Darn.

Suffice it to say, I had a MARVELOUS time at an idyllic location buried deep in the back woods of Alabama.

It was a weekend full of fishing, fireflies, tramping through the woods (machete in hand), horseback riding, playing in the creek, rowing across the pond and generally sitting around sighing with satisfaction.

And just as SOON as I can, I'll post some pics.

Remembering the Poor and Neglected...and That's About as Far as I've Gotten

Oh blog, how I've missed you.

There has honestly been no extra time to pay you the attention you deserve.

Or me for that matter.

Remembering to just breathe.

Sometimes, even that is a tall order.

I Joined the Club

Don't you just love our matching Mother's Day tattoos?!! :P

I really enjoy visiting blogs. Due to the gifts of writing and creativity bloggers can have, I feel as if I've gotten to know these authors personally.

Last night, I actually did.

I found out one of my blogging friends, Michele, lives in a town about 45 minutes from me. Michele has two blogs. I really enjoy I'm not Cheap I'm Thrifty because who doesn't want to hear about someone's great bargain finds?! Trading Ashes for Beauty is her "life" blog.

When we realized our proximity, we began hatching a plan to meet live and in person.

Fast forward several months....

I got a Facebook message yesterday telling me she was on her way into town! I was so grateful that I had a rare day with nothing on the schedule! My daughter and I (poor daddy was working) met Michele and her family for dinner and just jumped into conversation like we'd done it many times before! It was SUCH a lovely evening! The most disappointing part of it was when it ended!!!

We both agreed that we HAD to get together again...I just hope it's sooner rather than later!

In Memoriam...Monet

It's been a hard weekend, folks.

I started down my driveway early Friday morning to find my cat lying there having been mauled by dogs.

I got Monet when she was a kitten. We picked her out of the litter, my friend telling my husband, "Oh, this one is a sweetie. Very loving."

Snort.

She became MY cat. She hissed and complained at anyone else who was near. Tolerating them but little else.

My husband graciously allowed her and her half brother, Tiger, and a beautiful grey cat called Monaco, to live indoors for many years; then hubby got fed up with having to dig me out from under the cats at night to sleep with me. :D

The older the cats got, the more digestive trouble they began to have and hubby lost it when someone lost their lunch on one of his cameras. (Can't say as I blame him...) So, outside they went.

Monet always greeted me as I arrived home. Meowing loudly to inform me of the days events. After I went inside, she would hop up on the warm hood of the truck and sleep.

Most mornings I could count on her sitting in my kitchen window staring at me as I made coffee, making sure I realized it was time for breakfast.

Making coffee has never been so lonely.

Although she was 15, she was feisty and wasn't showing signs of aging. I am so angry that she was taken from me in such a violent way.

And that we were helpless to prevent it.

My brain is at odds with itself. Wondering at the depth of grief I have-- "It wasn't a human, it was an animal." "This is part of the circle of life." -- is at war with-- "She was my baby." "She was a family member."

So while I'm trying to reconcile all this in my head, Tiger and Coco (remember the three legged kitty?) are getting lots of extra strokes and hugs.

A Novel Life

Wow.

If yesterday had been a book, it would have been a thriller with all sorts of plot twists.

There was the irate client issue to resolve. When I tried to deal with her Friday, there was no talking to her. I referred her (gladly) to my co-owner and tried to brace her for the storm to come. Except when she came in this time, she wasn't irate. She was rational and reasonable and will probably be a new client. Win?

Then there was the matter of my schedule which played fruit basket turnover. Last minute cancellations led to frantic calls to people on the waiting list which led to the 2 hour lunch that opened up shrinking to 15 minutes. (That's O.K., I'd rather be busy. But my tummy does have a bad habit of demanding food every so often.)

Then, my final client of the day, whom I looked forward to because I knew would be a basic, simple highlight, surprised me by saying, "I colored my hair a few weeks ago and I want to match it and brighten it up with some highlights."

Le sigh.

T'was not a big deal, in fact, it paled in comparison to some of the other doozies I'd faced recently, but it did considerably tax my last two remaining brain cells...

But in the midst of the flurry of activity and the apparent emotional unbalance of some people, I watched God pave the way and details fall into place.

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5

Funny...I Never Thought of Taxes as "Fancy"

Spring

when a girl's fancy turns to

trying to

CATCH UP

a year's worth of tax information

and get it to the accountant.

Sacrilege

Going about my daily life seems sacrilege.

As if I don't realize life has stopped.

Yet I rise, make coffee and go about my day as if nothing has happened.

Sacrilege.

Life has been arrested. But no bond has been set because, no amount of money can buy it back.

Yet life goes on.

Sacrilege.

As a society, we've grown to expect things instantly. Coffee, cash, food...but not death. Yet it happens more instantaneously than anything else on earth. Something we'll never get used to.

Sacrilege.

She wasn't my daughter, yet I find that can't grieve enough for someone I didn't lose.

In honor of Jessie, a 15 year old student at my daughter's school who died unexpectedly last night.

Snow "Clothes"

Since I live in the south, I don't see snow much. (Read: ever) So seeing snow this past weekend has filled me with a bit of wonder. I've looked back over my photos and am struck with how snow changes a landscape. It covers imperfections; softening them, making them beautiful.

It reminds me of Christ and His righteousness.

I look at myself...I'm rough, imperfect and incapable of changing myself. But Christ's death on the cross changes my landscape. His righteousness clothes me, washing my sins "white as snow" (Isaiah 1:18).

When I see my whole front yard covered in snow I think of Isaiah 43:25 which says: “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.

When I look at the tree branches, once stark and naked, now draped in snowy robes, I think of Isaiah 61:10 which states, "I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels."

I'm so glad that God uses His creation to remind us of Himself! (Romans 1:20)

Generosity

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed. Proverbs 19:17

See this book?

(photo from ecrater)

I've been on a bit of a Julia Child bender since watching Julie and Julia. I checked out Julia Child's biography from the library and also found this book: From Julia Child's Kitchen. I have fallen in love with it. It is full of notes, explanations, basic instructions, definitions and, oh yeah, RECIPES! I mentioned on Twitter that I was reading it and this sweet lady mentioned that someone had given her a copy and she was going to make a purse from it. My heart stopped. "Nooooo!!!" I screamed. (She assured me that she only uses the cover of books and leaves the guts intact.) She offered me the book. THE BOOK!!! I breathlessly accepted and received it yesterday. I've been walking around reading snatches of it, cradling it like a newborn.

Hopefully, I can get unbusy enough to experiment with some of the recipes. I can practically smell them simmering...

In the meantime, go to Zaties on Etsy and have a look-see. That'll give me time to start some stew.

Grieving....

Thompson Family Photo
Why?

Things That Make Me Say...Hmmm.

I don't think anything strikes terror in my heart quite like the words: "You are hereby summoned and commanded to lay all business aside and personally appear in the courtroom..."

Jury duty.

It's not that I don't want to perform my civic responsibility. I think I would find it a fascinating experience, especially given all the mystery novels I enjoy. I'd like to see the real deal.

Because I am the sole income provider right now and it would cause financial hardship,( I have to be physically doing hair to make any money) I trotted over to the clerk of the court to fill out an excuse form.

As the day loomed and I hadn't heard any response to my request, I began to wonder if it was my responsibility to search out that information.

Enter one of my clients.

It so happens that she is a retired judge. I'm not one to curry favor and try to play my connections to avoid responsibility, but I asked her if she knew the answer to my question.
"Would the clerk get in touch with me or did I need to call them?" Judge asked me a few questions and took it upon herself to call, then reported to me that because I had a child 5 or under, I automatically was excused.

Didn't mean for sister to bail me out of jury duty, but who am I to look a gift horse in the mouth?

Yesterday found me "up to here" with life. I felt seriously overwhelmed and was hatching a plan to hide for the weekend.

Then I checked my messages.

"YOU ARE TO REPORT FOR JURY DUTY IN THE MORNING." She stated it twice in case I couldn't believe my ears. She was right. I couldn't.

I went into frantic panic mode. What if they select me? What if I'm out of work for a whole week? How am I going to pay the bills?

Fearless. Fear. Less.

Verses I've recently been meditating on came to mind and I took it upon myself to remind God about them.

YOU said..."Aren't two sparrows sold for only a penny? but your Father knows when any one of them falls to the ground. Even the hairs on your head are counted. So don't be afraid! You are worth much more than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31 emphasis mine.) AND: "I tell you not to worry about everyday life - whether you have enough." (Matthew 6:25)

I chose to trust.

I showed up for jury duty.

I stood in line.

I practiced not fretting.

I forgot and fretted.

I presented my papers.

The clerk was quizzical.

"You're not on the list."

Hmmm.

Now why did I get that phone call? Was it just an honest mistake? They meant to call someone else and dialed my number instead? Or did God orchestrate that to teach me a valuable lesson?

I don't know the answer to that. I do know that it is not up to me to provide for my needs. I forget that and try to take care of everything by working hard and fretting over stuff.

It's times like this that make me remember...

I have a Heavenly Father who has it well in hand.