Good Times

You know how I wrote all about the importance of the ampersand last week? Well, that particular post was read by more people than any other of our blog posts combined. That was exciting for us! This week, our little ampersand is being put to the test. Don’t you just love how that happens? When I stepped out of the shower this morning onto what is typically a dry floor, I found myself standing in a steadily growing miniature lake. Around the corner I was greeted with soaking wet carpet. Not a good sign. Steve had already left for church, I was short on time, and Amelia was slated for acolyte duties (which we totally missed, by the way). I did the best I could to sop up the water, prayed for the best and went to church. When we got home, the lake had not receded, but at least it hadn’t grown. Now Steve is pulling up carpet, and a plumber has been called. Did I mention that this is also my first full week back at school? Good times!

Now we get the golden opportunity to put our money where our mouths (or carpet and pipes as the case may be) are and lean on that ampersand. I pray that I can face the challenges of this latest test with gentleness, kindness, and self-control. I also hope that I can look at this through grateful eyes and rejoice that we have indoor plumbing, a husband strong enough to tear out carpet like it is paper, and that plumbers are only a phone call away. Hey, I’ve always wanted waterfront property.

Blessings to you for a grateful week, whatever this week may hold.

With friends like these….

Steve and I are totally blessed to have friendships with couples who consistently model what it means to be in a strong marriage. One of our favorite couples goes to church with us and has children roughly the same age as ours. They are a hoot. 24/7. It never fails, whenever we get together, our sides are going to hurt the next day from laughing so much. Take the time we decided to make a trip to Birmingham for some cheesecake and ended up picking out the caskets of our dreams (or urns as was the case with one member of our party).
My sister and I had a chance to chat about friends who bless our lives at a recent birthday party. She had just come back into town after spending the day with her husband’s side of the family. I remarked that she looked so calm, cool and collected. (She is the mom of a red headed two-year-old.) Her lipstick was expertly applied and not a hair out of place. Now my sister is very pretty no matter what, but that day she just looked extra serene… too serene ( I did mention that she has a two-year-old, right?!) So I did the sisterly thing and asked her if she was sedated. After assuring me she was just fine, thank you very much, (insert eye rolling here) she filled me in on why she looked like she was ready for a photo shoot. You see, they had been visiting friends of friends when she sat down in a chair that is normally occupied by the family dog. Apparently the dog loves this chair as much as Archie Bunker loves his. Except this dog did not feel the need to read the newspaper in his own private “library”. He thought, “Hey, why move to do my business when I can just sit here?” I guess this family did not feel the urge to fill my sister in on where she had planted herself for the afternoon… in 145 degree weather… in shorts. It wasn’t until they were headed back to their home a good hour and a half away that she discovered the Eau de Awful that had permeated her skin. After a very long, very hot shower and a do-it yourself micro peel, she felt like she was fit to be around those of us with noses. Bless her heart. That was just outright tacky of those folks not tell Sister that she was sitting on Bowser’s throne. I think a trip to Birmingham for cheesecake is in order for her. And if that doesn’t cheer her up, then I will swing by the coffin wholesaler and let her shop for when she drops. Hey, that’s what true friends do.