We are Busy, oh so Busy...

What a day! Eric actually had the day off, I put my homework off until tomorrow, and we worked...and worked...and worked. I got a little color on my shoulders, a lot of dirt on my legs and under my fingernails, and sore wrists and knees.

But OH! the accomplishments!

1. We had a nice sleep in today. It's the first time we've been able to wake up without the blaring "BLEEP! BLEEP! BLEEP!" in at least six months.

2. I washed an entire sinkful of dishes before 10 a.m.

3. Eric pulled out the funny little fence that separated a strange portion of our yard.

4. I trimmed every bush in the yard - and cleaned up after myself!

5. Eric used the weedeater on every edge of our grass - it looks awesome!

6. I picked up dog poop - a whole bucket full - YUCK!

7. Eric mowed the yard (on a nice tall setting that makes our grass look healthier than it actually is).

8. We pulled every item out of the garage, finished unpacking boxes from our move 11 months ago, sorted trash from keep items, and put everything back in an orderly fashion.

9. We then filled the truck up twice with trash (and we are good about keeping our trash hording to a minimum - I was amazed) and dropped it off at the dumpster on the job site.

10. We walked the dogs (a little shorter than usual) and got back just in time for the NEB - VA TECH game.

11. Just watched the Huskers make an AWESOME punt return! (88 YARDS for a TD!)

12. Am now going to continue watching a super close game.

13. Looking forward to a sermon series on Finances tomorrow.

What did you accomplish this weekend?

Deal? Or No Deal?

I'm having a tough time of it these past few weeks. Not school, not work, but other...stuff. I can't go into details, (there are too many of them, for starters), but I'm exhausted deep in my soul. There are so many things that have drained me dry. I feel as if I should sleep for days just to shut out any more possible information that may be heading my way.

I talked to a family member last night about being overwhelmed and dealing with the "stuff." We realized that this is one of the hardest parts about being an adult: Actually knowing all the "stuff" that's out there. I'm sure it existed before, but we were thankfully insulated from the knowledge of it. I don't think I have a very good coping mechanism for handling these things.

How do you deal with all the stuff?

What Did You Snack on Today?

I was waiting for an appointment today. Standing in a hallway, reading my NY Times (that I get free from school) and wondering about the current state of the financial markets. (Don't laugh! I really was!)

A woman rolled down in the hall in her motorized wheelchair. I am trying to be kind, so I will say, her wheelchair was not for a disability. It was for her weight problem. I'm assuming it was also quite useful for the tank of oxygen she had pumping clean, pure O2 into her nostrils as well.

Around a little corner, next to the stairs, is the building's vending machine. It's a tight fit back there and the machines' compressors make quite a racket. (I'm listening to them as I type.)

This woman attempted to roll into the corner. And got stuck. She called "Ma'am! Can you help me?" I assumed she needed help out of her predicament.

But, no. "Can you hold this?" she asked, handing over the gigantic black bag, "And can you put the coins in for me?" WHAT?! I thought/screamed to myself DON'T YOU REALIZE HOW THIS WAS CAUSED?

I was close to asking if her doctor would ok these purchases (I was on the same floor as a doctor's office.), but wisely/stupidly refrained.

She handed me enough money for 2 double-packs of Hostess Cupcakes and a 3 Musketeer Bar. I pushed the money into the slot for each item, and handed them to her as they were dispensed.

This woman couldn't breathe.
She couldn't bend over.
She could barely speak.
She couldn't even insert coins into the vending machine.

And I enabled her to continue her destructive behavior.

What would you have done?

It Positively Hurt

So, I caught my finger between two door knobs tonight.

Right before doing dishes.

As I was cleaning the mess of a kitchen.

Hmm...so...the positive mood was challenged this evening.

But nothing a little walk with the husband and dogs couldn't fix!

Must...Stay...Positive

It's easy to be happy when things are going your way. Your dogs are angels while you're gone, your husband comes home all smiles and ready to conform to your every wish, and every person you have a slight acquaintance with strikes up a conversation with you as you pass their way.

These things did not happen to me.

But, instead of dwelling in the negative past, I'm looking towards tomorrow in a very positive fashion. And will give you a quick and positive update on my workout regimen:

I (finally) received "Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred" last Thursday. I say finally because of Amazon's horrendously slow Super Saver Shipping. (That wasn't negative, simply truthful.) Wow! Feel the burn, folks. It's been a long time since I've felt so sore after a workout DVD. And, I am doing push-ups people - girl push-ups, but push-ups nonetheless! The workout(s) is great! I'm only on Level 1, and will stick with this one until I feel "ready to progress." I'm thinking this will happen towards the end of this week. The great thing about this workout is the way the time is broken up: 3 circuits that each include:

3 minutes of strength (30 seconds of arms, 1 minute of combination moves, repeat both)
2 minutes of cardio (alternating between 2 moves at 30 seconds each)
1 minute of abs (2 moves for the first and second circuit, 1 combination move for the last)

I'm a real watch-the-clock exerciser. And, if I'm bored, I may as well be exercising for the rest of eternity. The best part about this DVD is the "mini-goals" within the workout. I feel a sense of HUGE accomplishment every time I reach the end of each segment.

Although you feel like you will die before Jillian calls time for each move, the results are worth it! The only thing I'm not seeing a huge improvement in (yet) is my abs, but that's always the last thing to tone up for me. Now, off to refresh my mind with my positive mantra from yesterday! Stay tuned for more positivism!

I'm Positive, thank you!

Last night, at 11 pm, I checked on Moosh in Indy and am taking her challenge and running with it!

Of course, my first thought was negative, but, in the spirit of the challenge, I quickly shoved it aside and marched into the Land of Positivism. (I found that this land must exist in the eleventh dimension, only accessible by a constant inner mantra of "stay positive, stay positive, stay positive, I MEAN IT, stay positive!") While I'm normally outwardly positive (or if not, then simply silent), I internally create quite a world of dark broodiness of which escape is difficult and harrowing.

Begone pessimism!


"I, myself, do solemnly swear, that I will think the best of people's comments, intentions and actions this week. I will not let the poor moods of others affect my cheery outlook on life. I will smile more, laugh often and spread my goodwill and positive attitude to all I come in contact with for the next seven days, saith I."

Do you think I can do it?

Better yet, do you think YOU could do it?

Fall, Etc.

Fall is here. The air is crisp and slightly damp. The sky has been full of high clouds for two days. When the sun comes out, the air is still cool and clean. The wind gusts through the trees pulling a few leaves to the ground.

I.love.fall.

Sadie curls up in the smallest ball possible and hides her nose under her front paw to escape. Nala basks in the sun (when it shows itself) and noses fallen leaves in the backyard.

This year, I may actually get to enjoy this wonderful season. Last year, we were in the midst of moving, trying to sell our old house, adjusting to a new city, etc, etc, etc. This year, even in the midst of school and family (and joining "Real Worship" choir at church - which I am very excited for!), I'm planning on getting the most out of my favorite time of year!

Second topic:

"Sacrifice: the act of giving up something valued for the sake of something else regarded as more important or worthy."

Have you every encountered the same principle over and over and over and over in the span of two days that you feel beat up with it when you stop to catch your breath?

I love my time and my schedule. I like to have things organized, have free time and do the things I want to do when I want to do them. It's easy for me to stay comfortable. I've even noticed that when Eric and have time off together, we tend to argue - mostly because his being home more than normal, disrupts "my" life.

What's more important? My schedule or showing love to my husband? Having (too much) time for myself or giving up a few hours a week for others? So, I'm going to embrace sacrifice for my husband and my church.

At the end of choir auditions this morning, Pastor Les came in and talked to us for a few minutes. Remember all those "beatings" I'd received? This was number three in less than three hours. On the radio, I heard about a worship leader saying that the "sacrifice of praise" involved the sacrifice of moving outside of what is comfortable for "me" to bring glory to God. The second instance, Pastor Sean talked about the sacrifice of being involved in a great choir.

Then Pastor Les came in. Yes, he's a great speaker, yes, he is real and authentic, but I believe that he is truly a communicator for God. I don't know how else to explain the things he says. He talked about offering ourselves as sacrifices. The scary/amazing thing was that he went past the offering part. If you know about sacrifices, the offering isn't the end. I always realized that in a cerebral way this was true, but never thought about how that concept applied to me.

Once a pleasing sacrifice is offered, it is consumed. Completely consumed. That is scary. I like control.

Sorry for the rambling and disjointed post. I like to get words down to work through ideas.

What do you think about sacrifice? Or about fall? Or both?

My Husband - The Hero

Halfway through a normal hike, on a normal trail on Sunday, we found that all the large pads on every one of Nala's feet was in the process of tearing off. I'm not talking a little scuff here - the.entire.top.layer.of.every.pad. I don't do blood, or guts, or anything that would cause pain, so, I freaked out. Eric, however, stepped up to the challenge. We still had over a mile to go, but my superman picked up our "little" dog (of 65 pounds) and carried her the rest of the way.

(The picture's a bit blurry, but I wasn't about to make him pose!) I tried to give him a break and got about 20 feet... and that's being generous!

Our "big" dog was also limping a little, but we thought it was her hip displaysia. Oh no, she had torn the pad off one of her feet as well! Our poor animals! The city life has made them soft!

After some checks online, and a call to a friend who has lived the ordeal, we found there's really nothing we can do, aside from letting them heal on their own. We've been bandaging Nala's feet when she goes outside, but then removing the wraps when she's inside. They should be ok in a couple of weeks. Nala still trembles every time she stands, but she's getting better at it - especially when there's food involved.

We decided Sadie's a trooper - she must have learned how from Eric!