Friday, October 28, 2011

Friday. Friday. Friday. Say It Too Much and It Sounds Weird...Friday...

I always procrastinate Halloween. I'm not sure why. I LIKE Halloween. I don't MIND Halloween. I honestly enjoy the holiday. But when it comes to prepping for the celebrations, I put it off. The kids have their costumes ready, though! Mostly. Kind of. We haven't gotten pumpkins, yet, but we'll probably do it tomorrow. What to pass out to trick-or-treaters? Meh.

Now Christmas, dear reader --that holiday has loads of prep and yet I'm NEVER behind on that one. Or Thanksgiving. Or Valentine's Day. Why is it Halloween that always gets my lack of preparation? I'll have to ponder some more...

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After 12 1/2 years, our microwave finally bit the dust. It was an inexpensive little thing we had gotten as a gift for our wedding, but it did it's job! Even when the panel went kaput and you couldn't see the numbers anymore it still cooked things. But a few days ago, #4 tried to heat something up and BAM! Lightening and smoke and all kinds of electrical scariness. And no, he wasn't cooking metal or anything like that.

We've always wanted an over-the-stove range, so Brandon did the research, shopped around, and found the best deal on one. Then my manly man installed it last night. It's amazing how different the kitchen looks --just small changes can make everything new.

The kids thought it was the coolest thing they ever saw (the new microwave, their dad installing it, me moving around other kitchen appliances because of the newly exposed counter space). I've decided that kids make the most boring things in life pretty awesome.

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There is a certain amount of joy that presents itself when you survey a newly cleaned laundry room. Or bathroom. Or kitchen. Especially when you chose to clean it, rather than ignore it some more...

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Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you - not because they are nice, but because you are. ~Author Unknown
Bitterness, grief, and anger taint our ability to sympathize, empathize, or even see with a charitable perspective. Small example and case in point:

Friend who desperately wants children (she is married) is not offended when I "complain" about my kids (it wasn't really complaining --just mentioning how hard mothering truly is --because it is hard!).
Another friend, who also desperately wants children (and a husband) chooses to be offended instead. Not maliciously --just states the obvious (that I should be grateful I even HAVE children).

Both want children. Both see them as a blessing. Both understand the desire, the need, the joy of mothering. But one chose to laugh with me (commiserate?) and one chose to see me as ungrateful.

Here's the thing, though --I'm not upset by the single friend's choice to be upset with me. I was at first. I actually had to stop and think about my reaction. In fact, another friend told me I was a little too nice to her in my response --which is probably a good indication of how we should all check our knee-jerk responses, you know? But I understand how my single friend feels. I get it. She's having a really difficult time right now --why would I add to that? And, if I'm being completely honest, she had a very valid point. I SHOULD be grateful. She reminded me that I AM.

I've decided that I am going to try harder not to find offense when other people react in pain. It isn't fair to them, nor does it do anything for me. This will not be an easy task, but I'm gonna do my best. Wanna join me?

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During my second year of nursing school our professor gave us a quiz. I breezed through the questions until I read the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?" Surely this was a joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Before the class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our grade. "Absolutely," the professor said. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say hello." I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy. ~Joann C. Jones

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