Why Am I Always in Such a Hurry?

In the morning I find myself rushing to get my son ready for school, make him a good hot breakfast, all while unloading the dishwasher, making coffee for my better half, espresso for me, starting a load of laundry, doling out vitamins for everyone (yes, even the dog), feeding the dog, and finally getting myself dressed and ready to face the day. I feel certain this isn't just my day, but a typical day for many of us. I'm also fairly sure, that their are alot more of you with MORE morning chores than me...I'm not complaining, just wondering why do we feel the innate need to accomplish so much everyday and as quickly as possible?

Once I return home from taking the kiddo to school, it's not like my day slows down; quite the opposite. In addition to working from home on my "real job" with an IT consulting company; I also have the housework jobs to complete and then there is the "side" companies we have online that require attention everyday.

I'm busy, you're busy, I get it, I'm glad for it; but what if in all the hustle and bustle of the day, I'm missing the important things? I think I am.

Did I notice my son's pants are getting too short, yes...but I forgot to see how he is growing into such a fine young man.

Did I see that our yard needs mowing, yes...but I forgot to look at all the beautiful flowers that God placed in my backyard without my permission (dandelions).

Did I grimace when I had to pick up all the wet clothes around the pool this morning, yes...but I forgot that we had a great time in the pool after Dad jumped in with our son, both fully clothed.

I think we all forget, or at least I do, the important things in our day, Family, God and Laughter.

I encourage us all to stop for just a bit, take a deep breathe, stop racing the clock to complete the mundane, unimportant tasks and just enjoy what we have. Enjoy your children, love your family and praise our Lord and Saviour for all he has provided for us. Maybe that will take us through the day with a happier, lighter heart...now back to work, but with a smile!

What Else Happened on September 11th?

Did you know on September 11th:

1999 Serena William won the U.S. Open
1962 The Beatles made the recording of "Love Me Do"
1906 Gandhi began his non-violent protest movement in South America
1792 The Hope Diamond was stolen
2001 Over 10,000 babies were born; they will all be 10 years old in a few days. Let's take a few moments to wish them a Happy Birthday.

Let us never forget the horror of September 11, 2001 in New York City; an assault on our Country, our People and our Pride. But we should also take time out of the day to remember the good things that happened, things that happen every day in our great nation.

The joys, the successes; the caring and kind things we all do for one another, sometimes in spite of what happened in 2001; sometimes because of it.
 
This  is the mentality that will keep us strong and alert, so that we will look back in another ten years and be able to say, "God Blessed Our Country" in a time of tragedy and He gave us the ability to see through it and to see forward into a better and safer nation. We are Americans after all!

Whose Lesson Was it to Learn?

Some of you have known since it started, some found out later and even more are just now hearing about it. I had big scare with Breast Cancer; it is not Cancer, but we just weren't sure for a couple of months.

Lots of mammograms, sonograms, Breast MRI's, biopsies and finally last week the removal of some tumors and a duct, but like I said, it's not Cancer. I am blessed and lucky and humbled and grateful and any number of other words of gratitude; but this musing isn't about "what it may have been" but about what really happened to me, my family and my friends.

I believe that God does things and works miracles to teach us all a Lesson, I just couldn't see what Lesson I was supposed to learn, Stacy, Lisa and Michelle all individually told me, "maybe this isn't YOUR Lesson."

I'll let you decide and you let me know.

Like most things in my life, there's usually some sort of drama involved in it; admittedly most by my own design, but sometimes it is out of my control. This one was out of my control and straight into God's hand and God's plan. Everyone handles "news" differently, good news or bad news. I equate it to death, people grieve differently, there's no right or wrong way to do it; you start on a path and you have to hold on and be ready.

At the forefront of my path, I had to let it sink in; marinate; figure out next steps; but I did not try  to bargain with God. I made a conscience effort to take this "thing, what ever it might be" like a soldier. If the orders said Cancer, then Cancer it would be. Again, I had to let God go to work the idea of illness and on my Lesson.


It took awhile for me to realize that if it was Cancer, then there would be chemo or radiation afterwards. Lisa and I were swimming when that little nugget of wisdom hit me. She just smiled at me and said, "I was wondering when you'd think of that. We weren't going to bring it up, but yeah, there will be treatments. Don't worry, we're all here for ya." Lisa was on the path of strength for me, she's always fine.

Then there was Scott, who would not give me ANY sympathy throughout the whole ordeal. He just kept telling me, "there's people out there with REAL Cancer, Hope. We don't even know what yours is!" Very frustrating, but that was his way of navigating the path. He was right, I was fine.

The most humbling experience was at Stacy's salon. She has client/friend, young (early 30's), married, two children, both under three. She came in while I there, to have her head shaved because chemo was making her hair fall out and her head hurt. She had a double mastectomy when I first started on my path and this was the first time I'd seen her. SHE has REAL Cancer. I was humbled by her courage. This is her path, I pray she'll be fine. 

And finally, after it is all over but the healing, Michelle tells me she was afraid to pray for me, because if it was Cancer, then her prayers didn't work. Her prayers always work, she seems to have a direct line to God's Express Lane. While some of us pray and pray and don't get the answer we want so we give up; she prays and things happen. I really believe she prays for the right things for the right reasons. Her path was to strengthen her Faith and she walked it just fine.

So whose Lesson was it? I still don't know, maybe I never will and perhaps it was a Lesson for all of us.

I'm fine!

I'm Afraid Noah's Ark is Down the Street

I'm thinking we all may need to start working diligently on our relationship with God. Not only has it rained for what seems like FOREVER, but my neighbors have recently purchased two camels! As if two camels weren't enough to pique my curiosity, they also have a zebra, a miniature buffalo, two funky looking deer, a slew of horses and a bunch of cows.

They live on about twenty or so acres and their house sits far from the road. I'm wondering what's going on behind their house. Maybe there's an Ark back there; it would explain the pairs of animals, it might also explain the rain?

If I see elephants or wildebeests' I'm getting my rain boots and life jacket out! Yea, I'll be the "eccentric lady" in the neighborhood; so if you see me now you know why. Just wave and send up a prayer for me, I need all I can get!

Until I think of something more interesting,
HAM