Working through it

There are times in my life, I have discovered through experience, when things are unpleasant. Can be due to a miriad of factors, some more serious than others: health, financial, social, emotional, family, spiritual - the list may be endless. I also know from experience that how I deal with or react to these times is part of what not only reflects, but actually makes up the fabric of my character.

And despite the fact that I know all that, there are times when I'm weary and don't want to deal with the unpleasantness. I just simply want it to go away. I want to pull the covers up over my head and ignore what is going on around me. I want the world - my world - to be back in balance. I don't want to have to work through it, figure it out, or whatever.

*sigh*

Then, I realize that there is no easy way through these times. I have to work through it. But when I do, I come out on the other side a little bit smarter and a little bit more experienced. And in all likelihood, the fabric of my character is woven just a bit stronger.

Just wanted to get that off my chest. Thanks for listening.

How Sweet It Is!

I am so excited! I have TWO wonderful things to blog about this month! And each of them is very important to me, although in very different ways.

First I want to talk about being in love. Later this month, my husband and I are celebrating 18 years of marriage. There is SO much I could say here about this, but I will keep it to the basics...He has taught me SO much about what love and partnership really are, and I cannot express how grateful I am to have him in my life. For anyone reading this, my wish for you is that you too may be blessed to share your life and your love with a soul mate. It feels like it is truly one of God's greatest gifts to us mere mortals. I love you, JR.

The second thing is on renewing old friendships. Thanks to the Internet (thank you Al Gore :-) ), I was strolling around cyberspace and 'bumped into' a very dear friend who I had not had contact with for ... *ahem* ... let's just say many years.
I can't even explain what it was like. Like finding your absolutely lifelong favorite book. I felt instantly warm inside and was overcome with memories that just floated over me. If I were a psychologist, I would have analyzed what brain chemicals were being released at that very moment so I could replicate it and make a fortune. But I'm an Accountant, so I just luxuriated in the moment (Accountants are prone to do this). I am looking forward to reconnecting and catching up, AND building new memories. I love you too, DC.

So, I am very excited in how September is shaping up. EVEN THOUGH WE ARE STILL A LONG WAY FROM BEING ABLE TO MOVE BACK INTO OUR HOME BECAUSE OF THE FIRE DAMAGE! Nope. I am not going to let those feelings interfere with my euphoria. Wish I had been a psychologist.

RENTSCHER ADVENTSCHER!

Just returned recently from RENTSCHER ADVENTSCHER 2010!

Location: Rhinelander, WI

Agenda / Activities: Bananagrams 'Till You Bust, Cable-Coma, Fish-But-Don't-Catch, Squeeze Me 'Till I Wine, Don't Ride The Horse After a Big Cowboy Breakfast, Birthday Sing-Along, Impromptu Gift Exchange, Moccasin Mania, and my personal favorite - Whose Makeup Is Floating In The Toilet?

Conclusion: IT'S GOOD TO BE A RENTSCHER!!

Parting seems to be the hardest part...

I hate this. My 12 year old German Shephard, Jasper, is going to be put down this weekend. I'm not going to go into the painful and ugly reasons why. It is the right thing to do for him and my family. But it is SO very hard to do, and it takes SUCH a long time to heal after that, I am really not looking forward to this weekend at all (DUH).

Guess I just 'publicly' want to acknowledge that he has been the best dog. E.V.E.R. And I know for a fact that he has kept my family and home safe on many occassions when there was a real threat. For that I will always be grateful.

We have tried to be the best pet owners we could. I think he had a pretty good life and I think he would agree with that. He will always hold a very special place in my heart, right along with Trixie, Sham, Sandy, Taffy, and Pokey. God, I'm a sucker for a fuzzy face!

Another Fab Four

If you are not old enough to understand the title of this post, "The Fab Four" than don't bother reading on. You probably won't get it.

If you ARE old enough, then let me expand on that a bit. I experienced my own FAB FOURsome. Actually I'm writing about it because I only just realized it existed...and now it is dissolving!

For the last 3 years I have enjoyed the fun, friendship, frenzy and all-around companionship, right here in my job, of 3 wonderful ladies that have come to be my very close friends. We have struggled through many business difficulties, lots of change, much drama (thanks to our children), and innumerable laughs. Now, 2 of them are moving on to new positions in the company, so inevitably our relationships will change. Probably not for the worse, but still different. It makes me just a little sad, because I have shared with them a relationship like I haven't had since grade school. We have giggled, gotten teary, gotten yelled at, celebrated successes, schemed, and shared complaints and joys. I felt like a kid again. More importantly, they helped me grow. Alot, and in many ways. I am very grateful. And if you are reading this and you are one of the Fab Four (you know who you are)..thank you and I love you.

Return From Chaos

It's been a busy busy 6 weeks. About mid-May, our house caught fire. yea.
Exactly. It was awful. A fan in a bathroom ceiling shorted out and apparently started something smoldering. Even though the circuit breaker cut off the power, the smoldering mustered its way into a full fledged fire...in a ceiling in our home.

Luckily, a friend was actually in the house when the smoke alarm went off. Although she couldn't see any fire, she got the dogs out of the house and called the fire department (BLESS HER!). She, along with the fire department (BLESS THEM TOO!) and the Hand of God (THANK YOU!) saved our home from complete destruction.

Although this is damned inconvenient, I actually am very grateful that nothing of really 'value' was lost. We consider ourselves very lucky.

So that has kept me pretty busy for a while. We are working on putting our lives back in order and with God's help we will get there soon.

Happy landings!

A Strange Thing Happened on the way to the Forum

Last week when I made my way to my blog, each attempt to access was met with the screen jumping to some other blog. Alway the same one. Sort of 'dark' appearing if you know what I mean. I could not figure out what happened or how to fix it. Worst part was how guilty I felt for not feeding the fish for so long (I really do know they are not real fish).

Anyway, today it is all better. I have given up trying to explain the weird things that sometimes occur with technology. I have better things to do.

So, it's nice to be back! The fish have been fed (twice)! And all seems right with the world or at least this little bitty corner of it.

Enjoy the day!