If Only That Were True

You Are a Colon

You are very orderly and fact driven. You aren't concerned much with theories or dreams... only what's true or untrue. You are brilliant and incredibly learned. Anything you know is well researched. You like to make lists and sort through things step by step. You aren't subject to whim or emotions. Your friends see you as a constant source of knowledge and advice. (But they are a little sick of you being right all of the time!) You excel in: Leadership positions You get along best with: The Semi-Colon

What Punctuation Mark Are You?

(Hat tip: PalmtreePundit)

Addiction

If I had one thing that I would like to remove from this world, addiction would be it. I have a had a front row seat at the trainwreck of addiction. It is just gut-wrenching. The singularly most painful thing for loved ones to endure. With that experience, learning that it is happening to others pains my heart. Please take a moment to pray for those who are gripped by addiction. BUT PLEASE pray for those who are left to live in the wake of it.

Jeanne and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Ok, maybe I'm being a bit overdramatic, but today...well... it su**ed(the opposite of blew).

I had a very long, whiny post but I deleted it. (Believe me, that is indicative of much growth and maturity.) The bottom line is this: the least sucky part of my day is that I broke my toe.
A real assessment of this day in the grand scheme of life--I'm pretty darn blessed.

'Nuff said.

"Home" School

Today we have dermatologist appointments for the whole gang. (Living so close to the equator, we see the dermatologist as part of our annual physicals. ) With the kids having been gone for a week, I am anxious to get back on track with schooling. That means school on the road. As I grab the Logic DVDs for Boy-a-thon to watch, and rip the CD of Girl-a-thon's history book and put it on her iPod, I am struck by how much technology makes my life hum. We will actually be able to do our full day's work even though we will spend 2 hours away from home. What techno-goodies make your life hum?

Is this cool, or what?

The most amazing research is going to be done within Army hospitals on soldiers with lost limbs. Limb regeneration. Can you even imagine being able to regenerate a lost lomb? And no, this isn't from embryonic stem cells. It's from bovine bladder cells. Yep. Pig bladders. No worries--bovine tissues have been used in human surgeries for years and with a great track record. Check out this video (click on the video titled "Powder Mends Severed Finger").

There's also a great--but long--article here. An excerpt:

A few days after Lee Spievack canceled his appointment with the hand surgeon,
he received a package from his older brother containing a vial of powder that
looked like Kraft Parmesan cheese. His brother instructed him to sprinkle it on
his finger every other day until the powder was gone. A few days
went by, and Spievack could see something was happening. There was skin growing,
and tissue on the inside, too. His fingertip grew back. He doesn't much
think about his finger anymore, except when he clips his nails. He usually cuts
them once a week, but the new nail has to be clipped every two days.

What I Did on My Winter Vacation

All but Teen-A-Thon and I have been skiing in Utah for the past week. This has given me some much appreciated ALONE TIME. (That along with sleep are the only things I miss from the BK (Before Kids) life. So, not wanting to waste a grand opportunity, I have been having a very pleasant week. It has taken me 38 years, but I believe I have finally learned to balance time between stuff I should do and stuff I want to do. So! Here's what I've been up to:

1. Thanking God for a healthy family.
2. Volunteering at our church's school's open house. At lunch afterward, I realized that I cannot oder food without my husband. This, is a good thing, if you ask me! I rarely go out to eat without him, and I pretty much love all food. So he orders and I eat half of his food :-)
3. Enjoying one-on-one time with Teen-A-Thon as she prepares for delivery and placing her baby with a wonderful family.
4. Shopping for bedding, jeans that fit, and a pasta attachment for the KitchenAid. (AKA: Letting Teen-A-Thon have time alone at the house with her friend who moved back.)
5. Grading school work from the previous week, getting assignment sheets ready for the Kids-A-Thon return.
6. Having a long overdue lunch with a dear friend.
7. Beginning a new Latin curriculum--gotta stay ahead of the students!
8. Having a long overdue dinner with another great friend.
9. Getting a massage
10. Touring Doris Duke's home, Shangri-La, with a dear friend.
11. Pilates. Elliptical.
12. Waxing.
13. Seeing the movie Juno with a great friend--You really have to see that movie.
14. Shampooing living room carpet, Girl-A-Thon's rug, and desk chair. (It really is gross that that is all in there!)
15. Reviewing school schedule for next year.
16. Preparing to form an Omnibus I hui with some of the most fantastic women you could ever hope to know.

Wow, am I blessed in the friend department, or what?

The list is not exhaustive, but as I see it there, it probably does lean a little heavily to the want to do side of life. But I'm okay with that. I know that when my home is again full, that list leans plenty far the other way.

I've also learned or remembered a few things this week:

• I cannot order food out without my husband.
• My entire life revolves around my husband and children--this is a GOOD thing, by the way.
• God has given me a life rich in friendships, full of good work, and blessed beyond measure.

So, any young moms who are at times overwhelmed, know that it is truly a season. We do get our alone time back--in spurts. And I wouldn't change a thing. Before I know it, five or six years will have blipped by, and I will have more alone time than I know what to do with!