Thanks for Thinking About Us!

Hey there! I'm back from the depths of our basement. I'm sorry it has taken me so long to get on here and update everyone. We are all just fine up here. Tired, but fine! Thank you so much to all of you who have been thinking about or praying for us. It means so much to me! The flooding that was near us wasn't nearly as bad as the flooding people in the northern part of the state experienced. Downtown Des Moines was a little flooded, but that was because they let the flood gates down on one of the larger lakes in this part of the state. We live in a suburb of Des Moines, and there was really no flooding at all so to speak in the suburbs. Well, except for a few basements, ours included. We live at the bottom of a hill, and bottom of hill + faulty sump pump=plenty o' water! But, like I said, not as much water as the people who live in the northern part of the state had to deal with. I mean, we had several inches of water throughout our entire basement, but some of the people in the northern part of the state had several FEET of water in their houses. Many people up there lost everything they owned. It really is a disaster area up there, and it puts our little basement mess into some perspective!!

Other than that little update, I have nothing to blog about. Well, at least nothing interesting. I mean, I could tell you about what a wimp I am. I could tell you how I could barely take a shower this morning because it hurt to lift my arms above my head. I mean, who knew I had so many muscles in my shoulders and back. Or, I could tell you about how many times I've talked to my insurance agent, or how I had to argue with the waste management people to get a dumpster delivered. Or, I could tell you about how many gallons of bleach I've purchased for the great basement clean-up. But, those things aren't really that interesting. In fact, they are not interesting at all!

So, instead, I have a little poll for you all. W's birthday is in less than two months. He will be eleven. He only has one item on his birthday list (so far): a cell phone. Now, I don't think he is even close to being old enough to have a cell phone. I mean, why in the world would an eleven year old need a cell phone? When I ask him this, W. tells me, "But, mom, all my friends have one." Well, I don't know about you, but that isn't really a reason to me. I can think of some reasons why having a cell phone would be beneficial--he would always have a way to call if he was in trouble, but I'm not sure that outweighs the reasons not to have a cell phone. So, what do you think? What is the proper age to get a child a cell phone. I mean, maybe I'm right, or maybe I'm out of touch with the current generation (I mean, I remember knowing all the words to "Parents Just Don't Understand"). I was way older than eleven when I got my first cell phone. Of course, that could have been because they hadn't been invented when I was eleven. And, let's not even talk about the fact that when I did get one, it was the size of a small child. Oh, come on, tell me you remember how big cell phones were way back then??? Anyway, I would love your opinions, so let me have them!

Time Warp

Well, yesterday was day 2 of the great basement flood clean-up, and last night we tackled the extra large storage closet, also known as the time warp. Let's just say that after I entered the time warp I felt a little like Brendan Fraser in Blast from The Past. (Yes, I know, I'm probably the only person on the planet who sat through that entire movie. I didn't see it at the theater though, which was probably good because I got way too excited during the swing dancing scene. But, as usual, I digress...) Upon entering the time warp, I quickly realized that I was no longer in the year 2008. No, it was quite obvious that I had, in fact, been transported back in time to the year Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Two.

Yep, I think my entire childhood was contained in that storage closet, and here is just a sampling of the things I found in the time warp.

1. My dance costumes for each of the years I danced, including an entire bag full of dance shoes.

2. A box of Barbie dolls and Barbie doll clothes, including a pair of stylin' Barbie cowgirl boots.

(I only wish mine were still in the original boxes!)

3. One of my softball uniforms, complete with glove and cleats.

4. Chatty Patty. Anyone else remember her? I tried to find a picture of her on the internet, but couldn't find a good one.

And,

5. Every piece of Strawberry Shortcake and Cabbage Patch Kid paraphernalia I ever owned. Oh yeah, vintage, early 1980s, baby.

I had completely forgotten that I even had most of this stuff, and now that it is sitting in the middle of my living room floor, I'm wondering why I still have all of this stuff. I mean, it is very unlikely that I am going to play softball in my pointe shoes, or that I am going to play with Strawberry Shortcake's Berry Happy Home anytime soon. Maybe I should give it away or sell it? What do you all think? Do you still have your childhood in boxes, or have you parted with it yet? And, even if you have parted with it, what was your favorite childhood toy?

Just as a side note, I will say, however, that I am holding out hope that my Easy Bake Oven and Atari 2600 are in one of those boxes. Because I would totally bake George a cake and then kick his behind at Pac-Man. That would be kickin', don't you think?

I Can Tell You One Thing...

Noah did not build our house.

I came home from church yesterday morning to find standing water in our basement. We have been getting so much rain lately, like 3" in an hour and a half yesterday morning, and most of it came right on into our basement. I guess our sump pump failed, and that caused our problem. At first I thought the water was contained to one room, but it wasn't. Our basement is fully finished, and the water was in three of the four rooms. So we spent ten hours yesterday, ripping up carpet and moving furniture and other things off of the floor.

I don't know if you have every tried cutting wet carpet with a box cutter and then trying to rip it up off the floor. If you have, God bless you. I feel your pain. If you haven't, and the need ever arises, I think you can hire people to do that. FIND THEM!! When we weren't cutting carpet and moving furniture, we were sucking a gabillion gallons of water off the floor with our shopvacs. Needless to say, it was a LONG, hard day.

Since I am ever the optimist (well, except for yesterday. Not so much then. But I have more perpective now...), here are a few positive things and/or things you can learn when having a flood in your basement.

1. Count your blessings for every item that was not destroyed by the flood waters. It will really take your mind off of the things that are ruined.

2. When you buy brand new book cases, don't put them in your basement...EVER. But, be thankful that even though the book cases don't look so good now, the flood waters didn't get high enough to get to your books.

3. Take time to realize just how (physically) strong you really are. After many hours of demonstrating your amazing strength, it may be appropriate to do the happy dance. I would suggest, however, that you don't wait to do the happy dance until the next morning...because you might be too sore to get out of bed and dance.

4. Be thankful that you actually went to the grocery store the day before, and that you were already cooking enough food to feed an army. That way you were prepared to feed your family members who came to help you.

5. There's nothing like kicking the deep cleaning into overdrive. It may be forced, but at least this way, the cleaning will be done before 2025.

6. Now you have a legitimate excuse not to use the treadmill.

7. When in a moment of weakness, you have substantially overpaid for a pair of shoes, always remember to put them back in their proper place. Do not take them off and leave them on the floor, thinking you'll put them away tomorrow.

8. And, last, but not certainly not least, now you can do what every woman was born to do. Go SHOPPING!!



So, ladies, that's what I did this weekend. How about you? How was your weekend?

Some Random Stuff About Me

A'right. It's Thursday, and that is awesome. W. started his summer camp today, and he's excited to hang out with his friends. I'm SWAMPED at work right now. In fact, I have a million things running through my head that I need to accomplish, but right now, I want to spend some time with you. So, that's what I'm doing. My sweet friend Kelly posted a questionnaire on her blog, and I thought I would participate. So, here goes...

Favorite Person (outside of family)? There is no way I can pick just one person. I know you are probably sick of reading about how much I love my friends, but it is true. I do love my friends, especially my girlfriends. I love how each one has a unique personality and is uniquely gifted. I learn so much from each of my friends, and I love them all. I just don't believe that you can ever have too many friends, and I love making new ones. So there. My favorite people are my friends, especially my girlfriends!

Favorite Food? You have got to be kidding me. I have to choose one? That's just not fair. That's kind of like asking a mother which one of her children she loves more. I suppose if I HAD to choose, I would probably say steak. I love a yummy steak, as long as it is cooked correctly!

Quirks About You? This question would probably be better posed to George. I'm more than likely biased. Of course, he may be afraid to tell the truth for fear of ugly repercussions, so maybe I need to answer after all...Alright then, I would say I'm truly geeky, I like to make up my own words, I've been known to bust out in song at random moments in time (and, yes, I dance too), I play with my eyelashes when I'm tired, and I can carry on conversations in my sleep.

Regrets in Life? Absolutely. I know that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28. But, I wish I had given God more cooperation along the way. God really has worked a lot of junk in my past for the good, and here I am now. So, it's not all a loss. I am forever thankful for God's grace and mercy!

Favorite Blog Recently? See, Answer to question number 1. All of them! I love learning about each of you.

What Job Would You Pay NOT to Have? Anything that has to do with or is in anyway connected to a circus. Well, except maybe the trapeze artist...

Favorite Bible Verse Right Now? "John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.' " John 1:23. Why? Because I want to point the people in my life to Jesus. Instead of attempting to fix everything for them, I just need to point them to Jesus. Oh, and it's currently my favorite verse because it's one of the verses for the Bible study I'm doing with CAROLINE!!! She is so cute, and so is her voice! I can't wait to study this with you, girlfriend!

Got Any Confessions? Ha ha, ha ha, ha. Wouldn't you like to know?

If You HAD to Spend $1,000.00 on Yourself, How Would You Spend It? Oh, let's see. Spa treatments, skin care products, and personal training sessions.

Favorite Thing About Your House? Being in close proximity to those I love most in the world...My pictures of Jon Bon Jovi. Ha! Just kidding people; it's just a joke. No, seriously, I love being around my boys. I wouldn't trade them for anything.

One Thing You Are Bad At? One, only one? Well, I am terrible at relinquishing control. And, I am terrible about living without structure. Let's just say, I love itineraries.

One Thing You Are Good At? Talking. I love to talk, and I can do all kinds of talk. I can talk nice, or I can argue with you. Whatever you prefer. I guess that's why I went to law school. Well, that and Ally McBeal.

If You Could Change Anything About Your Circumstances, What Would You Change? Sisters, I would get a new job. Hands down, that's what I'd change!

Who Would You Like To Meet Someday? I want to meet any of you that I haven't met, of course. I would also love to meet Beth Moore.

Who Is Your Real Life Hero? Well, if you're talking about an earthly hero, I've been asked this before, and I really don't know. We all come from such different backgrounds and circumstances. Some of us have had it easier than others, but we all face troubles, and we've all overcome something. I admire everyone who has struggled to overcome something in her life, or is still struggling with it, but hasn't given up. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I can't pick an earthly person. I admire so many people for so many different reasons. If He can be real, and alive, but not earthly, then my Hero is Jesus. Because He is worthy!

When Are You Most Relaxed? When I'm with the people I love.

What Stresses You Out? Ha! L-I-F-E, baby! It all has a tendency to stress me out, but if I had to pick one thing, right now it would be my place of employment.

Why Do You Blog? I started this blog on a whim. I just thought I could write about random things that were going on in my life, and obviously, that is exactly what I do. But, I would have never stuck with it if my friends hadn't been faithful readers, and if I hadn't made some great blog friends. It's really a funny thing, these blogs. Even though I've never met most of you, I feel as if I know you. And, I really do consider you to be my friends. Maybe you don't feel the same way, and if you don't, please don't tell me, but you're all friends to me. And, you're all just as dear to me as the wonderful, marvelous, and amazing friends I am blessed to see on a regular basis. So, I blog because it's all about the bike. Just kidding. It's all about you, girlfriends, and I love you!

School's Out for Summer

It's official. School's out for the summer. W. had his last day of fifth grade yesterday. I seriously cannot believe that he will be in the sixth grade next year. He keeps getting older and older, and I guess that means I do, too. On some days I feel like I'm getting older, but on other days I don't. Does anyone know what I mean? I mean, when I was younger, I don't think I ever pictured myself being any older than 21, and even though I am older than that now, a lot of days I don't feel like it. Anybody else?

Anyway, like I said W. out of school for the summer. He's already living the life of leisure. He didn't roll out of bed until 9:45 this morning. Nice. From now on he'll be swimming, bowling, and hanging out with his friends almost every day. But, I don't think he should have all the summer fun. So, I have been brainstorming ways I can feel like I am on summer vacation, too. So, here's what I came up with so far.

1. I could wear my sunglasses all day in my office. You know, pretend the florescent lights are really the sun. (Potential problems. The people I work with might think that I have a hangover or that I've gone blind. Either way that could cause problems...)

2. I could buy a bunch of those little drink swords, put a couple cherries on them, and put them in my cups of coffee. (Potential problems. I think the little swords would be smaller than my giganto coffee cup. They might, therefore, be a choking hazard. I wonder if the little umbrellas would work better?)

3. I could get an ice cream cone or a cherry coke (or both) from the pharmacy near my office. You see, one of the longest, locally owned pharmacies is near my office. That's really not all that exciting (unless you like to shop local, like I do), until you realize that they have a SODA FOUNTAIN!! Not only do they have homemade ice cream that is to die for, they also make real cherry cokes. You know REAL cherry cokes with lots of syrup and stuff. YUM!!! (Potential problems. I would have to find a way to unchain myself from my desk, and if I managed to get that accomplished, I would have to push my way through the throng of junior high kids who hang at at the soda fountain every day. Well, until they learn not to mess with the old lady and her ice cream cone...)

4. I could come to work dressed in beach gear. You know, swimsuit, cover-up, flip flops, a big straw hat, and, of course, sunscreen, including a big, white stripe of it down my nose. (Potential problems. I don't think that qualifies at courtroom appropriate attire. Maybe if I wore high heels instead of flip flops?)

5. OK, if I couldn't come completely decked out in beach gear, maybe I could at least wear floaties on my arms. (Potential problems. I'm not sure I would get past courthouse security, and that could be bad. Very, very bad...)

Alright, it looks like I'm striking out here. What are you going to do to get into the summer fun? Do you have any ideas for me?

This is Your Brain on VH1

OK ya'll. If you are expecting deep thoughts, you have come to the wrong place today. I just got done watching five--yes, count them 1, 2, 3, 4, 5--hours of VH1 Classic. (Well, I watched it last night--when I started this post.) I really couldn't help myself, they were counting down the top 100 songs of the 1980s. Hello. What could be better than that? Well, watching it with a ten-year old. That's what. Because what kind of trip down memory lane isn't enhanced by comments made by someone who is younger than some of my shoes. What? You think I'm kidding? Au contraire, mademoiselle. See for yourself.

Hour 1 of the 100 Greatest Songs of the 1980s brought such hits as "Down Under," "Working For the Weekend," "Walking on Sunshine," and "Everybody Have Fun Tonight." It also, however, brought Debbie Gibson's "Only in My Dreams." Oh, come on. You remember that song, don't you? Because I do. Apparently, I still know all the words. And, that prompted the ten-year old to ask, "What is this??" As if it was sub-standard music or something. OK, OK, maybe you can't argue with everything the ten-year old says.

But, during hour 1 of my 80s lovefest, we also heard such classics like "Addicted to Love," "All Night Long," "Ain't Nobody," and "Rock Me Amadeus." (Oh, yes, Falco's in the house). We also heard "Word Up" which, of course, prompted me to waive my hands in the air like I didn't care. I even did it in time with Cameo. And, my awesome display of insyncness prompted this question from the ten year-old, "How do you remember that dance from over twenty years ago?" Please hear me. *Clearing my throat loudly.*

During hour 2, we heard more musical classics such as "Candy Girl," "Call Me," "99 Luftballoons," "One Thing Leads to Another," and the queen of the break-up mixed tape, "I Want to Know What Love Is." We also heard "It Takes Two," and you may have noticed that I have a soft spot in my heart for old school rap. The ten-year old, however, was neither impressed with my rapping ability nor my ability to pantomime spinning the turntables.

As an aside, I was pleased to see that the ten year old had somewhere along the way learned the lyrics to "I Love Rock N' Roll." Well, at least to the chorus. And, I'm sure that would have made Joan Jett proud.

Hour 3 of my lovefest brought songs such as "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)," "Fight for Your Right," (I *heart* Mike D. I know I do because it is written all over my algebra notebook), "London Calling," and "Total Eclipse of The Heart." We also heard "Mickey" which, of course, prompted me to do an impromptu cheerleading routine. I even included a couple of cartwheels to which the ten-year old responded, "Mom, are you sure you should be doing that? You might hurt yourself." *Clearing my throat loudly.* After catching my breath, I said "I'm not gonna take it." And, then I did my best Dee Snyder impression. It would have worked better if I had longer hair or had been wearing a lot more makeup. A lot more makeup.

Hour 4 contained even more wonderful songs from the 80s. We heard a little Wham with "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go." We also heard "Love Shack," "I Melt With You," "Too Shy" (Because who doesn't love a band that's named Kajagoogoo), and "Girls Just Want to Have Fun." But when the Cure's "Just Like Heaven" came on, W. asked me, "Mom, are you a goth?" Um, no. Even though I do where a lot of black. But that has to do with the size of my hips. And, I'm pretty sure that goths didn't exist, at least by that name in the 80s, did they? But, more importantly, how does a ten-year old know what a goth is???

Finally, hour five. Yes, the top 20 songs from the 1980s. Because we all wanted to "Walk Like An Egyptian" while we "Walk[ed] This Way." And, I would still do that "With Or Without You" even though "Billie Jean" is not my lover and even though I'm "Hungry Like the Wolf." When they announced the number 1 song of the 80s, W. asked me, "Mom, why are you jumping up and down, yelling so loudly." Because. Because that's what you do when Jon Bon Jovi is on TV. Oh, yes it is. I've been doing that since 1986. And, I'll keep doing it for as long as I'm able to jump up and down. Because I *heart* *heart* *heart* Jon Bon Jovi. What about you? What band did you *heart* in the 80s?

Birthday Shout Out

Today is my friend Stephanie's Birthday.

Steph and I went to high school together. We bonded immediately because (1) we both drove Buicks and (2) we both bought our make-up from Merle Norman. Yes, nothing says BFFs quite like the Merle Norman 2-in-1 lipstick/lipliner pencils and grannymobiles. While there have been many years and many miles put between us since the day we first met, my life is forever changed because of our friendship. I have such great memories of times we have spent together, and I cherish every one of them. Happy, happy birthday, Steph. Here's to being forever 29!