Are We Still Laughing??

It's been a trying day!! I actually came close to a full meltdown-- in the parking lot of the bank, but I squared my shoulders and reminded myself of the post I wrote JUST THIS MORNING.  This is NOT what defines me.... HOWEVER.... there are times when I just thwack my forehead and cry 'Good Grief!! Can it get any worse?" (don't answer that-- I know it can and I am grateful that today, it didn't!!)

I mentioned earlier in the week about getting our checking account garnished.... and how my bank account became a little trampoline for the handful of checks that trickled in right after this offense occurred. I made it to the bank today with deposits to make, to stop the bouncing and also pay some bills. Only to discover that the hubby's check was written wrong.... One amount written in the $$ line and another amount written in the cursive line. About a $300 difference. Not in our favor. OUCH. It can and will be rectified and soon but it was still a sharp disappointment as I had my list of 'things to do' and I want to check those things OFF the list and move on to the next one. Some re-configuring had to be done....
OK, next!

I then learned that a couple of other checks had come into the trampoline account and they didn't just bounce-- they boomeranged. Yes. And get this-- one of those was my TITHE check!! It got sent back!!! On the one hand,  my church exemplifies grace and this is a situation where grace is needed. On the other hand, it's more than just a little humbling-- more like mortifying-- to call your church office and explain things. Aagh.

I was so rattled by all of this I couldn't think straight so trying to figure out how much money needed to be deposited and how much to take out in cash resulted in me withdrawing more than I should have, and then walking back into the bank about 5 minutes later to deposit what I just withdrew! Oh, and as I was getting out of my car to go back in, the wind whipped my piece of paper with my list on it,  and the corner of it jabbed me right in the eye!! Really?? Yes, really!! I walked back into the bank, with tears flowing from my poor eye-- not because I was crying- but because this is what an eye does when it's poked. however the young man who was helping me at the teller window was probably freaked out by a weeping woman!!

By the time I got to my car again with hopefully, all things where they should be, I was thinking chocolate or retail therapy or  wine--- something that would calm me down!! I opted to text my sister instead and by accident sent her half of the text before it was written prompting her to wonder what in the heck was going on!!

Oh, my. Finally I was calm and thinking clearly, although my eye was still smarting-- and watering. I got my groceries and got both a strapping young lad to carry my bags to the car for me, AND because I spent over $50 I got a FREE grocery tote bag! Whoop-- whoop!! I don't like the new plastic bag ban that has come to our big city because my tote bags hold twice as much as the plastic bags did, which means I need more strapping young men in my life, not more tote bags. But that's a topic for another day. Meanwhile, I know it's 5o'clock somewhere and whether it's half full or half empty, there's definitely room for more!!!

You Just Have to Laugh

They say laughing is like aerobics for our insides. I love to laugh. 

I love to feel my insides jiggle and jog and I giggle and snort.

 I am blessed to be married to a man who makes me laugh... 

even when I'm grumpy, tired, or, angry. I mean, look at this face---

just the fact that he would willingly hop in the cart and ride the wild pony ride with me says a lot, but the man totally gets into it!! It reminds me of a time we were vacationing on Lopez Island and we stopped to explore a sweet little church perched a top a hill... and the hill was so perfectly sloped for rolling down that to not roll down it would have been a sin, and who wants to sin in a church yard for heaven's sake?! I said "Let's roll down the hill!" and I really didn't expect or even think he WOULD but he DID. I chuckle just thinking about that day.... (and I wish I had pictures.....)

Well, this has been a week where laughter has saved me. So many things have gone awry. Or not come to fruition. We've been handed some disappointments and frustrations. Faced some uncertainties and been a little afraid. Not that this is anything NEW. Not in our life anyway. Welcome to the New Normal it would seem, to have life be so upside-down. So whaddaya gonna do? It's much better to laugh about it than to stay home and pout. Pity Parties are NOT ALLOWED.

I will admit that I struggle often with self image or self confidence. Too often I have let people or circumstances define me. Finding my self worth in the eyes of other people is dangerous. What if they don't like what I am wearing? What if they don't like ME? During my school years I was defined by the circle of friends I had or did not have. During my 1st marriage I let his abusive behavior define me. I struggled hard to find things to laugh about, believing it was easier to laugh than to cry. And I had learned early on that being a sort of clown gave me some control over how people responded to me. Much better to have them laughing at me because I was funny, then to laugh at me because I was a freak!

As my husband and I were driving to a family function the other day we both admitted to the stress we were feeling before we even arrived, knowing certain people would be present. People who often make us feel like we are gum stuck to the bottom of their shoe. And I was reminded of that quote attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt about how no one can make you feel inferior without your consent. We started thinking about whether or not we'd been giving people permission to treat us as inferior.... really examining that, and we decided we needed to be more pro-active about not letting this happen.

Ultimately my identity is found in Jesus Christ. I've been redeemed, washed clean, set apart and made whole, holy and blameless as I stand before His Throne of Grace. I need to remind myself of this daily, moment by moment some days. I was quiet that day at the family gathering, preferring to sit and observe and every time the little nagging voice of low self esteem whispered an assault, I was quick to kick it to the curb with the sacred reminder that THAT was NOT who I was. I am accepted. I am secure. I am significant. I am free. It was amazing what reminding myself of this did for me! I felt peace in the day and I found much to laugh about too.

I am really always trying to see my glass as half full. 

I think I do a pretty good job. Yes, I fail occasionally. 

That's what the wine is for. 

Welcome to Burke's Cafe; a real hole-in-the-wall establishment

Recipe for laughter and fun: Take 5 couples of all ages and various stages of life, add a potluck supper and misc. board games and mix well. Serve with lots of laughter in an open room. 

Last night we were able to do something we have talked and talked and talked about doing. Something we could NOT have done a week ago. We invited some friends over for a potluck supper and game night and watched the crowd spill across the room from dining to living room with ease. That hole in the wall made it possible.

In the past we would have been divided up between rooms making real connections between the couples more challenging. In times past we would not have invited that many people to our home!

well, Okay, we might have had our family over and that would have been a large crowd and at that point the walls dividing some of us would have been needed and much appreciated. LOL.

"no matter where I serve my guests, they seem to like my kitchen best"

 I like that we could even set up a card table for some folks and still feel connected to the group around the dining room table.

serious chatter happening here

 And even with everyone congregating in one area, it didn't feel tight and claustrophobic.

After dinner it was into the living room for a rousing game of Taboo.

Good times. Good people.

Getting Ready to GO!!

I was just thinking how many trips have Bruce and I taken together... quite a few actually...
honeymoon to the San Juan's,
road trip to S. CA for Christmas,
Montana  for my birthday,
Vacations at Priest Lake, Idaho, Astoria, Oregon and Revelstoke BC.
Camp-outs-- both tent and trailer,
working vacations,
One fabulous anniversary cruise
and big out of the country trips to Costa Rica and Macedonia...

Things we like to do on our trips, even the day trips, include; stopping at espresso stands, honking as we drive thru tunnels, pulling over on the wide side of the road and napping, taking lots of pictures, reading license plates and singing loudly badly.

We travel well together, Bruce does the majority of the driving and I read the maps. We share a "far side" bent of humor, get sillier as we get tired, and don't mind frequent stops.

Bruce has seen me at my worst... the meltdown-deer-in-the-headlight-glaze-over when we finally arrived in Costa Rica; the overwhelming fatigue and out of the comfort zone practically crippling me.... he has seen me at my best... skipping, clapping, laughing with joy in my heart as we played in the Enchanted Forest comes to mind.

I have seen him slay dragons as we venture into unknown territory-- like holidays with my side of the family...  he is Mr. Gallant and Mr. Romantic, with a good size portion of Mr. Silly thrown in for good measure...

We have experienced camp outs where we forgot the tent, didn't have reservations, got rained out and missed the ferry.... we have had experiences-- both good and bad-- with stays in hostels.... and hotels..... found some of the best fish n chip places ever, toured some cool museums, stood near some awesome waterfalls  and walked a few beaches.....

We have enjoyed the vacations, treasured the celebrations and grown from the stretching of mission oriented travels. And I look forward to many many more trips together... 

time to pack!

another long day

or, lessons in patience...

Surgery did not happen today despite best laid plans. The surgeon examined the 'hammer toe" on mom's foot and revised the treatment plan. more tests and conclusion is, the little piggie that had roast beef has to go. it will actually be a relief and blessing in the long run as her poor foot is indeed 'hammered'. so tomorrow is the new surgery date and they will amputate and repair the breaks to the ankle. A two-fer... or maybe it's a Toe-fer... sorry, rummy head after so little sleep!!

She endured endless poking and prodding, lost count of the amount of Xrays, a trip to the vascular center for tests there and then a re-setting of the ankle in its temporary cast/splint as the bone had shifted. Thank God for pain meds.

>OK< a little more humor because that is how my family gets through it...
the surgeon's name is Dr. Holstein. Yes, like the cow. His partner in the ortho office is Dr. Wu. So they call them Wu and Moo. On wait, it gets better. Mom's primary care physicians name is..... Dr Goo!!! Seriously. We laughed so hard when we lined this all up today. Thank you Lord for things to laugh about in the midst of stress and worry!!

Heading to bed to try and catch up on what I lost last night so that tomorrow we can head back to the hospital and do it again. No idea on surgery time but sometime in the afternoon is our best guess.

We had a few people drop by; pastor from her old church, friend from her small group and one of my old friends from school... lots of phone calls and facebook messages. I know mom is feeling the love and for that I am truly thankful.