Escape

I typed this into the computer the other day:
Google Search: What to do in Miami without kids

This was the response:
Did you mean: What to do in Miami with kids?
What is the deal--not even the computer takes me seriously!?

No, I did not mean with kids.
David is going to Miami for work--someone wants him to teach a class--and I am going with him. We will be gone for two nights and have a great time. I am taking books, a good pillow, and some sunscreen.

I have been getting the schedule all set-up for us leaving the kids--they are going to be shipped out to several different places. It is nice to have Emily and Darren here. I'm trying to get them spread out so that no one person gets overwhelmed. It makes me realize how much I do--even though on some days it feels like I get absolutedly nothing done--one step forward, two steps back! We've got some great friends and the kids will have as much fun as me and David.

Happy Trails!

PS. I even got a new haircut--a real one. The lady that cuts my hair is great. It has been a bout year since I was in--she never comments about the self and husband aided haircuts in bewteen her good ones. When I walked into the house, the kids liked it and thought that I looked like Aunt Chris! That was a sweet compliment.

House Guests

We usually love guests and visitors, but I am fed up. We've had several uninvited, and unwelcome visitors that have out-stayed their welcome. We've had ant invasions every spring this year they seem to be especially bad--they are still here. We also have these darn moths that came in a bag of birdseed which sat in our warm, cozy china cupboard that was used as their breeding grounds. I thought we got rid of them, but we found another motherload when we removed a cabinet in the kitchen. (We just built some shelves so that we have more storage space--it will be great). Hopefully, this will take care of them. The latest and biggest has been something living in our bedroom wall. It chews and scratches at night at the depths of REM sleep. It has been exhausting--even the ear plugs don't help. David gets up and gives the wall a few good thumps in the appropriate spot, silencing the little critter for a few hours. At night, when we're half asleep we talk about what it might be and imagine the worst. During the day, with a little more sense, we think it is a squirrel working on securing a good shelter and storing up some food for the long winter. Maybe he is "trying to tell us something"!

DeBry Women

This photo was taken at Athena's wedding--she married Ben Petersen--you can read all about their sweet life as newlyweds on their blog on the side bar. Malinda is the only one not here--she must have been fulfilling her higher calling as a mom and already left the festivities headed for home with some worn out children. I wish she were in this picture--she is the tall book-end for the other side!

These are some great women. They could accomplish anything if they worked together and set there minds to a common good. They are sweet, intense, capable and know how to get what they want. (I think these are traits that the DeBry sisters were born with). They are determined, focused on high postive goals, and do not get distacted by things of the world. If you put them all in one room for any length of time there will be every range of emotions. It is fun to be with them. I love them and feel blessed to be a part of their lives. They inspire me to be better. Thanks for allowing me to be a part of your family.

New Look

I've just spent the last few hours re-doing the blog. It's been fun. David needed to do some "high-speed" stuff on the computer so he brought home a device that really has this computer screaming! I've decided to post several pictures that would otherwise take hours. I accidentally deleted our blog list, so I am still working on that. Anyway, my new header is a painting that I did a while back--in February for the Kingsport Art Show. I love to paint, but don't do it as often as I like, so I figured with an entry fee AND a deadline I would be sure to get something turned in. I laughed as I read on the entry form that the art work had to be dry--well, 20 minutes before the deadline, I had the blow dryer on high just inches from a wet canvas. I barely made it. I entered two paintings--the one of the family was accepted and the TN one was not. I have them both hanging in our home. It was fulfilling for me in more than one way.

We took the kids to the art show--there were some excellent works. They were so disappointed that I didn't get an award. They thought for sure that I should have won and that it was the best. Isn't that really what life is about--to have those you love the most be convinced that you are the BEST! It was a sweet moment for me. In our own little world we can all be loved and be the best at whatever we do.

The One Shoe Theory

Throughout the years, David and I have come up with several theories. The “One Shoe Theory” is one of mine specifically for Moms with young children.

Usually at our house it is hard, if not impossible to find two matching shoes, especially if they are smaller than size 4. The basic idea behind the theory is that if you can only find one shoe (or sock for that matter) just put it on. When you are out in public—really the only time you need shoes anyway and even that can be argued, it may seem strange to only be wearing one shoe. You wouldn’t believe how many nice folks point out that you have “lost a shoe” somewhere along the line. Little do they know that the other one is in the black hole of no return. Anyway, this keeps them from thinking or commenting on how you should keep your babies feet covered and what kind of a lame Mom would take their children out without proper foot wear.

Try it sometime. You will be amazed at how many people notice and helpfully point out that you have lost a shoe. It’s a good way to meet people—especially in the South. It doesn’t work so well with 8 year olds though.

Dreams

Some dreams are symbolic, warnings, and spiritual in nature. Others are not.

I’ve been having some strange ones lately.
We were in Cooke City, Montana (near Yellowstone Park) out in the wild near a lake just enjoying nature and the beautiful surroundings. We noticed that there were several buffalo in the area, but they were distant and just minding their own business. After a while of this peace we heard some strange animal noises—we thought that the buffalo were getting ready to charge us—well, they weren’t, they were being spooked by something big and headed the other way. For sure it must have been a grizzly! We were quickly “gathering our chicks” around us and running for the van when we saw a massive, very hairy YETI! It was so scary. Well we were safe in the van and ready to hit the road, when of course, David wants to track it and get some video. I was ticked, but of course here we are driving down this game trail in search of big foot.

Not too far down the road we spot the Yeti girlfriend who is sun-bathing in her turquoise-striped tankini. She was smaller, less hairy, but way more hostile. She was in a BAD mood. When she saw us she started charging and throwing rocks at us. After a few dents and a cracked windshield, David finally decided that was enough. He was backing up, while trying to turn the van around on a very small rocky steep trail. My heart was racing. We got a ways down the trail, when she caught up to us and ran up to the side of the van and took of the gas cap. Pretty sneaky, she must be used to snoopy tourists! So, David decided to send me out after the gas cap against Shera. I had the strength of a person on Fast Sunday and can’t seem to control my noodle appendages. I retrieved the gas cap and was struggling to get back in the van when Shera kept grabbing and pulling me. I was so scared—this is when I saved myself and everyone in the van when I forced myself to wake up and end the torture.

What a relief that it was about 5:00AM and I had already slept pretty good, so that it did not ruin a good night’s sleep. Those are hard to come by.

What is your interpretation??