A Big Picture

Sometimes the way G-d works in life is truly amazing.  There have simply been too many coincidences that have happened for it to be just one big game of chance.  A a wise man once said, "a coincidence is a miracle when G-d chooses to remain anonymous".

My relationship with G-d has been superficial mostly.  I pray- of course- but my prayers were inconsistent.  There are very few specific prayers I like- I love the prayer of St. Francis.

For a former Catholic School student I have read appalling little of the Bible.  I have memorized absolutely no verses.

A great friend invited me to do a Bible Study with her.  I have never really read the Bible- and that which I did read was read like any other book.  I certainly am not a good candidate for a Bible study.

Showing up at this Bible study was baffling.  There were people who were actually planning on memorizing a whole book in the Bible.  I cannot even remember my neighbors phone number.  No, I will not be memorizing the book.

I have been searching for how to bring G-d into my daily life as opposed to one hour on the Sunday.  If we are to honor G-d and serve Him- shouldn't that be kind of a regular thing?  Shouldn't that be a focus rather than an after thought?

The way that G-d has brought some amazing and brilliant people into my life at the perfect time is remarkable, and I am so very thankful for the opportunities I have been given to deepen my connection with G-d.

I am still searching form my home faith.  I am learning more about what it is at least. 

If you have a crab put it in water

Oh my goodness.  My kids these days are really teaching me about patience and helping me develop more!

I remembered a lesson I learned as a kid, "If you have a crab put it in water"  This was in reference to getting a hermit crab to stop pinching, but it works just as well for people.

When you are feeling really short tempered and cross (thanks to Grandma for reminding me of that word) take a shower or a bath.  When your kids are going to drive you up the wall- put them in the bath. 

It really works.  There is something about water that is so inherently soothing it can help relieve stress and tension.  It works for sick kids (and teethers). 

All in a days work

"can we get rid of some of these bags?" ~Almostsingle Husband
"Why do you always pick on my bags?" ~Almostsinglemom

I'll admit that I save gift bags.. hoard maybe. But they had been in the basement closet for a long time where we generally put stuff that has no other home

They were in their home (maybe taking over like an invasive species)

Somehow weeding out the bags turned into cleaning out that closet- and the crawl space

Then the dog (White Fang)got out (because the dog always gets out) she was caught thanks to the fast feet of almost single husband and my remarkable ability to get 5 kids buckled in the car with 2 dog leashes and phones and on the way in 5 minutes. 

White Fang was caught a block from home trying to kill herself crossing the road. 

Princess wept over animal rights.

Peas had a tantrum or epic (even for her) over a pickle which probably scared our neighbors.

And now it is lunch time.

Flip flops, stillettos, and climbing fences.

White Fang- our Siberian Husky has a penchant for escape.  She considers it an art form perhaps.

Whenever she is inside she is begging to go outside.  Whenever she is outside she is either attempting to escape or sunning herself

We put in a new fence, put in an electric fence and have tethered her in an attempt to keep the dog contained, with limited success.

She knows how to open the screen door and nose open the bigger door if it is slightly ajar. 

Friday night, most of my family was out to dinner. Princess was at a birthday party. 

After buckling LittleDude in his seat, I went to put the dogs in their 'house'- crate- White Fang ran for it.  Out the door and to the fence. 

I called for her unsuccessfully from the backyard, but heard her collar so I knew she was close. 

Here is where the lesson comes in.  Climbing a fence in flip-flops is not a good idea. There is limited traction and there is limited stability to be had leading to unnecessary injuries.

Thank Heavens our neighbors helped me get her back.

The show would repeat the following day while I was wearing stilettos- again- not a wise footwear choice. 

Wanting more

I have been pretty open that my faith/religious relationship with Gd is not very deep.

It seems so fake to go to worship for an hour a week then leave and be done with acknowledging Gd at most before meals.

What about being grateful for everything we have been blessed with? What about serving our Gd? What about our responsibility to give to those less fortunate? Or to help?

Why does that end so soon after services? What do you so of you want more?

September 11. again

This day just insists on coming every year doesn't it.

I am, as always immensely, indescribably thankful for the sacrifice the FDNY, NYPD, and our military service members and families have made and continue to make.

There are no words to say what I want to say.  So I will leave it at - Thank You.  You will not be forgotten. 

Terrorists have not won.  They cannot win.  Hope is so much more powerful than fear.  Love so much enduring than hate.

I am not a bitch. Really.

I am not a bitch, really, even though I seem like one (and act like one). I am really not.

For the longest time I thought I was just a crabby pain in the butt and very mean. But you know what? I am not.

So many people (family members included) told me I was just a mean person.

I was talking to my doctor about all of these symptoms I was having, headaches, irritability, actual nervousness, catastrophic thinking, etc-- guess what. I am not a bitch. I have anxiety. Anxiety can be managed. Anxiety makes life hard.

It can make the nicest person ever seem like the Wicked Witch.

Anxiety does not always manifest as panic attacks- it can take many forms. Food for thought- almost all people who have anxiety also have depression- though again the manifestation is not classic. (Thanks Dr. Grim for that info - what an unfortunate name for a psychologist, huh??)