Looooong Weekend

Only a couple of more hours, and I have four long days off!  YAY!!!  I must say I am a little bit disappointed that I am not spending the 4th at the beach or the lakehouse, but I am sure we will stay busy nonetheless.  Brent is fishing this afternoon, and I plan on going home, pouring a glass of wine, and taking my time cooking us a late dinner.  Tomorrow I have errands to run all day, and we have a 4th of July party to go to at some friends' house.  Sunday, my MIL is moving and we have committed to helping her for the day (fun fun).  We really have no set plans for Monday and Tuesday, which is fine with me.  I think we may just take the boat out Tuesday night and have a dinner picnic watching the fireworks.  Brent has found a house on the lake for sale that he keeps wanting me to see, but he can't figure out how to get to it by land - only by water.  So if the traffic isn't too terribly bad on the lake, we may go check that out.

Hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th!!!!!! 

The 4th of July

Here is Robin's Five.........

   If you want to play all you do is cut and paste these questions into your journal. (there is no deadline as to when you can do "The 5'er) When you have answered them come back and leave a link in ROBIN'S comment section. 

LET'S PLAY!!!

1. Where do you plan on spending the fourth of July?

Hmmm - don't really have plans actually on the 4th.  We are going to a friend's house to a cookout/party on Saturday the 1st.  We will probably just shoot fireworks with the neighbors and stay close to home on the 4th.

2. Tell us about a memorable 4th for you.

The lake, fireworks, alcohol, a bonfire, a grill, and steaks......Need I say more?

3.  What screams independence day to you? 

The flag, Lee Greenwood singing "Proud to be an American, military uniforms, cookouts, hot dogs, corn on the cobb, hot weather, fireworks,family,friends,the Pledge of Allegiance, and FREEDOM!!!

4. If you could tell a military person anything what would you say?

Thank you from the bottom of my heart....Too often we take for granted what we have.  More often, we need to stop and remember that it is all of the military men and women, past and present, who have fought to give us as American's the rights and freedoms that we have. God bless you all.

5. Have you put out anything red, white and blue or do you plan too?

The flag, my Old Navy tank top with the flag on it, and of course, like Hadon, my flag undies ;)

 

Thanks for playing and God Bless America!

I'm No Martha Stewart......Well, Maybe A Little

I just cooked (for the first time) green beans that I actually PICKED from a garden, STRUNG myself, and SNAPPED by hand.  Hmmmmm.  When did I turn into my mother?  I thought I was supposed to be out partying it up, not preparing freshly picked vegetables.  WTH?  LOL

And Yet Another One...

Lelly said I have to do the survey before cleaning house- better late than never - here ya go, Lelly....

 

What curse word do you use the most?  SH**

Do you own an iPod?  No

 

Who on your MySpace “Top 8” do you talk to the most?  I don't have a Myspace account - started one, but deleted it - not my thing - more of a pick-up joint. (and I feel soo loyal to AOL journals ;)                           

 

What time is your alarm clock set for?  7 am

 

What color is your room? Goldish-khaki walls, with neutral, earthy tones

 

Flip flops or sneakers?  FLIP FLOPS

 

Would you rather take the picture or be in the picture?  Take the picture

 

What was the last movie you watched?  "Flight 93", last night, a tear-jerker, brough 911 all back - DAMN terrorists!!

 

Do any of your friends have children?   Yes

 

Has anyone ever called you lazy?   Not anyone that really knew me

 

Do you ever take medication to help you fall asleep faster?  Yes

 

What CD is currently in your CD player?  Elton John

 

Do you prefer regular or chocolate milk? Neither, really.  I don't drink milk, only cook with it.

 

Has anyone told you a secret this week?  No

 

Have you ever given someone a hickey?  Many years ago

 

Who was the last person to call you?  Jenn

 

Do you think people talk about you behind your back?  I am sure they do..........

 

Did you watch cartoons as a child?  Yes

 

How many siblings do you have?  One sister

 

Are you shy around the opposite sex?  No

 

What movie do you know every line to?  Every line??? None!

 

Do you own any band t-shirts?  Yes

 

What is your favorite salad dressing?  Bleu cheese

 

Do you read for fun? Yes

 

Do you cry a lot?  Sometimes, depending on the time of the month ;)

 

Who was the last person to text message you?  Brent

 

Do you have a desktop computer or a laptop?  We have both

 

Are you currently wanting any piercings or tattoo?  No more piercings, maybe another tattoo

 

What is the weather like? Just imagine being in a sauna.....

 

Would you ever date someone covered in tattoos? I wouldn't judge someone because of tattoos, so I probably would

 

Is sex before marriage wrong? That isn't for me to decide for someone else (Lelly, we keep having the SAME answers ;)

 

When was the last time you slept on the floor? Friday night ( Sometimes I make us a pallet in the living room floor and we fall asleep downstairs watching movies - just a way to mix it up a little!)

 

How many hours of sleep do you need to function?  At LEAST four to function, six to feel okay

 

Are you in love or lust?  Both

 

Are your days full and fast-paced?  Sometimes yes, sometimes not so much.

 

Do you pay attention to calories on the back of packages?  Sometimes

 

How old will yoube turning on your next birthday?  33 (UGH!!!)

 

Are you picky about spelling and grammar?  WAY too much ( I have a degree in English - I had to be pickey (or is it picky??)  to pass - I guess it stuck!)  Now I'm gonna go look that word up......;)

 

Have you ever been to Six Flags?  Yes, and I am wanting to go right now

 

Do you get along better with the same or opposite sex?  Both

 

Do you like cottage cheese? Yes

 

Do you sleep on your side, tummy, or back?  Side and back

 

Have you ever bid for something on eBay? Yes

 

Do you enjoy giving hugs?  Yes

 

What song did you last sing out loud? The new Tobi Keith song

 

What is your favorite TV show?  Golden Girls, 24, Sopranos

 

Which celebrity, dead or alive, would you want to have lunch with?  Too many to name........

 

Last time you had butterflies in your stomach?  Last week

 

What one thing do you wish you had?  I try to just be thankful for what I DO have

Monday Morning......

I had an extremely busy weekend, the day off work today, and a full day's work of house cleaning to catch up on.  Luckily, it is rainy here, so I am not TOO frustrated about having to spend the day cleaning house rather than at the pool ; but lying around watching movies all day would be nice.......{{SIGH}}

Off to clean......

 

Recipe

I just found this recipe online - sounds like a really yummy summer salad....

Chicken:
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, halved
Jamaican Jerk seasoning
Brown sugar
1 tablespoon olive oil

1. Heat oil in skillet over medium high heat. Season chicken breasts with jerk seasoning, on both sides. Transfer to hot skillet. Sear both sides of chicken. Add 1 tablespoon brown sugar to top of each breast half. Cook breasts, turning once or twice, until no pink remains and juices run clear. In the lasts few minutes of cooking, sprinkle a bit of brown sugar into the skillet. Remove chicken from skillet to a cutting board and cut crosswise into 1/2 to 3/4-inch slices.

Salad:
1 to 1 1/2 packages Just Lettuce salad mix
1/2 to 1 cup diced red onion
1/2 to 1 cup thinly sliced celery
1/2 to 1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup diced fresh pineapple
1 peeled and diced mango

2.In a large shallow salad bowl, combine and toss lettuce. On top of lettuce, evenly layer onions, celery, carrots, pineapple and mango. Sprinkle to taste with ground pepper blend.

3. Arrange chicken slices around the salad inside the bowl’s rim (to avoid covering up our colorful salad).

Dressing:
1 (8-ounce) bottle fat-free creamy poppyseed dressing
1/4 to 1/3 cup canned or bottled lemonade

4. Combine dressing and lemonade in a small bowl and whisk until thoroughly blended. To serve, pour dressing into a small pitcher or glass and serve on the side, allowing diners to add the desired amount of dressing.

Another One of These

Thanks, Robin ;)

 

1-What do you want people to say about you when you die?  "Boy, she was good in bed!"   LOL  Actually, that is what ROBIN wants people to say ;)

2-How long does it take you to get ready to go out?  Depends on where I am going and what I am doing - anywhere from 5 minutes to over an hour.

3-If you were an animal what would you be?  A fish so I could be in the water all day long.

4-What's your biggest fear?  I have a few...

5-What’s your most prized possesion?  My family, my friends, my husband, my life.

6-What’s the funniest word you can think of?  I am not in a creative mood right now.

7-Do you get along with your parents? Yes

8-What do you look for in the opposite sex?  Nice eyes, nice smile, nice body.  I think my husband has all three ;)

9-What was the most difficult thing you had to do?  It involved telling my parents something....

10-If you were given one day to live what would you do?  Make sure everyone knew how much I loved them.

11-If you could relive any day of your life either for good or to change it what would it be?  The day I married Brent and the birth of my niece

12-What's the worst feeling in the world? Anxiety

The best? To be loved.

13-If you could meet anyone who ever existed who would it be? why? My dad's father, who died a few weeks before I was born.  I think it would reveal alot about my personality to me. 

14-What was the meanest thing you ever did as a little kid?  Too many things to mention to my little sister.

15-What have you learned about love?  It's not always easy but it can also conquer a whole hell of alot

16-How have you changed in the past year? I have learned to be more patient, more tolerant, and know when to keep my mouth shut - marriage will do that to ya ;)

Thursday Ramblings

I feel so very chipper this morning, and I really don't know why.  Brent has started getting up between 4:30 and 5a.m. three days a week to go to the gym, and I have actually started waking up myself that time.  Am I at the gym with him?  Uh, NO.  But I do find that I get alot of little things done early in the morning that I would otherwise have to worry about when I get home from work in the evening.  So that is a good thing (the other good thing is that my hubby is REALLY starting to show the signs of working out and looking great  ;)

I did not go to the grocery store this past weekend, because we spent it at the lake.  We actually came straight home from the lake (about an hour and a half drive), put the boat away, showered, drove to Brent's Aunt's house (about an hour) for a Father's Day dinner, and back home.  Needless to say, after all that driving, I was in no mood to go grocery shopping.  Brent grilled some chicken Tuesday night, Longhorn Steakhouse takeout last night, and I think tonight we are going to Henry's, my FAVORITE Cajun seafood restaurant.  I think I am liking this not going to the grocery store thing - I seem to be getting "treated"  ;)

Enough rambling for now - have a good day, all!!!

I just spoke with Lisa, she sounds soooo sick.  They have her on pain meds, antibiotics, and IV.  She said the diet pills did not cause it, but probably made it worse.  I told her everyone was worried about her!!!!!  She will be in the hospital at least a few more days.

Jackie always has the cutest tags that I am always stealing from her LOL (thanks Jackie ;)

For anyone who doesn't already know, Lisa Jo is in Mercy Hospital, Room 3119.  Keep her in your prayers - she apparently is being treated for diverticulitis (sp?)

 

 

Has anyone heard from Lisa Jo (Damaged Goods)?  She hasn't been online since she was going to the ER about her stomach, and I tried to email her, and her mailbox is full.  I am worried about her :(

Tuesday

This is for Lelly, who tagged me in an email....

(thanks, Lelly, you know I love doing these ;)

 

How well do you know me??

For instance, did you know...

Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. Tanning bed

2. Restaurant

3. Nanny

4. Substitute Teacher

Four movies I would watch over & over:
1. Dirty Dancing

2. Pretty Woman

3. Steel Magnilios

4. Heat

Four places I have lived:

1. Dahlonega, GA

2. Woodstock, GA

3. Marietta, GA

4.  Dallas, GA

Four T. V. shows I love to watch:
1. Golden Girls

2. 24
3.  The Soopranos

4.  Law and Order SVU

Four places I have been on Vacation:
1. California

2. Vegas

3. Bahamas

4. St. Lucia

Four Websites I visit daily:
1. Fox News

2. Q100

3. Bank of America
4.  Kitco

 

Four of my favorite foods:

1. steak at the Japanese steakhouse

2. fettucini alfredo

3. Chicken Parmigian

4. mexican

Four places I would rather be right now:
1. At the lake

2. At the pool

3. Caribbean

4. Shopping (If I had any money)

 

You've been tagged, so here it goes..... delete my answers,
replace with your own & send it back to me & on to other friends.

 

Another One of Those Survey's I Love

43 of the MOST random questions...

1. Where were you 1 hour ago?
Target

2. Who will be your next kiss?
My dad and my hubby - going to dinner with both of them.

3. Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you?
Nope

4. When is the last time you went to the mall?
A couple of weekends ago.

5. Are you wearing socks right now?
No

6. When was the last time you went out of town?
This past weekend, the lake.

7. Have you been to the movies in the last 5 days?
No, but we have rented movies - watched "Fun with Dick and Jane" last night -  not one of his funnier movies.

8. What was the last thing you had to drink?
Mountain Dew

9. What are you wearing right now?
Winter white dress pants, black top, black sandals

10. Have you been in a car wash?
Yes

11. Last fast food you ate?
Taco Bell

12. Where were you last week on Saturday?
Cookout at some friend's house

13. Have you bought any clothing items in the last week?
Yes...bathing suit

14. When was the last time you ran?
Probably the last time someone was chasing me ;)

15. What's the last sporting event you watched?
Golf, yesterday (I wasn't watching,  Brent was...)

16. What is your favorite class?
I guess they must have been English, since that is what I majored in.

17. Your dream vacation?
Fiji

18. Last 3 people's houses you were in?
My husband's Aunt Laurie Sunday night, my neighbor's Friday afternoon, I guess some friends the weekend before.

19. How old are your parents?
My Mom is 58 and my dad is 64.

21. Do you miss anyone?
Yes

22. Last play you saw?
Hmmmm - don't even remember.  Not big on plays.

23. What are your plans for today?
Working, going to eat Mexican with my dad and husband, probably go home and watch another one of the movies we rented.

24. Who is the last person you commented on myspace?
None

25. Ever go to camp?
Yes, church camp a couple of times.

26. Were you an honor roll student in school?
Umm, no.

27. What do you want to know about the future?
If I will have a child / children...

28. Are you wearing any perfume or cologne?
Victoria's Secret "Heavenly"

31. Do you have a tan?
Sort of.

32. How old do you want to be when you have kids? 
Any day now...

33. Do you collect anything?
Hmmm, not really anything in particular.

34. Last time you got stopped by a cop or pulled over?
A couple of months ago -speeding.

35. Have you ever drank your soda from a straw?
Uh, yes.

36. How do you like your drinks?
Over crushed ice.

37. Do you like hot sauce?
Yes

38. Last time you took a shower?
This morning.

39. Who do you have a crush on?
Keith Urban, Toby Keith, my husband.

40. What is your mood?
Frustration.

41. Are you someones best friend?
Hmmm... Brent's, I suppose

42.Are you rich?
LOL, NO

43. What do you think of the person who took this survey before you?
Robin cracks me up.....

Monday's Ranting and Raving

Does anyone ever have the situation where it is SO hard to plan any kind of get-together within a family?  My freaking family is not even that big, and trying to coordinate things between them is borderline a pain in the a$$.  It is already difficult enough, being married, and trying to plan everything, holidays and such, around HIS family and MY family. But honest to God, his family is twice the size of mine, and they seem to have NO PROBLEM whatsoever planning get togethers, everyone showing up on time, everyone bringing whatever they are supposed to bring, and NO drama.   But OH NO, not the case in my family.  A few people seem to always make something (where, what day, what time, what to bring, who's paying ) a major dilemma and, quite honestly, I am getting sick of it.  I think in the future, any occasion that requires a get-together, I am going to say, "We are having turkey sandwiches, my house, Sunday, 2:00.  Be there or don't be there, but don't call me with any drama, excuses, etc., and DON'T tell me that  I didn't do MY part to try and organize something!!" 

Sorry.  It's my journal and I needed to get that out.

Robin's Friday

Here is Robin's Friday 5'er...

 

1.  What kind of home/apartment do you live in now?

We live in a 4 bedroom (one is very tiny), 3 bathroom, 2 story house with a basement.  It has a tiny deck on the back, but my favorite part is my front porch with my 2 rocking chairs.

2.  Did you have a treehouse as a kid?

No, but we did have a room off of the garage that used to be my dad's workshop that my parents converted into a playroom for us - it was awesome!

3.  What kind of house would be your dream house - in the city, country, by a lake, by the ocean, in the mountains, or in wheels seeing the country?

No question - LAKE!  We have already been looking into it - out of our price range for now, but maybe one day......

4.  If you could have an extra room in your home that you had total control overr design, what would you create?

I would have whoever did Mariah Carey's closet in an issue of "In Style" magazine i recently saw come over and create one for me (and of course, maybe Mariah would lend me some of her 500 plus pairs of shoes to fill it with ;)

5.  And finally, how many houses/apartments have you lived in up to this point, counting as a child?

Hmmmmm- hang on - this is number 12?  Sounds right - from when I was born until now

Summertime

I think because I grew up with my mom (who was a teacher) having summer's off, I have this unrealistic view of myself that I  "shouldn't have to work in the summer."  I grew up with my mom spending lazy summer days cooking us breakfast, taking us to the public library, to movies, shopping, to the lake and to the pool and I somehow feel like that is what I should still be doing when school is out. Crazy huh? lol 

Anyway, I am having a hard time keeping myself at work today, as we are spending the weekend at the lake.  It is 85 degrees with not a cloud in the sky.  Why should I be having to actually WORK today when I could be at the lake, on a raft next to the boat, watching my husband fish, radio playing, ice cold drink in hand??    ;)

Thursday's Thoughts

Got this from my pal Kimberleigh, I shaved my legs for this?

Funny how things are sometimes huh?

Its the single person who sometimes wonders what it would feel like to be married, while the ones who are married sometimes wonder what it would feel like to be single again.

It's the couple who's married and a lil overwhelmed with children who reminisce about the easier, less stressful days before the children came along. And it's the married couple who has yet to experience parenthood who look at couples with kids and thinks someday I hope to be that lucky to have a family of my own!

It's the person who thinks it would be great to be my own boss, that way at work there won't be anyone telling them how to do things and  then there is the person who owns the company who says, "Gee wouldn't it be nice to be able to pass along all the problems and just punch out on the time clock!"

Its the young couple in new love who looks at the couple that have been together for decades and decades and thinks they can only hope for a love that old and the older couple that glances at the young couple and sighs and says....."Young love, wasn't it grand!"

It's the Mother who's children who have grown and left the nest that looks at a the Mother with small children and secretely wishes hers were still that young and the Mother of the young children who is looking back at the other woman with a tinge of jealousy wondering how wonderful it must feel having that kind of freedom again! 

It's the person who feels trapped in an apartment who longs for a place of their own and then there is the home owner who wishes they had a landlord to take on all the burdens of owning the home.

It's the tall person who wishes they were just a lil shorter and the shorter person who wishes they were just a lil taller, it's the brunette who wonders what it's like to be a blonde and it's the blonde who would kill for a shade in brunette or red or even black. It's the blue eyed person who wishes they had big soft brown eyes and it's the brown eye person who wishes for the baby blues.

I think everybody at some point in their life has wished for something different, It's only natural to do so.........BUT you also have to be able to see what you DO have and find peace with that, But most of all be thankful for the things you have been blessed with.........

I must make a correction regarding my last entry.  My DH called me after leaving his doctor's appointment (yes, he did go), and he has torn ligaments in his mid-section and was given anti-inflammatory meds.  This is due to the fact that he started going back to the gym recently (in order to get that washboard tummy I love hehehe) and worked out a little too hard on Friday.  I guess he really WAS in pain.........

Tuesday

Why does it seem like the weeks get longer and longer and the weekends get shorter and shorter?  Why does it seem like every time I open the mailbox there is a new bill to be paid?  Why does my husband complain all weekend about his ribs hurting, and when I make him a doctor's appointment for today, he says they are feeling better and he probably won't go? Why do I feel like a ...................................................

today?  Sorry, everyone.  Hopefully I will snap out of it soon:(

Thank, Terry Ann, for the tag I snagged-it just suited me so perfectly, today ;)

Recipe Requested......

Okay, okay, here is my yummy dinner:

Start with boneless, skinless chicken breast.  I usually cut them in half.  Cut a couple of onions in thin strips.  Lea & Perrins makes a white wine worcestershire sauce that I pour over the chicken and the onions, then sprinkle with salt and pepper, garlic salt, and I use lemon pepper.  Put it in a skillet on the stove and brown the chicken on each side. Transfer it to a casserole dish, cover in barbecue sauce, and bake at 350 for about an hour. (Brent makes his own barbecue sauce.  I usually get about four different store-bought brands and mix together, sometimes adding a little mustard or vinegar.)  After baking for an hour, the barbecue sauce and onions make a yummy "gravy" to put over the mashed potatoes.

As far as the bleu cheese mashed potatoes, I just make your typical mashed potaoes (which typical Southern-style is with a ALOT of butter, milk, and I even put a little Ranch dressing in them).  While they are very hot, pour about a cup or more of bleu cheese crumbles in them, and I use an electric hand-mixer to mix them real good.  

BTW, this is NOT a lowfat dish ;)

Blah, blah, blah

Well my life (marriage) seems to be on the right track for the moment, and we are both working hard to keep it that way. We had a relaxing and uneventful weekend.  Brent's 32nd birthday is Friday the 16th, and we are spending the weekend AT THE LAKE, ALONE, and WITH THE BOAT.  I am very excited about that!!  So Saturday, I spent the morning running some errands and shopping for his birthday -ended up with three shirts and three pairs of shorts, which were ALL on sale, and I was excited about that as well.  I came home and made Mexican dip and we went over to some friends house for a cookout.  It was pretty fun, some friends of ours were there and some other people from the neighborhood that we didn't know.  After a few hours there, we went home and got in bed.  Sunday morning, Brent got up to go jogging and I told him to wake me when he got back.  Not gettin' this girl out of bed to go RUNNING in the HEAT on my DAY OFF!  So needless to say, I slept in, later than I have in probably a year! We went for lunch at Longhorns, then went back to the cookout people's house to hang out at their pool.  After a day at the pool, we stopped in Kroger and bought a few groceries, Blockbuster for three movies, and back home to get BACK in the bed and watch movies.  Ahhhhhhhhh a totally lazy weekend and I LOVED it ;)

 

BTW, Reese Witherspoon TOTALLY deserved that Oscar for "Walk The Line" - great movie and her acting was incredible!

And The Survey Says.....

Got this from Hadon, then from Lelly.......

 

1 - Accent:  Southern, ya'll

2 - Booze:   Chardonnay and martinis

3 - Chore I hate:  unloading the dishwasher

4 - Dogs/cats:  One dog, Raven

                  
5 - Essential electronics: My computer

            

6 - Favorite perfume/cologne:  Victoria's Secret Heavenly

7 - Gold/silver:   Silver   

8 - Hometown:  Marietta, Georgia

9 - Insomnia: Not as long as they make Tylenol PM

11 - Kids: None, but hopefully soon

12 - Living arrangements:  Me, my hubby, and one VERY spoiled black lab

13 - Most admired trait: loyalty

14 - Number of sexual partners:  LOL as if I am going to tell! (I'm with ya, Lelly;))       

15 - Overnight hospital stays:  Only once in my entire life

16 - Phobia:   spiders and big bugs

17 - Quote:  "If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it"

18 - Religion:   Christian

19 - Siblings: 1 sister

20.  Time I usually Wake Up:  7 ish

21 - Unusual talent: Tying a cherry string (stem) in a knot in my mouth?  hehe  

22 - Vegetable I refuse to eat:  Is a tomato a vegetable?

23 - Worst habit:  SMOKING CIGARETTES

24 - X-rays:   A few

25 - Yummy foods I make:  I make alot of yummy foods - my husband's favorite is my oven baked barbecue chicken with bleu cheese mashed potatoes

 

26 - Zodiac sign:  Sagittarius

 

"Remember happiness doesn't depend on who you are or what you have;  it depends solely on what you think."

Dale Carnegie

"Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get - only with what you are expecting to give - which is everything."

 

Katharine Hepburn

I'm Back

WOW!  It seems like I have been gone forever!  I have gotten somewhat caught up on my alerts,  but have not commented as much as I normally would; only because I had over 100 alerts and lots of reading to do! 

Thank you so much to those of you who have commented and emailed to check on me and offer me words of encouragement.  Even though we have never met, you guys are my friends, and the comraderie and compassion in this community is almost overwhelming.  For that I am so very grateful.

Brent and I have been going through a VERY rough time to say the least.  I know I don't write details about this in my journal, and there are a couple of reasons for that.  One, I am just somewhat private about airing my dirty laundry, even though I  know everyone here would show nothing but love and understanding.  Two, sometime it is just too complicated and confusing to even try and put it down in words.  I had someone that reads my blog make a comment to me to the effect of "I can tell by your journal that what you want so much in your marriage is love."  I have pondered that comment for quite some time.  Everything I have written in this journal about my marriage and my love for my husband is true.  We HAVE love, and that is the only thing that has gotten us (and is still getting us) through these hard times.  Is my life perfect? By no means.  Is my marriage perfect?  Far from it.  But I know I have begun to rely more and more on my faith in God to lead my life in the direction He wants it to go, and I have begun to see some of the changes I need to make, in order to better myself, my marriage, and my life in general.  I read something in Lelly's journal that had so much meaning for me.  She said "we don't have to wait in joyful anticipation of trials but we should be joyful during them.  What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are small matters compared to what lies WITHIN us."  That makes such perfect sense to me, and I can only believe that the struggles I have been going through will strengthen and mature my character, intensify my capacity to deal with adversity, increase my compassion towards others, and make me less quick to judge.

We are still trying to work through the problems we have, and will continue to do so until we just can't.  But neither one of us are ready to give up yet.  Some days I just have to remember the old saying "When you don't know what to do, don't do anything at all."  Or, as Rod McKuen so eloquently put it (from Lisa Jo's journal), "If all else fails, take a walk, eat an apple, or suck on a jawbreaker.  Anyone can pack it in or give up.  You and I are smarter than that." 

Happy Thursday, everyone.