Splish Splashing & The Responsible Momma

The girl is all curled up in a lounge chair, the smell of chlorine filling her senses and the sounds of half a dozen children screaming and shouting above the splashing into the pool  surrounds her.

She is quite oblivious to the rest of the world as she scans the electronic pages of her kindle. Oblivious yes, but with one rather large exception. Her siblings, the happy little shriveled up fish children have made a friend or two and she watches them as they race from one end of the pool to the other ...

I can't help but laugh as Josh waves at me, bracing himself on the tiled edge of the pool. He's squinting through foggy blue goggles, his hawaiian shorts dripping wet. "Hey Bwit, watch me okay?!"

I wave and smile, knowing he's done this three dozen times in the course of almost two hours. His tiny feet leave the floor and he lunges into the air, landing with a great big splash into the water. His new friend, Zane, claps. Its obvious they've made a game of it.

About the time my blonde haired fishy child climbs back out to do it again, big sister sees a middle aged woman heading for the towel bin. Sissy ignores towel-lady, she's of no consequence to fishy child's little antics.

But then, towel-lady walks over to the boy, and big sissy is instantly on her guard. She watches with eyes peeled, ready to pop out of her chair in a seconds notice. She doesn't play games.

She tells him not to splash. And asks where his folks are. Joshy looks uneasy around his dimpled smile, he points at me. And as towel-lady makes a bee line my way, I give her a leveled gaze. I dont like strangers talking to my fish children. After all, they are playing in the opposite side of the pool where no one else is sitting. They're not being extremely loud and I warned them to be respectful of people passing by ...

She looks at me, straight up serious like I should know better than to let them splash. "You do realize its wet over there. You're aware of that, aren't you?"

I offer half a smile over the book I had been reading five minutes ago. "Yes. We've been here for awhile."

She looks unamused, " ... and what are you going to do when they slip and fall? They're going to crack their heads open."

Honestly, fifteen different responses sprang to mind just then. I am quite an imperfect human, I'll admit. Instead, I returned her unamused glare. "Yes, I know. They're fine."

She looked disgusted, I might've laughed if she hadn't been so rude. Without further adoo, she shook her head and began to move past me muttering.

"Thank you." I said. "I'm responsible."

I didn't catch if she looked back or not, I was too busy shushing my sister whose mouth was agape in amused shock. Mckenna shook her head and finally covered her mouth. I swear, people in this world sometimes.

* The girl shakes her head *

But the kids all had a wonderful time at the pool, they're running around now like little tan-white prunes. Whether legit momma or just momma for the day, it is never wise to bother their children. They take their munchkins seriously. The End. * smiles *

Sunshiney Saturday.

Today was chocked full of goodness. We spent most of the day up at my grandparents, just hanging around and swimming. It was such a relaxing kind of day and everybody had an amazing time as always.

Just a handful of pictures to sum up it all up, because if the girl chattered about every second of it she might go on and on ... Typical of chippery kind of days.

*Description of pic in order as they're posted below. * wink *

1) The twin-boy cousin of mine. It feels like just yesterday we were both toddling around the grandparent's house, Papa's old white t-shirt (our pjs of choice) dragging the floor while we fought over who got to use their tiny red Dirt Devil vaccum first. Now ... He seems to be towering head and shoulders above me overnight, picking me up and talking sports cars.

2)  Abs & Brandon. Just a picture of people taking pictures 'cause well, we're all about capturing the moment and everything.

3) Auntie and Me ~ we shared a moment over a lesson in the making of a single cup of coffee with the lovely Keurig. She makes me smile ... Mainly because she got excited over that crazy thing like I did when I first tried it. It's the small things in Life | embracing that moment and enjoying the simplicity of a tiny happiness.

4) The cousin and I with one of my most favoritest men in the whole wide world, my Papa. The man who let me steal his t-shirts for pajamas | the maker of the best fried apples my mouth ever experienced | the man who turned a small munchkin girl of three into a John Wayne fan and basically any sort of Western | who taught her b&w movies are special and good in the midst of a Disney crazed age of wild colors and sparkles | the man who promised me half a million wonderful things and gave me a world of priceless memories.

5) Aunt "Winnie" and her "Gilly-Boy". That guy with the goofy fish face | a smirk working to break lose just behind it adores my auntie to bits. Whats more, he makes her smile. He gives her a heartshaped world with two suns, sparkly clouds and still he surrounds her life with happiness.

6) Um ... I cannot say enough about this woman. She's so crazy, I mightn't claim her if it werent for us being together here. I kid. My grandma's the coolest, most amazing woman a girl could ask for in a second mother | a best friend and official "spoil the world rotten" kind of person. She makes me laugh and I downright adore her.

7) We were putting a hurtin' on them dishes till a certain somebody hit her funny-bone on the edge of the counter. Laughing over dumb things is always buckets of fun. * winks *

On a Whim 'Cause That's How We Roll

Second day of Summer rolled around ... Twas ten o'clock and already ridiculously hot. The sound of tiny-sized men pushing lego people across a carpet battlefield upstairs broke into the girl's quiet thoughts as she wondered what to do with her unoffical day off.

''You're always gone, Bwit." Joshy had mumbled sleepily into my pillow the other morning. "You work too much."

"Hey guys??" I waited a moment for a response. Suddenly an idea unfolded in my mind and I smiled. "Do you want to go to the Fork Union Pharmacy?"

Now, I have to stop for a second here and explain that FUP isnt just a pharmacy. Its a gift shop. A toy shop. And A candy shop with everything thrown all together so everybody's happy. Which means, Sissy and Nane can look around while the boys and Abigail can tinker around to heart's content at the same time. Not too shabby a deal. * smile *

They were of course thrilled to be able to get out and go somewhere, so they piled into the backseat of my car and chattered THE WHOLE way.

I let them pick out some candy for something special and the lady ended up giving it to them for .63 cents. Apparently, there are still gem-my people in this world!

Afterwards we drove to the Lake and got Subway for lunch. Happy factor only grew, let me tell you. To the boys, Subway Pizza is the world's BESTest pizza ever and whenever they can have it, they are entirely psyched.

Sometimes they arent in a pepperoni mood, so today Big Sissy had to ask. Sam said, "Um, I just want plain cheese pizza. With pepperonis on it."

... as if he ever ate any other kind, right? * wink *

Joshy piped up, "Oh yeaaah! Me too. Just cheese ... With pepperoni."

Lunch was a lot of fun. I was really glad we got to do it randomly, just for fun.

Then as if they werent pumped enough going to Subway, we went to Dunkin Donuts. Aka, their most favorite place on earth.

I've never seen such talent, chattering away around mouthfuls of sugary | chocolatey donuts like that. * smiles *

Highlight of MY day? Oh thats an easy one. It'd probably be when a big cup of Ice coooold Sweet SWEET tea dumped in my lap on the way home. Twas quite the surprise and yet, entirely awesome. Car went from chattery to dead silent in three seconds before we all errupted in laughter.

But um, what's so cotton pickin' funny 'bout tea spilling in the car? you ask. Not a thing, Jack. Not a thing ... Cept we bonded and this is jusy dandy. * smiles *

Infomercial: Part Two

With every intention of falling asleep, my mind gave me half a dozen reasons to stay up. My technological child cried, random handwritten bits of blogness fluttered across my desk and my mental to-do list forced me out of bed not once, but twice. Sweetness, hmm? * smiles *

Thus, I find myself once again typing away at these keys, summing up my day at the Williamsburg Dental Conference ...

• When I first walked into the Lodge this morning, trailing behind my boss in a sleep-deprived state and faking alertness entirely, I was pretty much gung ho about this Invisalign deal. I'd tossed the idea around for awhile, so basically I was about to be edu-mah-cated on the ins and outs of the whole process. After 8 hours , the girl wasn't so sure she wanted to hear the "I" word for a good long while! Yet, the whole process still kind of fascinated her. Because after all, it was: 1) upbeat  2) upscale  3) exciting and fun.

* or, that's what I heard them say half a dozen times or so. I was picturing the thrill of sitting in that chair getting plastic trays fitted to my teeth ... my enthusiasm was building. * noted sarcasm, cause girl can't help making light of repetition after so long. *

• Jay got awesome boss of the day award for taking us to the Cheese Shoppe for lunch. We were starving, and the food was ridiculously amazing. Being an alumni of William & Mary college, he knew his way around the old campus and showed us the hidden gardens and a few of the buildings. I am in love with the old brick walkways | the enormous trees and the way the air smells.

• When we returned after our third session of the day, I stopped dead in my tracks. "Johnna, I think he just paused the video while we went to that last lecture. Or ..." She rolled her eyes, "I swear, if he's going to repeat this whole thing I'm going to need a cigarette." I couldn't help but laugh. We were all drained mentally, believe it or not. Even our boss was literally holding his eyes open. Yes, we DID laugh over that particular moment.

          "Well, at least we'll ace this program deal. Hmm?" I whispered in the middle of another spill about the function of Invisalign computer software. Apparently, it was Dr. B's soapbox { he claimed it was true, himself } so we heard a good deal about ClinChecks and so forth.
          
           Johnna's arms were folded, she leaned back in her chair. After all, we were going on our eighth hour and still going strong. "No Bull. Honey, you're not kidding."

           I laughed. Life is so much fun, especially when all the DA girls get tired and Jay just looks down the long table at us with a quizzical expression and leaves us to ourselves. Smart Man, our boss.

• Ten minutes later, we've switched topics. Relief floods my soul, and Dr. B goes on to discuss Ankylosed teeth. Johnna was flipping through her lecture notes, and none of us looked like we really knew up from down at this point. "Johnna," I leaned over and spoke in a hushed whisper. "What's an ankylosed tooth??"

           After all, I am Dental Assistant in training. Questions from the girl are typically welcomed at this point. I like picking Jay & Johnna's brain outside of appointments, so I have a grasp on the info when I have a patient with similar questions. Her expression changed from zoned to entirely lost, "Huh? Where'd you hear that word?"

           I was right, we were there in body only. We'd managed to fade in and out of conscious retention for the last two hours if the conference. Pulling my notepad out, I scribbled the word down only to look up and find Johnna chuckling. She didn't know, but thought of something it might be so we dove into our thick lecture notes that resembled novels in search of answers. Neither of us really have a clue at this point, but that's okay. It's how we roll.

So amid day full of mass chaos | gobs of people | endless amounts of laughter - both from the next room and our little group | switching rooms and speakers | the gorgeous day and a yummy lunch ... the day was a really awesome one. I admit, it was exhausting but well worth going. * smiles *

And there you have it, the behind the scenes of Dentistry you never knew. Honestly, you probably hadn't the slightest desire to know we don't always go to schools for what we know. Now you know we sit in hours of lectures and classes and sometimes get bored out of our minds. Now you know that those girls in scrubs are legit humans. * winks *

Nearly Invisible: the Infomercial

How most blog posts begin ... out of an
abundance of random words and occasionally,
an overdose of boredom. Thus, a pad of paper
sitting atop my lecture notes. Gotta love it.

Just as the stars began to fade into the darkened blanket of morning sky, I glanced one more time over the packet my boss had given me last week. In a matter of hours I would be in Williamsburg with my boss and two of the girls from our office.

Occasion? An Invisalign Conference. Basically, its something innovative and new we're bringing to our patients and well, knowing what we're doing is a pretty awesome idea. Rocket Science, this being prepared. Hah!

Eventually, we all find one another amidst the gorgeous brick buildings and foggy-eyed tourists out for a morning jog. We settle into chairs that are thankfully, quite comfortable and wait for speaker to begin ... All the while, the girl's brain is running wild. Because she's a people watcher, and everything.

° Women really cant go the bathroom by themselves. Seriously. Halfway through the lecture they all started popping up in groups of two. I really have no idea about this. But found it smile-worthy to say the least.

° Among the snapping of soda cans and crinkling of pretzel bags, I couldnt help but glance at my sugar-conscious boss. I swear I saw him cringe. Whats wrong with these people?? Flaunting their junk food and sugary beverages like that. My soul. * wink *

° With each passing moment that Dr. B lost my attention with repetitious portions of lecture, I couldnt help but feel like it was one big infomercial. Which, is totally cool yes but the feelings that proceed not so much. Every few minutes, people from the room next to us would errupt in gut busting laughter ... Johnna and I felt horribly cheated;  like kids that had to sit inside at recess.

° By 11:40, everyone is so very chocked full of liquid energy and induced happiness. By the way ~ LEGIT coffee gives your blood a boost. While decaf coffee settles in all the joints you didnt move for three plus hours. We discovered this hard way.

° Speaker is rambling again, must focus ... He suggests using new putty and wash for taking imressions instead of that yucky stuck that resembles cream cheese * shivers * Really?! Can you put that on our wish list, boss man?

Irish Tea + Lemon: The Best Tea Ever!
I owe huge debts of gratitude to the three cups of
delicious hot tea that kept me going all day. amen.

Dont fall on floor, we love our job so much we have a wishlist of things to make it twice as fun. Including a scanner that cost $40-grand/smoothe money. We asked boss pretty please??? To which he looked at us like a bunch of nutcases. So much for that, I guess.


{ too much chatter for one post, naturally. Shall be continued ... }

We should be sleeping ...

We should be sleeping right now, my little brother and I. Are we? No, of course not.

Instead of sleeping, we lay there in darkness discussing Star Wars & Indiana Jones. The strategies you have to use for the particular video games and why so and so should have this power/ability and that.

"I think we beat all eight levels, or ... Around that estimate." He says around a smothered yawn. "I feel reeeeally stupid right now."

I smile in the darkness, he doesnt know I think he's adorable and grown up. "Why?"

"Because, Brit." His tone says I should already know what he's talking about. "I've never talked so much in ALL my life. I always talk alot at night when I'm in your room. I dont know why. It just makes me feel dumb."

"Oh! well, I like listening to you talk about your video games." I say, because I know it's what gets him. He's a gamer at the very core, basically because Sam is THE BEST gamer I know. Seriously, there isnt a game he cant knock out.

"Yeah, well ... oh my wooord! The hair under my arm is gone!"

I open my eyes, up until this point my eyes were closed as I listened. "Do what?!"

"Oh. Well before dinner I found little hairs under my arm and it made me really smile cause thats like ... A man thing. But I think when I go to sleep, my body sucks all the arm hairs back in to sleep."

He's explaining this to me like its the most natural thing in the world. And I'm being a good big sister and not cracking up like I want so badly to. Because honestly, the child and all his theories and whatnot just slay me.
So its back to Star Wars. Indiana Jones. Video Games & Random Facts he feels I should know. Gotta love it!

God's Sense of Humor Is Huge.

The light of early dawn crept beyond my window, casting mixed shadows of moonlight and rising sun. I burrowed deep beneath my quilt and sighed, contentedly. There's something about knowing the day ahead will ask nothing of you; that nothing requires your attention at any particular time. Time is your own, and if you never once look at the clock through out the day the world will be just fine ...

The little munchkin man flopped one arm across my stomach unceremoniously and mumbled something unintelligable in his sleep. Leaning over, I kissed his smoothe forehead, whispering "I love you, Baby Man" into the quiet before giving in to the sleep that was desperately calling my name.

Somewhere in the distance, my phone vibrated and the phone's somewhat annoying ring peppered the sleepy haze of my dream. My eyes were heavy. Who called people so early in the morning anyways? It could keep ringing for all I cared at that moment, even if I did have the faintest feeling someone was trying in earnest persistence to get a hold of the girl.

"Hey Baby," Daddy's voice sounded as far away as the phone had just moments before. I barely groaned acknowledgement. "Are you supposed to work today?"

"No, tomorrow."

"Um, well ... Frances? is on the phone for you. They were worried about you when you didn't come in." He sounded skeptical, like there were things about this show-down the girl had no idea of. Had he any idea the heart attack his girl-child was about to have? By this time I was propped up on one arm, squinting in horror at him. He held the phone out ot me, even as my head groaned, "No, No. I'm not awake yet! I can't muster phone pep in finger-snap quickness."

Nevertheless. When Life chucks lemons at you, you make the best dad-gum lemonade ever known to man. True true, Charles ... So I mustered up the pep, and the voice that came out surprised the girl so much she just about fell over.

"Hi Sugar," Frances' pep was a constant. The woman was a living breathing energizer bunny, and her voice never betrayed her. Not once, not even when patients came in and reamed her out completely just for the heck of it. "Are you alright, honey? We were worried when we couldn't get a hold of you."

See, the awesome thing about my job is that they're {legit} more concerned about YOU than whether or not you're at work on time or not. If you're having one of those days and screw up your calendar and totally swap the days you're supposed to work and don't show up ... yeah, they'll be more concerned about your welfare and the why. Not in you being a complete goose and disorganized.

Girl hung up phone after apologizing for mix-up, etc and launched into hurried morning routine, mumbling "junk" under her breath a handful of times in the process. "Junk" is entirely pointless but makes her feel entirely better about the world. Surprisingly, I was calm and collected.

"Man! God's got a disgustingly huuuuge sense of humor." I hollered into the next room where Daddy had settled down with coffee and Fox news. Okay, I was a little jealous he had time to kill first thing ... not to mention, the coffee. "He knows I hate being late. And how I kill bill to keep track of my weird schedules."

"I wouldn't be knocking God's sense of Humor this morning," Dad grinned. Ah, the man was smiling right there along with God. They know me well, and I suppose if you think about it twas a bit comical throwing girl for loops today.

The moment I walked in the door, my boss grinned. "Hey Good Morning, you almost missed it!"

"Don't." I ran two fingers across my mouth, zipped lip-throw away key motion. Then I laughed, leaning over the keyboard to clock in for the day. "No words. I'm sorry I'm late."

And of course, it was all fine and good. The day went smoothly and made me smile. Between one of the most delicious cups of coffee ever, yummy food and a bottle of {my favorite} Sweet Tea, the girl was on a roll from start to finish.  So really, all's well that ends well right?

Of course. Of course. 

Today, Jesus.

I've recently been reading a book called Grace. Grace to move beyond the imperfection of Life, embrace honesty and really just give God everything you've got; not so much possessions but attitudes and your thought process!

You know how it is when those simple statements just blind-side you and that little lightbulb goes off; all you can do is sit there for a second in awe and revelation?

I had one of those moments tonight, and really it all boiled down to letting God work through you. Not just having the mindset of well, Im a Christian and this is what we do or people expect this of me because of who I am ...

Two words: ready?

Today, Jesus.

Today, Jesus hums while washing the dishes and cleaning the house.

Today, Jesus wears scrubs and comforts people. Smiles with heartfelt kindess and love for a perfect stranger.

Today, Jesus puts on a shirt and tie and leads the singing at church. Shakes the hand of a visitor and makes them feel welcome.

Today, Jesus wears a suit and holds a business meeting. Not rushing from one appointment to the next without considering those around hin.

Today, Jesus wears a smile and makes the bed.

Today, Jesus laces up his work boots and clocks in ready to do a good job.

Today, Jesus lets someone with less groceries cut in line.

Today, Jesus asks how the lady at the register is when paying for his gas.

... Okay, you might not quite get the gist of all that just yet. But what its talking about is Colossians 3:17 ~ all we do being done to God's glory, not just in name/word.

Christ really lives inside us! What we do is a window into our hearts, showing the world how much of an impact He has in our lives.

I dont know if I'm making sense because the lightbulb affect doesnt hit everybody the same way, but it just hit me like a big * Hello, Silly Girl! Are YOU doing the shining or is Jesus? *

Banana Split Smiles

Since the day the small man-child was born, he's done nothing but crack us up with his clever-ness.

This morning was no exception ...

Joshua was sitting on the couch, completely lost in the simple pleasure of a Banana Split Ice Cream Sandwich. This is pretty much typical of seven year old boys; focused on the sugar they're consuming and enjoying entirely. Really, chocolate in hand, Beach and waves outside the window ~ Life is good, Mon! * wink *

"Is that ice cream sandwich good, baby?" Memaw wanted to know. Because honestly, thats how awesome grandma's roll. If it aint good enough, they'll find you something better. Personally, I think this is a pretty awesome thing ... They always seem to get it right the first time.

The child licked the edges where Ice Cream was just beginning to melt over the sides of the cookie, like he always does. He's consistent. "Ahmm, it's good."

"Better than the regular ice cream sandwiches?"

He looked up from his treat with a smile. "Um, yes ... It amuses my mouth!"

When Mckenna shared this with me tonight, I couldn't help but laugh. There's no denying whose brother he is, ya'll. He's the product of four silly sisters and a big brother who has captured the abode with ridiculous amounts of wit with reenactments if commercials and such. * winks *

I tell you what ... That boy's a mess and makes me smile. The end.

No Better Time.

It's two in the morning, and I'm still awake ...

Why? Because I am a believer in there being no better time than the present. Thus, with my family all snuggled in their beds where every good and sensible person should be, I have embraced this rare silence.

Typically, the girl is well on her way to happy slumber by ten o'clock. Either I am subconciously celebrating some momentous occasion, or ... I could just blame my night owl-ishness on the pastel colored cake. the pink lemonade.  the laughter of good friends. picture taking madness and rounds of congrats.

Tonight was nothing usual or ordinary: we threw a big graduation party for Kera & Ivanna. So naturally, the good times just rolled. * smiles *

Its crazy though, to look back and realize that three years ago, THAT was me! Walking across that platform and receiving my diploma, closing the door on 12 years of early mornings and long days of school. The latter of which I spent scrounging around the kitchen {half asleep} in search of liquid energy; that brown stuff that had long since replaced the blood running through my veins. It was a life-saver; my coffee. * winks *

And as I sat there watching these glorious happenings around me, I let my mind wonder back over those years when I was struggling. growing. learning.

I'm not going to lie, I struggled. There were days that I wondered how I'd get through, physically & mentally. The girl has this lovely idea of tackling the world with her own bare hands, but God put alot of obstacles in her path. I learned more about Trusting. Waiting. Relying on God to carry me through the rough stuff.

Granted, those lessons are still "clicking" for me. But I just took some time tonight to realize the HUGE blessings God has given to me since I graduated. I hope the Lord does the same thing for both Ivanna & Shakera. And the moment those girls leave our gorgeous state behind for the sunshiney state of Florida and elsewhere, I will shower them with little cards from home just to remind them how AWESOME God is!

So alot has changed for me, and Life has turned in such a different direction ... But I can tell you one thing:

This Crazy Insane & Wonderful Life is mine all mine. I cant help but embrace every day for the Sunshine and the Rain. God has blessed me beyond my wildesr imagination! All I ever wanted was to be content, but I'm more than that! I'm so very happy! * smiles *

The Things He Says

It was just a typical Saturday morning, where we eat breakfast late and watch the morning news. There was a particular story about that guy who got killed somewhere, Trayvon Williams. I think, I am not typically into a lot of news, etc.  

“Yeah,” Mckenna pushes her bagel into the toaster and leans against the counter. “Did you hear what Obama said about it?”

I’m sitting at the kitchen table, only half interested in the news and feeling almost entirely clueless about the whole thing. I shake my head, “No. What?”

“He said, ‘If I had a son, he would look just like Trayvon.’ They‘re making it a race issue, but really? I mean, WHY would a Hispanic man shoot down a black kid because he‘s racist? Stupid.”

“Yeah! Well you know what I think?” Joshy drops his cereal bowl in the sink and shoves his hands into the pocket of his worn jeans. We smile, something inspirational is about to come out of this child’s mouth we know. “I think Obama said that just because he might be Afron-American. I think he is!”

“Uh huh, I’m thinking you’re probably right!” Mckenna said, working over her smile. We exchanged grins, repeating him under hushed tones as he ran outside to play in the Rain.

My, how I love that child.

Adventures Of A Big Kid Sitter

“Miss Brittany, I really don’t need a baby sitter anymore. I’m pretty much a man.” FT says, leaning against the counter and flexing his pea-pod muscles. I’m washing dishes and telling him babysitter’s are kind of like Mommies and Daddies, they are in charge. Typically, this isn’t a problem.  

“Oh? Well you have grown up quite a lot. You’re almost as big as Daddy.” I smile down at him, and picture his six foot something dad. He’s the spitting image of my boss, only much MUCH smaller and far more energetic. It’s crazy. If you ask what he wants to be when he‘s all grown up, he‘ll tell you he‘d probably like to be a firefighter or something … just as long as he‘s just like dad. “How about I be a Big Kid Sitter?”

His eyes light up, he nods emphatically. “Oh yes, Miss Brittany. That’s perfect.”

So it’s settled, I am officially his Big Kid Sitter and we’re all happy with that arrangement. Even if it IS only words.

Half an hour later, after the girls and I finished making Pita Pizzas in the kitchen and I’ve wiped their faces clean of the sauce and cheese they’ve been sneaking, we go outside to play on the Swing set.

All is fine and dandy, IT is giggling in baby-ish delight as I give her tiny pushes. She kicks her legs, and suddenly she’s hanging upside down giving me the goofiest little smile. “Wook me, Binny!” Because she can’t say my name, and I’m content with that.

“I am! I see, baby girl.” I say, moving in between the swings to push all three of them. They laugh and scream into the sky as their feet almost touch it’s airy blue surface. They are loving Life and I’m on a small cloud of Heaven on Earth.

“Pittney. Sittney. Dittney. Whitney.” FT is shouting variations of my name through the air in a chant. Who would’ve thought my name could be so much … fun? So I nod my head, “ahmm” just letting him enjoy the silliness and be a kid, that’s ever so healthy you know.

“Shintey!”

Now, what came out of his mouth was most definitely not Shintey but it was ever so close. But for all intensive purposes, it shall be Shintey. And did it knock the girl off her feet? Without a doubt, and I was coughing something terrible because that sudden intake of Fresh Country Air went down the wrong way.

You know that ridiculous feeling you get when you realize you’re smiling and horrified all at the same time. Smiling over something that shouldn’t be funny, but it’s so unexpected you can’t really wrap your mind around it? That was me for a solid five minutes.

“FT!” Pulling myself together, I attempted to look ever so serious. “Don’t call me that.”

He threw his head back and laughed, “But whyyyyyy, Miss Shintey?!”

Finally, when the girl had reached the end of her rope, she decided she would ignore the grinning child until he got his little man act together. It didn’t last too long, lucky for Miss Brittany too! And then I scooted them off into the house to take baths and get all cleaned up for Mommy & Daddy.

As the girls were splashing around the tub, FT comes in and leans against the door. “Miss Shintey, that name is really really long like your other name. I think I’m gonna have to call you something else, ok?”

“Yes!” I said, smiling up at him from where I knelt on the floor. My shirt was splattered with bits of water and my hair was falling over one eye. “I think that’s an awesome idea, FT.”

I should’ve known by the glimmer in his eye. I really should have …

“I’m just gonna call you Shint, okay?” While his look was one of almost innocence and absolute seriousness, the babysitter just about fell into the tub.

“FT!!!!!!” Ah, the joys of little people and all those crazy adventures they give me. I wouldn’t trade it for the whole world, though. I wouldn’t.

John Toms Make Me Happy.

Today in the midst of my work day, I sat down at the computer, and then I . . .

BOUGHTED ME SOME SHOES!

~ squeal. ~

I share: because I suddenly realized you might not have any idea I am so in love with Toms that its almost unforgiveable. But I've waited for ages and ages ... okay, honestly it's only been like five months which isn't ridiculously long but finally, FINALLY! My shoes is in the mail and I'm doing this little happy dance, smilin' like my face is gonna fall off or something.

I don't know. But. I'm. just. happy!

And of course, I thank my Mother.

I thank my Father. And my insanely sweet sister:

It was one of the absolute BEST Birthday presents I've ever had because I will live in them and take them with me every place imaginable. And I have the funniest feeling I'll be watching the mail for the next five days in unimaginable excitement and anticipation. I'll remind my family of the years when I was young and dancing around the Christmas tree all 25 days of December.

Ah, I should probably stop my gushing now. Yeah, probably.

But Johnna and Jay have no idea what I was talking about so finally, I showed them a picture and Jay said, "Oh! I've actually never heard of them before. Are they THE THING now days?"

We girls, well we coughed. "Uh yeah! Everybody's wearing them, but the big thing is that they're super comfy."

"Super comfy?" Don't worry, he's slowly coming around to my odd choice of words and everything. He's beginning to expect it, I think. Occasionally though, I trip him up. "Comfy huh?"

And tonight, we're sitting there Joshy and I. Suddenly I remember my shoes, and tell Kenna that I finally got the chance to order them. Josh sits up, "Shoes? What shoes? ... oh! Those Johns."

"Johns? No boy, Toms." I laugh and kiss his forehead. He shakes his head and tells me no, they're definitely Johns. Not Toms. He makes me laugh.

 So yes, my shoes -- "John Toms" -- are coming and the girl is happy.

The end.

* Happy Sigh *

Dear God ...

Just Because ...

Here I am. Wondering what to say. Wondering where to start . . .

Typically, words flow from my brain in such abundance. The world typically wonders if this girl ever stops, takes a breather. Of course, she's human.

My body is craving sleep, I've been deprived of this precious commodity for the past week or so. Just now, sleep is in high demand. I almost forget what the back of my eye-lids look like. hah!

To be honest, I wondered if I would survive this week. I'm just a teensy little bit out of practice of the whole working 40 some hours thing. Do you know what it is to close your eyes, feeling the world spin beneath you and hear the squealing sound of a dental drill racing through your brain? Ah, such a bothersome little thing but somehow, sleep came and rolled into another day where I got up, threw on another pair of Scrubs and did it all over again. I was working in my sleep, I tell you! But alas, here I is and no worse for the wear.

• Okay, that's sort of a lie. I'm completely exhausted and all those survival thoughts really just turned into wondering how much sleep you had to miss before your body just shuts down and dies. Rather drastic, don't you think? Children, listen! Your momma was right, sleep is IMPORTANT. This is no lie, so drink it up before you hit the real world where things like duty and responsibility demand more hours and sleep is a thing of the past.

• But God is amazing, and really helped me. He even gave me a handful of opportunities to share the gospel with a few of my patients -- I mean, they're sitting in the chair and can't really go anywhere! but these people were open and curious. It was such a blessing to be able to share my own testimony and what God has done for me!

• Went on a 12 mile bike ride yesterday under the beautiful Summer-ish Blue Sky. The thought-provoking conversation with my cousin was a big encouragement. We talked about our thought life and how we have to leave things in God's hands. And as always, he kind of really just inspires me. I love that about spending time with him, he's a Godly guy who has such an overwhelming desire to serve the Lord. Crazy how all the little conversations we have on the weekends turn into mini-devotions. * smiles *

• Then came Sunday. There is one thing about my little Sunday School class of 6 & 7 year olds, and that would be that our class goes in whatever direction their minds and attitudes are. I'm never sure just what to expect but always enjoy the lessons we learn from each other. Today, I had a lesson prepared as we gear up for Easter in just a few weeks.

We opened up with a handful of praises {because I believe that its important to really focus on what God does for them while they are young. And as they grow older, focusing on their blessings will come so much more naturally for them!} and a few prayer requests. We began to discuss Heaven as we opened up our lesson and two of my little ones with sparkling eyes began to grow excited as we began talking about different aspects of Heaven; no tears, no heartache, no sickness, no scary things, no bad stuff. * winks *

On top of that, they began talking about how they could be a better witness to their unsaved family even when they got frustrated with them. Wow. I needed that so bad! I haven't been the witness I should be.

• Forgiveness can make a person feel so much lighter inside, even if getting things right is sometimes hard. I can tell you one thing, I feel a whole lot better. Because after all, you don't read my ramblings just to get a facade of what I want to be. You guys deserve a heavy dose of honesty, so there you have it.

• The Lord's supper is one of the sweetest things I will ever experience. It fills my heart with conviction | brokenness | overwhelming peace and realization anew of what an amazing thing God did for me when he died! Mmm ... there are no words to describe the feeling in my heart right now.

• I have to stop asking why. It's one of those things where I just have to let Go and let GOD! Easier said than done, but Paul was such a human because he said that we have to recommit ourselves every day because its a choice. Thank you, Lord, for putting so many practical people in the Bible for me!

• And those times when my heart is hurting, God is the best bandaid. I don't mean that in a blasphemous way, I just mean that to a simple {imperfect sinner} girl like me, God is just the very best. There is no other that can do the wonderful things my Heavenly Father does for me!

Now, that's a whole lot to process I'm sure, but I had a lot on my heart and mind and the above is just a jumbled up peek into my life at the moment. It's such a crazy hectic, fantastic life God has given me and he's just chipping away all those rotten pieces that aren't very Heavenly. * smiles *

Where It All Began ~ Part I

“I’ll be just a few minutes,” Daddy promised, letting the van door click behind him. It was my birthday, we had gone out to breakfast just the three of us. Mommy, Daddy & Me. It had been a pretty awesome day so far, and in spite of the chilly winds the weather was even hitting on the pretty side.

My phone vibrated from the seat beside me, the number was UNAVAILABLE. Lucky for them, I was losing interest in Facebook and my emails faster than a 5 year old walking around the store with his mother. I hit the green button, poker face on. “Hello?”

“Yes, hello?” The voice on the other end belonged to a man with a thick Iranian accent. “Ah, yes Ma’am! My name is Amihad, and I  am calling with a short survey for you today. How are you doing?” I was doing fine, thanks.

“First of all, I will explain to you, Ma‘am, that you do not have to pay for anything today. The web address you submitted to my company: [ ....@ webmail.com]  can you confirm that for me, Ma‘am?”

I looked over the expanse of green fields outside my window. “No sir, I never submitted any information. May I ask how you came to obtain this information?”

Under his breath I heard him say, she wants to know how? And to me he chuckled into the phone, “Ma’am, are you saying that is not your correct web address?”

“I don’t give my address to strangers, but thanks for asking.”

“Ok, um … that is perfectly alright. We will come back to that later, but secondly Ma’am, have you completed your high school education?”
Like a three dollar bill, we’d come back to my email address later. This guy rolled with a lot of confidence. “Yes.”

“And do you mind if I ask in what year you completed this education?”

“Oh, well it was quite awhile ago actually.”

“Okay, okay. That is great, now if you will answer a few questions for me, we will send you some information about some online classes you might find helpful. Now, what are your interests, Ma’am? We offer message therapy | medical research | history | something for everyone.”

I struggled to pull apart words and sentences he was running together in his quick Arabic tongue. Was he trying to lose me, or just confuse me so he could get the information he wanted and be gone? “I’m sorry, I’m not interested.”

“No, you are not listening to me.” He sounded agitated, “You pay nothing today! It is free, Ma’am. I just need you to answer my questions, that is all.”

“I’m not interested, but thank you. I’m already in school.”

Quietly, “ah! She’s already in school, she does not tell me this.” But to me, he says “Ma’am. I am sorry, I cannot take this anymore. I will please transfer you to my manager. I will transfer you to the manager, okay? Please, a moment?”

Ask me if I was silently cracking up, thinking how this was new. This aggravating a telemarketer for the first time in my life. How all the wrong answers had thrown him off course so much, how he couldn’t even give me his pitch. How he hadn’t bothered hiding his obvious frustration. He must’ve been new.

“Oh, yes. Of course, I’d love to talk to your manager!” I answered, brightly. Much too brightly, enjoying this far too much. A few seconds later, another man’s voice sounded across the line and I smiled.

      { to be continued, because no conversation with an Arabic Telemarket could ever be so very short}

Where It All Began ~ Part II

“Hi, my name is Nate Posh with {such and such a company}.” His accent was English, and understandable. Clear and distinct, one I could easily understand. “How are you doing today, Ma’am?”
“Oh, I’m doing great. And yourself?” Polite, yet I was smirking. My mother leaned around the seat looking at me. My father had climbed back into the car, and together they just looked at me, putting all the one sided pieces together. He was good, thank you for asking.

“Now, I understand you’re interested in completing your education. That’s great, and just to help us out a little bit, could you confirm your address and give us a feel for what you‘d like to get a degree in, Ma‘am?”

“I’m actually really happy where I’m at, Sir. But may I ask you a question?”

He sounded like he was smiling, when he gave me the go ahead. He sounded a little surprised, but I was the customer after all, as he'd said, and he was here to help. “How did you come by this information?”

“Ok, well Ma’am, that is not something we are permitted to disclose. Now … if you will please give me your correct web -- ” His English accent had suddenly disappeared, and in its place, a thickened Iranian accent. Was he even kidding me?

“So you can ask me questions, but I can‘t ask you any questions?” I interrupted.

“Ma’am, that is not how this works okay? Now, I just need …” and onto his soapbox he climbed, throwing out all kinds of information and telling me what I needed to do, etc. Stressing he did not need my mailing address or my social security, or anything like that. Just my date of birth, full name and my email address. Really man? I thought not.

“Sir, have YOU completed your education?”

“Um, excuse me? Uh, yes Ma’am. I have my PH.D, I have graduated college. And that is why I want to share the joy of completing your education with you, Ma‘am.”

“What was your major? Did you major in telemarketing?” I asked, and at this Daddy turned around in disbelief, just as Mommy began laughing in the front seat. But then Daddy grinned, shaking his head and I knew all was well. But ... he reminded me, this was not something he was permitted to discuss either.

“Ah. So your education didn’t work out so well for you, did it?”

He was falling all over his Arabian English self. “Media!”

“I’m sorry?”

“Media, Ma’am! I. Majored. In. Media.” He finally snapped into the phone, so unprofessional. But I was smothering my laughter so much, I hardly noticed. Then, he laughed into the phone, “Ma’am, you sound like you are too smart for this.”

I was. I thanked him and he rambled on, like a car-salesman at the end of a long day; slightly deflated and more noticeably at ease with the customer. He had a kinder tone now and he was losing some of that Arabic flair.

Nine minutes later, we were still going back and forth. He explained his business, I shook my head. “So what you’re telling me is, that you will help me find a good school and send me information about that particular school?”

He confirmed, yes.

“I’m sorry, but wouldn’t it make more sense for me to go online, find the college myself and request the information? I mean, really. I don’t need a monkey in the middle to finish my schooling.”

He laughed, it must have been my monkey comment. I still wasn‘t sure where it had come from. “Ma’am, you have been such a joy to talk to. Most people hang up. Now, all I want to know is if you are interested in completing your education.”

He was a broken record, and now he wasn’t easily distracted. I smiled, “I’m already taking classes, and I’m happy where I’m at. I’m really not interested.”

“What? You have?!” The Arabic accent slipped suddenly, this cracked me up immensely. But in the next few seconds, it was back full force. “Ma’am, why did you not tell me this?”

“I did. I told your buddy the first time, and I’ve told you twice.”

“Ma’am.” Apparently, I wasn’t such a joy to talk to anymore. He sounded less than thrilled over there in his little Iced Over Office, he was probably fingering his little white name-tag that read Sue. “We have been going back and forth, back and forth for TEN minutes! Thank you for your time, but I cannot deal with this, I am sorry. Have a good day, goodbye.”

“Thanks! you too.”

With that, the phones went dead and all I could do was crack up. To which my father replied, “Girl, you’re so much like your daddy” which meant, he approved. Poor. Poor Telemarketer. But I have this funny feeling they will be taking my number off that they list they swore I wasn't on.* wink *

What Do You Want Me To Be?

The other day, Joshua was sitting at his little desk in the corner. For an hour or so he had been busily plucking away at his school work and as Mommy walked past, he grabbed her hand . . .

"Mommy? What do you want me to be when I'm grown up?"

It was the sweetest little question, and it was so very out of the blue, but Mommy didn't miss a beat. She smiled, and smoothed his dusky blonde hair with her hand. "I want you to be whatever God wants for you."

"Well," He tucked his chin in thought, then looked up at Mommy. She was always good at solving his little dilemmas with motherly ease. He knew he'd come to the right person. You could just tell by the way he smiled at her. "I was actually thinking about being a NAVY Seal."

"A Navy Seal?"

He looked at the floor again, contemplating. "Yeah, but . . . I'm not really sure how to go about it."

"You're not sure how to go about it?"

This is typical of alooooot of conversations with my little man. He's just so smart it sometimes blows us away, and all we can think to do is repeat his brilliance. * winks *

"Ahmm." We weren't tripping him up any, that much was obvious. This little boy was focused on one thing. Lips drawn together, his whole life lay before him and he wanted to be a Navy Seal. The world was on his cute tanned shoulders. "I just don't know how to get into the Army."

"The Army?" Mommy was about to give up her mirrored phrases. "Well, it's actually the Navy you have to join. First you have to finish school, and get good grades and training."

"Oh!" Lightbulbs were going off in his blonde haired head. He shrugged, "That's okay, Mom. I'm gonna get all 100's in college!"

Oh duuuuh! Why didn't any of us think of this? :P

Such confidence. Such determination. How can you NOT looooove him? He's my tiny pumpkin love, my strong little man with sweet kisses and long squeazy hugs. He's my yogurt eating, PB&J munching child.

And he has big asperations when he grows up!

I adore that he never lets anything get in his way, or give up on the many dreams he's got tucked away in that imaginative mind of his.

Sticky Glue & Some Paint Too.

The other day, I woke up feeling like I could do a lot of really productive things . . . starting with something less exciting like taking care of some laundry. But soon all the clothes had either been folded and put in their proper bins { as I've yet to get those organizing drawers for my closet, sigh } or hung by least favorite, to favorite. Which, if you have trouble throwing things out makes things so much easier when you're looking for something. * winks *

{And don't worry, eventually you'll bite the bullet and throw those old clothes out . . .}

So, you're wondering why I've posted pictures of randomness, hmm? Well, I finally finished packing away the rest of my winter things. This is how I came to the conclusion I need more storage boxes like there's no tomorrow; because if there is, I shall soon run out of room!

And of course, ALL that moving around and packing away gave me an extra creative oomph that I needed to tackle some projects I hadn't even thought about.

Starting with some picture frames someone had given me ages ago. Truthfully, I wasn't a fan of them (they were a little too "glitzy" for me), until I paired them with a few vintage candlesticks | an old mirror | and some greenery for my Christmas mantle.

I went to a local craft store and found two shades of paint I liked, turqoise and mocha. It cost about $2.32. I mixed the two until I had just the right shade I was looking for and after a little TLC, I had picture frames that I was seriously loving!

I had some old notecards I had been saving for a "Someday Project" and cut them to fit inside the frames.

And in about 15 minutes, I had two really cute and personalized pieces that invited the Springy Sunshine and warmth into my room. It was just what I needed, and it just kept the inspiration coming too.

I wasn't about to complain about all the stuff I was digging out of boxes, and the glue sticking to my fingers from another project I'd found on one of my absolutely FAVORITE sites: Pinterest .

Like I said, I save what can be salvaged from my Scrapbooking projects so I can reuse them later. It saves me a lot of money, and begs creativity to happen!

So I pulled out the big stack of cardstock | old notecards | a bit of hemp cord | and glitter and set to work . . .

This project took me quite a bit longer than the picture frames but still, I was kind of impressed with the paper chain | garland that I hadn't spent a cent on!

Also, one of my absolute FAVORITE finds would have to be this rub-on wall quote from . . . The Dollar Tree. Can you believe it?!

I got another one from Target a while back and paid $14 for it. But I was browsing the shelves two weeks ago for some things for my Aunt's 65th birthday party and stumbled on this little thing. I snatched it up in an instant because I knew just where I could put it! It would jazz up my mantle even more and it was also a GREAT reminder!

Sweet Pea, Apple Of My Eye.

As promised, here are a handful of pictures of Baby M that we took recently. She was such a good little girl, and hardly fussed at all . . . Momma and I loved taking pictures of her, it was so much FUN!

She's fast asleep on Mommy's lap. Isn't she just the sweetest?

I {heart} this little girl already.

Eventually, all the camera snapping | etc woke her up and she was
in such a happy mood. It was great! And don't you just love her
pink tutu dress? I thought it was adorable.

. . . Sweet Little Toes.

And she fell asleep again on Mommy's shoulder.

She slept off and on in between all her pictures, but she was so good. And really, I am quite in love with her Little Tutu. It's beyond cute! Grandma loved it, Mommy loved it. Everybody was a fan, she was a Little Sweet Pea all afternoon. So after we took all the fun pictures, I stole her again for a few minutes while she was awake . . .

We Aren't Together Anymore, Ken & I.

My phone buzzed from the window sill. I finished up what I had been doing and grabbed it about five minutes later. A missed call from an unrecognizable number. Nice.

 I don't know about you, but it's very rare I answer a call I don't know. You get anything from people you used to know, to telemarketers. "Hey Daddy," Moving into the family room, I eyed the phone number again. "Who is two nine three?"

Charlottesville? Okay, well if it was important I'm sure they would call back. So on that note, I tossed my phone in my room and went to finish getting ready for the day. But by the time I'd grabbed a cup of Tea an hour or so later, it was beginning to wear on my nerves.

Most of the time, I'll give it over to my sisters who are more than willing to "do my dirty work" as they call it. But none of them were up for the job today, so I hit the redial button and waited as it rang . . .

"Hello."

The voice was dry and I got the vibe they felt they couldn't be bothered with a phone call. I still had no idea to whom the voice belonged and they weren't going out of their way in the friendly department. I wracked my brain for a list of possible people it might be, and came up empty-handed.

"Hi. I missed a call from this number and I was just returning the call."

"Well, I called a lot of people. Who are you?" Ah, now they were going to speak to me in an accusatory kind of way that made me feel as if I had no business dialing their number and ruining their day. What a woman I tell you. What a woman. Hmmph ...

"Brittany," I paused. If they knew me they wouldn't need a last name, but since they obviously didn't I decided I might as well tack that on too.

"Yeah?" As if I didn't know my own name. "From where?"

"Scottsville." I said, probably a bit testily. But I'm sure there was more questionable comedy in my voice than anything else. These people were playing twenty questions! and it was beginning to feel more like speed dating than just a returned phone call.

"Brittany from Scottsville?"

"Yes, Ma'am. I'm from Scottsville." How long was she going to keep this up anyways?

"What do you do?!"

What the What?! She wanted to know what I did for a living now too? This was simply too much for the girl to give away to a complete strangers with a sour-milk attitude. "I return calls I miss."

"Ohhh. You live with Ken." There was a bit of recognition in her voice now, like she was slowly realizing who I was. Only, I wasn't the girl that lived with Ken. She was way off the chart on this thing, and she didn't even know it.

"No Ma'am. I don't live with Ken."

"Do you know Sue?" The woman sounded slightly irritated when I said I didn't know Sue, assuming all the Sue's I knew weren't any of the Sue's she did. "Are you SURE you don't live with Ken anymore?"

I tell you it was all I could do not to crack up. I almost said, Well we broke up, Sweetie. But I decided against carrying on this little charade any longer, even though she was annoying the dickens out of me and cracking me up all at the same time! " Uhh, No Ma'am. I definitely don't live with Ken."

"Well why'd you call me then?!" Her voice cracked. Oh ladeeee ...

"I was just returning your call from this morning, Ma'am."

"Well I don't think I called you. I don't even know you. You don't even know Sue!" The woman's voice was getting louder, as if it was a terrible crime to no longer be living with Ken and not know Sue of all people.

"I'm sorry, have a nice day then."

"Uhuh. G'bye." The phone snapped into silence, and I pulled it away from my ear. What a very. very. very. weird conversation.

This is why I only dial numbers I know almost backwards and forwards, so I don't give people grief and annoy the world out of people. But still, I find it kind of commical!

Happy Monday, everybody! I hope you started it with a handful of smiles and end it even better. * smiles *

Dear Lord, It's All Greek To Me.

At 6:15 this morning, I was just getting ready for the day ahead of me. Michael Buble's Baby Please Come Home was dancing through my head, and my Tea was warm and delicious. Throw my big comfy hoodie into the mix and you've got one very content girl on your hands.
And since you're wondering, I am totally still listening to random bits of Christmas Music. For me, it's more of a Winter thing than just a one month kind of a deal. So as long as it's cold outside and there's still a chance of Snow . . . you'll find me right in the middle of a really great song.

I munched on Breakfast as I packed my lunch, and made another cup of tea. Heaven Forbid I run out of something warm to drink when I'm at work, it's just all downhill from there! Of course, there IS a coffee maker at work but no yummy creamer for the spoiled lady who adores her coffee just so. * long wistful sigh *

The morning was brisk and really rather frigid. In fact, I could even see my breath when I stepped off the porch. But by the time I had arrived at work, the office was warm and inviting. Ah, my day was already off to a great start!

Sliding into the office chair at the front desk, I moved the cursor across the computer screen waiting for it to come alive with a whir of power. A text box popped up and flashed before my eyes, the server was down.

Really? The server was down so very early in the morning? This might've have despaired me some, but I found that Francis had left her appointment book sprawled across the opposite counter. No worries, I thought as I flipped to the current day. I'd be set up in seven minutes flat.

Impressions for upper dentures . . . Okay, I thought I could handle that semi-smoothly. I'd taken two impressions since my first day, but Johnna had always been there to oversee and guide my hands into proper positions, tell me how to mix this and that and whatnot. She wasn't here today, and some of the appointments for the day were Greek to me. But! I smiled to myself as I flipped the compressor switches in the back hall, I can handle this if I keep my head on straight and ask God to help me.

The water from the Ultra-Sonic tipped in the process of filling it up. Scissors fell from a cabinet when I opened it. The Auto-Clave { the sanitation device } was brimming full. I couldn't find Wax Rims I needed. Dear God, everything is going amuck. Give me peace and wisdom to do what I need to do. Please! Help me get through this day, Lord.

My whispered prayer was a simple, silent plea for help that brought instant peace to my heart. In fact, it really amazes me now as I look back on all the little things I couldn't find and the appointments that took longer than they should have, that God really did help me and put such an overwhelming peace in my heart.

Wax Rims. Ah, those wonderful little things that aid in the whole denture fitting process. I really enjoy appointments like this because I do so very little during the actual appointment! Basically I set up and stand by for whenever Jay might decide he needs something from somewhere I probably haven't any idea where it is. That's usually how it goes, but I love the learning aspect and remembering where things go.

I breathe a HUGE sigh of relief when I know right from the moment he asks for something just where to find it. You wouldn't believe how such a silly little thing encourages me, and lightens the load. "Yep, that's good. Perfect!" Is one of the best things I hear all day, when I know I've gotten it right. And thanks to a boatload of learning experiences in the past three months, I'm hearing it more and more. By the way, I can't believe it's already been THREE whole months since I started! Whoah.

{ to be continued ... because somedays call for long winded-ness }

It's All Greek To Me, Part II

We had a particular older lady come in for a fitting this morning. Her middle aged daughter tagged along to see all the "excitement". They had the same style, the same laugh that sounded more like giggles and they were very um ... shall we say exuberant? Yes, we'll go with that one.

At first it was fine and made me smile, and then after about an hour of hearing the same noisy chatter followed by mirrored giggles from down the hall, I considered the fact that such things could make one go crazy. Lucky for me, the lab needed a pick-me-up. Occasionally, Francis and I would chat for a few minutes in between our little jobs which made the day so much more enjoyable.

Our very last appointment of the day, a patient who had knocked a crown off. While Jay began to discuss what we would do about repairing the crown, I collected the things to take to our other office and cleaned up a bit. It was Friday, and I could feel relaxation creeping into my bones. Ah, what an amazing thing Friday afternoons are. I love waking up and knowing the weekend is RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!

"Brittany," Jay's voice rose slightly from down the hall. I dropped what I had been doing in the lab and pushed the curtain aside, taking note of how things looked to be going. "I think we're going to go ahead and mix this cement up. Are you comfortable doing that?"

The five year old in me just comes out whenever I have the opportunity to mix things at work. No matter if it's clay mold mix | crown cement | or impression molds. It's totally different from mixing ordinary things, it's a science.

And so the girl smiled and nodded her head, quietly. My voice has been coming and going as it chooses all day, so very random. So with great care and a steady hand, I pushed the crown cement back and forth across the mixing surface. Then counted to thirty in my head until the cement was smooth and creamy. Jay looked over his shoulder, "Actually. I think I'm going to go ahead and let you finish that."

He quickly showed me how to load the cement into the crown and create the perfect indention underneath. When I had finished, he took the crown and completed the process. It's ridiculous I know, but trying something new was actually really great. That's how I've come to figure out whats what around the office and learning how to do things; by watching and trying it out myself.

So the day that felt so OFF, so crazy and hectic and imperfect turned out to be a really enjoyable and even relaxing in a weird sort of way kind of day! I am so thankful for all God allowed me to get done today, and for helping things to go so smoothly. I'm off to enjoy a wonderful weekend, and an even better Sunday!

A Little Bit Of Goodness

It was a gorgeous afternoon, the sun was shining { like it has been of late, beautimous }. Mommy and I went to the Fork Union Pharmacy which is such a bad | deliciously tempting place to go.

Basically, it's a little Primitive shop and pharmacy rolled into one. I've never in my life gone there to get a prescription filled, but I've found all sorts of little treasures while browsing the shelves and various displays.
In two trips, I'd completed my Willow Tree Nativity Set. I have all sorts of little goodies from the Pharmacy, including Iron Butterflies | Vintage Flower Pots | a Table Runner | Candle Stands | etc. It's one of the best places I know to find homey things like that around here. Pennsylvania is by far the absolute best place with it's BIG Amish Goods shops and Handmade Quilts. So it's our little fix when we want something a little Homey and Heart Warming. * winks *

TODAY: I found this --> a woven Burgundy | Tan | & Cream Centerpiece. It's simple and something like 12x12 inches round. It's great, and I can use it all year long if I want to because the colors are warm and inviting. I saw it and knew it was exactly what I'd come looking for. Not to mention, it was $6.

Sunshine Rambling.

There’s something about this Sunshine. There’s something about this day. There’s something about the wind in the trees that makes me feel this way. I feel like dancing under the sky, I feel like drinking Chocolate Milk from a glass bottle and soaking up all of this Sunshine.

Today, I feel capable. Capable of creating happiness.

I had nowhere to go, and nothing in particular to do. This is one of the things I absolutely LOVE about Mondays and Tuesdays. There's something exciting about knowing that the day is completely free to cross off  my growing To-Do list. An empty day is permission to add and subtract to said list with reckless abandon. * smiles *

It started off with a steaming cup of my very favorite Raspberry Tea, plain and chocked full of nutritious goodness just the way I love it. For me, it's the best way to start out my day ~ Hot Tea and My Morning Devotions while everybody else is upstairs starting their day. No interruptions.

Today was just so Productive and Sunshiney. My closet got reorganized which always makes me feel much better about Life. Nothing in my room was left untouched, I tell you. And that box full of Craft supplies under my bed . . . How could I have forgotten about all that good stuff from Fabric, and Scrapbooking to Buttons and Paint?

And from there, my To-Do unfolded into Part Bee. But alas, it was lunchtime and I had cards to write and food to consume. By the way, did I mention there were yummy cupcakes from Baby's Shower last night? Okay, so I have this thing about ButterCream Frosting . . .  as in, I prefer whipped frosting to actual frosting any day. But that's beside the point, because after all a cupcake is a cupcake. And sunshine is sunshine.

And cupcakes, and sunshine and productivity all added up to a really awesome day. I could still put on some fun music and dance around my room in my socks if I want to. But I'm brainstorming for ideas to decorate my room for Valentine's Day. Six days ago, I had this vision in my head and promises of posts of Vday crafts but I was out of comission for three of those days and now I'm standing here wondering, Where shall I start?

I haven't any clue, but we shall see. * winks *

I'm rambling, I know. But that's what happens when happiness and sugar explode all in one day. A Dozen Chickens are running about the yard, Joshy is munching on his second PB&J of the day and Mckenna is filling the house with hymns and such as the evening news gives me the low-down on what's been happening around Charly of late. 

P.S. I was just reminded how much I am loved. My littlest man throws his arms around me, his face breaking into a dimpled grin around his beloved little sandwich, and says, "I love you, Bwit."

Sometimes, You Just Have To Consider.

What If . . .  you woke up tomorrow and discovered you had lost the use of your legs?

What If . . . you went to the doctor and he diagnosed you with Cancer?

What If . . . you lost your eye sight?

What If  . . . you woke up tomorrow with only the things you thanked God for today?

Having a Bad Hair Day? Do you ever stop to consider that little girl who stands in front of the mirror every day, looking at her bare head with tears rolling down her cheeks? Do you think of the weeks and months of Chemo she's going through and thank God you're so healthy?

Do you know how that little girl's life has been pulled from beneath her? How her old friends give her funny looks and pretend she's not there.

Feeling a little sluggish about exercising? Do you ever stop to consider the man who would love to run around in the backyard chasing his giggling children with reckless abandon?

I saw this picture the other day, and thought "How in the world can I get up everyday and find ANYTHING to complain about?!"

I complain  . . .

The Sun's too bright: I need a new pair of Sunglasses.

My hair's a wreck, I can't do anything with it: I wish I had a hair stylist. Celebrity hair.

I've got a headache: I don't think I'll do much, just wait for it to go away.

Run? I don't have time to run. Besides, I just don't feel like it: Maybe tomorrow. Reading sounds good, or maybe we can see what's happening on Facebook.

Wow. Do the articles and pictures I've come across lately put things in proper perspective for me. My excuses and complaints by the boatload are LAME. I've really got to step it up and really count my endless Blessings here! Do more for others, and not myself. Have a better attitude in general, most definitely.

Take just a second here to consider:



What can you do to make Life more about the Blessings, and not the Complaints?

Number Twenty-Four

Somewhere in the middle of my New Year’s Resolutions, between Soul Winning more and finishing that quilt I started an eternity ago, you’ll find three words carefully penned.

Read More Books

A long time ago, before I ever finished High School or applied for my first job, I would spend hours at the library. I craved adventure, and a good love story rolled into one. Sometimes, I wanted history plain and simple. I had stories at home just waiting to be written; all of which needed history and facts and reality woven into every chapter.

And as the smell of old books and knowledge filled my senses, my fingers ran over dozens of titles and finally a handful of thick adventure would fall from the shelves and into my eager hands.

But somewhere between cramming for finals, preparing for graduation and packing all my life into storage bins and heading off to college, I forgot the thrill and adventure that reading offered. The library no longer held a sense of wonder or fascination to me, it was just another quiet place to study. A place where no one went to socialize, where phones were forced into silence, where people more often than not caught a few minutes of much-needed sleep, their heads resting atop a pile of textbooks and notes.

No, the library was just another place for me.

And so, finding it one of the easier things to check off on my New Year’s Resolutions and plans, I headed to the library in search of just one book that would either make or break #24. I would give it one more chance to thrill and amaze me, to take me to places I hadn’t been in a long, long time.

But then, one book turned into three. And I found myself holding my breath from page to page, the clock ticking well past midnight. It was suddenly an obsession, this reading a book from cover to cover all in one night.

I love those books that inspire, that pull you into an amazing plot and grip your heartstrings in warm love and wring it out of all emotions, good and bad. I have an insane respect for authors that write in such a way that you forget what you’re reading is just another work of fiction. The characters come alive just as the author has conjured them up and imagined them to be for so many months.

For me, that’s what I missed the most. The power of a good book . . . The honesty, and the beauty, the inspiration. I just love it!

Baby Cakes, I Tried.

Just the other night, we were all heading home from church. It was the usual chaotic mix of voices of three different conversations talking around the other. I was busy flipping through emails via my phone, occasionally reminding Abs to sit back in her seat so she would be safe.

Music drifted through the van, an unecessary background noise. The munchkins were shoulder to shoulder in the backseat, laughing about a joke someone had told. It was a normal Wednesday night drive home, everything was just as it should be. No one really thinking much about anything else except getting home and grabbing a snack before bed.

But then, out of the hum of voices and stories and smothered laughter, my mother's voice raised three notches. "No! Oh no, you're going to hit it. Honey, watch . . . "

And you must realize that it's an awful lot of dialogue to be happening in just the split-second of time it happened, but my mother talks fast when something big happens.

Six little heads popped to attention from behind the driver and passenger seats, six little heads craning their necks and peering into the dark night ahead to see what had happened. What the thud was, why the van swerved suddenly, why Momma was talking fast, why Daddy was saying "Honey! I tried . . ."

Those six little voices raised in chaotic vocal confusion. A slew of questions came piling from the back of the van, and there wasn't much sense you could make of it really. Springing into thoughtless action, everybody started answering everyone else's questions. Thus, more chaos errupted.

"What was it?! Did we hit something? Was it a cat?"

"Yeah, we hit something. I don't know what it was. Hold on . . ."

"Was it a cat? Brit! Was it a cat? Did we just hit a deer or something? SOMEBODY tell me if it was a cat!"

Each question came from the little guys, and what the girls and I didn't know we leaned into the front seat to figure out. None of us knew, Momma and Daddy were still Honey, I didn't see. Why didn't you swerve? -ing.

If there's anything you don't do, it's push my buttons when I'm just as lost as you are. And yes, I'm still working on improving that. But seeing as how I haven't gotten there just yet, Abs asked me a hundredth time, "Did. We. Hit. A. Cat?!!"

I'm human. I turned in my seat, almost buried beneath a handful of winter coats and bags and munchkin things. "No Abs! It wasn't a cat . . ." Much calmer, I added "I think it was a possum."

This caught Mommy's attention. Daddy was saying, "Baby, it's just a possum. And I couldn't get over in time, it's okay. At least I tried." Mommy was explaining they were Marsupials and they carried babies ~ like little Beans, she said ~ in their pouches kind of like Kangaroos. "Aw, the poor little thing! It probably had little babies . . ."

Typically, my father isn't a cold-hearted man but sometimes he really does just delve deep into a situation and find the worst kind of humor. Thus, he begins to crack up unbelieveably and says "Aint no more Beanie Babies now, Baby Cakes!"

My mother didn't appreciate this as much as he did, obviously. So he attempted to make amends, "Well to my credit, there was a big one over at the church the other night. I could've shot it but I didn't."

"The tires roll on the just and the unjust, I suppose." Mckenna piped up rather stoically from beside me. Ever the little comic, I daresay. Momma did kind of laugh over this, so it was all was fine and good after that.

It's times like this when I want to put such memories in a big Mason jar and save them for a rainy day. Hmm . . . what a wonderfully, happy little thought! * winks *