Helpful Hint number 3,201,452

While plugging in your laptop...

Never touch the prongs as it slips into the socket. YOWZA!!!!!
Shocking experience!!!

The Bridge...

I've been...well, standing on a bridge of sorts. I've received tons of messages about my absence from the blogging world. Believe me, I've been there, I just haven't had the strength to be part of everyone's world. Please understand, I am perfectly fine, but when stresses fall upon me I tend to withdraw while my mind, heart and spirit until I am ready to again stand in the sun.

During this trying time I chose to withdraw my words because someone close mentioned that I had not called and let them know what was going on...they had to read it here. To my defense i hadn't even called my parents early on. Sometimes I find it is easier to write my feelings down to help myself see things a bit more clearly before I can tell anyone else. I don't know why, but it is my version of therapy. I know and trust my fellow bloggers as much as my family and yet I know I don't have to face you. I can sit here and tell you everything is wonderful...lie my little heart out and be miserable....OR I can write down my feelings, helping myself to sort them out in my head before having to speak the words. After contemplating these thoughts for a very long time along with prayer I am back. I will continue to write down my thoughts...before even I talk to my mother about them as it is what I need to make it through this trial.

Right now, I am walking towards a bridge...and as this photo was one of my favorite bridges it seemed appropriate. The bridge I am walking towards is my new life coming up. We all cross bridges moving from one season in our life to the next. We all approach new adventures, sometimes wondering if the bridge is strong enough to support us. It is through fasting and prayer that many of us approach a bridge using our faith to walk across knowing the weight on our shoulders at the time will not weaken the supports and crash to the waters below.

Not only are we planning a move, where my husband is standing on the top of the bridge, testing its strength so to speak, but to prepare is a lot of work. This time...I'm going on my terms. In the past few days it has culminated to the point where I have learned a few things about myself. The most important...I have strength. I have the strength to organize my family for the move. I have the strength to let go of things that I truly loved and realize...they are only things. I have the strength to find solutions to plaguing problems. I have strength to tell my children everything will be all right...and mean it. I have the strength to accomplish tasks normally saved for hubby. I have the strength to make decisions for the welfare of our family.

I feel blessed to have the friends around us checking in. I am not kidding you when I tell you I don't go a full day without at least three or four people calling, stopping by and checking in on me. I am truly grateful and pray that once this trial is finished I can be that same support to someone else.

A special thanks to my bloggy buddies checking in on me. I love you all.

We all have those friends...

I'm sure you can picture that person right now in your mind...you know the one! The one who when you say the statement: "I'm fine," they know you are isntantly not fine. It could be your BFF, your husband, the old lady living next door, or even your grocery store clerk.

Today, I would like to celebrate these friends. I would like to celebrate the people who take their time to know us, love us and offer us a hand up when we are down.

Today, my friends, I celebrate YOU!!! I know I have been down lately and realized last night as I dialed a friend how easily I can be read. I explained to him I give my all to my husband and kids...after that I just fold because I don't have enough for myself. He understood. I received his encouragement, his hand to help me back up and appreciated the friend I have had for so many years. I very much look forward to being reunited with my sweet husband and restarting our crazy life. Though things may look bleak now there is a ray of sun reminded me of what is on the horizon.

Thank you all for your hope, your help, and your prayers. I couldn't make it without you.

How do you say....?

So, with hubby away searching for a job I find myself manning the store, the kids, the home....whatever.

Anyway, sitting here in the store clearancing out the final products on the shelves people wander in throughout the day. A sweet customer of ours came in and was looking to see what he could use. Unfortunately this particular gentleman struggles with english and speaks about 95% spanish with only about 5% english. He brought sheath cleaner up to the counter and asked me what it was. My face turned bright red because I couldn't explain it and I truly did not want to draw a picture.

I knew this man didn't have any pigs so i told him it was for the pigs...don't worry, I've already repented. I think Heavenly Father understands.

For those who've never been around horses...to put it delicately it is to clean a stallion in private areas.

Yeah!!! What would you have done?

Bryan's Night...

Tonight, we spent the evening driving to the regional school offices for Bryan. He is an AVID student in his school. The program teaches proper study habits, how to take notes in school and his grades show the difference. Last year he was receiving 1's and 2's in many of his grades. This year, the first trimester he has shown his grades take off and he has now rid himself of the dreaded 1's and 2's. He now has mostly A's and B's and just one C. I am so proud of all the hard work he has put into his studies and improvement. Because of all ofhis hard work he has gone to Saint Mary's College to receive a tour of the campus and then enjoyed wathcing a basketball game all on a school night. He returned home far after midnight, but even though he was tired the next morning he didn't bat an eye when I told him it was time to go to school.

Today I am proud of my son who has shown courage and hard work. Tonight it paid off in a small way as he received letters from members of the US Congress, US House of Representatives, Mayors and certificates from all. He learned what hard work in his studies can get him and now he excitedly talks about going to college. He said: "Mom, I'm sorry it's going to be so expensive." I told him it will be worth every single penny!!!

Today he feels like a million pennies!!!! Congratulations Bryan!!!