Once A Year...

     Well, yesterday was a big day for the world of cleaning.  The adventure began around noon yesterday, as we began cleaning Travis' truck.  I do not know how long it has been since he cleaned his truck...  He has had it for 3 1/2 years now, and it looks like it was NEVER cleaned.  But, I know this is not the truth because I have helped him clean it before.  In fact, I remember scrubbing the backside of the backseats where caramel apples had been spilled.  Of course, that mess sat for several weeks, maybe months, before being cleaned up.  And, in fact, I had long since forgotten about the caramel apples...  But, I digress...



We vacuumed, threw away trash, organized, washed the truck at the self-service car wash, then went to a drive-thru car wash...  During the process, his boss called.  Travis told him, "Well, we're just washing my truck."  His response: "Once a year, whether it needs it or not, right???"  Wow!  Even in the short time that Travis has known his boss, he has apparently been able to get a pretty good feel for his 'messiness.' 



We drove the truck home -- I cleaned and "armor all-ed" the dash while Travis changed the oil...  Lucky him...  Anyway, I don't know how long this spotless truck will last, but we do have proof that it HAS been done.  Notice in the picture below -- what is missing???

No -- Travis is NOT the answer...  And, it is not the best QUALITY pic...  But, that is me vacuuming and there are no seats.  Travis had no problem taking this pic, but in no way contributed to the actual vacumming.  But, he did quickly send this picture to a couple of his best friends.  The quick reply from one of them, "Either she REALLY loves you, or she's getting ready to take it away from you."  Lucky for Travis, the answer is the former...  Not taking it away, not yet anyway!  :)

Two-Sided Coin

Ok, so I am totally learning to appreciate the little things in life...  Stumbled upon this poem (completely by accident) the other day.  I really liked it, and I thought I would share.

Two-Sided Coin
I see heads;
You see tails.
And neither of us
will admit that
we could both be
looking at
the same coin.
I won't come over
to see things from your side;
I'd lose my head.
You won't check out
my vantage point;
You'd lose your tail.
And so we argue:


"That's George Washington,
are you blind?"
-- "It's an eagle, plain as day!"
Stubborn stalemate.
Someone ought to
give that quarter a spin.
--  Lori Fiechter

Domestic Bliss...

I am really not domestically inclined.  So, I made salmon over the weekend and it turned out really good.  Travis really liked it too.  Hence, I decided to share this little jewel...  Mmmm, mmm...

I Remember When...

Ever since the passing of my dad, I have thought a lot about our relationship. I am sure that every person feels that their relationship with their loved one is special and unique -- and that is exactly how I feel. I have always been a daddy's girl. Growing up, he has been my rock -- solid and strong. But, also, a soft place to fall. He has been the quiet in the storm. I miss him terribly. I could recall story after story of how he has been there for me... And, time after time, I have wanted to call him up and just tell him about my day... Just to have that sickening sensation in the pit of my stomach return. That is no longer the reality. Somehow when I call someone else, they just don't seem to measure up.

Long nights in college, when I was up until all hours of the night studying. I called my dad. Discussions about God. I called my dad. Arguments with Travis (sorry Trav). I called my dad. Work issues. Dad. Building my house. Dad. Questions about money. Dad. Dad, dad, dad. And, that's just this week...

I don't mean to sound like a downer. I just miss him so much. But, I am not blind. Not spiritually. Not physically. Not emotionally. I know all the blessings that have been bestowed on myself and my family. Those blessings are not diminished by this one horrible tragedy. Some of those blessings have actually become clearer because of this. And sure, for us it is a tragedy -- for my dad -- freedom, love, grace.

This story is one of those blessings that have just become clearer. Sometimes, I just smile when I think of it. Sometimes, I smile through tears. But, I always smile. When I was in 3rd or 4th grade, I decided that I wanted to ride my bicycle to school. At this time, we lived in a neighborhood in Marietta -- just 2 blocks from my elementary school. I really hold this time in my life dear... Just two blocks from school and two blocks from my best friend. It was very unlike my parents to let me do something like this -- ride two blocks, completely unattended by an adult in elementary school. But, surprisingly, they agreed to let it happen. I remember there was this big hill that stood between me and East Side Elementary. The first few days of riding my bike, I could not even make it half-way up the hill. No matter how much speed I gained. But, day after day, I would make it a little further, until finally one day, I rode all the way up... Ahh, it was glorious success. Anyway, this continued all year, riding to school in the morning, riding home in the afternoon. Sometimes, with a pit-stop at my best friend's house. Whenever I would end up at Toni's house (best friend since I was five), I was supposed to call my parent's right away. However, being a child, sometimes I would forget. Ooooh, my parents would be so mad! Telling me how worried they were. They have always been a "little" overprotective (note: sarcasm). This was the norm for a while. Time rocked on. Later on in my life, I would recall this story and how I learned to conquer that hill. A true lesson for real life -- just keep at it and you can accomplish anything. But, I would find later, there was another lesson there...

I can't even remember when it was... But, I was definitely an adult when I found out. All those days that I rode to school -- thinking I was such a big girl, conquering that hill -- my dad was there. I had no clue! He followed me to school every day, just to make sure I arrived OK. He never told me this as a child, maybe he figured it would make me feel that he didn't trust me. But, as an adult, I realized the depth of love that it displayed. I couldn't believe he had been there all that time, watching me struggle with that hill. He said he had just wanted to come rescue me and push me up that hill himself. But, he knew it was better for me accomplish that on my own. That's my father, wonderful beyond words, loving beyond measure.

And, besides this lesson in love from my dad... I have since realized the parallel between a father's love for their child and the Father's love for His children. He is always there watching; ready to protect and rescue. But, allowing us the room to grow into who we are...

Good Intentions

OK, so apparently I haven't been so great at this blogging thing... I always have such good intentions, but you know, my life just isn't that interesting. Every now and then, I have a story or something I would like to share, but feel kind of crazy posting it in my blog -- since NOTHING else is there! I have decided though that I will just throw caution to the wind and give it one more try...

Back to Blogging...

Well, it is back to blogging for me. Had an account before at northganow.com, but with my job move, no longer have that one. I feel so technologically savvy now -- I've got a Facebook account, a Twitter account and now my own personal blog!! Wow! I would have never guessed 6 months ago!! Well, now I can share some in-depth info with those out there that really want to know :)