from the mouth of a 36 yr old

Most blogs (including mine) entail quotes/conversations that are funny involving children.

My phone call with Jeremy yesterday involved such a quote worthy of blogging as well. And he is 36 years old.

Our discussion entailed his co-workers and their choices, or lack thereof, in their wardrobe. Granted, J is a metro sexual and will admit it. None the less, he knows fashion.

He was telling me he has finally developed a trusting relationship with a another guy whom he works with. Because of this, he was relieved to say the following:

"Dude, it is time for you to get shoes that you tie in the morning. Seriously."

I think I wet my pants when he told me this. And even as I write about it, I am laughing again.

I guess adults say the darnedest things too- at least J does.

this too, shall pass

"I wondered when this was going to happen. I use to drive a tiny car."
This was what the driver said to me as she seriously needed a step ladder to get out of the HUGE cab truck that innocently plowed into my mini-van. I was in a parking lot getting ready to watch Kennedy graduate from 5th grade.
No harm done. No one was hurt. Her truck showed no signs.
Here's the catch. (Which their always seems to be a "catch" in my life.)
The damage has been done to the door with the ramp. The door and ramp that gives me freedom in my life. It doesn't work. The last couple of days I made arrangements with a co-worker, neighbor, friends and even calling people in the businesses I need to visit. Like yesterday when I had to make a half hour trip that turned into a 3 hour tour (time for a GPS) for a 15 minute estimate for my insurance company.
"Can someone come out to open my door so I can get out of my van?"
I never thought those words would come out of my mouth. On multiple levels.
I am sure other words are going to seep out when this is all done.
Some days I just want a "do-over".

rings and characteristics

I don't know my life without the Hofland family and for that, I am so grateful. I wouldn't want a life without them, all of them. Including their mom and dad.

The other day, Delsie and I walked over to their house for my Hofland fix. As usual, they hopped on and we went for a "ride". Grant was sitting on my lap on this particular adventure. He noticed my hand that adorn a couple of sterling silver rings and the following conversation occurred:

Grant: Did a boy give you those rings?

Me: No. I bought them for me.

Grant: Well, I like them. They're cool.

Me: Thanks.

At this point I allowed for silence as I could feel his wheels spinning.

Grant: Will you ever get married?

Me: I'm not sure. Do you think I will?

Grant: Yea. But if you do, he better have your characteristics.

Me: What would those be?

And with that, the conversation ended. Grant was more interested in a soccer ball.

Some time later we were talking about something else that made me laugh. Without missing a beat Grant looked over at me and said, "Now THAT would be a characteristic."

And who said kids aren't wise?

You're right Grant, He better make me laugh.

choices

Our lives are full of choices. The decisions I make can effect not only me but those around me. I am keenly aware of these choices as I am reading a book by James McDonald. It has been life changing for me. As I work through discovering who I REALLY am in Christ, I say audio ably "I am choosing to believe that you love me today, God." I don't always feel Him or even trust every moment with Him. As I work through this, a friend commented that he was confident that God would show up in my obedience. Even when it hurts.


The other day I woke up with a dull ache. I was sad and couldn't even explain it. The sun was shining, my bones were thawing out from the nasty winter, trees were budding their leaves, birds were chirping, a roof over my head, food in my belly, a job to pay the bills...but the "ache" was there. "I am choosing to believe that you love me today, God."

and just like my friend said, He showed up.

This was how I found my Orchid after facilities cleaned my office early Wednesday morning:
Thanks, Celia, for allowing God to use you. And I'm not talking about vacuuming.

a moment in time.

Delsie dug a hole to China underneath my sisters tree (sorry, guys) as the rest of the family gathered around their pool. Some of my nephews and nieces braved the frigid temperature despite the difficulty in breathing after they dove in.

Oh, to be young again.

And I have a feeling Alex and Delsie agree with those sentiments as I looked over only to find the two "bonding".

A sweet memory to the end of a beautiful Memorial Day.

S-U-C-C-E-S-S!

Fun at a playground. Scootering around the block. Four square on the neighbors driveway. Drawing with chalk on the sidewalk. Talent Show. Watch a movie, "Hotel For Dogs", Lights out at 11:15 PM.
Awake at 7:30AM. Four square again. Walk to Donutville for a donut and chocolate milk. Fun at the playground. Again. Watch a movie. Again.
Ended with Mata's chocolate chip pancakes for lunch.
Another cousin night.
Another success.

anticipation...

Friday night.
It's cousin night.
Aunt Holly can't wait.
My nephews and nieces are a riot.
They are excited to hang with each other.
And I'm thrilled to hang with them.
Friday night.
It's cousin night.

Typically, the sleep over isn't a success without a talent show.
I am positive Danika's song is translated, "Aunt Holly is my favorite aunt!"

a "lifer".

It has been said that friends come and go. I can not remember when Jayne came into my life. Maybe over 15 years ago? But she almost "left" a few months ago. As in left this earth-almost died.
I still am processing this whole thing. Not nearly as much as she is, but none the less...working through the fact that Jayne had a brain bleed on January 31 and spent the entire month of February in the Neuro-Intensive Care Unit in Colorado.
She is the first to admit that she is a miracle. Doctors scratch and shake their heads, "you're an usual case." And we are calling this mystery, God's work.
So when Jeff and Jayne met me at JP's when they were in town for the sons graduation from college the beginning of the month, I wept when we hugged.
My friend has come and gone as she has moved to a different state. But I am so glad she didn't die.
I have a feeling that I am going to be processing this for awhile...but tonight I am going to focus on the fact that she is here. Jayne came in my life and made a huge place in my heart and I am never going to let her go. She's a friend for life.
I love you, Propane.

the 411.

Every month for the last 2 years my friends have gifted me with a therapeutic massage. This has been a HUGE help for me. I carry my stress in my neck and when I fall, that is the area of my body that suffers the most. I am so grateful for this gift...I will never be able to repay my friends who allow me to do this.
Because of the longevity of going to the same masseuse for the past two years, we have developed an awesome friendship. An added bonus. This past Friday I had an appointment- the timing was impeccable as I had fallen in the beginning of the week and as a result could barely move my neck. As she was working on my body and we were talking, she asked me where I hurt. I tried to pawn it off by grumbling and pointing to my neck. "Holly, does it hurt in your stomach or your heart or your throat...where does it hurt?" It was at that point that I realized we were doing a lot more than working the kinks out in my neck. I had to think about where I hurt and then gestured to the area of my heart as the tears began to flow. "Ah, it's your heart that hurts."
It was at that point that God used her in my life to encourage me and help me to work out the kinks not only in my neck, but the knots in my heart. And boy, are they there...
...kind of like this cop that parks in a parking lot near my house to "catch" the person who's not abiding by the speed limit.
My view of God is like this, I am ashamed to admit. He is "looming" at a distance. And I have been "caught". Now I have a choice to welcome the alert or get mad at His authority in my life. Thus, the tears. It's humbling. It's lonely. It's overwhelming. It's downright scary and painfully slow.
But God is gracious. That is what I am choosing to believe today.
And hopefully that driver that got pulled over believes, too.