Over the river, and through the woods

To Grandpop's house we go. Last week the insect ("Ant" M.) and Grandma (dh's mom) left after their 2 week visit.

Tomorrow Little Sprout and I set off to travel for a visit with my Dad.

12 nights missing hubby,
11 books for reading,
10 toys boring,
9 family visiting,
8 relatives avoiding,
7 "How far"'s per hour,
6 East Coast nights,
5 Dddddd Vvvvv Ddddddds,
4 suitcases full,
3 days driving (one way!),
2 thousand miles (roundtrip),
and a frazzled mommy in a rental car!

Please pray for our safe and pleasant trip.

The Insect is Gone

And we are sad.

It has been two weeks since I blogged. Been busy. Grandma and "Ant" M were visiting.

We started referring to M. as the insect after Little Sprout created a check-off calendar to count down the days til their arrival. She didn't know how to spell the relative aunt, so improvised with the crawling one.

It's been a few days since their departure and life is returning to pre-insect invasion, normal and boring.

Unlike most infestations which are to be feared by little sprouts, we are eagerly looking forward to our next visit from the insect...and maybe Grandma will be able to come too.

Lest, anyone thinks we don't like Grandma. Totally not true. It's just the Ant M. is the most wonderful insect there ever was.

Word Association

Another Friday Five from the RevGals.

Below you will find five words. Tell us the first thing you think of on reading each one. Your response might be simply another word, or it might be a sentence, a poem or a story. (Yes, they're all from Job 38.)

whirlwind: Little Sprout! One seed of good and beauty that grew among the ashes.

foundation: Faith. Without faith, my life would have crumbled to dust many times.

lightning: September 2000 when I was standing in my kitchen & the house seemed to explode around me. It was not a devastating loss, but merely a sign that all hell was about to break loose...and not just figuratively.

den: Pryde. (That word will be meaningless to all but those closest to me) It was Pride, too. And some loss of Faith as I was pushed into the Lion's den. Unlike Daniel I did not walk out unscarred.

prey: Fear. I've known the fear of the hunted and how it feels to look into the eyes of the one about to slash your body and attempt to kill your soul.


By the time I reached the word "den", I realized the words are also all from the book of Chartreuseova 40-42. Difficult chapters to read. Very difficult to have lived.

Vote for Honest Egg!

It's that season of the year when lawn signs are sprouting as surely as flowers in the spring; elections are just around the corner.

It's Friday Five time.

At first I thought it was neat to see some of the signs have our last name on them. Now I just get annoyed because everywhere I go and need to give my name, I get "the question". NO! A thousand times NO! We are not related. Yes, I'm sure. Do I have to pull out the genealogy forms?

1) How old were you when you voted for the first time?
Well...I don't remember. Really! There seems to be a few missing minutes on the memorex tape.

2) What was the contest at the top of the ballot?
I refuse to answer on the grounds that it may tend to incriminate me. It might have been Carter/Reagan. I see scandal brewing...someone will put together that I can not be 32 AND have voted in that election. OK, I change my story, I was in Alabama and I...oh nevermind.

3) Can you walk to your polling place?
It depends on what the meaning of the word 'walk' is. I could, but maybe I didn't and won't.

4) Have you ever run for public office?
Nope, but based on answers 1,2, & 3; perhaps I should consider it. And I already have a great slogan (see title of post).

5) Have you run for office in a club or school or on a board?
I'm a proud past president of my local 4-H club. I also held many other offices except treasurer...why didn't they trust me with the money?

A Moment in Time

A friend of mine talks about transitions and her grandma on her blog.

And as I write this, Little Sprout is enjoying a 2 week visit from her grandma & aunt who live on the other side of the world.

Just a moment of tears, though it may seem like forever.

Just a moment of laughter, far too short.

I find myself in this moment sharing both.

A "Blue" Letter Day on My Calendar

Got a letter today. A very important reminder.

It was addressed to "Mr and Mrs. (our shared surname)" and was from a high ranking official in a large group concerned with Christianity and politics...not always in that order.

I recognized the return logo and address. Little Sprout has subscribed to a magazine published by the group. We've gotten periodic correspondence from them about family related stuff. This too was focused on the family.

It outlines how it is "imperative that everyone that is eligible to vote in this election get out and vote..." Not just vote, but vote their way on one particular state constitutional amendment.

The letter ends, "The preservation of the family in Wisconsin depends on all of us."

I so agree with that last statement. It leaves me wanting to compose a letter in return.

Dear Tom,
Thanks for the reminder of the upcoming vote to amend the state constitution. Let Dr. Jim know I've put it on my calendar and will stand and be counted in support of preservation of the family.

Tell him I'm sorry I won't be voting as he would like and oh yeah...we won't be renewing Little Sprout's subscription.

Sincerely,
Chartreuseova

P.S. I'm not really sorry!