Summer Vacation So Far

 Yesterday was the official start of summer but the weather here in Pennsylvania was in the 60's, cool and rainy.  It's still raining.  We are in desperate need of it.  For a long time we've been dealing with dryness that has turned the grass yellow and crisp.  My son said it looks like we live in the savanna.   We were put in a burn ban so without this rain there's a chance we won't get to see any fireworks this year.  So, I welcome this rain.

When I wrapped up the school year in the cafeteria I had the opportunity to help out the custodial staff for summer work.  They put me in another elementary school and I'm only working four hours, four days a week.  It's a lot of monotonous wiping desks, tables, floors and walls but it's a way to make a little money in June.  Today, though, I took the day off.  After not being able to sleep I began to feel a headache, sore throat and congestion.   I'm sure it's the rapid change in weather.  It's also our little bundle of fur keeping us up through the night.  Oh, and I have another UTI.  

This morning I tried to have a little solo Bible study to start the day but Brooke wanted all the attention.  She's been a good dog for the most part but has that puppy energy, wanting everything she sees and occasionally having accidents in the house.  She refuses to get in the car and pulls on the leash whenever there's a rabbit, bird or squirrel in site.  It's going to take time and patience and lots of training.  She, like most huskies, deals with separation anxiety and will whine and cry through the night.  It's really like having a newborn baby but this baby is over 40 lbs and filled with fur.  I'm still getting used to her.  Rob and the kids love her.  I'm wishing we waited for a smaller dog.  But I do love her, too.  I just have my concerns but my concerns need to be pushed aside so my husband and kids get what they want.  Motherhood, right?   

So far summer vacation has been laid back.  We have a few day trips planned but no major vacations.  I'm also deciding if I want to return to the cafeteria in the fall.  As much as I've enjoyed the job there are many reasons I'm feeling my time there is up.  I'm searching elsewhere and hopefully can figure that out before August.   

On This Father's Day

 

He's the calm to my chaos.  I can give plenty of examples, especially lately, of how that is true.  He's the logical one.  Always up for doing the right thing and keeping his focus on God.  He lives by Ephesians 5:25.  He is the family bread-winner and provider of all we need and most of what we want (hey, we can't be too spoiled).  He's dealt with a lot of physical pain since childhood due to arthritis so he's always compassionate about other people's struggles.  When I'm hurt he hurts.  When I'm happy he's happy.  I can't imagine there'd be any other man who could love me as much.

Happy Father's Day to the father of my children!  I love you very much and am thankful for every day since that first day I walked into our Business Management class in 1998.  

It's A Girl

 Now that we are in summer vacation mode it seemed like the best time to search for a new puppy.  The kids have been wanting one.  We were in search of a young dog that we could rescue, instead of shopping at a pet store or breeder.  The SPCA had waived adoption fees for most of the month due to being full capacity so I filled out an application and we were approved.  Immediately one dog caught our eye but he had been snatched before we had a chance.  We also found another at a different shelter and he was perfect for us but would need surgery.   We just didn't  want the same experience we had with the last guy and are still paying off those vet bills.  Then we discovered this beautiful 6 month old Siberian Husky at the SPCA and she's been ours since Sunday.  

She's been adjusting well to her new home and accepting us as her family but she's a ball of puppy energy who likes to chew on everything she sees.  We've been keeping her leashed even in our fenced in backyard until we know she will be safe.  Huskies require a lot of exercise and stimulation.  

Right now she has been napping since I wore her out with a walk and trying to keep her away from the things she can't have.   It's a lot of work.  This is the first big dog I've ever had and I'm quickly realizing I do prefer the smaller ones.  It's going to be an adjustment for me.  Hopefully with some training she'll be better.  My husband and kids love her.  She really is sweet, gentle and very affectionate.  

Anyone with husky experience please feel free to comment with whatever advice you have.  

And the pic on the way home to her new life.  That trip was an adventure.  

Being the Change

 "Be the change you want to see in this world" -- Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi practiced the religion of Hinduism, and although I am a devout Christian I still love this quote.  It tells us that if we want to see change we need to go out into the world and do our part.  As much as I like living in my own little bubble my husband has been feeling a push to run for our local school board.  To say I was excited for his endeavor would be false.  I was hesitant and scared.  I did not want to be a part of any public scrutiny.  Working in the district I know that the administration and many teachers would be opposed to his ideas; therefore, it would not sit well with their judgement on me.  I know I shouldn't care what others think and I generally don't but I have been striving to live a peaceful, reserved life.  My husband definitely lit a torch and disrupted my comfort zone.  But change needs to happen.  Our district is failing.  Actually, the public schools all over the country are failing.  Many parents and tax payers have had enough.  Even some teachers are frustrated, in secret.  My husband has felt a call and I can't stand in his way of that.  I hadn't been as supportive as he would have liked me to be but that was because of my fears.  I feel ashamed of not being the wife he needs me to be but I am proud.  I proudly walked into the polling place yesterday and did my part.  He stayed from morning until night handing out pamphlets and talking to voters.  He did well and we're ready to vote again in November.  Let's go change the world ... or at least the school board.  

I've also been feeling a push with my writing but finding the time has been so difficult.  With two active kids I'm being pulled in different directions and the housework gets neglected, so how am I going to find time to sit and write?  I actually took the day off of work today to get housework done and now I'm writing for a bit.  It feels good to have the morning and afternoon hours to devote to what needs done at home.  I really miss that time but we do need my paycheck.  I've spent five years in the cafeteria but I've been feeling a pull to leave.  It's time.  I'm just not sure where I'll go next.  I was hoping to stick it out until, at least, my daughter starts high school.  Then I could venture back into full-time.  Even though a bigger paycheck would help us tremendously, I still feel the need to spend most of my time at home.  I have one idea of what I can do in the fall but I'm not sure if it will work out and I'd even love to get something in the summer to make a few extra bucks.  I feel stuck and unsure right now.  I've been spending a lot of time in prayer and I can feel an answer is going to come.  

The other day I had an idea come to me on something to write. I opened Word and began to write, then I did research and also opened up the Bible.  It was amazing that the exact verses I needed was where I opened to.  I could feel the presence of the Lord at my fingertips as I typed.  The only thing I typed up was a bunch of notes and verses but this is what is going to lead me on something I'll be writing.  This is different from my fictional book I've been writing.  The process on that book started during the Covid shut down and I've been going back and forth, back and forth.  It shouldn't be taking this long but here we are.  Life happens.  But I'm now feeling confidently ready that the time is NOW.  After prayer and reflecting I am feeling the push.  To spend at least one hour a day on writing and hopefully more during the slower summer months.  With that I've decided to step away from all social media (I'm only one Facebook and Instagram) to focus that extra time on research and writing.  I'm feeling led to help others understand that age old question, "If God is so good why does He allow bad things to happen?"  I'm no Biblical expert, I'm not a pastor, I have never attended a seminary class, but somehow God has called me to write on this.  God can use anybody.  Here we go ...!