What's my "Call"??

I don't mean the kind you receive on the telephone. Nor do I mean being "on call" as one in an important profession, such as doctor, nurse or plumber. I mean, what does God want me to be doing? To what end am I supposed to be working with the gifts I have been given?

I've never taken a "spiritual gifts" survey but I'd like to. If you've taken one, did the results come as a surprise? Were they a Revelation? Were you spurred to heights of missionary zeal??

Tell me all about it!

Thwarted

Well, I went to the Y this morning to swim and the pool was empty . . . no not empty of people, empty of WATER! Apparently, they'd posted a sign for several days (or weeks) telling of this development but, being blonde and not very observant, I didn't notice it. Apparently, it will be empty all week next week -- EEK! They let us use the outside pool this morning. It was sprinkling when we went out -- three of us at first but there were a couple more when I left. I got 3 good laps in and then I adjusted my goggles. I must stop at this point and tell you that, while I love swimming, I can't see in the water without goggles. However, I hate the kind that just cover each eye separately. So, I bought some that look more like snorkling goggles. However, they are difficult to situate. They never fail to leak at some point. Much as I try, I can't get them in the perfect spot twice in a row. I manage it every once in a while but, well . . . I fiddled with them several times, doing half a lap and then adjusting and on and on. Got through 9 laps and got fed up. Next week, for cardio, I'll be doing the Walk Away the Pounds dvds that my mom gave me.

The good news is that I've lost about 5 lbs. this week simply by watching points and exercising again! Woo Hoo!

The bad news is, I yelled at the kids this morning to start their day. Which always sucks. I had good reason and it was pretty much justified but I still feel crappy about it.

But my wonderful hubby sent me a Hallmark Card (Hoops & Yo Yo) and I feel a bit better.

Working Out and other thoughts

Well, I am trying to get back into the Work Out routine. You know, get up at an ungodly hour, shrug into either some spandex or a bathing suit, drive to the Y, sweat or swim, go home and shower and move (slowly, because my muscles ache from disuse) through the rest of the day.

I lost a bunch of weight a couple of summers ago. I looked great. But I got cocky and fell off the weightwatchers points wagon AND stopped exercising. Talk about stupid. One day I got on the scale and went "Yoiks!" Plus, my clothes don't fit anymore. I got rid of my "fat clothes" because I was sure I wouldn't need them anymore . . .

So, here I am, trying to get back on the wagon. It's not easy. I'm back to counting points and trying to do some sort of exercise every weekday. I may go to MTW (skip Thursday) F. I didn't swim this morning and I meant to . . .but I did the weight machines yesterday morning and every muscle is screaming!

Wish me luck.

Next subject.

We can't really afford a new car but we really need one. We are going to buy my aunt and uncle's used (very -- it's a '95) Dodge Neon. After swearing we'd never buy a domestic vehicle again. Beggars can't be choosers. And, boy, are we beggars. We couldn't buy a toothpick on credit. I'd really like to get Tim a motorcycle but he drives the kids to school . . .

However, I LONG for a Prius. You know, the hybrid from Toyota that has a waiting list? I've driven one and they are great. Seemless movement from electric to gas motor. Also, when you are stopped at a light or anything, the gas motor isn't engaged so there's no noise. . . you think the car is dead . . . then you step on the accelerator and you're moving! It's an awesome car. I'm hoping that next year . . .

And speaking of cars. I am SO tired of the US's dependence on oil! I've been listening to NPR's story about the Nigerian oil fields. It's so awful. A crime really. And don't get me started about our own, not-so-little war for oil. . .

Can we do anything about it? We can start by buying Priuses. . .

Our Kitchen

So, the big news in our house this summer has been that we won a kitchen makeover. It started in May and it's still not (officially) done. They included our front room because there's no wall between it and the kitchen. So we've got new paint, new fridge, new stove, new range hood. A big mirror and some new prints. Here's a link to the pictures: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/chrysalisdude/album?.dir=a316&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos

It's been an excrutiating process -- I hated the curtains that came with the house for the big picture window in the front room . . . but living in a fish bowl is a pain in the a*#! Having been told we were getting new ones, we folded up the old, heavy, EXPENSIVE drapes (pepto bismol pink-ish) and put them in the basement pre-garage sale. The walls were painted and new appliances arrived . . . but no curtains. We have panels now but they don't cover the entire window (it's kinda big) so we still live with somewhat of a glass wall in our home. No prancing around in our undies to get a glass of water in the middle of the night. Oh well. . .

That being said -- we LOVE it! Talk about a difference. God has really been good to us over the last 6 months or so and that's the only way I can explain it!

Here I am with my newest "baby" -- Beau. He was my 40th birthday present (January 2005)...

Opening Salvo

Wow - I really feel the pressure to be brilliant hanging on this first post. Oh well, I've failed before and I'll do it again, I'm sure.

My friend, Marty, started a blog this weekend and, not to be outdone, I'm starting one too. I really don't have an original thought in my head -- a rather empty thing that rattles occasionally -- so I don't expect a lot of visitors but it might be fun.

Let's see, I'm a 40 year old mother of three. Beautiful children, really. I know everyone says that about their kids but ours really ARE! I've been married to their dad (my first and only husband) for 18 years. We've been together our entire adult lives and have seen each other through varied experiences . . .nothing earth shattering or outside the continental United States. But our lives have meant a lot to us.

I'm sort of boring. I go to work and church and I nap on a semi-regular basis (which means I was a cat in a former life, even though I don't really believe in reincarnation, and I sleep as often as I can possibly get away with). I write the way I speak -- with a lot of parentheticals -- so I will probably ramble in an unorganized and maddening way. However, stick with me and, eventually, I'll sometimes make a point.

Anyway, as the school year begins, I find myself with a Junior in High School and an actual balance in a savings account. I am new to both of these things. I believe, as dotty as I am, I could not have gotten this far without a lot of help -- from God, my parents, my husband (and kids) and my friends (of which I have a gaggle). To those people I dedicate this first silly post. . . Love and kisses, K