I Mispoke...

It wasn't the leopard exhibit. It was the rhinocerous exhibit.*

That is Q on the left trying to scale the barrier to see the rhinos. This is what happened the first moment we got to an animal that was not behind glass. B and J also tried to get inside for a face-to-face meeting with Mr.Rhino. (That good kid that isn't on the fence? Yeah...not in my class.) Luckily, these kids clearly listen to their teacher at all times and climbed down from the wall the first time I asked them to.

Or not.

*No children were encouraged, helped, or harmed in getting inside the rhinocerous exhibit at the zoo.

Lions and Tigers and Bears

Oh. My. And I say that with a sigh and not at all suspenseful from Wizard of Oz.

I'm going to the zoo tomorrow with 17 kindergarteners. It could be worse, though. The state of Texas thinks I should have 22 students at one time, so I'm basically beating the system with five less.

It could be worse if there were no parents going as opposed to the parents that write song lyrics entitled, "What I Would Do for Crack." (I don't make that up...I found the lyric sheet.)

And, it could be worse if little boy Q were really athletic. He's of average build and therefore I have no fears that he'll scale the barrier to get to the gorillas or lions or bears. But it won't be for lack of enthusiasm because he is the child that SPEAKS AT HIGH OCTANE WITHOUT CEASING. I'm thankful for that barrier because I bet you anything the grizzly would smack the noise level right out of Q just so Mr. Bear can have some peace and quiet in the zoo.

I can't promise a blog tomorrow because I might be passed out.

Or in jail explaining how Q made it into the leopard exhibit without my encouragement and help.

Insight into Women

I know this bit of information will be beneficial for all men. And since...well, ZERO men read this blog...this is THAT much more beneficial.

Women want to be wanted. And we want to be needed. And we want to be just liked. By everyone. It doesn't matter if we'll actually date a man long term or marry you or birth your children (yeesh). We just want to be desired.

Women also do this thing where they think they aren't enough. Not smart enough, tall enough, thin enough, muscular enough, independent, kind, helpful, gentle, loving, talented...WHATEVER enough. I was totally down in the dumps today and feeling all not enough. Because I am a woman and well, I do two things very well. Actually, I do several things very well but that is neither here nor there. With respect to men, I do two things very well: overanalyze and worry that I've done something wrong. So there I was: thinking I was not _______ enough.

And then we went to see my favorite Texas country singer and I sang loud and proud and had a few drinks and I was way-over-the-top-enough. And I spotted a boy. And I thought to myself (except for the fact that I verbalized this thought in a high-pitched squeal to my roommate), "He is so cute!" I think I added that he was too cute for me and he'd never go for me. I have practially non-existent flirting and game-throwing tactics, while my roommate is the Queen of Attraction.

I am proud to say that I have learned a few things from TV. She taught me how to throw game and I initiated contact with a COMPLETE stranger and reeled that boy in, in a matter of 30 minutes. He totally went out on a limb and got my number.

And then I found out that he's cousins with my roommate from college.

No sheet. Life is short. Where there's a will, there's a way.

Deep Thoughts

Admit it...you just said, "by Jack Handy" in your head...didn't you? DIDN'T YOU? It's okay...no shame in your game.

Here are some verses from my neighbor that I'd like to share with you today. I was channeling Mr. Rogers and was thinking, "Won't you be my neighbor" so I took him some Amish Friendship Bread to be friendly. I also needed to talk to him about "the fence that we share and inquire as to what we should do since it has FALLEN OVER. Did you notice that? And since I am a 27-year-old single girl, might you have any experience with a FALLEN OVER fence as a rugged 55-year-old man?" I also felt obligated to throw in, "No, I am not Amish. I just make dang fine Amish bread. I stole the recipe. The secret ingredient is Jell-O Instant Pudding and do you think the Amish folk way-back-when used pudding...instant pudding at that? I think not." I kid you not, that was what came out of my mouth. After he closed his eyes, and shook his head as if to dispel the nonsense that his brain just absorbed from the words I had just spoken, we started talking about our faith. He was such a blessing to me. I hope these verses can expand upon a glorious day or give you a little 'umph' to get you through it.

Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. ~Psalm 105:4. I follow this up with, "even when I don't want to." Do you ever feel that, or is it just me? I mean, sure, I want to...in theory...when it's easy. But I occasionally think that I'll get around to it later or I can do it myself. But no. God wants us to seek his face because he DESIRES us to long for him. Have you desired God today?

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. ~Matthew 28:20b. Couple this with all the other promises God gives us: Psalm 37:4, Phillipians 4:13; Proverbs 3:5-6; insert your favorite promise from God here. I'm not alone. No matter how hard it gets. I don't have to understand it because the Lord has provision for what we don't perceive and comprehend.

And lastly: This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. ~Romans 13:6-7. Ah yes. I needed that reminder. I e-filed last night just before midnight. A day earlier than required, I might add.

Highlights (No, not the children's magazine)...

Just some things to ponder about life. Or merely just snippets as to what I've been up to...

1. On Thursday night as we were packing to go out of town, my roommate said, "Hey, throw in your passport...just in case." That statement alone made the trip a whole, new ballgame. With quiet hesitation, I located my pristine passport, as if the idea of foreign travel had elluded me! When I went to college, my parents asked me to call them before I went on any trips. I called them just before leaving Texas to go into Oklahoma and said, "Hey Mom and Dad! Remember when you asked me to call before I went somewhere? I'll be in Oklahoma in a few minutes." This time, I was wondering if I should call and replace "Oklahoma" with "Mexico." Because...well...they're basically one in the same.

2. Two things about me: I pull for the underdog and I procrastinate. Typically, I am a responsible procrastinator. But this year, I am the underdog and I procrastinate with...my TAXES. I just finished them (thank you Turbo Tax) and I said out loud to my roomie, "I suppose they're correct. They'll hunt me down if I did it wrong, right?" No worries here. Oh, until I'm trying to e-file (as I'm dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century as opposed to all previous years when I have printed and mailed at the post office) and the server is too busy. Apparently, there are several other underdogs and procrastinators. I suppose I'll do it when I wake up tomorrow at 5am.

3. I'm waking up at 5am to go running. And then I'm going to e-file. And then I'm going to leave my house at 6:30 am to get a health screening at 7am. Mind you, this is a fasting health screening and that means I will start my day with a workout AND without coffee or Amish Friendship Bread (homemade today...yes, I churned the butter myself). What in the world?

4. I have a sunburn on the front half of my body alone that is akin to the skin on a taut, cherry tomato. My oncologist and you will be in touch shortly. Good job, white girl. Ouch.

5. If you are ever stuck on an airforce base with a bevy of strapping pilots in flight suits (and let's be honest, it happens often), and you find yourself wondering, "Whatever will I do to get these fine gentlemen to pay attention to me?" (Because, after all, nothing is your fault since you're an innocent wallflower.) Let me gift you a line that will ensure attention and eminence..."Hi (insert pilot name here that you just read off of his nametag). I'm in the upper eschelon of air force stupidity. Do you think you could explain (insert something about planes and flying here)?" Works every time. *wink*

Back in the game...

I'm not going to start by saying I'm sorry. But I'm SOOOOOOOO SORRY. I know you've missed me and couldn't live without me. Just like I'm going to miss the virus on my laptop.

Ew...not like that. I had a virus on my computer that can only be explained by the frequency with which I visit X-rated websites*. Yeah...I had that on my comp. Literally, my skin felt dirty every time I looked at my closed computer sitting on the kitchen table. It's like I knew it was crawling with herpes or something. Because that's what a virus does...creeps people out and makes them itch. Especially a virus that is on your computer that keeps throwing up questionable material while you're trying to send an email. I must say that I have seen more images of you-know-what than I knew existed. So...let's look at it as a learning experience!

But I'm BACK IN THE GAME with a new and fresh computer...VIRUS FREE! I also have a new dedication to start blogging again every Monday through Friday. I only wrote a handful of times in the months of February and March. Pa-the-tic. Again, I'm so sorry.

I started a new Bible study today and I anticipate the BEST April of my life with many fun events coming up. I typically hate the month of April. But April '08 is going to trump all Aprils. Bible study, traveling to near-Mexico, Roger Creager concert, BBQ, happy hours, swimsuits, spring-like and summer-like weather, early morning runs, and the mother of all events in April: FIESTA!!!!!!!!!!

Oh yes my friends...April '08 will not disappoint!

*I have never visited an X-rated website in my life. At least not on purpose.

They say the darndest things...

I'm going to be out of town for a couple of days. Therefore, the blog about Arkansas is postponed...AGAIN. I KNOW! But I at least have a rough draft, so you should get the real deal by Sunday. Just in time for some Peeps-induced vomit. Happy Easter from me to you!

Today, I want to talk about how grandmothers say the darndest things. There are MANY that stick out in my mind about Grandma. She's 82 and lives in Austin. Just today she asked me if I met my roommate while I was at Tech.

I'm sorry. I just threw up in my mouth a little bit. Wha whaaaaaaaaaaaaat?! After her verbal beating (in which she swore never to confuse my University with that one), we cleared the air and talked about other stuff. She really does say the darndest things. I'll never forget last Thanksgiving when she was talking about sperm at the dinner table. Good times.

And Grandmother. She passed away this morning and the lady was a spit-fire. I love her immensely and I'm jealous of the reunion she's enjoying in Heaven. I pretty much get a lot of my attributes from her. Intelligent (and humble, too), on her own time clock, strong-willed, independent, capable. That was Grandmother. Though I will remember so very much about her, I'll never forget the time she looked at me, contemplated my singledom, and said in the softest and most gentle voice possible, "Well, honey. Do you look at the boys?"

This coming from the lady who didn't get married until she was 33 (and that was in the 40s!) and she turned down Granddaddy the first time he asked her.

Yes, Grandmother. I most certainly "look" at the boys. I'll make you proud.