The Zoo Grew...

So, we were all set up selling cookies in front of Petsmart last weekend, when a lady from one of the animal rescue leagues asked if any one wanted a "free" hamster. Apparently it had been left outside the store, cage and all.

I was going to say no, really I was, when I turned and saw four little girls looking up at me with the puss in boots look.  I know you know it - the puss in boots look from Shrek?  Oy.

So I said yes, because after all they said all we'd need would be food and fresh bedding.  Sweet.

The troop was happy, they wanted to name her Savannah after the new lemon cookie this year. After all, its a yellow teddy bear hamster.

After the sale I go to collect her, and the lady says "oh by the way" it needs a bigger wheel and a bigger cage. lovely - well free hamster, you arent getting a bigger cage just yet, but I will get you a bigger wheel . So we bought her a bigger wheel for her cage, some fresh bedding, some food and a ball for the floor - you know the kind that Rhino rides around in "Bolt"?

So we get home - and take her out to put her in her ball to clean the cage, and my husband says "Savannah is not a good name".

Me:  "why?"

Him:  "She is a he"

Me: "whoops"

Him: "and he needs a bigger cage, he's only half grown"

Me: "whoops, so much for "free" " (why is it that free animals are never truly free?)

So, we start taking suggestions from the troop for names for him.

"Sammy" - for Samoa
"Butterball"
"Tagalong"

"Rhino" (Hubby's suggestion)
Coconut blast
Peanut

We've learned he loves fresh lettuce, loves his floor ball, and likes to be held (if you are quiet and still)

We've also learned that the 90 lb lab mix is terrified of him, but doesn't want the pugs to harass him, so he tattles when they get too close by barking his fool head off. And if you've HEARD Toby, you realize just how loud that is.

The pugs however....

I did it!

Instead of standing on the sidelines, I took a step.

Today, at the capital, there was a press conference about the pro-life legislation and I went.  All I did was stand in the rotunda, but I did it.

It may not seem like much, but for me it was.  I was so glad I went.  There were some powerful statements made by some of our legislators.

One the way back to the office, I walked to chick-fil-a to get a late lunch.  I was sipping my soda and passing the gov's mansion, when I noticed a homeless man up ahead of me, walking slow.  It was one of those moments when I just knew that he was going to ask me for money, so I quickly asked God what he wanted me to do. He said "offer your lunch".  - only the truely hungry will take the food - if they want money for drugs or booze they turn it down.

So as I stepped on a leaf, the guy heard me, and turned.  He started telling me that the God saved him from an addiction of crack, and he was hungry, and some guy gave him two dollars but that barely bought coffee.  I said, well, I dont have cash, but if you are hungry you can have my lunch.  He said really?  is it left overs?  I said, no, I havent even opened yet, but I better keep the soda because I drank from it already.

I thought he was going to cry.  How many more opportunities have I missed?  my lunch then became crackers and trail mix from the snack machine.

pulled a muscle coughing...only at the zoo

So last week we had a soccer tourny for the youngest, and all day the windchills were in the 20s.  lovely.  Hubby was already sick, and by Sunday he was REALLY sick.  I'm talking 104 fever kinda sick .  I didnt feel great either, sinusy stuff etc.

Hubby goes to the doc on Monday, and they treat him for walking pneumonia, and he was off work ALL week.  His fever finally broke on Thurs. The whole week I was coughy and sinusy, but not to terrible.

Friday afternoon every time I took a deep breath, it felt like my ribs were being ripped apart.  Today it was worse, so I went out in the downpour to the doctor, afraid I had pneumonia now.  Turns out, I have a sinus infection (duh) and pulled/stretched/inflammed the spaces between my ribs coughing. Yeah, only me.  That is something that only some one as talented as me, can pull off.

So he gave me some serious cough suppresent decongestant (read: slept all afternoon) and some anti-inflammatory drugs along with antibiotic for my sinus infection.

welcome to the sick ward at the zoo! now lets just hope we can keep the kids healthy!!!

the zoo is a whirlwind

Yep, thats us. Whirlwind.  I thought I was busy and tired when the kids were little.  Wrong-o.  Oh for the days where we came home from work and played in the floor till bed time.

Now its like a relay race, and I am the time keeper.

For example, last week went like this:

Saturday: H had an audition at church for the spring play.  Had to go shopping and pick up a present b/c she had a birthday party/sleep over Sat night.
Sunday: pick H up, go to church we are there from 930-1 -home, eat lunch, clean, laundry, prepare for the girl scouts.
Monday: Girl scout meeting for H.  E went to the daisy/brownie meeting that meets at the same time.
Tuesday: Have to take mom to the doc. Parent meeting for E's GS troop - E has soccer practice.
Wed: Have to surrender the cat to the animal rescue league, church for KingSinger practice (H' got her part!) - find out on the way home, oh by the way, mom, I made the second round of the reading fair and its tomorrow night
Thurs: H has reading fair, E's soccer practice gets canceled (whew) and then we realize E has a fever.
Friday: hubby takes E to doc b/c I have a meeting I cant miss, I pick up H and she has another birthday party sleepover.  E starts her antibotic before bed - bad news, it doesnt sit well, so shes up all night with vomit.  Have I ever mentioned I do not do vomit?  Cus I don't.  I cant.  if I tried, hubby would have two messes.  Never have. ever. Cant.  Thank goodness hubby can handle it!
Saturday - sleep till 9 - thank goodness.

And this doesnt include the f/t job I have, or the craziness surrounding cookie season! With two grant report deadlines careening toward us, my boss and her hubby about to be on maternity/paternity leave.  Systems crashing, databases with the wrong info in them, and oh by the way, lets start a leadership class.

Next week: GS field trip, GS cookie orders are due, more practice for choir and soccer.
If you dont see me for a few days, I'll be in my padded room in whitfield!!!

but I am GOING painting Tues night - I need the stress relief, and I love the title "just breathe"  I need that!!!

Bad bad leroy blogger....baddest blogger...in the..

yeah yeah  I know. My reminted therapeutic zoo blog has had no posts in ages.  yeah yeah I know.

Sorry.   I'm a bad blogger.  HA. Terrible I say.  So sue me.  No, please don't.  That was sarcasm.

So its been nuts at the Alley Zoo (faithful readers would say - when is it not?).  We got to go home for the holidays (yeah!) and see my family in Alabama.  Mom was "well" enough to travel and visit her sister. I think it was good for her.  We loaded up the house - me, hubby, two kids, mom and three dogs, and packed it up to Alabama. Boy.  That was something.  We looked like a clown car unloading when we got there.  If you remember, one of my dogs is a 90 lb chicken.  the other two are <20 lb divas.

We had a good time, and even let Toby off leash to run in the pasture one day, but he is such a city dog he only made it about 15 mins and 5 round before he had to lay down.  The divas, well they were not happy they had to sleep in a SHED OF ALL THINGS - what happened to the warm beds people??! But they survived, and forgave us pretty quickly.

Since the holidays, crazy at work as picked up, crazy at home as picked up, and in the middle of it all, some one I was suckered    sweet talked rooked into being a girl scout troop leader. When they are suckering talking you into being a leader, they are not forthcoming about how much work is involved. Yes, I am a glutton for punishment.  So cookie season is upon us.  Like I needed ONE MORE THING. HA.  Oh and soccer is back for the youngest, and the oldest is auditioning for the spring church play. Hehehe... anyone wanna book a suite with me at the state hospital?  I'm going for a fully padded room, with its own bathroom.

Soon I will have to change the title of this blog to "Train to Crazy Town" or something like that.

So, where is Val in that?  I still paint once a month, and most of the time I have at least one of my crazy girl friends with me.  Its nice, to get away and start and finish a project in one night.  That doesnt happen anywhere else in my life.

I started a new Bible study at church, with some ladies and even though I was late (and those who know me, know I am NEVER late) God saved me a seat at the perfect table.  I have missed my ladies from church bible study.  We are doing a study of the Bible Chronologically - which I am really excited about, because while I have known the stories since I was about two, I dont think I have ever focused on chronological.  Like did you know Job was during the Patriarch period?  I had no idea! I thought he was alive around the judges. Who'd a thunk.  And I know Rahab, Ruth, Jessie and David, but I never "caught" the thread of their lives.  I love the people and places from the Bible - they are so applicable today. "Chance" and "circumstance" all part of a thread God had in place ever since Adam and Eve strayed.  He's so amazing, and I love it more every day.   I was going to do a Beth Moore study with another group, but this one meets on Wed night, during kids choir time, so thats PERFECT! And of course my TABLE! And my awesome table leader. :) Just goes to show God is in the details...

I'm so proud of my friend Ashley, who was a speaker at the Pro Life March in DC this week. Ashley is also my table leader for my bible study, which totally rocks.  She has such a heart for God and sweet spirit.  Love you girl.  

New Year - Same Issues

So, 2012 is here, and Jan is just around 1/2 over.

I decided for some new stuff.  Hair dye - check - but not enough that anyone will notice.  I'm a subtle type of gal. New Bible study - check, it just started. Reading the Chronological Bible - not doing as well there as I would like, but I am not giving up.

Then there are the "same issues" I'm in the midst of a stressful time at work, it comes around every two years. Still have mom here and she is having less issues of a physical kind, but more of the mental kind. Its like having a petulant kid, yet there is nothing I can do about it. Its not trainable.  You cant discipline it away.  She refuses to eat some dinners I cook, even though I KNOW she likes it.  Which my youngest child doesnt understand why she had to eat her dinner if grammy doesnt. talk about some stressful dinner times!!!

But I am blessed.  The Lord has provided a wonderful husband, two beautiful smart healthy girls, and a stable income for us. I love spending time with my little family.    I have three dogs that love nothing more than me to sit in the floor with them and them climb all over me and love on me.

35.

Today is my 35th Birthday.  I didn't really dig the idea of turning 35.

35 sounds so....

Grown up.
Mature.
Adult.
Established.

Of which, I am none.  I don't feel any of those.  I feel like I'm still 25 - well except I'm more tired than I was then, my eyes are worse and I have some grey hairs, and some annoying creaks.

Turning 30 didn't bother me at all.  It didn't phase me, was just a blip on the radar.

Maybe its because when I was a girl dreaming, I figured I'd have "it" all figured out at 35.

I don't.  What I have figured out, is I'm not sure what "it" even is. What I have figured out, is I'll never figure it out.  I don't control it. I can plan 7 ways till Sunday, but unless its God's plan, its useless.

A song from Casting Crowns new album really puts it into perspective for me. Its called "Your Already There"
Thank GOD He's already there. He knows I am just bumbling along on this path before me, trying to find my way following Him and trying to keep His word a light unto my path. Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I fail, but I'm grateful for the blood that covers me, and the Father that picks me up and dusts me off and sets me back on the path.

I'm so grateful that even when I don't have "it" figured out, God knows where we are headed.
Its so comforting the words to this song I've added "bold' to the lyric that really speaks to me.

From where I'm standing
Lord its so hard for me to see
Where this is going
And where You're leading me
I wish I knew how
All my fears and all my questions
Are gonna play out
In a world I can't control.

When I'm lost in the mystery
To you my future is a memory
Cause You're already there
You're already there
Standing at the end of my life
Waiting on the other side
And You're already there
You're already there

From where You're standing
Lord, You see a grand design
That You imagined
When you breathed me into life
And all the chaos
Comes together in Your hands
Like a masterpiece
Of your picture perfect plan
When I'm lost in the mystery
To you my future is a memory
Cause You're already there
You're already there
Standing at the end of my life

Waiting on the other side

And You're already there

You're already there

One day I'll stand before You

And look back on the life I've lived

I can't wait to enjoy the view

And see how all the pieces fit

Here is a link to the video if you want to hear them sing it. 


I love the whole "come to the well" album, but Already There and Come to the Well are my favorite tracks.


"when you are runnin' on empty, and you can't find the remedy, just come to the well" 
"just rest in my arms awhile, you'll feel the change my child, when you come to the well" 
leave it all behind, and come to the well...

Your pursuit of perfection (leave it all behind)

Your fear of rejection (leave it all behind)

Your temporary pleasures (leave it all behind)

All your earthly treasures (leave it all behind)

Dried up empty religion (leave it all behind)

Rusty chains of addiction (leave it all behind)

All the guilt that weighs you down (leave it all behind)

Just leave it all behind and come to the well