Inspired by the pretzel and remembering September 11, 2001

It has been said that pretzels were made to symbolize praying, with the strips of dough folded to resemble arms crossing the chest. This past Sunday, the lesson for the 3rd grade Sunday school class was about the importance of loving your enemies, and the kids made pretzels to remind them to pray for their enemies. Continue reading “Inspired by the pretzel and remembering September 11, 2001”

Revealing the Clutter

We are leaving town. Adios! Ciao! See ya!

Before we go, I am trying to straighten up the house for our dog/house sitter. Though I prefer to come home to a clean home, I’m not sure I would push myself so hard if we did not have someone staying here while are gone. Plus, with two dogs, the house will not be clean when we get home. Dog hair collects quickly.

Knowing someone is going to stay at our house, I am seeing the clutter through a different lens. We are not slobs, but we do have piles of stuff scattered about here and there.

For instance, this baker’s rack is used as a collection station. Try as I may to keep it looking ‘tidy’, the look fades as fast as the dog hair piles up. Please note the irony that I, a non-baker, own a baker’s rack.


When I turn around, I am facing the computer hutch. Thankfully, I can hide the mess inside by closing the doors. Alas, I am unable to close any doors to hid the chaos organized papers Rob keeps on top of the hutch. Our house sitter will see this clutter, as I do not mess with my husband’s filing system.

Yes, I did paint the picture hanging on the wall. I painted it at one of those “sip and stroke” places.

As I sit in my bedroom, deciding what clothes I need to bring vs. what clothes I will actually wear (the biggest challenge ever), I find more spots of clutter.

I have no plans to hide what is on that chair, though I will make sure the Grinch is sitting up properly. Oh, and I will wash Rob’s shorts. Those shorts will not be hanging on the drawers when our house-sitter arrives.

Also in the bedroom, our house sitter will find the picture I purchased at Joe’s school, along with a veritable plethora of ‘stuff’ I have yet to toss or relocate. Maybe, if my husband gets a wild hair, Rob will hang the painting before we leave. I doubt it, because he shaved his wild hairs yesterday.

The plastic bin in the right corner will go with us on the trip. Lucky bin.

Of course, these pups are staying here. I just hope they don’t throw any wild parties.

.:.

To the bloggers I follow as well as the bloggers that follow me, please know I will not forget you. Internet access will be sporadic at best, so I will miss many posts between now and when we return, and I may be unable to respond to any comments left for me. Rest assured, when I have internet access, I will certainly check in with you.

.:.

What is your legacy?

When a tragedy strikes, we often take an inventory of our life. After the tragedy in Aurora, Colorado, I am willing to bet you’ve paused and wondered “what if”.

My heart goes out to each and every family member affected by this tragedy, including the family of the shooter. I ache for the survivors, knowing their minds will never forget the images or sounds from that night. Continue reading “What is your legacy?”