Hopeless

Ever have a time when all you think about is one special person, even though you just saw the person the night before? Oh wait, me neither!

Life goes on as usual, which is good, I guess, considering all the ways life can stop. My sister was in the hospital for a couple weeks, which really makes me appreciate my health and pray that my sister will be cured of her problems someday -- preferably soon!! She bears it all so well, and I know that if I were in her shoes, I'd be whining something fierce. She's my hero in so many ways . . . what would we do without little sisters to straighten us out?

Ever notice how there is SUCH a difference between boys and girls? Sorry, ultra-feminists, there really is a difference, and it's not all an evil social system creating artificial divisions. My daughter went to a birthday party last week for two boys in her class. All well and good. I had to laugh, however, when she came home with sticky eyeballs, and eyeball ring, a trick snake in a can, etc. as party favors. And yes, she loves them! The difference here isn't that girls can't play with fake eyeballs, it's that Marina would never dream of having that kind of theme for her own birthday party! Her last few parties have had princess and pony themes that she chose all on her own. And today, the eyeballs are sitting on the shelf while the girls are playing fashion show with paper dolls. Different than boys? Yes, thank Heaven!

Just like old times

When I was a kid, my dad would often sit and play the organ while we were waiting for everyone to be ready for bed before we had our family prayer for the night. Those of us who got ready quickly would come and listen to Dad play the organ, and we'd sing along when we knew the songs. Dad would play most anything that was lighthearted, but especially Puff the Magic Dragon, Chitty-chitty Bang-bang, Little White Duck, Oh Suzanna, and such.

The other night, Dad was practicing the piano to be able to play the songs this Sunday. The girls decided it was a good time to go dance in the living room, so they set up a dance floor with their baby blankets, set up their dolls to watch, and started dancing. And Dad changed his songs from hymns to dance music for kids -- again, Little White Duck, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, etc. It was so fun to see the sheer joy in the girls' faces as they danced, and it brought back so many memories of when I was little waiting for bed as well. I still love to hear those tunes and sing along, the sillier the better.

Yes, I let myself be caught. =)

Yes, there's a ring. It's a sapphire, champagne colored, kind of. (Really pale yellow-peachy type color.) =) My man knows I'm not big on diamonds and acted accordingly. He took me to a nice restaurant, and over the salad course, he took both my hands, looked into my eyes, and sang a song just for me whose lyrics came right from the heart. Steve delivered the biggest surprise I've ever had on Saturday night. I was asked to marry the most incredible, kind, loving, God-fearing, good-looking man I've ever known. And he thinks he's the one getting the bargain! It's times like this I'm glad he doesn't believe me when I tell him he's too good for me since it means I get to keep him. Don't know when the day is yet, but that's okay. I still need to realize this is happening. My girls are excited to be getting two step-brothers and three step-sisters in a few months, though!