I had a very strange dream last night.  In my dream, I was in a very plush executive boardroom with a bunch of old, obviously wealthy men.  As they sat around the table sipping their highballs, various names floated around the table…
"Hillary – been there, done that,"
"Sarah – too out there."
As the mumblings and mutterings continued, one name began to ring louder than the others.  "Dole – yes, that's a good choice."
Uh…. what?
Jump to the next scene where I'm at some big political rally-type thing.  Elizabeth Dole is there and she's glad-handing and workin' the crowd as she makes her way to the stage.
She walks by me and I am shaking her hand effusively and telling her how I've always admired her…

Ok, what DID I eat right before bedtime?

As she nears the stage the announcer says, "Ladies and Gentlemen, the next President of the United States, Elizabeth Dole!"

HUH?

Cut to the next scene…. I'm riding in a truck (in the back of the truck) with R in the POURING down rain, holding some dining room furniture while he lashes it into place (yes, as we are driving down the road… it's a dream, you know) and I'm telling him how excited I am that Elizabeth Dole is our new president… how wonderful she will be and how awesome it is that there is a woman leading our country today.

The TV (I don't know, it's a dream, remember) announcer is telling us that she is appointing an all-woman cabinet and has asked any staffers who have served for more than 2 years to step down to make room for "fresh faces." 

And then…
I woke up.

*sigh*

Of course, THEN I was laying there in bed for a looong time wondering why in the heck am I dreaming about politics, Elizabeth Dole, and whatever happened to an election?

I don't know the answers, but you have to admit that having a woman in charge might just be the thing this country needs to straighten us out…

Tonight, no more M&Ms before bed. I promise.

This is a way cool video… Wish I could have edible fireworks!

Enjoy and Happy 4th of July!

This is a way cool video… Wish I could have edible fireworks!

Enjoy and Happy 4th of July!

I’m a hardworking mom who loves her family more than life itself, sees a lot of things in this world that don’t make sense, and tries to make each day a little brighter for the people she loves. I love to write, love to read, love to create. Whether it’s a good meal, a scrapbook, or something intangible like a story, I’m always creating. I love to watch people… imagine what their life story is and what motivates them as they pass by.
I believe in looking for the best in everyone and everything and that we are all here for a reason (even if we haven’t discovered that purpose yet). I also believe that everything happens the way that it is supposed to.
I’m fairly silly and have a “commentator” that sits on my shoulder and sometimes takes over my mouth or keyboard to voice her opinions. (so don’t be surprised when she chimes in)
Oh, yeah, and I'm a Independent Creative Memories Consultant.
ALL POSTS, THOUGHTS, OPINIONS ARE MINE (unless otherwise noted) and as such, are COPYRIGHTED.
©COPYRIGHT 2008,2009 LOIS A. HOUSTON

Funny how our definition of "normal" changes as time goes by and our perspective changes.

For the past, oh, 5 years, R has worked almost every Saturday… taking maybe one off every 5 or 6 weeks.  When this first started, I hated it.  I missed having him around. I missed having time together as a family.  I had gotten used to a "normal" where we were together every weekend and I didn't like the change to my routine. I selfishly wanted both the extra money that came from working overtime AND the time I felt like we were missing out on with him.

We adapted. Or, should I say, I adapted. 

I think that kids are much more adaptable than grownups anyway.  It was not as big a deal to them as it was to me.  Anyway, it took me a while (a LONG while) but I adapted.
The girls and I began to make plans for Saturdays… fun "girlie" things to do together.  We'd get pedicures, go out to lunch with our friends, stay at home and scrapbook all day.  We created a new "normal" for us.

Then, the economy hit the tank, work slowed down, and job changes forced upon us a new "normal" again.  We didn't have as much extra money for our outings and although R was still working a lot of hours, his job responsibilities shifted and he was under a lot less pressure at work. 

Life began to shift again.

Ironically enough, we're moving back towards that old "normal" of 5 day work weeks and weekends together as a family.  I miss the extra money (our budget misses it!) but I sure am loving the time together as a family. 

As I type this R is outside (crazy in this heat, but that's him) working in the flowerbeds.  He's happy. Doing the things he does to relax. 

It's nice to look out the window and see the girls interacting with their dad and him puttering around with them.

We may not have that extra money, but what we're gaining in quality time as a family is a lot more valuable in my opinion. 

I guess I'll take this new "normal."  For as long as it lasts, anyway.