Dickens

Just finished reading Barnaby Rudge. I like this from Charles Dickens:

"In the exhaustless catalogue of Heaven's mercies to mankind, the power we have of finding some germs of comfort in the hardest trials must ever occupy the foremost place."

Sleepless

I hate the thoughts that keep you awake at night. They're always "bigger" than necessary when you lay awake listening to the person next to you breathing peacefully whilst sound asleep. Like you want to be.

I was awake most of last night worrying about things I should not be worrying about having to do with the closing on Wednesday. That's what we pay a lawyer for, right? So she can worry about the details? Only it seems to me like she isn't so I'm doing the worrying for her. I bet she slept well last night. Now, in the light of day, I know it'll all work out. It will.

The other thing I got to thinking about last night was flags. It used to be that seeing the New Zealand flag flapping in the breezes at Lloyd's school would startle me every time. I startle easily (it's a mitral valve prolapse thing) but still. Every time? Come on. Well, I realized last night I'm over it. I still 'notice' the NZ flag when I see it but it no longer startles me.

And I sing the national anthem at Lloyd's school assemblies and it makes me proud. Not pride-of-country proud (yet), just proud of myself for being able to sing it and not cry (as is my wont at the drop of a hat, you all know that). I used to have to just keep my mouth shut and grin and bear it. To tell you the truth, when Lloyd first started school, and going to these assemblies, it took all my power of will not to run down where Lloyd was and scoop him up and get him out of there! Get him on an airplane headed anywhere in the US and insist they play OUR national anthem all the way home!!

Also, I say 'we' sometimes now. Not 'they'. My dad pointed that fact out to me during a skype conversation earlier in the week. I was talking to my grandmother who was at his house and she was asking me what's here for restaurants that I recognize from home. So I told her we have all the fast food joints and have had them for years and we just got Dunkin Donuts about five or six years ago. See that? "WE"! Amazing; I didn't even catch it but my dad did. Made me cry.

Yeah, I know. It's a wonder I sleep at all. Casting all your care upon Him because He cares for you. Just keep saying it like a mantra and eventually you'll fall asleep.

Visitors

My folks are coming for a visit! January 4th - February 7th. In our new house! How cool is that?!?

Everything's Coming Up Roses

Well, the bunker (my new term for this rental house) went up for rent again yesterday and so was shown for the first time today to three prospective tenants.

For the first and last time because the realtor collected two applications on the spot!!

People loved the bunker!! The realtor told me it helped very much that our stuff was in here and looking so nice and warm and lived in.

So, we should be free and clear to get out of our lease early and get our security deposit back. Phew!!

And then...

The best part? Your husband comes home and you're no longer alone.

Waxing Lyrical

I like to break out in song from time to time. I'm remembering one particular gathering right now. My in-laws were visiting and we had a dinner party. We were playing a kind of table topics game. The question I was given was "what do you wish you had more time for" or something like that. I responded by bursting out in song..."if there's one thing in my life that's missing, it's the time that I spend alone..." followed by laughter all around.

But really, think about it. It's nice when it happens, right? And I'm talking about at night when child or children are all tucked in and you are officially clocked out.

Well, here I am. Alone! Greg is out with his mates he's known since childhood and they're watching rugby. He's living his dream and couldn't be happier.

Lloyd is just about the happiest kid in the whole entire world who I am so proud of.

And I'm coming around. I have friends. Admittedly it's different but... Nevertheless... And hey! We're moving into OUR HOUSE soon!

Oh yeah and I'm alone right now! Yeah, life is good. No, make that God is good.

Big, Huge Sigh of Relief

Guess What. We got the house!!!!!!! At auction and blah blah blah if you really want to hear about it I'll tell you but otherwise bottom line will suffice. We own a house! Remember my longing for that happy feeling? Skipping down the street giggling happy feeling? Well, it's niggling it's way to the front of my heart and wow! does it feel good.

I'd like to thank the academy. No, I'm just kidding. I'd like to thank my friends and family who have been so patient and tolerant of me throughout this whole transition and who I know will continue to be tolerant and amazing. And, most of all, I'd like to thank my Lord... without Who (Whom?) life would not be worth living anywhere.

Leap Forward

The computer is up and working! I'm online and all is well with the world. So turn on skype and let's catch up!

Offer...

We put an offer on the house yesterday afternoon. Got a call back from the realtor last night saying it was enough to move the date of the auction up -- to tomorrow at 3:00pm! This is great because we cut out four future open homes/potential buyers. Also, any other interested parties have to scramble today or tomorrow to get a building inspector in, etc. so that helps our chances at the auction.

I had a chat with the lady who owns the house yesterday while we were there with our building inspector. We were having such a lovely time out on the porch, when the realtor arrived, she told him, "I like these people -- make sure you sell the house to them"...

And, last night, when I spoke to the realtor he told me again that these people really want us to have the house. We shall see.

So, tomorrow at 3:00pm.

Click on this link or copy and paste and you should be able to have a look at the house...
http://www.barfoot.co.nz/416620