Directory Assistance Date

Good Thursday morning!

HEY! Where are my Commenters? What am I paying you guys for? Let's get on the ball!

Before we get started, if you get a chance click on Lisa's Blog on my Blog List and look at her recipes for breakfast smoothies. We're trying these today as a matter of fact. They do look fun, healthy and simple.

Also, I've posted a picture of my January flag in the Gallery today. After many, many rainy days, I hung my cheerful January flag, and it is so pretty. I'm going to show you a "flag" picture each month. I love my flags, and I have a pretty nice collection at this time.

I decided it was time for another bird story, but this one is a two-parter. It is also my most famous bird story. So today we begin...

Pigeons From Heaven - Part One

Just to show you that I can deal with subjects other than motherhood, the following story is about something I have a huge problem with... not only as a woman, but as a human being... knowing (and accepting) God's will for my life.

I had worked for an attorney in Birmingham for eight years when I married Mikie. I truly loved my job and planned on working there until Mike and I started our family. However, Mike had to move to Cullman for his job, and since we had only been married for eight months when he received this news, he said he would really enjoy it if I would move with him. I didn't pray about my job situation and continued to work in Birmingham commuting over an hour each way every day.

Well, if I had asked the Lord what He wanted me to do, it is clear to me now (20 years after the fact) that I was indeed supposed to move to Cullman and get a new job there. For 13 long months I made the miserable commute to Birmingham, and my job and relationships deteriorated daily because I was simply not doing what God wanted me to do. Week after week, I talked to Mike about giving my notice and week after week, he supported my decision to do what I thought was best. And then I decided. I would turn in my notice. What relief!!! What happiness!!! What joy!!! A huge burden had been lifted off my shoulders because the Most Stubborn Woman in the World was finally going to do what God had wanted her to do for over a year. The following Monday, I would give my notice.

Well, Monday was a busy day, and I had a headache. Tuesday we had a birthday party at the office, and I got to see some old clients I hadn't seen in quite a while. It seemed a shame to mess up a good day. Wednesday my boss was out of town. I thought about telling him over the phone, but that seemed the coward's way out. Thursday is my favorite day of the week, and I try to never spoil my favorite day. Friday was the last day of the week, and we were going out to eat that night. I wouldn't be able to enjoy my dinner at all if I had just done something as upsetting as quitting my job.

Needless to say, it was a long weekend as it always is when you are not doing what God has told you to do. Things would be different next week, I promised myself. Little did I know how different they would be.

SPOILER AND DISCLAIMER: NONE OF THE "ACCIDENTS" DESCRIBED BELOW ARE ON "RECORD" AND NO POLICE WERE EVER CALLED TO THE SCENES. THUS, JUST LIKE TRAFFIC WARNINGS ARE NOT CONSIDERED TICKETS, I DO NOT CONSIDER THESE INCIDENTS "WRECKS." (If you disagree and wish to argue the point, I'll be happy to do so. As far as I'm concerned, if there isn't a paper trail, it isn't a wreck!) Also, when you see the word "ding," please know we were sitting in bumper-to-bumper, 5 miles per hour traffic jams. There... I feel better now. On with the story...

Monday -- Halfway to Birmingham, I decided to wait until Tuesday. At Malfunction Junction, I hit a van in front of me (just a "ding") and a large (450+ pound ) man with tattoos all over his massive chest, arms and back got out of the vehicle. "How did you know he had tattoos all over his massive chest, arms and back?" you may ask. He wasn't wearing a shirt (and to be perfectly honest, he was barely wearing his pants). I felt sure I wasn't going to have to quit my job because an ax murderer was about to put an end to my suffering on this earth. Surprisingly, he just growled a couple of obscenities and got in the van and drove off.

Tuesday -- I knew even though I had told Mikie, "This is the day," I had no intention of turning in my notice. At Malfunction Junction, I hit a white Toyota in front of me (just a "ding"), and a businessman in a nice suit came to my window and expressed his displeasure.

Wednesday -- I made it to Birmingham without a "ding," but ran a yellow/red light and was pulled over. I didn't get a ticket, however, because by the time the police officer got to the window of my car, I was blubbering so badly even the prisoner in the back seat of the police car was feeling sorry for me.

Thursday -- On my favorite day of the week, I hit a red truck in front of me (just a "ding"). This time the driver didn't even get out. He just waved me on. "What is wrong with me?" I thought to myself. I still didn't take care of the problem.

Friday -- I made it to work without a traffic violation of any sort. I walked in and out of my employer's office a hundred times that day and never did the right thing.

The End of Part One!

Where's the bird? What has this got to do with anything? You promised us a Woodland Animal Story and we read the whole thing and NOTHING!

There is a bird... a big bird, and it will be in Pigeons From Heaven - Part Two... tomorrow! For those amateurs out there, this is called a "Blog Teaser."

Now for our fun date!

Directory Assistance Date

Again, this is copied from an article from the Family Fun Magazine, October, 2000. Mikie tried this date many years ago with one of the boys, and it's a little trickier than it seems, but it turned out to be fun.

Several years ago, a mom began taking a class that met one night a week. Her husband decided to use those evenings as a way to spend time with their son one-on-one. Every Tuesday evening, her husband would get the Yellow Pages out and open them up. They would then randomly select a business to visit (on that page). Their Tuesday nights took them to such locales as a bakery, a model train shop, an archery range, a violin repair shop, a stable and a go-cart track, to name just a few.

I can't even remember where Mikie ended up taking our child on their date many years ago, but I do remember it was declared a success.

We initially tried to do the "close your eyes and put your finger down on something," but that ended up on a funeral home (or something as fun as a funeral home). I think even if it lands on a page with physicians, you could do something crazy like eat at the hospital cafeteria, visit the gift shop, etc. There may even be someone from your church or neighborhood in the hospital that could use a visit and a balloon. Whatever you do, use your imagination and try to make it work. It will be an adventure for both of you. (Of course, if there is absolutely NOTHING you can do on the page you are opened to, my rule of thumb would be to say, "We have three tries." Always, always, always when dealing with kids, FLEXIBILITY is key.

I can't believe this week is almost over. Tomorrow I have a good book for women only that will bring you a little cheer. It's an easy read, or you can read a small part after you finish your daily devotion each day.

Have a great Thursday (my favorite day of the week)! I'll talk to you tomorrow.