Queenies Little Kingdom

I figured out today that I'm really good at part-timing.  I like doing everything in halves, ya know?  Work 1/2 a day, play 1/2 a day…. 

Tell me, WHO wouldn't?

The way I see it, if you like what you're doing and you get paid for it…..do it!

We're down to 5 days of school here in Zionsville and teacher's are trying really hard NOT to call in (if you know what I mean?).  However, just like everywhere…people have situations out of their control and need to leave work.  For me, that means a ton of 1/2 day gigs and I love it!  Especially if they are afternoon 1/2 days.  I can sleep in (to a whopping 8am or so) and mosey around with my coffee & dogs and even catch Hoda & Kathie Lee for a bit before I head in to school.  All relaxed & ready!

It's a win- win!

So, I'll be taking my time and using it just the way I like it over the next week.  Every single school day left….I'll be going in 1/2 day!  What more can a part-time lady ask for?

You may not understand my thinking on this issue…..or maybe you will.  I don’t know!  But,

I love OTHER people’s salads!

I never ever ever make a great salad.  I’d even go so far as to say, my salads are lame!  Boring, wimpy maybe even pathetic!  So, when I’m out and about (partying)  I do not skip out on the salad selections.   I’m not picky either.  It can be a pasta salad,  summer salad,  bean salad, chicken salad or even a 7-layer salad.  I will gladly try them all.

Last night, the party was happening at “the boss’s” house….everyone gathered for what was to be our summer kick-off of tennis matches and cooking out!  None of us knew that Tuesday,  May 20th was going to be THE HOTTEST day so far in the year of our Lord 2014!  But, it was!

I managed to lay low, as in…..really low and not get in the middle of all the very young athletic tennis pros playing King of the Court!  Trust me, this was for the best!  I need to crank that habit back up if I ever plan to participate with these killers!  They were on fire!

However,  there was salad to come and I’m all about priorities ….so, tennis competition be danged!  I’m here for my own good reasons!

By dinner, I was anxious to try the salad brought by Anje who clearly has magic in her fingers.  I could see it was fresh and loaded with strawberries,  almonds and poppy-seeds.  It was love at first taste!  Sweet, crunchy and delicious in every way.  I loved it so much that I practically ignored my giant hamburger because…….why bother when a salad fantasy comes true?!  Right?

I’m not even ashamed that I praised Anje into leaving the leftover salad for me (look, it was all her idea!)!

Ahhh, my lunch was kickin’ today!

So, the moral of the story is….if you make a great salad, I WANT TO BE FRIENDS!!!  Mmm’k?

On Sunday,  I woke up feeling like I had gotten into a fight during the night.   Only,  the reality was that I had been in a helicopter crash with some dear ministry friends (in my dreams) while I was sleeping.   We all survived just fine but the FBI felt sure we were "bad guys" and detained us, separating the wives from the hubbies. It was stressful since we all have kids and we were just going for an adventurous helicopter ride — only it went way wrong.  I feel like I should message our friends, Pastor Jimmy & Kristen and apologize for all the accusations made against the 4 of us during our interrogation with the BIG GUYS!  But hey….who wants to sound so crazy?

So to combat my aching body from a night of adventure…. I took my coffee and headed outside to the hot tub.

Talk about a perfect morning…

Even Miss Lizzy joined me, who I am pretty certain did not crash in a helicopter during the night.  However, it is possible that she did chase some rabbits!

It didn't take us long to see we were on someone's radar.

Uh,  hello there…. Mama bird!   What's up?

Oh,  that!?!   So,  you chose HERE to build your baby nursery?

Really?   Are you sure?   Cause,  that's our busiest door.  Which is probably not the best location to raise yer youngins!

I'm no mama bird expert but 2 crazy dogs live here and there is no way they are going to ignore you and I'm positive they haven't a real understanding of your mama instincts either.

It's going to be a blood bath,  isn't it?

I don't think she's going to give up trying to catch you.

And by the looks of it….. You're just getting started.

This place….. Is really,  for the birds!

Nothing reminds me more that my children aren’t children anymore than weddings.   This weekend was busy for all three of our kids and their friends……as they watched and participated in the beginning of forever for 2 sweet couples.

What a great honor to be the best man in the wedding of your high school best friend.

Gavin and his friend Evan were great friends through high school and have remained close even through college when both went to different schools. They have a history of fun memories together and even a car towing late at night from their friendship. What are friends for, right? I’ve enjoyed watching them both grow up and make good choices for their lives. Evan met Sarita while he was pre-med in Indy, a beauty here from Columbia. I remember when he first brought her home to meet everyone and of course…..he brought her to our house too!

I had the feeling I was meeting his future wife but who knows with college dudes.

Look how beautiful they are together. What a special day!! Congratulations to Evan & Sarita!

A few towns away our daughters were sharing the day with their sweet friends as they said, “I do” in a gorgeous garden wedding at The Inn of Irwin Gardens. It’s a beautiful landmark mansion downtown Columbus, Indiana. I don’t think they could’ve ordered more perfect weather for their wedding day. I love this photo of our daughter, Ally with her handsome boyfriend…… Bobby. From the picture, the day looks perfect!

How exciting to see our kids participate in such special days with their friends. Someday….we will have no choice but to let go of them (our punks) to their forever loves. This weekend reminds me, that day is only getting closer.

Lord,
What a sacred and joyous thing is marriage! Thank you for my own and I pray fervently for the ones You are preparing for my young adult kids. Guide them with your spirit, fill them with your love and blanket them with your protection of their hearts.
Amen

On my way to work this morning,  I heard a story on the radio about a 30 year old lady who was arrested for impersonating a 15 year old girl……

……by going back to high school!

I'm not making this up! 

For many, this is a nightmare.  Who in their right mind would want to face all those demons again?  Pimples, gigantic bangs, high-waisted jeans…high-top tennis shoes?  High school can be harsh!  I have no room to judge because since my own high school graduation……I've spent many days wandering the halls of a high school.  Only,  NOT as a teenager or a teenage impersonator!  (like I could get away with it…) Those days are long gone and even if given the chance, I have no desire to go back and relive those strange awkward days.  Once was plenty!  Don't you agree?

My high school experience was fairly positive.   I didn't suffer terrible insecurities or bullying, no one picked on me or made my life miserable and for the most part I made good friend choices.   Still, it was a time of learning who I was (through much trial & error) and there is no way I want to have to start that over……ever again!

I'll tell you this though…..adult women can be catty and mean just like high school girls.  I find it ironic that even at my ripe old age (and I'm celebrating my 30th class reunion in 1 month) there are people who thrive on making other's feel inferior.  Just like the days of mean girls in school. I can't understand why but I'll chalk it up to insecurity.   Everyone wants to be liked, the prettiest, the skinniest, the richest……the most popular!  Too often, they want it bad enough to hurt or cut others down in size.

It doesn't have to be like that. We can all rest assure that heaven is not a place catering to a MOST POPULAR section of occupants.  The playing field as we've all known in this life does not exist the same in heaven.  We're all perfect, finally and no one will be snarky or snubby to anyone…ever.  Won't that be awesome?

In the meantime, why not build up your fellow women friends?

I don't know about you, but I love knowing I don't have to beat anyone with my beauty, brains or income to be special. That's just oh so high school and WHO in the world wants to go back there?

Love God.
Love yourself.
Love other people.
And don't compete!

I skipped out yesterday.  Skipped school, housework and blogging.  Somedays you just have to switch things up a bit and do something more important.

Like….

Invest in a child who might be bigger than you….but has a young impressionable heart that’s still hungering for guidance.

See, she may appear all grown up and together…..but a girl always needs her mama.  So stopping the life bus and hopping off for some fun is what we did.

She’s just finished up her semester of college and had a couple of days off from work, so the timing was perfect for a visit.   We slept in, played with the dogs and went thrift shopping.  Oh and we also hit Starbucks & Whole Foods (not thrifty) because we are glamorous like that.

We ended the rainy night by watching tv and hopping in the hot tub at midnight.  The storm shushed for just enough time to relax and laugh a little outside in the cool night.  I love having my kids around.  They remind me to LIVE!  Not just exist.   Life is exciting and everchanging!  I don’t want to grow stagnant…..not in my person or physical self nor in my mental thinking.

And even more so in my spiritual self.   I want to grow, stretch and experience all that God has for me.  I want that for each of my kids as well.  I don’t have forever to skip responsibility for free days…..so, I’m going to use every chance I can to love and invest in the people who need me most.

Do you need a skip day?