The Ugly Duckling of Life

Be gracious unto me, 

O Lord, 

for I am in distress;

mine eye is wasted from grief; 

my soul and my body also. 

Psalm of David

For me, forgiveness and compassion are always linked: how do we hold people accountable for wrong doing and yet at the same time remain in touch with their humanity enough to believe in their capacity to be transformed?

 Bell Hooks

He hath made everything beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. 

Ecclesiastes 3:11

We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope. 

Martin Luther King, Jr

Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light. 

Helen Keller

Healing hands: an image of hands in a non-dangerous position emitting the color patterns I see in my head when I look at someone. Such a pretty picture. I imagine those hands are the hands of God. I fantasize about the moment those Hands touch you: heart, soul and body are healed at once, in an instant. 

These imaginings of mine might bear some truth. Perhaps two thousand years ago when Jesus healed someone, he lightened their hearts and souls as well. It is very possible that some are called to such healing even now. There is little we understand about the mysteries of God. What I know is the healing process that he has me walk is not so simple nor clean nor beautiful. 

My knees have so many scars on them. I have had two knee surgeries, several altercations with bicycles and many instances involving trees, rocks and metal getting my blood on them. (It's a good thing I didn't grow up in a mystical part of the Universe because I probably would have inadvertently ended the existence the human race more than once.) My scars cover bloody, gaping wounds. They do the trick but they aren't beautiful. Parts of my skin are numb. I have to shave my left leg because any hair that grows where the nerve endings were severed causes me no end of discomfort. (I like shaving my legs anyway but it was a good reason to start!) My knees are not the same knees that learned to crawl nor are they the same knees that steadied the feet tottered across the grass in my grandparent's yard 25 years ago. They are changed.

Like my knees, my soul has met with some accidents. There have been scrapes and bruises, big gaping cuts that I had taped over so no one could see and if you look closely, a fairly ragged tear down the middle. Unlike my knees, these cuts haven't scarred over. No matter how much I tried to mind them, clean them and tuck them away so no one could see, they festered and refused to heal. 

It happened faster than I wanted it to. But the moment came. It was right. The bandages were ripped off: my soul exposed. Fresh air met with the weeping wounds. 

Healing has begun and the pain is excruciating. 

I knew it would be. But I didn't. I did not know I would feel the Universe tremble. I had no idea the lost memories would come and keep coming. My heart breaking into pieces several times a day really had not entered the imagination. Agony leaving no room for anyone else yet welcoming the entire world is also really weird. Plus, feeling free at last and fighting the urge to vomit several times a day doesn't do much for one's appetite or personality. The fear and courage combined makes a strange cup to drink. 

Moments beset me in which I do not want to go on but I'm terrified to stop. Whatever is coming around that corner might be worse than all that I have experienced put together. This is where the secret comes in. Once you have tasted Truth, the lies are suddenly not good enough. The walls of the self made prison are torn away and you realize you don't have to go back. 

It's like tasting Lemon Meringue pie made with freshly squeezed lemons, ladies and gentlemen. You wonder why you ever thought lemon meringue pie made from the box was even edible. (I'm guessing you're probably starting to question my use of winsome analogies. Haha.)

In all seriousness: healing doesn't come of it's own accord. You have to want it. You must have the courage. You will have to endure no answers, feebleness, faith, anger, being lost, without purpose, forgiveness, overflowing heart, truth, lies, love, agony... it all plays a part. It looks like nothing and smells like failure. You could swear that there is no sense here, no purpose. 

This is where I keep grasping at faith. 

Someday, my eyes will see.

There will be a time when my soul will be whole again.

I might not be a swan but I will be Naomi. 

Finally.

Pieces of Life

It's always nice to wake up in the morning. It means that I am still alive: ready to wrestle and pin down those annoying trifles of life. Well, maybe not ready, per se. But ... able (?). At any rate, I woke up this morning. Enough said.

Saturday evening (around 5 pm), I suddenly felt like vomiting. I didn't vomit (thank goodness!) and the feeling stayed put until 8 pm or so. In the meantime, my head felt fuzzy and explode-ish. Jesse said I had a high fever. Fever make me crazy girl so we went to bed early on a Saturday night. After a restless sleep, I woke up Sunday morn and ta-da: fever was lessened. I'm still not sure what got me because I have no other symptoms. Thankfully, my body appears to be on the mend and I am doubly thankful that I did not give it to anyone else.

My next topic of discussion is all about weather. (Keep reading; weather in Saskatchewan is the most interesting on the planet. Ha!) We've lost friends and acquaintances this winter and several of those losses were a direct result of the weather. Day 1: -50* C. Day 2: -10* C. Day 3: 2*C. Day 4: 1*C. Day 5: -18* C. Freezing, thawing and freezing again leads to melting, storming and freezing roads. This leads to vehicle accidents; often, it seems, the crashes are big truck versus small(er) car. It wasn't the cold weather or the warm weather that bothered me or made road conditions so bad. It was the frequent changes of temperature. The past three days have been steady, however, and I cannot help but feel joyous about the sunshine. This morning at work, I kept mentioning the weather to the customers. The first five all made some remark in true Eeyore spirit: "Well, I just hope it stays this way..." Oh Saskatchewan peoples, you amuse me!

When we first moved into our house, we noticed the office had been leaking. Jesse was concerned about putting his computer into that space for this very reason. However, after covering the computer with plastic for months and never having it leak again, we slowly forgot about the danger and stopped being so cautious. One evening right after Valentine's Day, Jesse got home from work while I was still teaching music... and noticed, to his great dismay, that there was water leaking onto his computer. Upon further inspection, he discovered that his keyboard was directly dripped on and even after many ministrations of drying and putting a million screws back into it (who knew keyboards needed that many implements to hold themselves together!!), only half the keys worked. The circuit board was literally fried. :-P Thankfully, the computer itself was unharmed but it is now covered entirely by plastic bags when not in use.

This is horrible (and not funny at all) but I always giggle in spite of myself: he was putting together dvd of movie clips for the memorial service of a friend (he had to go borrow a keyboard from his parents so he could actually finish the project). By the time he was finished, there were no less than 6 drips dripping all around him. He would be busy working away when suddenly, "Ahhh!! ANOTHER ONE??!" He had bowls sitting everywhere. He would actually have to reach around a bowl to work on his computer. Yeah, imagine that one in your head. As I said: horrible, not funny at all. But such a sketch, eh? Btw, I do find his determination inspiring and my sympathies are with him. I think we need to (1: move the computer. (2: try to figure out where the leak is coming from and why it only leaks there every two years.

Minot was graced with our presence last Monday and Tuesday. We stayed at a hotel, shopped and, most importantly, got Lydia's passport on the roll. Actually, most importantly, we relaxed and had fun. :-) I was a bundle of nerves from living life and needed some down time. We had so much fun. Waterslides, shopping for gifts, buying underwear (that was annoying), eating (hot pretzel bites smothered in melted butter and dipped in sugar cinnamon...), watching a movie... AND I also had two cups of chai.

I love tea and I love chai the best. Add cream and a small dab of sugar to a thick brew of chai and you hold a little bit of heaven in a mug. The world is a better place with a cuppa chai. :-)

On the 16th, we held/attended a memorial service for a good friend of ours. He was part of our theatre group and well loved. We think his life ended much too soon. He did leave a legacy, however. He brought happiness to each life he touched. Because he was an American transplanted into Canada, I was asked to play the anthems for both countries at the service. It was an honor that I will not soon forget. If you think of his family (wife, mother, children, grandchildren...), a prayer for peace and joy to them would be most appreciated. We will never forget you, Dean.

So yeah. Life just keeps moving on. Rapidly. Always good but sometimes the good is really good. (It's been mostly really goods since I met Jesse. :-)) I kept waiting for a moment of inspiration to write but suddenly decided to today was the day I would make my inspiration. Thus, the jumbled thoughts of a certain person who wishes there were more hours in the day. Each moment is a precious gift. I am enjoying mine and I hope you're having great fun with yours!

Odds and Ends

I love those who yearn for the impossible. -- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Today, I weeded part of the garden. It feels so good to finally be able to get my fingers in the dirt and to clean the unwanted weeds away from the peppers, tomatoes, garlic, corn and onions. And I didn't even get to the potatoes or lettuce yet. I had been wanting to get into the garden for a few weeks now but the rain kept coming down. A day would begin with the sun but by noon, the clouds were rolling in. Finally, after a few days of heat, the ground was dry enough for me to get out there.

Last weekend was The Boogie Fest in Carlyle. At one point, there were over 50 motorcycles on Main Street... all painted in different colors and designs. Such fun! Also, all of the Pharmasave Chicks were supposed to dress up as bikers, so Lydia and I obliged them. It was a lot of fun and rather nice not to have to worry about looking nice for a couple days. Lol.

The one who follows the crowd will usually get no further than the crowd. The one who walks alone, is likely to find himself in the places no one has ever been before. -- Albert Einstein

Saturday evening, I called to ask about a couple things and Zeke answered the phone. I can't believe how old he is: this February, he turned 13. It seems like just yesterday he was in diapers, spitting up milk.We talked for about an hour about a lot of stuff. He has a keen mind that never stops. I hope he will never be satisfied with what he thinks. He is very skilled in several areas... music has always been a gift to him.

I was always fascinated by people who are considered completely normal, because I find them the weirdest of all. -- Johnny Depp

Jesse and I are getting ready to leave on our belated honeymoon. Actually, this might be considered our 3rd honeymoon. (The first two were spent in Regina.) We're excited about the trip as a whole, of course... but there are a couple things I am really pumped about: seeing my relatives and having them meet Jesse for the first time. Especially my uncles and aunts and cousins. I'm also excited about San Franscisco: I want to eat the famous sourdough and clam chowder. While we were living in Melville, Dad was against eating yeast for a few months. So, we made sour dough bread. In the books, they would say stuff like, "This is similar to the famous San Francisco Sour Dough, etc., etc." Allow me to assure you that our sour dough was nothing like San Francisco sour dough. In fact, I'm not even sure our attempts deserve the title of sour dough. More like "sour rocks" or "break-your-teeth-sour-dough". Lol. Those months of no yeast diet were veryyyy long. However, even with that experience under my belt, I am still very happy to finally have a chance to eat real San Francisco Sour Dough. :-)

Pictures will be posted periodically as I take them and get internet access. It's going to be a really intense trip, with many sights to see. When I discovered that Jesse's family were overseas travelers, I was overjoyed because I have always wanted to travel. This trip is going to be a beginning; a simply marvelous beginning! And California is always a good place to begin anything!

Enemies are so stimulating. -- Katherine Hepburn

Why yes, they are, Miz Katherine. Did you have anyone in particular in mind? ;-) 

For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone. -- Audrey Hepburn 

Lydia has been sick the past couple of days. When I first began work at Pharmasave, I got really sick a couple weeks into it. Lydia is probably having a similar experience. We`re around sick people 5 days a week and one's immune system must build up to resisting everything you're in contact with. So we're taking good care of her and making her rest and drink lots of fluids. She's pretty pleasant for being sick so I can't complain! I do wish she would feel better soon. She is simply feeling awful.

Well, cheers. I'll try to write more later. Apologies for the very boring blog post. But I do love sharing my little odds and ends... I hope you'll derive some joy from them. :-)

P.S. I do adore Audrey Hepburn.

General Awesomeness

Today I am thankful. There is so much in my life that makes my heart glad. To be honest, I had my "complaining" days lately. During the past week... well, let's just leave it at: I am not a good sick person. :-) However, being a fair-weather person is not something I like to be and when Tuesday rolled around with me feeling like a walking skeleton, I decided to begin a "What I am Thankful For" post; because there are so many reasons to be thankful for in any state of being. This is the completion of that post. It took awhile to evolve. :-)  

I am thankful for God. He is magnificent. He never ends. There is always More of him. He forces me to think for myself and to become a stronger, deeper person. As each day passes, I find myself more entwined with his presence and the excellence of his spirit. In some ways, it is the easiest thing in the world; it also can be incredibly difficult to cast away my fears and embrace Love. But I know that nothing is impossible. There is so much to say about God but I think I will leave it at that.

I am thankful for Jesse. When we first began our relationship, I feared that our love for each other was only a passing fancy. It didn't feel like a passing fancy but how can you know? I learned very quickly that a relationship can only move forward if each has complete faith in the other. Jesse has proven himself in every way possible. He is not perfect but he is perfect for me... and guess what? He says the same about me. Our love grows stronger, deeper, fuller each day. When Jesse asked if we could date, he told me that he felt our meeting and getting to know each other was no accident: we were meant to be together. I believe this with all my heart: God hand-picked us for each other.

I am thankful for our house: it's old; it's meandering; it's home. The kitchen is over a century. Someone who has lived in our neighborhood for 40 years came into the store the other day and I asked him when the renovations took place. He thought for awhile, then he said that they took about 20 - 30 years to complete. I can see why. They are extensive. I love everything about our house... well, minus the leaks in the bedroom and office. Lol. I've been awakened by water dripping on my hand.

I am thankful for my jobs: piano/voice teacher and part-time receptionist at the local Pharmasave. My studio is here at home. I teach 15 students, three days a week. They are the light of my life and the balm of my soul. I love their imperfections, their joys and griefs... I love how each week brings a new challenge in teaching them. I help them and they help me. All of us have become better musicians... not just them. :-) Teaching music and voice has definitely been the most difficult task I have ever undertaken. I think about my students constantly. I plan lessons. I send kids to festival. I advise them to attend The Kenosee Lake Kitchen Party. I study instruction books to see which ones I like or dislike. But it isn't the teaching that is the hardest part. The hardest part is getting to know my students: I care and I get involved. They are all my friends. I respect them and they respect me. It's exhausting but it's the most rewarding, beautiful thing I have ever been involved in. :-)

Pharmasave has been a really great experience. Plus: I have the best bosses, managers and co-workers. Plus: I have learned so much. Downside: standing on concrete for 8 hours a day kills my knees, back, neck, etc, etc. Plus: I really hope to be working there for a few years (or until our kids come along).
 Pharmasave has actually become a second home to me and my coworkers have become second family. They are all like sisters. We vary greatly, we have different problems and we handle our different problems in different ways. But we all have the same goals. I suppose I could admit to Pharmasave being a bit of an exclusive club: if you're really lucky, you get in. ;-) (Actually, if you're a pleasant person who isn't afraid of hard work, we'd probably allow you a membership!)

I am thankful for good health: this morning, I woke up feeling... good. I've been sick for two weeks. Not the kind of sick that has you laying in bed (though there were a few days of that) but the kind of sick that you notice. Lack of energy, headaches, diarrhea, dehydration, etc., etc. The great thing about being sick is how much you enjoy being well afterwards. Lol. Today is one of those days. It's like, "YES! I can teach 7 students today. Bring 'em on!" I am eating healthy and taking walks and drinking lots of water and cranberry juice... ahhh. :-)

Between these things and every small circumstance that makes up my life, I am awesome. God is awesome. The cat is awesome. (Some days.) (I shall write more about him later.)

Life. I shall enjoy it while I have it. :-)

Hip, Hip, Hurrah! (x3)

Today I received a letter from the Government informing me that I did not owe them any money.

It's kind of like getting a clean bill of health.

Another Short Update

This evening, my friend Lindsey arrived for a visit. I think she's here until Sunday. I am rather excited about that. :-) It seems like forever since we've gotten a good talk in ... and definitely going to enjoy our trip to the city tomorrow. Wedding shopping is going to be fun. I've never done it before but I just know how fun it's going to be. ;-) It's so good to be able to share ideas with people, get feedback and be able to keep or discard.

Jesse also came over for dinner and we watched "The Young Victoria", which I really enjoyed. It was very good... reminded me a lot of "Miss Potter". Anyways, you can probably guess how much fun the evening was. We made pasta for dinner and ate sherbet and frozen cheesecake cupcakes for dessert. The food was good. The company was better!

I've worked and taught this week and I have been fine! Each day feels like an amazing gift. The energy is unbelievable. I love being able accomplish so much.

Anyways, we're planning on leaving quite early in the morning for Regina so I should close this up and get in bed. :-) May your weekend be glorious and full of joy. 

Feeling Better

Thank you all so much for the prayers! I just wanted to let you guys know that between my (future) mother-in-law and Jesse, Monday saw me at the doctor's office getting a prescription of antibiotics. I have making heady improvements since then. Each day feels remarkably better than the last. :-) I am trying to gather the strings of my life now and figure out what needs to be done with them. Lol. Trying to get lessons scheduled in, etc, etc.

Plus, I'm still feeling a bit weak. I vacuumed and mopped this morning and started supper. And, I am tired. But I was able to find more energy for a longer period of time than I've had in awhile.

I hope you are all feeling well. Stay healthy. :-)

It's raining here today. I am excited... maybe spring is on the way. Maybe!!

P.S. Gabi, you brightened my evening yesterday. Thank you!! :hugs: Hi to Peter. 

let me be glad

I am sick and miserable. I ache and shiver. Everything hurts. God, what are you doing?? I don't want to skip anymore work! And what about teaching? I feel so weak and tired. My head hurts and I can't even form a proper thought process. I wish Jesse were here. I wish I was feeling well and on top of the world. I hate my weak body. I hate my weak mind. I am scared of getting pneumonia again. I'm scared stiff...! 

Wait a minute.

::rereads::

That doesn't sound like the me I want to be at all. That sounds like a discouraged, whimpering human being who is being whupped by a petty illness. Ok. Maybe not petty. But it definitely isn't the worst by a long shot. Ok. So maybe it is a bit petty. Just a cold. Just a virus.

Come on, Naomi. Think of one thing to be thankful for.

God. 

Describe, Him, Naomi.

Always. Love. Forgive. Just. Faithful. How could I ever take my gaze from Him?

Think of another thing, Naomi.

Jesse. 

Truth. Courage. Wisdom. Human. Love. I have also forgotten the times with no you in them. 

Understanding co-workers and employer. 

Kind. Helpful. Honest. Doing their very best to like me. :-)

Lindsey: 

Always there for me. Brimming with love and helpfulness. What would I do without her? 

I am already feeling better. :-) I am blessed. I am so blessed. Fear is something that I do not have to greet. Peace and love and faith can be mine tonight.

Sweet dreams, readers. Goodnight!

#3: Health

I am thankful to feel alive and to be able to breathe. I am thankful I am able to think and make plans and trust in God. I am thankful for when I am sick and when I am well. I am thankful that I am able to walk without pain. I am thankful that my nose isn't running. Only dripping. :-)

 Each step in my path has been a reason for a reason.

Bounce in My Step

The past few years have been interesting... especially regarding my health. As most of you know, I've been doing so much better the past few months. This summer, I had to work, teach kids and be around amazingly energetic people 24/7. I kept up. It was wonderful. :-)

As most of you know, this fall I had a bout of bronchitis and I'm just getting over the tail end of it. I feel amazing again!! I have energy. I can teach kids all afternoon and still feel patient enough to smile at them when the lesson is finished. (Btw, YES patience and good health work hand in hand a lot of the time...) ;-) I can work at DQ for 7 hours and have a bounce in my step on my way home. I can go to theater practice for three hours and have fun chatting up a storm with Michele at midnight while we're eating our snack. (You get absolutely famished after theater. Believe me.)

So, I appreciate all of the prayers and I just wanted to write an update about how I was doing since I have posted requests of prayer in the past. :-)

Today, we're off to Regina to do some shopping and to see my sisters, Ellie and Lydia. We're also going to the symphony. ;-) I am so excited. :-D

Keep Smiling Through

Everyone in our production is amazing. I can't talk about them enough... they are so talented and obviously experienced. And yet, they are so very kind and understanding. It makes drama so much more reachable for me. My nerves are calmed because I know they will love me in spite of any mistakes I make. Even if I do really well, their opinion of me stays the same. I am Naomi. I stay Naomi. I love them. :-)

 Last night was an interesting night. I got nervous about an hour before we even went to the theater, then it passed and I was ok until right before we walked on stage. Even then, I wasn't nearly as nervous as I had been the first night. Lane kept telling me, "you need to panic... Panic before we start so you'll get over it.." but I never really did. I tried. Lol. I honestly did. :-)

My solo is towards the beginning of the first act which I am not crazy about because I'm never quite over my nerves before it comes time for me to sing. Nerves make my voice squeaky! But I'm finding that I can work with what I get, squeaky or smooth and still make it sound plausible. Just as long as I remember my words... Someone commented last night that they could see I was not nearly as frightened last night as I was the night before. This was true. Hehe. I really hope that today will be even better.

Michele's daughter Gillian came up from Regina to help with the stage make-up. When we got home, I was intending to hit bed pretty quick but the hunger pains set in when Michele mentioned she had pizza in the freezer... it turns out that Gillian and I have a favorite food in common. Hehehe.... ;-) So we talked and giggled and munched on deliciously beautiful pizza (we did cook it, FYI) until about 2:20am. And then, we got on FB and made sure all of our friends were as having as great of a time as we were (most of mine were... sleeping is among the best of good times. Lol).

I'm sure I woke up about 9:30 or so this morning but lazily drifted in and out of consciousness until 11. Only in my sickest days did I get up that late. But it's kind of fun and I must say, in between dozings, God and I got some good conversations in. :-) I think the best time to pray is right after we wake up because we've had time to process what has happened the day before... it's not so clouded as it was a few hours ago.

So that is a brief look into my life today. Now, I'd best get something to eat, my hair done and get ready to go to the theater. :-) The performance is at 2 pm today instead of at 7 pm. Your prayers are appreciated. :-)

Speaking of praying for people, some friends of mine have a little guy who needs a lot of prayer right now. (Some serious health issues.) Please lift them up today. :-)

Pray for me? :-)

I'm coughing more today. I don't feel bad... kinda tired but not any sicker. I'm just wondering when it's going to end. Please pray that I'll be able to kick this *soon*. :-) But please pray more that I'll be a joy and comfort to those I am around. I am not worried really but I know how easily my focus is shifted from God and those in my life to me, me, me. :-P And I definitely need to be thinking about God right now. :-) :-)

Thanks. :-)

I posted this verse on my FB yesterday:

He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. Ecclesiastes 3:11

God's Compassion

I've had some really good days this past week. I was feeling so much better and so fulfilled in my duties that I was full of joy. They were such good days. :-)

Yesterday, I walked to main street to mail some stuff to my sisters and get some necessities. I felt ok until I got back into the house and started coughing. I literally thought my lungs were coming up too. Lol. And I couldn't do anything to stop it. I just had to sit and let it pass. In that time, all my fears were flung back into my face and I had to do some thinking.

How easy it is to trust in God's will when I'm feeling great and life is beautiful.

Just as God has a purpose for granting us those times full of light and joy, so He has a purpose in the times I fear and doubt. I trust in Him to be all I will need, this moment. This moment is forever. I know, I've said it a million times before, but I needed this today. :-)

But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men... (Lamentations 3)

I can be happy today. Or I could huddle in my chair and listen to my fears. I could trust today. Or I could ask God 'Why?'. I could be a light today. Or I could hide away and let someone else do the shining. But when I'm looking into His face, how can I fear with such compassion and love shining down on me?

What a friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer!

Oh, what peace we often forfeit,

Oh, what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer!

I will be happy today. :-)

pictures and a bit of an update :-)

Today, Uriah asked, “How old are you, Nomie?”
I told him. He looked up at me thoughtfully and said, “Yer quite short.”
I'm afraid I'm not doing justice to his tone of voice... you'll have to imagine it. :-)

Nothing too new here. Except that it would appear that spring has come... I am loving it's early arrival. It's so much fun to go outside with a sweater and not a heavy winter coat. :-) :-) I have been able to go outside every day for the last week or so. Gotta love the fresh air. :-)

The family is still looking for property. Dad offered twice on one piece but both were turned down... tomorrow, they are talking about heading up to an area near the SK/MB border to look around. Lydia and Ellie are both excited because they loved Manitoba. :-)

My health has been about the same. I have my good and bad days. My Dad didn't want to take me to Saskatoon for the vitamin C treatment (4 hours one way) so I have been trying to find something closer to home. Haven't had any success in that as of yet but it will all work out in the end... someway, somehow. :-)

Last night a friend brought over a movie about The Kettles. We're now fans. Why didn't we learn about this wonderful family before?! :-D LOL! So much of it we can relate to and the humor had us all totally cracked up several times. :-)