Conflicted

I'm conflicted today.

I WANT to be hopeful, happy and confident; I do NOT want to this election's results to become bitterness festering & wreaking havoc in my soul.

But what I am is shocked, disappointed and amazed.

What was SO clear to me evidently wasn't to so many.

Hopefully, the my usual optimism will return to me when the shock wears off.

Now, I'm not buying this "mandate from the people" thing, though, since the popular vote was fairly close. But, I will buck up and handle things as they come....eventually.

Thank God that my hope is in HIM and not in some human being. On the radio this morning, the DJ offered up this quote: "Hope is FAITH holding out it's hand in the darkness."

Today, I think I'll take a little time to grieve....and pray.

Thank you, God, for keeping this country always in the palm of Your mighty hand. Thank you that, although we can't see or know the future, You do and that You are ever in control. Amen & Allelujah.

Get off Your Butt!

I’m holding on to hope today--the hope that comes from faith in God. And from confidence in my fellow Americans to choose wisely. Just say NO!! to socialism.

I’m praying for the future of my country.

This moment, this choice, is bigger than just one candidate for president. THIS is what makes us unique in all the world… Democracy only works when each and every one of us takes our opinion voicing privilege seriously, thoughtfully and responsibly. But here’s the thing…no matter which side of the fence you are on…don’t complain if you don’t vote.

If you are legally eligible, get your butt to your polling place and cast your ballot.

And may God guide the hands of those that pull the levers.

Monday, Monday

This morning I got to work earlier than usual, thanks to an early meeting and the desire to trash a co-worker’s cube for her birthday. Finished the cube trashing and ran downstairs for a cup of coffee before my meeting. (which was later postponed, due to a VERY late arriving fellow attendee-aaarrgghhh!)

Usually, I don’t hit the café for coffee ‘til later in the week, so today I was struck by the fact that the coffee urns and their stands looked so sparkly and perky. By Thursday, they are usually spotted and covered in coffee drips. (Don’t get me started on my worries about what that means about the insides!) Anyway, I got to thinking…my Monday face is usually that way, too…if not well-rested, at least fresh-faced and ready to tackle the week. I’m usually more organized on Monday mornings, having laid out the clothes and lunches and paperwork the night before. I even aim for sparkle--miss it quite frequently, too! But hey, I try!

But by Thursday, I’m pretty droopy and VERY ready for the weekend.

I’m going to challenge myself this week to try to maintain my Monday sparkle. Now, I admit it’ll be easier this week, since vacation starts on Thursday, but I think I can do it.

What’s your challenge this week?

Facebook Rant

Okay, so I signed up for a Facebook account because one of my beloved friends has started posting her family photos on Facebook instead of the photo site she used to use. No worries, right? It's free, it's pretty easy...WRONG!

Darling beloved friends who use Facebook to contact me, don't take this the wrong way, but please take note of the following:

• My *real life* garden is dying. Corn on the cob is turning to popped, tomatoes going unpicked and only God knows what's happening to my carrots & peas. DO NOT send me virtual plants for my virtual garden. Online plants only serve to stress me out as I gaze out upon the withering brown stuff that was once a lovely dream of fresh veggies for my family.
• Please don't poke me. Don't super poke me. I'm not even sure what the point of it is! And, since I'm not home and/or logged into Facebook during the day, I WILL NOT POKE YOU BACK!!
• I like the spur of the moment pillow fight as much as the next person (maybe even more!), but I am now moving about in a virtual cloud of white feathers and am completely unable to return fire.
• When I need a beverage--of ANY sort--I'll head to my fridge. While the icons are cute, I have to confess that I'm not much for pomegranate-licorice-watermelon coolers. How 'bout we get together for coffee or happy hour instead? OR...feel free to send a 6-pack of Diet Coke my way, if you prefer!

Thank you for your patience and understanding while I use Facebook for only a smallish portion of it's possibilities...

Today

I was going to post a few recent vents, but today is not the day for that, so I will join the ranks of so many who consider the weight of today and feel compelled to share. Today I was tempted to stay home, staggering under the enormity of the meaning of today, curled up with myself and murmuring to my God...but that would give our enemies just one more small victory. So today, I push onward, dressing my children in the colors of our country's flag and remind them that today is an important day in our country's history. They are mostly too young to know why...Matthew was 15 months old, Ben in utero and Abbey just a plan in God's hands. So I try to tell them:

Today is a day for remembering those who perished 7 years ago, on a brilliantly blue-skied sunny Friday morning.

Today is a day to mourn the loss of more than 3000 souls, most with nothing more in common than a date on a death certificate…terrorism crossed all outward, man-made boundaries that day in an act of complete and total non-discrimination.

Today is a day to set aside those artificial boundaries ourselves and remember together…and hold fast to the bond we felt as a stricken nation.

Today is a day to remember that we are all one nation under God.

Today is a day to pray.

Today is a day for wearing red for valor, blue for vigilance and white for truth and grace.

Today is a day to thank a soldier.

God Bless America.