Running to Stand Still

‘Finish every day and be done with it.  You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities crept in; forget them as soon as you can.  Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.’  -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Gives me the creeps just typing those words…but ‘those’ critters have been living in our garage for who knows how long.  Gross…I know.

So we have a small ‘garage’ that opens up into our patio area.  It’s not quite large enough to park a car, so we have been using it as a storage/laundry area.

A few weeks ago, I started spotting (what I thought were) mice droppings in the garage.  Then a few days later, I opened a box that had our travel backpacks and child backpack carrier in it; only to  discover the packs covered in dropping and holes gnawed through to the padding.  Apparently the ‘mice’ were using the inside of the packs to make their nest (which was later found in a corner behind our lawnmower).

When the pest control guy came out to investigate, we learned the “mice” were really roof rats.  In addition, he also informed us that we have a small infestation of black widow spiders.

Nice.  Rats and black widow spiders…a recipe for sweet dreams.

Want to come visit?!

Irelynd painted a picture of Haidyn today at school.

Haidyn was thrilled…although, I have to say, she’s looking a lot like E.T. in this painting!

Although the earthquake that devastated Haiti’s capital city, Port-au-Prince, was over two weeks ago, there will be countless years of rebuilding and healing that needs to take place.   Let’s not forget.

There are many ways to help out the people of Haiti.

Here are just a few of the trusted organizations that are bringing aid to Haiti:

Children of the Nations

Food for the Hungry

Samaritan’s Purse

charity: water partners

…you got some competition!

Last week we were hit with what got nicknamed, ‘the storm of the century.’  Not sure that it truly was the storm of the century, but it was pretty wild.   A full week of crazy heavy rain and 50-60 mph wind gusts.  Really never seen anything like it.

A look at the ominous sky over nearby Cardiff beach.

Picture taken by an unknown photographer at the Ocean Beach pier.   Check out those waves!

This is a picture of the intersection just minutes from our house.  Jonathan’s car unfortunately experienced a similar fate as these cars…stalled in 2ft. of water.

Needless to say, we were happy to see the sun reappear this weekend.

if this is any indication of where my brain has been, or not been, lately:

Tonight we got together with our small group.  I was sitting on the couch talking with the other women as we waited to get started.  After a few minutes my friend, Julie, came up behind me and whispered “do you realize you have on two different shoes?”

I didn’t even look down…just turned beet red and laughed…really hard.  We all laughed…REALLY hard.

The men, including my wonderful husband, tried to make me feel better by saying ‘they would have never noticed’…and commented that ‘at least they were similar in color and the correct feet’…which made the whole thing even funnier.

Then I started thinking back to how long I may have been wearing my mismatched shoes and who may have noticed.  Jon obviously didn’t notice.   Nor did Irelynd and Haidyn…they were too excited about their new babysitter.   Oh no…the NEW babysitter…did she notice?!  We may never see her again.  ‘Uh oh, it’s the crazy mom who wears two different shoes…better steer clear of that place.’

Then I started thinking…at least it was about my shoes.  At least Julie didn’t have to say, “uh Kari, do you realize you don’t have pants on tonight?”  Could have been much worse, right?!!

Whatever.  Really not a big deal.  I have more important things on my mind than the mismatched shoes on my feet.

Auntie Jen was out here this past weekend for a visit.

We really wouldn’t know what to do if Jen didn’t visit every few months or so…and roundtrip airline tickets for $103 don’t really hurt either!

Had a great time, as always; and Haidyn asked me today, “why can’t Auntie Jen just live with us and sleep on our couch every night.” Yeah Jen, why can’t you?! 

Love you tons dear friend, and come back soon!!