Balancing Act

February is the shortest month and for me, the busiest. I have my birthday to celebrate on the twelfth, Valentine's Day on the fourteenth, and a wedding anniversary on the twenty-fifth. My husband, Andy and I will be celebrating nine years of marriage. The key is that we don't jumble each of these special occasions into one. My husband celebrated his birthday towards the end of January and our youngest son, Trevor celebrates his second birthday next month. Thank goodness, our oldest son, Gavin has a birthday in June, which gives us some time in between, to plan parties!

I will turn thirty-one this Sunday and I find it harder each year to keep track of everything. Monday through Thursday I attend evening classes at Georgia Highlands College. I leave home around 6:00 p.m. to get to class on time, which is dinner time at our house. My mother -in- law, Elaine is staying with us temporally and if it was not for her we would not have dinner on these nights. Gavin has Cub Scout meeting on Tuesday and bible study on Wednesday. Between Andy, Elaine, and myself we make the schedule work and as for the housework it never ends…I did mention I have children, right?

Andy and I keep Valentine's Day simple, no flowers or jewelry required only chocolate and lots of it. I usually gain an extra pound or two around this month and did I mention Gavin's annual Valentine's Day party at school. You can imagine what type of food I'm eating at that party; cookies and more cookies.

Nine years of marriage is special and I look forward to celebrating it. Andy and I will most likely celebrate our anniversary with a date night due to our busy schedules. We plan on taking a trip for our ten year wedding anniversary. Where to? We haven't decided yet. I do know one thing; as a couple Andy and I balance each other out!

 

 

Troubles…

I debated with myself on what I would write about this week. I have had a very trying week and honestly I would like to vent about it. At the same time, I do not want to bring any one down or encourage others to have pity for me. I decided to go against the idea of writing on my life troubles, until earlier today when I was reminded that troubles are a part of life. We all face life problems at one time or another and I believe it is therapeutic to talk about them. I owe this reminder to the inspiring saying from Robert Frost, "The pleasure of taking pains". These five simple words brought me so much insight to the pains I have encountered this week. I will begin telling my sad story, by asking this question. How much do we rely on money to bring us happiness? For me, money has never been the center focus for my life. Overall I am content with what I have and take pleasure in the free things of life; like time with my family and the outdoors. With this being said though, I do believe having money can eliminate certain stresses from our life. How many of you are familiar with the dreaded situation of a broke down vehicle? My husband and I are all too well familiar with this scenario. Last Tuesday morning, my husband's truck will not start when he leaves for work. Being the good wife that I am (: says," borrow my car for the day". Needless to say, a week later today, my husband is still borrowing my car. Going back to last week… we had his truck towed to our local mechanic the following day of it breaking down. Three days and seven hundred dollars later, his truck is ready to be picked up. Saturday morning, my husband leaves the mechanic shop with his truck. Before he can get to work on the same day of picking it up, the truck leaves him stranded along interstate 575. His Ford is transported back to the shop free of charge. We are informed a few hours later that an over looked two hundred dollar truck part is broken. "Labor is free", the owner of the shop says. The parts are replaced that day and listen to this: it still will not start up!!! Another overlooked problem you ask. Yes. The electrical box is fused incorrectly; making it the initial cause, for the trucks new expensive parts to not function correctly. I could go on, but I will keep it short and tell you what I learned from this experience. First of all, we will not be returning to this local mechanic shop. Secondly, having extra money would take stress off my husband and I. The electrical box repair is estimated to be costly; more so than the nine hundred dollars already put into the truck to supposedly fix it. Lastly, I tell myself "this too shall pass." There are worse things in life to happen. I am not going to let everyday troubles of this life, keep me from enjoying the everyday moments of this life. In other words, the pain I receive from the sorrows I encounter, I will accept with pleasure because it goes hand in hand with the joys to happiness.

Communication

This morning I read In Praise of the Humble Comma by Pico Iyer. I enjoy his descriptive writing, which is on the importance of punctuation. The essay gives a poetic side to punctuation, unlike I have ever read before. He uses many metaphors and examples throughout the essay. I particularly like the metaphor relating punctuation to the rhythm of our hearts. With this metaphor, the writer relates our voices to that of a music sheet. Pico states, "Punctuation is the notation in the sheet music of our words, telling us when to rest, or when to raise our voices;" I believe this is true, because the tone of voice we use, shows our emotion. Pico also describes punctuation as "a matter of care" and "a labor of love". These two comparisons tell me, that the author has a passion for writing. He wants to share with the readers, the love and care he has for words. I know for me after reading this essay, I look at punctuation differently. I view it with more importance, and deeper in thought. We are social beings and our communication with one another tells a story. If it be what we had for dinner or how we feel, it is a story none the less. I feel impressed to rethink how I write, what I write, and why I write. For me, the use of commas is my greatest weakness. I know now though, the use of them goes deeper than the paper they are written or not written on!!! However, it is my goal, to strive on the improvement of this writing flaw. I cannot imagine reading words without punctuation. How would I be able to detect the emotion being given by the speaker? This is just one example, of how I take punctuation for granted. I encourage everyone, to rethink on how our words are written with punctuation. Our words tell a story, and punctuation shows the emotion behind our words.

Commuunication

This morning I read In Praise of the Humble Comma by Pico Lyer. I enjoy his descriptive writing, which is on the importance of punctuation. The essay gives a poetic side to punctuation, unlike I have ever read before. He uses many metaphores and examples throughout the essay. I particularly like the metaphor relating punctuation to the rhythm of our hearts. With this metaphor, the writer relates our voices to that of a music sheet. Pico states, "Punctuation is the notation in the sheet music of our words, telling us when to rest, or when to raise our vioces;" I believe this is true, because the tone of voice we use, shows our emotion. Pico also describes punctuation as "a matter of care" and "a labor of love". These two comparisons tell me, that the author has a passion for writing. He wants to share with the readers, the love and care he has for words. I know for me, after reading this essay, I look at punctuation differently. I view it with more importance, and deeper in thought. We are social beings and our communication with one another tells a story. If it be what we had for dinner or how we feel, it is a story none the less. I feel impressed to rethink how I write, what I write, and why I write. For me, the use of commas is my greatest weakness. I know now though, the use of commas goes deeper than the paper they are written or not written on!!! However, it is my goal, to strive on the improvement of this writting flaw. I cannot imagine reading words without punctuation. How would I be able to detect the emotion being given by the speaker? This is just one example, of how I take punctuation for granted. I encourage everyone, to rethink on how our words are written with puntuation. Our words tell a story, and punctuation shows the emotion behind our words.

Wonderful Neighbors!

My phone vibrates along the Georgia Highlands library desk. I answer my husband's call. He informs me that our neighbor Michelle has called. "She is concerned about our dog," he said. I call Michelle right away, uneasy about what I will be told.

A sincere voice answers. "Tammy, your dog Pugsley is breathing heavily," she said. "Where is he at," I ask hastly. She replied, "Pugsley is lying by the road of your front yard." I immediatly tell her, "thank you for letting me know" and hang up. I rush out of the library. Forgetting all about the algebra test I was studying for.

On my drive home, I could not stop thinking about our seven year old Terrier mix. (He
 is forty-nine in dog years.) I asked myself, "Is he going to be ok?" and "Why is he breathing hard?" The ten minute drive home felt like an eternity. As I turn into my drive way, I see Pugsley. He is lying helplessly along the front of our garage doors. (He must have managed to walk away from the road.)

I kneel over his body. He struggles to look up at me. "Hey boy, what's wrong?" I ask, in a soft voice. He only whimpers. Suddenly, his body shakes, turns, and twist. My beloved pet has no control over his muscles. I cry, as I watch an unbearable five minute seizure consume his body.

I stroke his long black and white hair as the seizure ceases. "It's going to be ok, your'e going to the vet," I said. I carry Pugsley to my car while my neighbors Robert and Barbara drive by. They stop. "Is everything alright?" they ask. After hearing the situation, they offer their assistance.

I tell them my son is getting off the school bus soon.  "I do not want him to see Pugsley like this," I said. Robert and Barbara insist on taking my dog to the vet. "We will call as soon as we have news from the doctor," they said. All I could say is thank you and I appreciate it.

The phone rings. I answer. A somber voice reply, "Tammy, I'm sorry but Pugsley's seizures cannot be stopped.", "He is suffering and the vet needs to put him to sleep," said Barbara. While tears flow down my face, I tell her I understand.

That evening my family and I bury our loyal friend  in his favorite resting spot. We cry together, remembering our special times with Pugsley and thanking God for our wonderful neighbors.

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