Visitors and My Happy Place

Everyone should have a Happy Place.  For some of us, it is a mental place that we escape to when the stresses of life grow to great to endure.  Some have, however, a physical Happy Place we go to and just being there brings us a sense of well-being.  I have (for the time being) traded my mental Happy Place (places, actually) for a physical one.

It all started when I got the bright idea some weeks ago to power wash our huge deck (12X36).  It has not been cleaned since we moved in in 2009, and most likely, since the house was vacant for some years before we bought it, the time span was even greater.  My husband (we call him McGyver because he can build/do anything) had planned to tear down the old boards and make something of them, and replace them with new because they looked so terrible.  But, when you work excavation, when you have the money (the summer when you are working 50-60 hours a week) you have no time; and when you have time (the winter, when you are laid off) you have no money.  And so the deck remained in its original state: grey, moldy and gross.

Enter the wife with the pressure washer.  Who would have known that water was so powerful?  Not only did it take off the old paint, the mold and crud, it also gouged a couple of holes in the wood (before I figured out the right pressure).  It should also be noted at this point that aiming the pressure washer carelessly close to your bare feet is not wise.  It may be some time before the skin grows back on my big toe (ouch).  Regardless of pain and suffering, the deck now looks new and is awaiting a fresh coat of sealant.  Yay me!

So...deck furniture, plants and a newly purchased portable awning in place and I have a new Happy Place.  It has become my favorite spot for morning coffee, devotions, homework, and random sitting and pondering absolutely nothing!  Enter...my visitors.

The first to discover my new Happy Place were the local mosquitoes.  I am beginning to believe, as my cousin Zanna would say, that citronella candles are really just big glowing "Eat Here" signs.  The little buggers descend upon the deck just before dusk, like football players at an all-you-can-eat buffet.  Candles seem to be no deterrent.  Bug spray, though smelly (and apparently detrimental to newly manicured nail polish ...another story for another time) seems to have remedied the problem.

My next visitor was far more welcome.  Sitting on my deck couch the other day, I heard a pleasant buzzing and looked up to see a hummingbird sipping at the flowers on one of the hanging plants on my awning.  He looked at me as though to say, "thanks for the snack" and buzzed away.  He has been back several times since, and I imagine that my sister Cindy has sent him to check on me.  She loved her hummers so much!  I think I will name him Bing Humsby.

 My most recent visitor surprised me this afternoon.  Anticipating the rain this morning, I had covered the couch with a throw before retiring last night.  Upon return from my multiple errands this afternoon I made myself a cup of coffee, grabbed my homework and headed for my happy spot.  Who should I find under the throw but a good sized tree frog.  He seem to be resting from the stresses of his day and looked at me disinterestedly.  After enduring an impromptu photo shoot, he very graciously gave me the couch and took residence first on the leg of the end table, and later in the corner of the deck.  As he eats mosquitoes, I have invited him to stay, and named him Geraldo Aquatica.  (don't ask me why...it just is).

So, my Happy Place is rapidly filling with friends to share it with.  Unfortunately, none of them seem to enjoy two sided conversion, and the offer of tea didn't appeal to them.  SO.....if you are in the area and wish to join my tea party, I will be on the deck with Geraldo and Bing; the mosquitoes have not been invited, but they tend to be party crashers, so bring the bug spray!

Mother of the Bride

This weekend I had a rare privilege - I stood five feet from my daughter as she exchanged vows and became a wife (officially).  The wedding was lovely, albeit surreal in several ways.  The journey to this moment has been fraught with pitfalls, tears, joy, frustrations, and tremendous blessings.  We knew it would happen eventually, but the timing was not up to us - it is always, regardless of the players, God's timing that matters.

When I held my daughter for the first time more than 22 years ago, I must confess the path that she is on was not the one I anticipated.  God, you see, has a much bigger vision that we.  Who would imagine that a child raised in a mission in Eastern Kentucky would find her comfort zone in the middle of Chicago?  I pictured her raising animals on her own little farm.  Instead she is raising a daughter in the middle of one of the nation's biggest cities - and doing it well.

Standing amidst the trees and fountains of the Art Institute of Chicago's Gardens, I watched the eyes of my son-in-law to be as he quoted those sacred vows of commitment.  A peace washed over my soul, and tears welled up - tears of gratitude for God's faithfulness.   I now have a son as well as a daughter; one whose love reflects the love of Christ, though he has yet to release his life to God.

Many of our friends- brothers and sisters in Christ - will question the wisdom of "allowing" our daughter to be "unequally yoked" spiritually.  That, however, is not an issue for us - Meng has already shown his great character and his openness to Samantha's faith.  God's timing, again, is perfect.  All we need to do is trust and pray.

Now they begin a new life together.  Not much has changed from a week ago - Meng will continue his last year of medical school.  Samantha will complete her final semester for her undergrad degree.  They will continue to raise Emma as a team and build on their relationship.  But now, bonded by the laws of both God and man, they are one flesh.  What God has brought together, let no man put asunder!

Babies and Puppys - the Conspiracy Theory

I am beginning to become paranoid.  It seems to me, however, that my granddaughter Emma and her puppy Bailey are in cahoots together.  The baby needs a diaper change; while I am changing her the puppy messes on the floor.  I go to let the puppy out; the baby empties the dog dish on the floor.  Emma pulls down the box of kleenex off the end table; Bailey pulls out the tissue and shreds it; Emma helps.  Yes, it is a conspiracy that even Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts could not thwart.

The problem with the whole thing (you see, they are very, very good) is that they have the whole adorable/cuteness factor working in their favor.  They use it to its full potential, too.  Grandma says, "Emma, don't touch that!"  Emma turns to Grandma and smiles that melt-your-heart smile and says "Hi!"  Grandma is chasing the puppy around trying to extract Big Bird from his tiny jaws.  Bailey drops the toy, cocks his head to one side, and...well...he has these little black jelly-bean eyes.

"Put him in his kennel" the parents say.  "Put her in the pack and play...let her cry for a while".  Oh, PLEASE!  Have you ever heard the most pitiful tiny puppy whimper resounding from behind bars?  Have you ever witnessed a sad little black nose poking out of the tiny window in a kennel door?  AND what Grandma worth her salt is going to listen to her adorable granddaughter sobbing in the next room as though her little heart would break any moment?

Could it be?  Is it true?  Have I become an old softie in my old age?  That hard-nosed teacher who kept her classroom in order is conquered by a one-year-old and a puppy?  **GASP**  It is true....I have become a Grandmother in the truest sense....bifocals and all.  IN FACT...yesterday I wore my hair in a bun all day and wore sensible shoes!  HOLY COW!

I would expand on that thought more, but right now I need to catch a shower...the baby is in her pack and play and the puppy in his kennel; the toys are picked up and the shredded tissue discarded.  All in the house have been fed, watered, and *ahem* done their business.  I think I may have five minutes before I am needed again.  I really DO love my life!  :)