Plan on God

You'd think a girl like me would learn. 

So many times I fall prey to the thought that if I plan everything just right, pick the perfect flowers, create a virtual oasis, that my plans will naturally fall into place just as beautifully as I pictured it in my mind. I so know better than that, and yet there I was with my grand ol' ideas, being a complete pain to my husband to help me get everything neat and rushing him out of the house because all my girls were coming over. 

I bet God was having a mighty laugh watching me run around the house knowing I was in for it big time. You know the saying "You make plans and God laughs", right? Yah well, I'm pretty sure whoever came up with that one was thinking of just my type. 

Spot on my friend. spot. on. 

It is absolutely true he laughs, and this time it must have been one of those good hearty ones that makes your stomach feel like you've done 100 crunches and you're basically crying.

First, let me briefly explain what I thought was going to happen and then we can get into what actually happened.

My plan was to have six of my friends over for the (in)RL virtual conference. We were going to watch the videos, bond over Q&A time and the craft project I went to 3 different stores to get all the supplies for, have tea and lots of chocolate, and it was going to be amazing!

Now here's what actually happened:

It was 5:30pm. I was rushing to slap on some makeup and then I hear my husband announce that someone was arriving. Immediately I switch into overdrive and settle for a little foundation, bronzer, and mascara. 

As I come out of my bedroom I see my first guest; the girl who

Fear for Joy

What makes you shudder at the mere mention of it....sends a chill down your spine? Zombies maybe?[They are pretty popular these days.] Well, one of mine was less grotesque from a physical standpoint but equally scared the ba-jeezus out of me. 

It all had to do with a simple diving board.....

Right around 4th grade I was signed up for swimming lessons- passed my first class with flying colors. Then, I was moved up to the "Advanced" class. The second week or so the instructor lets us know that on top of being able to hold our breath for a minute, dive for rings at the bottom of the pool, swim in place for 2 minutes, and complete 10 laps....in order to pass the class we had to dive off the diving board.

You'd have gotten a kick out of my expression when that bomb dropped. Think pale as Wednesday[Addam's Family], eyes like a deer in headlights like what. just. happened?! I thought, "Excuse me, did you say diving board? The super-high, 5 meters or whatever it is one [a.k.a. 16 ft. for all the people like me who check in to la-la land when math and conversions come up]?" As much as I wanted to imagine I'd heard wrong, my ears had not deceived me.

Looking up at that diving board that pretty much looked like a high-rise to me and trying to envision mustering up the courage to even just leap off that thing was the most petrifying notion ever!

There's something in the Mud

When you think of mud, what comes to mind?...memories? 

Do you remember the last time you played in it? Ever made a mudpie? Had a mud mask?

I remember a day when I was a kid- maybe it was 2nd grade- my mom dressed me up in one of those frilly dresses with the itchy-scratchy lace, and all I could think of was to just rip it off and pull on some stinkin' leggings and a t-shirt. The entire school day I felt so constricted and awkward. 

When school was finally out, it had started to drizzle. As I walked home the rain picked up a bit, just enough to get a decent splash under my feet. Then it really started coming down(Make note, we're talking San Diego rain). 

As I walked, I took notice of the brownish, filthy water that was now tainting the pure whiteness of my shoes. Just the sight of it gave me such delight,