Random much?

Yes.  Yes, I am.

And since you now know that I know that I'm random, I'm going to share with you.

Some randomness, if you will.

1.  I am finally starting to feel "normal."  After last week's "incident"  which resulted in a lot of stress/panic/oh-my-stinkin-heck moments, I honestly believe that I was in shock.  I don't mean like, "Wow!  That's shocking!" as in the price of gas rising again.  I mean that I felt like everything around me was surreal.  Like the whole incident never happened, and yet knowing it did.  Like I couldn't believe that people were still shopping at Target after what had happened.  Like I couldn't comprehend that the world was still rotating and everyone else wasn't as freaked out as I was.  Yeah, that kind of shock.

2.  I love our new puppy.  He's sweet.  Cuddly.  Has really sharp puppy teeth!  Learning how to "do it" outside and not on our floor.  And now, flea and worm free!  (That's a bonus, in case you're wondering!)

3.  I loved the gentle reminder I received from a reader who said that even if "the incident" (see #1 above) had a different outcome, that God would have still been God.  Still immutable.  Still sovereign.  Still loving.  Immutable.  Unchangeable.  But you already knew that, right?  Of course you do, you read my Attributes of God posts.

4.  Our new puppy smells so good.  Like new puppy.  And his fur is so soft.  And it's everywhere.  Or at least, I assume it's everywhere.  When one of us is wearing black, we now look like we have on a cashmere sweater/shirt/pants.  Except it's not cashmere -- it's Bows-mere!

5.  I have had a hard time finding great things to photograph lately.  That bums me out.  Unfortunately, living in the South like we do, there is not a whole lot of seasonal change.  Sure, there are decreased temperatures and the leaves fall off some of the trees, but there's not a lot of variety of colors.  The leaves and grass are mostly brown.  And I don't like brown.  Unless it's in my chocolate.  Then I love brown.

6.  Winter is not my favorite season.  In case you couldn't tell.  (See #5)  However, I believe that if I were back in the Great Northwest (read:  snow) then I would like winter.  Snow = awesome opportunities for pictures.  And sledding.  And skiing.  And snowmobiling.  And snowman building.  And hot chocolate drinking (see #5 again).  And...  You get the point right?  

7.  While Winter is not my favorite, I do favor Spring.  Flowers, cool breezes on warm days, flowers, bright green grass, crisp and tender leaves, flowers.  Oh, and warm days with cool breezes.  I LOVE Spring!

8.  I could never be famous.  Lemme tell you why.  Last week, during the stress/panic portion of "the incident," I kept checking the online news in our city, as well as the city where "the incident" occurred.  When the "news", and I use that term very, very loosely, was posted, there were several people who commented on the news.  Before I even read the comments, I could feel my hackles rise.  "You had better not say anything bad about my husband.  Or his job as a pilot.  Or..  Or... Or..."  I can just tell that if I were famous I would feel the need to defend myself and my family each time someone said something nasty about us.  And you know that someone's always got something to say about you when you're in the public eye.  And it's not always pretty.

9.  Not to say that I haven't wished to be famous.  For instance, if my blog took off (because it was God's will) I can't say that I'd mind.  Or if I became a famous photographer (because it was God's will) I don't know that I'd mind that either.  I have always, from as far back as I can remember, wanted to make my mark on our world.  And, deep in my heart I know I will.  It might be in a small and a not-so-famous way, but I will leave a mark.  However God wants me to.

10.  Having just read these ten random things I thought I'd post today, I'd like you to consider one thing:  That was 7 minutes of your life you're never getting back.  Heh, heh, heh!  I'll make it worth it though and close with this:

The Power of Prayer 

-- Author Unknown

I got up early one morning 

and rushed into the day;

I had so much to accomplish 

that I didn't have time to pray.

Problems just tumbled about me, 

and heavier came each task.

"Why doesn't God help me?"  I wondered.  

He answered, "You didn't ask."

I wanted to see joy and beauty, 

but the day toiled on, grey and bleak;

I wondered why God didn't show me.  

He said, "But you didn't seek."

I tried to come into God's presence; 

I used all my keys at the lock.

God gently and lovingly chided, 

"My child, you didn't knock."

I woke up early this morning, 

and paused before entering the day;

I had so much to accomplish 

that I had to take time to pray.

Praying for you today...