Just Call Me, Esther

I... am a tub girl. There is nothing like a hot bath at the end of a stress-filled day. There is nothing like a hot bath when you're chilled to the bone. There is nothing like a hot bath, surrounded by candle light, bath goodies, flowers, chocolates, great music, and wine. My bathtub is my sanctuary... my little corner of the world where I can escape and become Queen Esther. (Don't know who she is? You, my friend, are missing out on one of the greatest stories, ever. Check her out... She has her very own book! Look up the book of Esther in the Bible. You will enjoy the story. I promise.)

So, back to my sanctuary. It's under construction. No... that isn't totally correct. My dear husband tried to fix my faucet... OVER A YEAR AGO. He broke it, which in all honesty wasn't a huge surprise. He is a handy man, but I must admit, if the kids ever need something fixed, and they come to Dad saying, "Hey, Dad can you fix..." "Nnnnnoooooo!!!!!," I cry. (Just picture me in slow motion, running to grab the toy out of their hands.) I have known my husband long enough to know that in the noble effort to fix something, nine out of ten times, it will break.

Once again, back to my sanctuary. I have now gone for TWO LONG WINTERS without my bathtub! How, on Earth, have I coped, you ask? Honestly, I have no idea. Now that I think about it, my sanity has been a bit shaky. I have been on edge a bit more than usual. Blame it on the faucet... the LACK of faucet... the lack of retreating to my sanctuary. I am now going to break the long held rule that all women must adhere to. You know... the "Never ask for anything practical for your birthday, Valentines, Christmas, or any other holiday, rule." I'm sorry ladies, but I am in dire need of a bathtub faucet, and am willing to actually ask for one as a gift. Let me fill you in on just how desperate I am.

Today, my two little ones and I filled the tub. It hadn't been filled in over a year. Yes, we filled it... with a cooking pot and cups!!! Is that enough desperation to justify breaking the practical gift rule? I believe so.

I loved every second of my bubble bath, and am now WARM, relaxed, and feeling like a queen.

You, my friend, can call me, Esther.

Just Laughing at Myself... AGAIN

You know you've had quite a few kids, when your tampon falls out while teaching aerobics.

That's all I'm sayin'.

Okay, so I was really glad I chose the exercise pants with the drawstring just below the knees...

Holds in whatever may fall.

(Isn't it pathetic, the things I will divulge for the sake of a few laughs?)

Find Your Beauty

A mode of conduct,

a standard of courage,

discipline, fortitude

and integrity

can do a great deal

to make a woman

beautiful.

~Jacquline Bisset

Find your beauty; you know it's there.

The Beautiful Sound of Freedom...

This story makes my heart explode with joy. Wonderful things are happening...

(Please click on "This story")

Educating Girls

"If you really want to change a culture, to empower women, improve basic hygiene and health care, and fight high rates of infant mortality, the answer is to educate girls."

~Greg Mortenson, director of the Central Asia Institute, former mountaineer and military veteran, who spends several months each year building schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan

(Taken from Three Cups of Tea One Man's Mission to Promote Peace... One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin)

The Best Age for a Woman

But I think it's a little different in Europe, because 40 is really the best age for a woman. That's when we hit our peak and become this ripe fruit.

~Juliette Binoche, French Actress, 1964-

Since I will be turning 40 this month, I tend to like this quote.... a lot.... I think I'll move to Europe.

Women

I received this e-mail from my mom today, and immediately knew it needed to be shared among women. I have no idea who the author is, but something tells me it was written by a husband who adores his wife. Enjoy...

The One Flaw In Women

By the time the Lord made woman, He was into his sixth day of working overtime.

An angel appeared and said, "Why are you spending so much time on this one?"

And the Lord answered, "Have you seen my spec sheet on her?"

"She has to be completely washable, but not plastic, have over 200

movable parts, all replaceable, and able to run on diet coke and

leftovers, have a lap that can hold four children at one time, have a

kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart-and

she will do everything."

The angel was astounded at the requirements.

"Only two hands!? No way!

And that's just on the standard model?

That's too much work for one day.

Wait until tomorrow to finish."

" But I won't," the Lord protested.

"I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own

heart. She already heals herself when she is sick AND can work 18 hour days."

The angel moved closer and touched the woman.

"But you have made her so soft, Lord."

"She is soft," the Lord agreed, "but I have also made her tough. You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish."

"Will she be able to think?", asked the angel.

The Lord replied, "Not only will she be able to think, she will be able to reason and negotiate." The angel then noticed something, and reaching out, touched the woman's cheek.

"Oops, it looks like you have a leak in this model. I told you that you were trying to put too much into this one."

"That's not a leak," the Lord corrected, "that's a tear!"

"What's the tear for?" the angel asked.

The Lord said, "The tear is her way of expressing her joy, her sorrow, her pain,

her disappointment, her love, her loneliness, her grief and her pride."

The angel was impressed."You are a genius, Lord. You thought of everything!

Woman is truly amazing."

And she is!

Women have strengths that amaze men.

They bear hardships and they carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love and joy.

They smile when they want to scream.

They sing when they want to cry.

They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous.

They fight for what they believe in.

They stand up to injustice.

They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution.

They go without so their family can have.

They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.

They love unconditionally.

They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards.

They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding.

Their hearts break when a friend dies.

They grieve at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.

They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.

They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you.

The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.

They bring joy, hope and love.

They have compassion and ideals.

They give moral support to their family and friends.

Women have vital things to say and everything to give.

HOWEVER,

IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,

IT IS THAT

THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

A Woman Should Have...

A poem by Maya Angelou:

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...

enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own, even if she never wants to or needs to...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..

something perfect to wear if the employer, or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..

a youth she's content to leave behind....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...

a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .....

a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....

one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....

a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...

eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal, that will make her guests feel honored...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...

a feeling of control over her destiny...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

how to fall in love without losing herself..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

how to quit a job, break up with a lover, and confront a friend without; ruining the friendship...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

when to try harder...

and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

that she can't change the length of her calves,the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

that her childhood may not have been perfect...but it's over...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

whom she can trust,whom she can't,and why she shouldn't take it personally...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

where to go...be it to her best friend's kitchen table...

or a charming inn in the woods...

when her soul needs soothing...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

what she can and can't accomplish in a day...

a month...

and a year.

Schoolmarm

Here are some interesting facts about female teachers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. I wonder how many would choose the profession if the rules remained the same...

• teachers were often forbidden to marry



• they were not allowed to be in the company of any man but their father or brother



• were not to wear fewer than two petticoats



• forbidden to smoke cigarettes or dye their hair



• they were not allowed to loiter in ice cream parlors

We've come a long way, baby!

(Information taken from We Americans, published by the National Geographic Society)

Freedom Writers

Do you ever read a book, then see the movie, and are disappointed? It seems that your imagination, and the details in the book, never quite measure up to the movie.

Well, I was pleasantly surprised when I watched The Freedom Writers Diary, starring Hilary Swank. I previously posted a bit about the book, The Freedom Writers Diary, and raved about how good it was. Let me tell you... the movie is excellent, and remains true to the story. The actors are so good, I forgot many times that they were actors, and not the true Freedom Writers. I highly recommend the movie. Hilary Swank does a wonderful job portraying Erin Gruwell.

The movie is available in DVD. Please take the time to watch it. It is imperative that we all get a glimpse of what life is like for so many kids in America. May God bless Erin Gruwell, and all of the people like her that are willing to make a difference.

Red Tent

This chick happened to turn 39 recently. I have no problem with age, so far. I've always been an advocate of cherishing your laugh lines, and the memories they represent. I think my husband's gray hair makes him sexy. I love the wisdom that shows in the face of an older woman; it's true beauty. BUT... what, may I ask, is with the MOOD SWINGS that now visit monthly? I don't mind aging gracefully, but there is nothing graceful about mood swings! I will be the first to admit that I am an emotional person; I tend to wear my emotions on my sleeve. However, when that emotion is as ugly as Linda Blair's character in The Exorcist, one must fret a bit. This is new territory for me... I must navigate carefully.

You know, in Biblical times, the women all went to live in a red tent when they were going through their cycle. Who abolished that custom, I must ask? I could get used to a week away with other women. Leave the kids with Hubby, bring some wine, and have a great week with the chicks. Can you envision it? Sounds pretty good to me! It must have been the men who put an end to that tradition!

All I can say is, "Bring back the Red Tent!"