Learning Patience-Funny, God

Dear Readers:
Have you ever prayed for something and have been blessed to receive an answer to that prayer-even more than you were expecting?

Well, funny thing is, I’ve been praying for patience in preparation for children.

After taking my MacBook to be repaired, God answered my prayer. In a very real way.

Upon bringing home my newly “repaired” MacBook, I realized something was different about it.

For example, this is what I’ve been staring at for close to four days now. The cheery colors swirl while my computer hums, taking its time to open a program (at least 10 minutes), change between my email and iphoto (spastic in and out minimizing and maximizing of the screens) or try to open WordPress to write a post (this has taken me almost 45 minutes to write, due to crashing, slow uploading and inadvertent deletions).

I’ve run disk utility in order to repair it several times. Everything seems to be “clean” and ready to go, but the swirl keeps on a swirlin’. I’ve tried everything to get this stinker running again.

I have no idea what the “geniuses” did to my computer. Maybe they heard from the Lord and sabotaged my computer so that I may learn patience.

Funny, God. Real Funny.

Without my MacBook…and the world did not end

WARNING: SLIGHTLY SARCASTIC POST.

Two days ago, I dropped off my MacBook at the Apple Store so that they could repair a manufacturer’s defect-free of charge. The bottom casing had been made improperly, causing it to separate from the computer. I found out there was a recall on the part and threw my hands up in the air like I just didn’t care, because for the first time, I felt like Apple was on my side.

(Apple and Sprint do not receive Christmas cards from me, if you know what I mean.)

However, the last time I dropped off my computer, somehow the “geniuses” managed to erase my entire blog and every evidence therein that I had ever had a website. Not one single shred of html coding, pictures or information could be found on my computer, on MobileMe or even on my hard drive-although I had recently backed it up. And, there was “nothing they could do.”

It was awesome.

So, even though this was a “simple fix” that shouldn’t take more than five minutes (two days), I was apprehensive about leaving my computer. I felt ridiculous acting as if they were taking my first born, but they really didn’t try to reassure me, either.

(Real conversation between me and the “genius”):

ME:”You promise you won’t have to log into my computer and access any information?”
GENIUS: “No, we can’t promise that.”
ME: “Well, aren’t you just taking the bottom casing off? Why would you need to get on my computer?”
GENIUS: “To make sure it is working properly after we repair it.”
ME: “Oh. So, you aren’t confident that the repair will be done properly?”
GENIUS: “It should be done right, but you never know.”
ME: “Hm. Will there be data lost?”
GENIUS: “Shouldn’t be, but there could be.”
ME: “Hm, again. Glad I backed it up. How long should this take?”
GENIUS: “You are first on the list, so probably tomorrow morning. But we’ll call you-if we remember.”

Awesome, once again.

I left my computer with aforementioned “genius”, said a quick prayer for its safe return and walked slowly out of the jam-packed store. I took my time, wondering if I should change my mind and rush back to grab the thing before they got their hands on it.

I decided to leave it behind, knowing they also offered to replace the entire screen and top casing, while they were at it-also free of charge. I would basically have a brand new computer if I would just leave it with them for a day (or two).

And surprisingly enough in those two days, the world did not end-in fact, it kept on turning and moving and changing. All without me at the helm. I think I learned a little bit of humility.

Imagine that. Maybe they are “geniuses”….

A Baby’s World

Yes, Biceps and I have been married 11+ years. Yes, we live in midwest Oklahoma. No, we don’t have five ankle biters-yet.

And, to oppose the rumors swirling around these hard to deny facts of sans babydom-yes, I do like a clean house and fresh clothes without spit-up, poop or Lord-knows-what on them. And, I like to be on time, all the time.

But, that in no way, shape or form would ever overrun the decision to have a baby, or two. Or three. I’m ready for the mess. I will embrace the chaos and try to remain sane.

When this little guy comes to visit for a few hours and we both go through the emotions of elation, hunger, gas and then finally, a total breakdown, I’ve realized-this too shall pass.

(No pun intended on the gas portion of the sentence. Ok, maybe a little pun intended.)

I’ve seen my friend’s kids grow up all too quickly–to the point that I don’t recognize them immediately. “When did she start wearing a bra?”
“Who’s that boy smooching on her-I’ll kill him!”
“Is it really legal for her to be driving?”
“What’s with the dang Justin Bieber hairdo? I can’t see his beautiful, blue eyes.”
(All real thoughts from my weirdo brain.)

This little nephew of mine came into this world as a tiny newborn protected behind a shield of glass, but has transitioned into a smiling, crawling, fuzzy headed little dude that loves to sit in front of a fan or enjoy his Uncle Bicep’s crazy, fast pony rides.
(In my opinion they are crazy, fast pony rides. This does not reflect the opinions of others-namely, Biceps.)

Before too long, this little guy will hopefully be calling me Aunt Tabetta, throwing temper tantrums about taking naps and getting potty trained.

And hopefully, I can be there for most of those moments. And maybe throw one of my own little guys into the mix, just to keep things lively during our weekly Family nights. Or maybe two. Or three.

Who knows? I do live in Oklahoma-the land of encouraged repeated reproductivity. I’d better get busy.
No pun intended.

Oklahoma and Biceps are Fighting Fire

Oklahoma, like many parts of the United States, is on fire. Both June and July have had high temperatures over 90 degrees. And little rain.

It’s the perfect storm for unintentional grass and structure fires, along with the intentional arsonists dreams coming true. One little spark and poof-down goes a whole neighborhood.

(Photo Source)
Biceps came home yesterday morning with bloodshot eyes, less than two hours sleep and the hope of a nap.

After helping him unpack his smelly clothes, throwing him in the shower and feeding him, his head fell hard on the pillow. Twitching ensued for several minutes until it was “light’s out” for Biceps.

(Photo Source)
A mere 21 hours later, after dressing in his fresh clothes, packing him a lunch, Biceps left at 5 am to start it all over again.

Please pray for the safety of all firefighters-paid and volunteer. And if you have a local fire station close to you, I know from experience that a quick “thank you” from time to time makes the firefighter’s day. Along with cake. They really like cake.