Song of the day: Stumblin' In - Suzi Quatro and Chris Norman

"Our love is alive and so we begin
Foolishly layin' our hearts on the table,
Stumblin' in" - Suzi Quatro and Chris Norman

This morning was "all out of whack". We haven't gotten our routine together yet. However, I know one thing: It needs to come together before Monday. My husband looks at me and says that I look pretty. He said this to me last week also, but I pretty much brushed it off. I blame it on the renewed endorphins that have kicked in for him since he has been out of work for almost a month. He starts his new assignment on Monday. Time for him to go back...He's beginning to "see things." All of the trees around us have taken on beautiful Autumn colors. Almost all of them. The two ornamental pear trees we have on our front lawn are still as green as if still on a Summer's day. Actually, they look really strange...lush and green...surrounded by trees of yellow, orange and red. My husband says it is symbolic. Also symbolic is the fact that he picked up a brand new yellow pencil while on his morning walk. He says to himself that it is all about new beginnings. I tend to agree with him.

"Now and then fire light will catch us
Stumblin' in."

On the way to school this morning, "The Boy" says to me, "Mom, keep driving...I hate school." But says it in such a happy way, that the grin on his face doesn't match the words coming out of his mouth. I pay him no attention, and continue on to school. For no apparent reason, I start to remember that yesterday in the car on the way to school, he, just off "the top of his head" announced that my unmarried sister needed a husband. (He is sitting in the back seat.) I ask, him "Why, pray tell me, dear Sir do you think so ?" He then says to me: "All women need a husband." (Insert long pause and a prayer here) I begin to wonder where all of this bravado is coming from. Maybe there was something in the bottle of Men's aftershave my husband had spritzed him with, following his shower this morning. The smell is strong in the enclosed automobile. Actually, I'm starting to feel a little dizzy myself. After I get back home, I read the ingredients on the bottle: Cool Spring, daily refresher...a light, refreshing scent for body and face. (Perhaps, a little too refreshing? And perhaps, maybe a little too much was applied to the face; especially around the lip area.)

"Wherever you go, Whatever you do
You know these reckless thoughts
Of mine are followin' you"

I look back at him from my rear view mirror in silence... He looks up at me...grinning. He knows how I feel about such matters, and so I believe that, just for the sake of conversation, I have just been baited. He doesn't realize it, but this fish has been around for a long time. I don't fall for it. This boy is smart and loves a good debate. Only his age, innocence and United States Federal Law, prevent me from ejecting his butt from his seat. He and I will need to talk later. I will not tell his aunt about what he said. This will prevent him from having his weekly candy supply from her cut off, as well the added bonus of having his life preserved for at least until the end of the week.

"I've fallen for you, whatever you do
'cause baby you've shown me so many things
That I never knew"

Later, my husband and I run a few errands together. We get his passport and take it to work to verify his identity and to finalize his job assignment arrangements. I remain in the car until he returns. We swing by the mortgage company and try to negotiate a better rate. We got some information that we need, but not everything. However, we will be fine. The nice lady who helped us says something offhandedly, in a joke about buying ten houses, etc. My husband and I just look at each other. This is a specific "inside" joke for my husband and myself. She did not realize what she had said. The co-incidence was uncanny and chills go up my spine. The details of this incident, my friends, will definitely go into my "unplugged" personal blog. Later, we stop by to fill up the gas tank. The prices have dropped considerably and the activity at the filling station was brisk and crazy. Then, there was a quick trip to Wal-Mart. Before we knew it, it was time to pick up "The Boy" from school. We pick him up, and then swing by to see the house that my brother has a contract on. The "For Sale" sign on the front lawn had been changed to "contract pending". As my husband remains in the car, (he has already seen the house inside, as he went in with my brother during the inspection) "The Boy" and I get out, and peek into the windows. The house is precious, and just the right size for my brother and his wife. We wish them well.

"Whatever it takes,
Baby, I'll do it for you"

Later, it is time for me to go to work. I plug away until break time. After break, I get sleepy. The lady in front of me, and to my right had gone out and bought a lottery ticket during break. She is sleepy too. Forget Halloween...The zombies are all here tonight. Rows upon rows of tired people. She looks at me, and silently, but wildly, waves the ticket in front of me as she smiles...as if to say: "I sure hope this is my ticket to freedom". Because of this telepathic message, I just about become incontinent and collapse in silent laughter. This chuckle gives me the extra "oomph" I need to remain awake. "M", I thank you.

On the way home, I see my faithful "Have Hope" sign by the side of the road. (click on picture above) The marquee changes from the daily message to "Have Hope" at night. There are those who would tell me, that because I don't belong to the particular church it is in front of; maybe I shouldn't pay attention to it. I would humbly submit to these people, the fact that when I drive home alone, and in the darkness, mind you...along with a prayer and a phone call to my husband, this sign is the one that leads me home, and helps to bolster my feelings of hope. I see the red glow for at least a half mile before I can actually read the words, and because I already know what it says before I get there, I start to "Have Hope" long before the red blurry words come into blazingly sharp focus. My hope is renewed as I read this sign night after night...and smile. Everyone has to find theirs.

"Our love is alive and so we begin
Foolishly layin' our hearts on the table"

I will not be denied. Hope is non-denominational. While it belongs to us all, it is different for each individual. And just as it says on a package of Cheezits ..."get your own box" This one is mine.

"Stumblin' in"





Note to self: Missing yesterday's post. Will post tomorrow.