Take Two

Well, April 15th came and went. It thundered in and crept out silently, it's amazing how anticlimactic it can feel at the end of the day. Three weeks of 70 plus hours (and many weeks of 55 plus hours) and then a day comes and goes and it's all over.  The firm went out to Benihana's for an absolutely wonderful time. I enjoyed the filet mignon and lobster and Earl had shrimp and chicken. Just delicious! 

Then Earl I spent the next two days moseying around San Diego checking out Sea Lions, outside courtyard breakfast spots and seeing old friends.  Shachah played at Calvary Chapel San Diego (just minutes from Mexico) on Friday night and we got to see a few friends we haven't seen in a while.  

Then we came home and enjoyed two days at home getting things done around the apartment and relaxing at home.  Sunday night we tried something new and went to a Bikram Yoga class - aka hot yoga.  And, yes, it's HOT!

The room is heated between 95 to 105 degrees and you proceed to be led through 26 poses over the course of 90 minutes.  It was intense! and we have signed up for 50 more of them!!

I just went to my second one tonight (hence, the take two) and it was easier and harder in different ways, but we are hoping it will bring some relief to Earl's back pain.  

So, as I crawl into bed, I will leave a few pictures from our vacation!

A Very Special Lady

Today, we mark the birthday of Earl's mom, Dawn. Despite all the crazy things Earl (or Earlie as his family calls him) has done, his mom has stood by his side. I have seen such commitment to family in her life. From taking care of Uncle Kelly and visiting him weekly (and sometimes daily) to showing Earlie such love, it's an amazing testimony to her character and what matters most to her - her family. Thank you for loving us both. We hope and pray this next year is even better than the last!! Happy Birthday!! Love, Melinda and Earlie

There's No Place Like Home, There's No Place Like Home

Well, the flood waters are rising and the dikes aren't quite high enough, so Mary is clicking her heels and heading north!

Praying for her to have safe travels and a nice relaxing weekend with the fam.

Isn't she just stunning?

Mulholland Drive

We were driving to a Sunday morning worship set at a church meeting in Calabasas, California, a beautiful city right off the 101 nestled in the San Fernando Valley. I was driving the truck since Earl was the sickest he has ever been in the four years we've been married. I got off at Mulholland Drive as per my Mapquest directions and proceeded up and down the second windiest road I've ever been on - Lombard Street in San Francisco barely taking the first place spot. Now, anyone who has seen all of The Closer episodes remembers that our dear Chief from the South had some issues getting around LA - especially because there are a lot of Mulholland Drives in LA. Yes, I took one of the WRONG Mulholland Drives. Poor Earl who barely had control of his faculties was dangerously close to losing them along this insansly crooked street up and down those Santa Monica mountains. We made it safely to the church, albeit 20 minutes late, and I don't think he's ever been more relieved to be able to stop moving as he was that morning. So, my sweet husband is not the sickest he's ever been, but he is sick and so I spent last night on the pull-out bed in the living room. I was all set to brave the danger zone last night, but as I crawled into bed after him and listened to him wheeze and sniffle and snore, I quickly decided to rough out in the living room instead. I woke up sore, but, so far, not sick! We now have a countdown in the office - only 20 more days until tax season is over. We have even picked an after tax season dinner local at Benihana's. While these things are very exciting, it's also stress inducing because, hello!! I only have TWENTY more days (including Sundays) until tax season is over and it feels like I have 40 days of work still to do. I can literally feel the stress building in my neck, shoulders, stomach, etc. I find myself so tense and when I try to relax I feel my muscles quiver ever so slightly because they are so fatigued from the stress. I haven't been mentally stressed aside from the meltdown I had when I got home (too late for Life, too!!). Hopefully I can hold it all together until the end, after all, it's only 20 more days! And yes, we are all holding our breath and saying our prayers as Mary is being surrounded by flood waters. Thankfully, we know our Creator sees her and will protect her until the flood waters recede. We love you Mary. Finally, a picture of my man and our nephew. Earl went to Miami last weekend to play at a big event and got to see the whole family and spend a little bit of quality time with Christian. (Bonus - I got to SEE Earl play online - isn't technology GREAT some times?!) Enjoy! :o)

Latest Happenings

In the absence of a post with words, here are a few pictures. I am grateful for the friends God has given me at church. And I L-O-V-E my flowers. Here's just one pic of what's blooming.

Is That a Light?!?!

We are getting closer to the end - only one month left! Yes, that's right, the light at the end of the tunnel is becoming visible and larger.  Today was particularly hard to get moving and out of the house. I'm certainly glad to be getting closer to the end of tax season. I think I have lived off of Les Miserables and solitaire throughout.  I can listen to those songs over and over again and I have a new found love for solitaire. 

Earl is in Oakhurst for the weekend playing at a camp and no cell phone service. :o(  He'll be home tomorrow night though and then is flying out to Miami at the end of the week for a large outreach called Cross the Bridge (www.crossthebridge.com).  This should be a really neat event. AND Les Miserables is playing in Miami this month - alas! I can't go!!!

Finally, tv shows - now, I don't have a lot of time to actually watch tv shows when they come one, but thankfully there is Hulu and I can catch up on the weeks viewing during the weekend. My go-to's are Lie to Me, The Office, Bones, and Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. Now, I must qualify this statement with the fact that I make sure I'm home in time to watch L&O on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and Life on Wednesdays too. I can't watch L&O online, so I HAVE to be home :o)  

I've got laundry to do tomorrow, a DSAOC event (St. Patty's day Poker Run), meals to cook for Earl for the week, church and tax stuff to work on.  Whew!! :o)

He's the Honey in my Tea

Forest Gump immortalized the phrase "Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you're gonna get." While that rings true on some levels, I would liken life to a cup of tea. Sometimes life is refreshing like a cup of iced tea or warming and soothing like a hot cup of tea. Sometimes it's sleep inducing like chamomile or it can be spiced. But in every cup of tea, I always like a little honey.

Earl is the honey in my tea. He sweetens every aspect and while life was pretty sweet before we got married, it could never be as sweet without him. 

Four years ago he said he would love me forever and he hasn't stopped!

Thanks for treating me like a Queen. I love you!!