Ok, today I answered the phone, "Kocol Chiropractic, this is Amanda"

AT MY HOUSE!!

Luckily it was a "Hello, this is not a sales call" automated phone voice . Good grief!

On that note, here are some pictures of my lovely niece.

Ok, it's been a few months so, it's time...

I've been compiling a list of favorite quotes from that grand TV show The Simpsons. More of these to come later, because I love them so much. But for now, please enjoy these oh-so-funny lines, mostly from season 8, with one I think from 6 or 7. Yay Simpsons!! *Note: I think Homer is funniest*

--Mr. Burns: "Are you mad? I'm not made of airports. Get out!"

--Homer: "Mmm. Unexplained bacon." *gurgling and drooling* (and if you're a Simpsons fan, you know what that sounds like)

--Mr Scorpio: "Hi Homer. What can I do for you?"

   Homer: "Sir, I need to know where I can get some business hammocks."

--Ralph: "Hi Lisa. We're going to be in a pie."

--Homer: "Oh, well, of course. Everything looks bad if you remember it."

--Marge: "Well, if loving your kids is lame, then I guess I'm just a big lame."

--Homer: "Marge, we're going out. If we don't come back, avenge our deaths."

And there you are. Until our next meeting...

**Addendum** Peter and I are going to see "Wicked" in Chicago this weekend! I can't express my excitement. If you're interested, here's a link to sound clips from the musical. http://www.wickedthemusical.com/sound_clips.htm My favorite right now is Defying Gravity, and Popular is funny too, although you don't get the full song. Boo.

Retreat of Silence #1

Breathe (2)

"Open my eyes so I can see, Open my heart so I'll believe, Open my hands so I can feel Your spirit washing over me.

Open my ears so I can hear, Open my soul and give me more, Lord, take my life and make me whole."

Take my life

"Please take from me my life when I don't have the strength to give it away to You."

Chill.

On the cliffs of this shore

I am chilled.

Cold, because of a loss I have endured.

A loss of faith,

A loss of purity,

A loss of me,

A loss of You.

Though You're never gone,

I have not let You in,

Into my shelter of close walls;

False security in myself.

Though You're forever trying to save me,

I let myself drown.

I push myself underneath the waves and I strike at Your redeeming Hand.

Perseverance is a forgotten word.

I seem to tire of it.

But more quickly and truly do I tire of stillness,

of the stagnant pool that I have become.

Let me instead be the rocks and stones.

Roll over me fluidly, making me

soft to the touch,

smooth,

without blemish or crag.

Cause me to shine

and reflect the work You have done in me.

For Your glory is more brilliant,

Your purposes far greater;

Your wisdom passes all  knowledge,

Your Kingdom outstands all kingdoms.

Make me a child obedient to Your will and revelling in the freedoms of You.

Cause me to stand firm upon these cliffs,

knowing that Your breeze is a sweet, sweet fragrance

and let me lose myself in You.

Interesting times lately...

We saw a movie that really affected me recently. Been thinking about it a lot. It was frightening, gripping, made me angry, but still gave me hope. Interesting times indeed. I don't know. Sometimes I love the xanga world, but sometimes there's that side of it that only annoys and offends and people are on their soapbox when no one really has the time or energy to read and pay the full attention due, me included in both sides. So, I'll say this. Whether this subject interests you or not, or even slightly, or if you want more clarification on things that are made incredibly hazy in our society, go see "An Inconvenient Truth", and then we'll talk. I won't make you listen to me ramble about how great it is, although that's true, or how it made me REALLY think, although that's true. Just see it, and ponder.

And if you're further interested, here's a website: www.climatecrisis.net

There is hope still...

Currently Listening James Taylor: Greatest Hits By James Taylor Mexico see related

I'm at work...

Peter's graduation party/his friends' housewarming party was yesterday. It was hot out, and in, since they didn't have air conditioning. But I still enjoyed myself.

I made a cake. Lemon. Three layers. With cream cheese frosting. We haven't tried it yet.

John visited us for this weekend, came Thursday and left today. I'm so glad we got to see him.

I shouldn't be eating cake anyway because I need to lose wedding weight. Nobody tells you that you're going to gain weight like crazy when you get married. But it's true. You are all warned, and now you know.

My brother and sister graduate from high school this weekend. Wow! I can't believe they're that old. Going to college soon. My, my, my.. we are traveling out to see them walk in red gowns and hats with tassles.

Back to work...