"Apparently there is nothing that cannot happen today"

Some of my favorite quotes (including the title of this post and the title for my blog) come from Mark Twain.  I just love the way he sees things. Today I thought I'd post a few of my favorite "Twain-isms" - Is that a word?  At any rate, on with the post. 

A person who won't read has no advantage over one who can't read. 

It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt. 

 Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.

 

And my very favorite Mark Twain quote?

 

Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. 

I've been assimilated

After avoiding Skype all these years, I finally signed up to allow us to talk with our friends while they are visiting Costa Rica.  Searching for others I know, I found a few people I'd love to "see" and cannot wait to connect with them.

This could become an addiction - especially since it doesn't cost.  Oh no~!

No matter how many times it happens....

Being human, to a degree, means making mistakes.  It means forgetting.  It means being absorbed in oneself. And then a lesson comes along, for the umpteenth time and reminds you just what matters most.

I just found out that a very very dear friend lost her father in death recently.  So dear to me is she that I call her simply "Mama."  

Here I am worried about things that can be fixed, are daily worries that will never go away, and most certainly are transient.  And there she is mourning the loss of her father.  A loss that hurts like no other.

I wish so much I could just be with her right now and reach out and give her big hugs and kisses and tell her it will be alright.  I wish I weren't so blasted far away.  I wish I weren't so wrapped up in my own world that it took me so long to find out what she has been struggling with all these days since his death. 

Mama, I am sorry.  I am sorry for your loss and also sorry for being so busy I couldn't check in more often just to tell you I love you and if everything is okay.  

This follows a severe injury to a wonderfully unique friend that is so special to me that I respect fewer men more.  He was injured while working in his garage by an exploding aerosol can.  He is alive and making remarkable strides in healing but will be forever different.  Physically and mentally.  I will not elaborate further.  Those who know him know all they need to already.  Speedy healing, Timmy Bob.  We love you!! 

I have learned this lesson - the frailty of life and what is truly important - many times in my life.  And then daily life takes over and the lesson gets filed into the "Important but I will think about it later" file in the back of my very cluttered head.

Today I had that file reopened and what a blessing it was to have my eyes opened to look past my recent "troubles" into the face of real problems.

I am moving on a bit lighter for that.  Mama, I miss you and love you and I am with you heart and soul forever more - Love Pee Wee.

Did you park there?

Well, I had some fun playing with the blog tonight - design and title - as I was relaxing for the evening.  And I must say I had fun.  I hope you like it!

On a side note, here is a conversation in our home this morning:

DH: "Tawnya, come here."
Me: "Yes?"
DH (looking out the front window): "Did you park the Jeep** all the way down there?"
Me: (trying not to laugh at seeing Jeep all the way at the bottom of the driveway) "Uh I most certainly did not park down there.  I parked it in front of the garage and put the e-brake on.  Good thing it didn't slide into the street!"
DH:  It's slick out there! (pointing to the driveway of ice)

**This is a Jeep we got a good deal and paid for in full so I am so thankful we have an option to get me around while my dear Liberty Cleo undergoes surgery.  Then the green monster will have his day in the shop.

A couple of days ago, I got home from work.  The front end of my dear Cleo is totally dismantled.  Bumper off.  Headlights removed.  Brain disconnected.

Me (in shock):  "You took off her eyes!"
DH:  "It's better she doesn't see this!...And I disconnected her brain so she won't feel a thing either."

Who says we don't have a sense of humor.  Sometimes you have to laugh.  Sometimes you have to dance.  Sometimes laughter really is the best medicine.

But I still have it good.

What a rough winter it has been thus far.  DH has been trying his hardest to work.  And it's not every week. Which is desperately what we need.  And then....
1.  The jeep involuntarily hit some guard rail again.  Two accidents less than a year apart = $2000 deductible.
2.  New studded tires (live and learn, yes?) = $704.
3.  100,000 mile maintenance = Who knows?  Best guess = $1500.
4.  The torque converter decided to go kaput two days after new tires and body repair = $750.

But I don't have much to complain about.  It's only money as they say.  I just wish I could find some of it to pay for the parts we have yet to purchase to get the jeep running again.  But this gives me a chance to show myself patient and faithful.  And that lesson = PRICELESS.

But to save some money, perhaps I should move closer to work and ride a bicycle.  I wonder how much studded snow tires cost for a mountain bike?