Tea with Milk

Gonna drown my frustrations in library books today. What’s happened is that the college rental house, across the street, became party-land until about 2:30am or so in the morning. The endless stream of vehicles began at about 10pm, and my husband called the police to ask them to cruise by and make their presence known. Not sure if they did, though.

We woke up at about 2am or so to LOUD yelling, noises that sounded like fighting, and a herd of kids running up and down the street. This morning we see that two of the kids’ trucks had slashed tires and there’s trash lining the curb. The hollering was so intense that one of our sons expressed concern that we’d eventually hear gunshots. Fortunately, that didn’t happen.

Well, one neighbor went to the landlord to complain and we’ll send in a letter. Not much else to physically do, but wait it out. School starts at the university next week, so maybe some sign of maturity will show its face. But with the sor0rities and fr@ternities having rush week, not sure how long this nonsense will go on. I know my patience is about licked.

I want my quiet, cozy neighborhood back. And mark my words, I will. We’ve been here 18 years and will be here long after these foolish children move on. They won’t take over.

I’ve gone nuts. Two of the kids have convinced me to go the Family Force 5 concert that’s this Friday at church. Have to admit, though, that I REALLY like the song, ‘Luv Addict’, that they show in a video at the link above. The song, ‘Wake the Dead’, is pretty darn good too.

The other night, in a conspiratorial move, one son (the one with the bleached blond hair), came to me with the request to watch videos at FF5’s website. We laughed so hard. Can’t remember when I’ve had such fun. These guys are a trip.

Btw, the kids even bought my ticket.

Chances are I sounded a bit over the edge in my rant against our mail carrier yesterday. You’d have to live in our neighborhood to totally understand, though. In brief, this carrier has it in for lots of us. I’m thinking the occupation she’s chosen is a bit of a stretch. But maybe I’m being ungenerous.

Nah!

But that situation just put coals on the fire of my frustration lately. We’ve been pinched so tight in a financial way, and it smarts. I do believe that work is soon to be coming, and realize the Lord hasn’t forgotten us. Patience is hard won sometimes. Many days I can withstand just about anything. It’s the sensation of Chinese water torture in the slowness of our prayers being answered that’s difficult just now.

I’d love to be standing on a mountaintop somewhere so I could scream out loud. Get this tension out of my head. Just cut loose. My temper is on high alert and the tears are right below the surface. I told my husband that the other night while we were all in the living room talking, I had the urge to drop the full water glass I was holding and let it smash on the coffee table. He asked what I thought brought on that mood at that particular moment. Said I didn’t know, but it might have been satisfying, excepting for the magazines of MINE that’d be ruined. Thank goodness for self-control, eh!?!?? And thanks for a husband who doesn’t give me odd looks when I talk like that.

Praying for financial rain, but maybe I should be thanking Him instead. Pray like He’s actually heard us and is preparing the way. Do you think?

I will add this, though. When my husband’s workshop experiences a slowdown, we’re always reminded that it’s God’s timing and not our own. I can spit ants and get all worked up, pray like a madwoman and become discouraged, but it’s always clear that He decides when these prayers are answered. We always see that it’s not anything we’ve done (as in he-man type prayers) but it’s all in His hands. Hard to get my head around that, but it’s true.

(photo from a source of joy)

Some days I just want to bite somebody. The last straw was our postal carrier wanting to talk to me about us trimming our bushes that are beside the mailbox. I got my own britches in a twist pronto because my husband has kept them trimmed (since her last complaint) and just did it yesterday afternoon. Did she notice? Huh. Apparently she has a rash on her legs and thinks that maybe, just maybe, our bushes are the culprit. Last time it was the bushes that hang over the mailbox. Now she’s mad at the ones on the ground.

I don’t know. A lot depends on attitude. Whenever I talk to her, I get defensive and I hate that in myself. I just want to go get a carton of eggs and throw them at her. EVERYtime, she gets my dander up.

She’s got it in for a few other folks she delivers to, telling me assorted stories of their mailbox insensitivities. I’m sure problems occur and she has to deal with wasps, loose dogs and other issues, but I’m telling you—I’m not her problem.

I asked if maybe some of her customers (secretly meaning that I was recommending it) had suggested she wear long pants and not expect all of the changes be on the part of other folks. That went over well! Also brought up the point that maybe she needs to pick her grievances and possibly this isn’t one. Well, forget that. (Obviously I wasn’t going to back down, and was in fine form to wrestle.)

Now if anyone is a postal carrier who reads this, I’m sure you have your own tales to share about insensitive people who plant their mailboxes in dumb spots. I totally get you. But this woman would wear the patience of a saint. And I ain’t no saint!

Wonder if I could report to her supervisor about her handing out Jehovah’s Witnesses tracts on the job? True fact. Bet that’d shut her up. I think that’s, like, illegal.

Ah, the struggle of wanting to be pleasing to the Lord but that worldly nature rearing its head. I so struggle with that. For now, I’ll just mutter to myself and pray for my blood pressure to settle. My attitude could really do with a tweaking. I’ll admit that Christian behavior is oftentimes a real effort.

Thankful it’s raining, because otherwise I feel a bit snarky. Seems whenever I feel close to a spiritual breakthrough, the bad mood sneaks in, making me feel morbid and angry. Go figure that one out. Does the enemy see what’s going on that’s unseen by me, and do his cohorts begin to poke and agitate me?

Or maybe I just have low sugar and need dinner? It’s up for grabs.

Have discovered Leigh Nash (from the band ‘Sixpence None the Richer’), and this song is so wonderful. It’s playing as a video at the YouTube site, but just shows a photo. The benefit is that you get to hear the entire song. Dishy.

Also found through LastFm. Just a super way to listen online, and keep a listing of favorites.

Kids gone, house to myself and able to clean and putter, plus read my library book without interruption. Not to mention how nice it is to talk out loud to myself and not be afraid of being overheard.

Love being able to voice my heart to the Lord and not need to see who’s around. That freedom is what, oftentimes, keeps me feeling sane.

Annnnnnnddd, rejoicing in the Lord’s provision, which hasn’t panned out in work for my husband’s shop YET, but being able to call one place we have a bill due with and work out arrangements. I’m not ashamed to admit that. This year has steadily been a financial crunch for us, being self-employed, but God’s not forgotten us yet. We just need to be willing to bend. Truth is…when we’ve had to make staggered payments before, folks have always worked with us. Fretting doesn’t work, but honesty and straight dealing always seems to pan out. Oh, and that prayer before dialing the phone is a must. I don’t mind saying I’d rather have the whole sum today, but my goodness, this really isn’t a big deal.

Just today. That’s all I can do.

(photo source unknown)