Twas the Day of Our Party
(aka How Aubrey, Charlanne, Kristen, and Missy got their groove back)

Twas the day of our party and all through the house

Only kitties were stirring, not really a mouse

Returning from church and last minute errands

Were keeping us busy with our separate demands

When up from the basement arose such a clatter

Aubrey and Missy went down to see what was the matter

What they found there, the most disturbing of sights

The hot water heater flowing, it gave them a fright

They moved boxes and lights, trying to stop up the water

Then the landlord arrived to assess the disaster

“The hot water’s turned off.” “But we have dishes to clean!”

Our party hung in the balance without Kristen on scene

When she arrived home, options floated about

For it would not be a party if some things were without

After hemming and hawing and milling around

We devised such a plan for the party to abound

We’d go on with the show using paper and plastic

Even in formal wear, we could make it fantastic

We divided and conquered and banded together

Now nothing could stop us, not even the weather

Décor and cooking without a moment to lose

Thank God for adrenaline cuz I needed a snooze

And so it did happen that within just three hours

The house was transformed with combined flexing powers

As all guests arrived, there was laughter and fun

Had we not told them, none would guess how we’d run

There were stories and pictures and more food than you’d think

I was quite excited myself about sparkling grape juice to drink

With the last morsel chewed and the final drop drunk

After very quick cleaning in our sofas we sunk

We had proved once again that many hands make light work

Thinking less about how dank water in our basement might lurk

We exchanged roommate presents with a wink and a smile

Thinking of the would-be party we had planned all the while

It was no twist of fate our hot water broke down

For our attitudes prior were making us frown

I’m so glad our hearts had turned towards the light
To bring joy to us all and to all a good night!

So today while walking from lunch back to my classroom, I randomly remembered the oddest thing anyone ever said to me.  The scenario went something like this...

I was a senior in high school working at Provident Bookstore as a sales associate.  An older lady came in and while I was ringing out her things, she says to me, "You have a twin."  .....  (Now just pause for a second and think about how you would feel if someone told YOU you had a twin!  Every ridiculous, unbidden thought going through your mind all at once like a twin separated at birth that was this huge secret or worse and weirder...use your imagination.)  I thought about ignoring it, but my curiosity got the better of me.  I kind of raised my eyebrow and calmly said, "huh??"  She said again and added, "You have a twin; she's about 50 years older than you, but she is your twin."  By now, I was totally befuddled and I guess it showed on my face.  One of us was obviously confused about the definition of "twin" if nothing else.  I simplified all the responses I was thinking.  "What??"  She then explained that "Oh you don't look alike or anything, but you have the exact same mannerisms.  Exactly the same."   

I've never met this twin of which she spoke, and I would probably not agree if I did, but it was definitely a weird experience...which I had completely forgotten about until now! 

Anyway, that's all for now. 

I'm having one of my "I don't know if teaching is what I want to do for the rest of my life, next year, or even tomorrow" days.  I'm just not convinced.  I don't know where He will lead, but I know that getting out of a contract is definitely NOT what He would want.  I am here for the rest of this year and I still love my students.  I'm just not sure I love teaching.  We'll see.  We'll pray. 

On a different note, I haven't seen Matt in three weeks and I can count on half of one hand the number of times I've even talked to him.  The talks have been good, but still.  I miss him just like I would miss any friend after not seeing them for weeks at a time.  With not going to the Pals' Bible study anymore, it poses a new problem of not knowing when I will see those people, too.  I miss my friend Ryan.  I've talked to Charlanne and Missy a little about it and a possible solution being to have him over for dinner on some Tuesdays, since he normally comes over at 7 and I am meeting with Nancy by then.  I also miss my friend Mary Beth, but I see her sporatically and we've gone through drought seasons before where we don't get to see or talk to each other.  I still miss her, though.  Having the prospect of my friend Kristen coming this weekend and noticing how much I am looking forward to her being here has brought to my attention how much I miss seeing and talking to her.  Contrary to all of these people I miss, I feel like I have seen my roommates Charlanne, Missy, and Aubrey more in the last three weeks than in the past few months.  This is a good thing of which I could stand much more!!  I love them!  Lord willing, we will find an orchard and go pick up some pumpkins to carve and apples to use in cooking things!  Our house will hopefully smell like fall ALL DAY on Saturday!  I'm very excited about this.  Dearest Missy has adorably, formally invited us to a dinner party of the four of us in our dining room.  I got the invitation last night and SMILED (as I ate two of the pieces of chocolate included in the invitation.)   

My friends, I suppose I must get back to work now.  Homecoming week is not nearly as crazy as I anticipated, but it is fun being involved.  I hope each of you is having a wonderful week and hope to see each of you again soon!!  Know that I am praying for each of you as God brings you to my mind.