Back to Normal? Not likely.

Since ringing in the New Year last Thursday, I've been contemplating life getting back to "normal." It was during this serious contemplation that I realized that I have absolutely no idea what "normal" should look like around here!

What does "normal" look like for you? Maybe you can give me some pointers.

Well, whatever "normal" is, life around The Pine has taken on a small semblance of routine, at least. Mom and Dad are back at work, Bex will be back in school starting Thursday. Routine feels a bit more "normal," doesn't it?

We have some new "normals" too! For example, the last three nights we've been able to eat dinner around the dining room table. Does that sound exciting to you? Well, I can tell you I've been absolutely THRILLED about it!!! (MamaWeso asked me if I "finally cleaned the table off!") NOT!!!

You see, I've been living post-business for FIVE years! This means, when we closed our automotive business in December of 2003, we moved all the office stuff into my dining room. That means computer desk, filing cabinets, boxes of files, etc. took over MY space. In order to do that, the dining table had to be moved out. So, we've been eating on TV trays --OR if we had company-- a card table in the middle of the living room or on the deck-- for the past 5 years!

At first, it was no big deal...kind of fun...convenient. But as the years have gone by, I've lamented over the lack of a central eating spot. So, before Christmas, me and Bex got busy re-arranging that area --she wanted a REAL Christmas tree--and that seemed to be the best place for it. I kept in mind that with all the changes --when the tree was gone, my table could come back! Wahoo!

Before supper last night, I asked Bex to "set the table." She remembered plates but forgot that we need silverware set out, too! How can I blame her when her training has been so lacking over her teen years? Hopefully, these things will come back to her very quickly. We did have some really fancy-folded napkins, though. (She learned how to fold napkins at Camp Charis...Thanks, Mr. Craig!)

So now that we have a table, I have much more gumption to cook--we can actually sit down together as a family. I've actually cooked two nights in a row...and tonight makes THREE!! (So, for the person (I don't know who it was) who was worried about Mr. Fix-It losing weight...let me assure you -- IT AIN'T MY FAULT!!! I've been keeping him in Raisin Bread for awhile now.)

Many other things will probably come closer to "normal" in the next few weeks. Bex and I are still adjusting to both of us having vehicles, me having a job, and dealing with the new puppy. With our annual Women's Retreat coming up next month, I'm sure January won't "settle in" to "normal"...but I'm not worried. Like Mark Lowry, one of my favorite Bible passages is "And it came to pass..." Yep, that's my favorite part...IT WILL PASS! So, as I look forward to what God has in store for The Pine in 2009, I'm sure of only one thing...It will be interesting!!!

Stay tuned!