Or rather, a roundabout.

“I’m gonna ride it allll night looong,”

 These are the lyrics playing in my head on the way
home.  We have been here a month
now.  I should feel as nonchalant as I
sound taking down the directions to Moira’s babysitting job.  29 years of driving under my belt and all.
I’ve got this.  I think.

 A wave of (over)confidence washed over me as we pulled into
the drive after a nearly flawless, uneventful trip there.  I delivered her just a little bit late, which
isn’t half bad for my record.  

The round trip was so named for a reason.

 “’Round and ‘round and ‘round she goes, where she stops
nobody knows….”

Agnes, the GPS, sometimes has these great ideas.  Today was one of those days.  She suggested I enter the dual carriage-way
(two lanes either direction) left, cross the lanes of traffic, cross the
median, and enter right – into the passing lane – going the other
direction.  Since both lanes on my
initial side were full and she gave me 200ft to make this maneuver it was a no-go.  No problem, says Agnes.  There is a roundabout (or 7…) just
ahead. 

 The big roundabouts (opposed to the mini’s or the double
mini’s) are like huge wheels with spokes radiating off and out onto other roads
or, sadistically, into yet more roundabouts. 
They have two lanes.  Therein lies
the problem. You are to be in the inner lane until you need to exit, when you
are to move to the outer lane.  This all
has to happen in a matter of feet, complete with turn signals.  If you have no earthly clue which exit you
need then your ear is straining to hear your GPS cues, which inevitably are
announced just as you approach the exit – in the wrong lane. Such was my lot.

What followed was a Chevy Chase flashback. I could have my
own National Lampoon production and those are words I never thought I would
write. Reminiscent of a very bad ‘dizzy cowboy’ experience years ago. To
correct the faulty exit, Agnes sent to me a series of other roundabouts until
we were pointing homeward again.

A smidge unsettled, I later missed my turn right in our
nearest village and veered off onto the street instead.  That doesn’t sound like a problem now does
it? As it turns out, there is a street in this area aptly named “The Street.” Where
do you live?  The Street.  Which street? 
The Street.  Who’s on first?  Wha..?

 All’s well that ends well though and it did.  Eventually my vehicle, a Gulliver in
this land of smart-car Lilliputians, turned in on the farm lane.  The circulation returned to my knuckles as
the hares darted in and out of the hedgerow and I gave myself a high five. 
Kieran was at the table reading his book report book when I walked in.  Marquette and Joliet.  “Did you know they had a paddler?” he
says.

   “Hm, what?” I said,
hanging up my keys.

 “Marquette.  He
had his own paddler on his trips.” 

And in that moment a solution to all my roadway
misadventures appeared, right there in paperback.

I just need a paddler. 

  Driving.     Alas this is not my skill set. 

Please join us for some recent thoughts on both over at Suscipio:
http://www.suscipio4women.com/2012/07/25/one-big-frothy-mess/
(no Internet at home yet)

…the wellies that is.   : ) 

I recently ran across the daughter of a homeschooling friend of mine from many many years ago.  She was a young high school student at the time.  Now she is a stunning young woman living in NYC and involved in some really amazing projects.  I have just read through the teaser issue of the new magazine she is writing for which promises to be 'an antidote to Cosmo.' Heaven knows we could use that.  The premiere made the Huffington Post here. 

She is part of the Love and Fidelity Network here.

She cowrites a blog called True Glamour and Grace 

I am so pleased to have quality, inspiring resources to point my own daughters toward. 

Way to go, Ashley!

A little rain doesn't stop us when we are adventuring.  Ok, maybe it slows us down a little, but we usually splash on through.  That's a darned good thing considering our next location.  The second day in Prague was misty moisty which later turned to buckets as we approached the bridge going home. We took cover there laughing ourselves silly. 

My beautiful Moira. She took my breath away when I turned and caught a glimpse of her gazing out across the bridge as we waited. 

This image IS Prague for me.  It is what I picture when I think of our time in Europe together.  Oh those little bitty hands.  She will never remember this place.  I hope she never forgets arms bearing her up and carrying her out of the rain. 

Waking up happens slowly around here.  There is some sitting and looking out the window.  Easing into the day, sometimes with some reluctance. 

But there is nothing like the sheer joy that spills out when they realize it's not a work day and Daddy's home. 

* Just a reminder there is one more day left in the Speed Math giveaway.  Julie has a surprise for you as well.   And Sarah has a nice giveaway at her blog too.  Barbara is giving away one of her beautiful rosaries Wed as well.  Lots of  opportunities this week.  Check it out! 

I was four months pregnant our first New Year's Eve in Germany.  That year we were ringing in 1986.  (please don't gasp, even if it was in the last millenium….)  My husband was a medic and working long hours.  I was in the throes of early pregnancy drowsiness.  Between us we had enough good reason to be out cold at midnight. 

We were awakened from that sound sleep by a thundering explosion outside the apartment.  From all sides.  For a split second I thought it was the Apocalypse.  Kid you not. I was spinning through my foggy brain trying to recall bits of the recent news to see if how likely it was we were under fire.  (our base had been bombed less than 6 mo earlier) 

It was none of those dire things however.  Just our initiation into German New Year's, a wildly thrilling event, especially in a large city. 

This year we got to bring that 'baby' back to see his first New Year's in the land of his birth.  Things are a little lower key here in the sticks than they are in Frankfurt but still pretty amazing for homegrown.  And yes, dangerous.  Don't try this at home.  We didn't!

The fireworks went on 'til nearly 1am.  Being situated on one of the highest peaks in the region, on a rare clear winter's night, we could see the glimmer of celebrations in villages all around. He said if it had been all he got to do on this trip it would have been worth it.  (video from last year here)

Before bed Tess declared this to be the best day of her life.  The best part of that statement is that it marked the third time in as many weeks that she breathlessly announced same.  Life is often hard.  What kind of wonderful is it to be able to say you had three of the best days ever inside a month. : ) 

We were saying the other day how our Asher and Tess in particular both have such a gift for finding life positively amazing.  They take such delight in small things as well as large.  I hope to be more like them when I grow up. : )

 Here's to making lots of best days in 2012!

I wrote this earlier today:

Rebecca's mother has improved tremendously since my last post.  She had a bacterial infection which has now cleared.  She is conscious and at least minimally communicative. 

Her kidney function remains a source of concern.  The dialysis that was planned has been on hold and they continue to hope she can do without, but we need to pray for this.  

She had a second chest tube inserted to reinflate the other lung. Initial x-rays are encouraging that it has been successful. They did a trial off the ventilator but it didn't go well.  There was an unplanned second trial just a bit ago when she extubated herself (woman after my own heart…) but her lungs just aren't ready yet.  The tube is extremely upsetting to her however, so earnest prayers are requested that she can be rid of it soon.

We continue to hold up Rebecca and her family through this exhausting and worrisome time.  

And just got this at 8:30pm my time (2:30 pm Eastern time):

Mom is declining today. She has stopped producing urine and is back on the heart medication. They are not certain whether she is declining in general or just having a bad day. We should know that later today or tomorrow. Please continue to keep her in your prayers. – Rebecca