Time

It always seems that there isn't enough time to do everthing I want to do. Now that I am working, I have even less time, although I am enjoying the work. It is nice to get out and do something different -- it gives me a break and gives me a chance to talk with other adults. I think it really is true when people say that mothers (or whichever parent stays at home with the kids) have the most difficult jobs, because you never really get a break. And time to yourself? That is a faint memory. So is having nice, peaceful, quiet. You get used to being tired all of the time. But it is also the most rewarding job. I wouldn't trade it for anything. I think having kids makes you young again. You get to experience everything again as if it was the first time. And they change so much. There is never a dull moment with kids! Days are filled with them learning new things, even if those new things spell trouble. A big smile, laugh, or hug from your kids is the best thing in the world. So, although I don't seem to have time to do the things I would like to do, I will try to enjoy every moment I do have.

Burrs!

Is it just me, or do there seem to be way more burrs this year than the last couple of years?!? Indy is like a burr magnet -- I watch him running in the tall grass, and oh, there he goes, straight for the huge burdock bush! I've found four different sizes of burrs on him, from the small blueburrs right up to the big burdock burrs. They get especially badly tangled in his underarm fur, his chest, his tail, his wild ears... I might as well just say everywhere! And they seem especially prickly this year as well! The licorice and burdock burrs get stuck in my fingers when I pick them out. I feel I spend just as much time picking burrs out of his fur after a walk as I do walking! I feel sorry for those of you with more than one long-haired dog. Pharaoh doesn't pick up any burrs at all (thank goodness!).

The Fight

Okay, so I'm not that familiar with the world of 'fights', and by that, I am talking about people duking it out in the ring. I've watched the Olympics (obviously), and the fights seem fairly tame, with protective equipment worn and not a lot of blood to be seen. Well, my brother has been training in mixed martial arts for the past few years, and he had his first fight on Saturday. I honestly couldn't even believe he was going to be doing that, but I guess if you're training for it, that's what you do! Both him and his wife enjoy it. I personally did kickboxing for a while, but never had the intention of actually fighting someone. I was doing it more for the exercise -- and it is great excercise. But back to my story. I didn't actually go to the fight, and now am glad that I didn't, because my brother was knocked out and sent to emergency with a broken jaw and split eyebrow. I guess they were in a clincher (sorry if that's not the right term) on the ground, the opponent somehow broke out of it and came crashing down, full force with his fist, on my brother's face. He was knocked out for a couple of minutes, but luckily no concussion! Just thinking about it makes me cringe! I can't imagine the pain he must have been feeling! You know, I watch this kind of thing in the movies, but never imagined my own family to be participating in it! I just hope nothing worse happens to him in future fights, but I guess if you do this kind of sport, you have to accept the fact that you are going to get hurt at some point. If nothing else, it was a good learning experience!