Update

Thank you all for your kind comments and concerns. I thought I’d take a break to update you.

My house is officially on the market. We are praying that we get a buyer for the house and they will pay full price. Keeping the house in “staging” condition is not easy. It’s like living in a museum. We had many hands helping us to get it in great shape. I’m grateful Tom and I didn’t have to do it alone.

I’m back to finishing up work on the book. It feels like it’s never ending. I also have a couple of ladies reading it to see if Lauren and I missed anything. It’s great to have fresh eyes. You read something a thousand times and you swear that all the words in your head are on the page. Sherry and Beth – you rock!

Tom and a couple from our church have joined the Burning Man Team this year again. There are thirty five team members from all over the country. You can read all about that outreach from a post I wrote last year here. To get ready this year, Tom decided to color his goatee so that he would blend in. Well it didn’t really come out red – orange was more like it. I don’t know what happened. I followed the instructions, but oh well, he still looks cute. When he got down to Reno, the team loved it. Someone found him an orange and red wig and his nails are painted. Here’s a picture of him with the orange goatee. Don’t let the serious look scare you. Below is another one with him smiling.

I’m also looking for a job in the Dallas area. Monster.com is my friend. I haven’t had any bites. Pray that I find a job that pays very well. I’m hoping it’s only temporary. My desire would be to write full time and travel with Tom. I would love to be able to minister to the pastor’s wives and the other women in the churches. It’s all in God’s hands.

I also want to thank Palm Tree Fanatic for my this blog award. I pass it on to all of you who leave a comment. You all have wonderful blogs.

Thank you for stopping by and checking on me. I’m going to carve out some time to stop by today and check on some of you. I might not make it to all of you, but I so appreciate your love and support.

© Nadine Z. 2008

Transition

The dictionary defines transition as a process or period in which something undergoes a change and passes from one state, stage, form, or activity to another. When you are about to have a baby it’s the period of time between labor and birth. I don’t know about you, but almost every woman I’ve spoken to during their first child birth wanted to give up in the time of transition. Why? Because it’s a difficult period of time, you’re exhausted, and the pain is more than you bargained for.

I find myself in a period of transition. I haven’t been around blogland much, because I’ve been busy cleaning out my house. We rented a 30 yard dumpster over the weekend and filled it. It was very difficult for me, but the reality is those things were just that – things, possessions. I did find some treasures among the junk, like love letters Tom wrote to me when we first started dating, a letter his mom wrote to him (she died when she was 49), pictures the kids drew and an essay my daughter wrote about me to name a few.

The reason behind all of this cleaning is that we are getting our house ready for sale. Tom got a new job and we are moving to Dallas, TX. We had prayed and processed the offer for a week to make sure this was what God wanted us to do. Through a series of events, we came to the conclusion that this was God (you can listen to the story by clicking here.)

Our church family has been very supportive. They are sad to see us go and love us very much. I appreciate the people in our church. They are generous with their time and energy. Today four ladies gave up part of their day to help get the house “show” ready. They cleaned inside and out. You can eat off the kitchen floor. I was humbled by their love and generosity. Thank you all for your help.

Transition can be hard. The other side of transition is good. On the other side you have a birth – a new baby. On the other side of this transition is a new job - a new adventure.

Forgive me if I haven’t been around much. I have a deadline I set to finish the final edits of my book so that it can be released this fall. I’m trying to sell a home, pack non-essentials, find a new job and a place to live. These are good things. This is exciting times. Life is on fast forward. So don’t forget about me. I’ll try to visit you all when I can. Know that I appreciate all of you.

© Nadine Z. 2008

Swan Lake Chinese State Circus

My daughter sent me this link today. I was totally impressed. Even if you are not a ballet fan, I recommend you watch this video. The first part are frog people. The impressive part comes with the swans. Watch it until the end, it's worth it. Let me know what you think.




Nadine Z. 2008

Sleep is Overrated

I’m finding that sleep is overrated. Who says the body needs a good eight hours of sleep. I say it can survive on just four or five hours for weeks. It doesn’t survive well, but it survives.

The mind, is like a dictator, it can be very powerful and take over the rest of the body. I’ve heard it said what you focus on becomes your reality. How true. In my case it also makes acid reflux have a party in your stomach.

It’s time for the sleepless nights to end. It’s time for my mind to go on a vacation and let the rest of me recoup. So, I’m sending my mind on a vacation. In case you are wondering, I’m sending my mind to my happy place . . . Tuscany. I’m telling this for those of you who know me especially well. If I say things that seem to make little sense, realize the mind is gone . . . smile, pat me on my back, give me a hug and go off on your merry way.

It will be a short vacation, but a well needed one. It started last night. I’m feeling more refresh already. This is a happy trend I hope to continue.

I find that even good things can occupy the mind to distraction. Staying focus on the task at hand and looking at the bigger picture is the best way to let that mind relax.

If you find yourself sleepless, remember to send your mind on a vacation. Maybe we can meet up in Tuscany.

© Nadine Z. 2008