A Sign of the Times...

This morning while eating a bowl of Rice Krispies (Karen) and Honey Bunches of Oats w/ Strawberries (Clay) we checked our online bank account, a common practice because of our massive spending spree as of late. Well, some heathen stole our checking account number from a piece of mail that was never delivered, made a duplicate card and purchased $200 worth of gas in Bronx, New York yesterday evening. Our bank is taking care of everything but we're lucky that we check our account on a daily basis or this scum would have continued to purchase gas with our money. We're huge fans of online banking because it gives us the opportunity to keep an eye on our hard earned money regardless of place or time. Check your statements to make sure the same thing has not happened to you, apparently it is becoming more common as the gas prices continue to rise.

Quarter Life Crisis

I am 25 today. I love growing older. With each passing year I grow more comfortable with myself (not 100% yet) and I am starting to appreciate the good (and the bad). In my first quarter century I have lived in Michigan, Arizona, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and New York. Graduated college, married my college sweetheart, started graduate school and became the proud mom to a chocolate lab and a curious cat. My first quarter century was filled with tears, growing pains and exploration but I came out of it okay and (I think) a better person. I am looking forward to the next quarter century being filled with children (no minivans), new careers and gray hair (colored over of course).

As the first birthday celebrated together as a married couple, Clay brought home a delicious cake from Alteri’s Bakery and sang “Happy Birthday” as Lucy and Desi watched the flames while licking their lips. We were amazed Lucy was still hungry because she devoured ¾ of a loaf of uncooked bread dough earlier in the afternoon…the joys of living with a dog.

It was while we were eating cake that we had an “oh shit” moment. We will be leaving New York in three weeks…three weeks! The movers are scheduled so there is no turning back now. After leaving NY, we’re going to stay with Clay parents in Wilmington, NC while finishing the house buying process in Raleigh, NC. So, we will be self-sufficient twenty-somethings moving back in with parents…I smell a sitcom! To ease our pride, we’re referring the stay as an extended vacation.

In true Army fashion Clay is being sent to PA for training during the month of March. He is planning on leaving early so he can finish the clearing process and leave the Army for good (well, unless he gets called up while on IRR but that is a whole other subject). Our house-hunting activities have been pushed back while Clay plays Army in PA and I finish work in the frozen remote tundra of northern New York. However, we’re trying to keep a positive attitude and focus on the light at the end of the tunnel. Three weeks!!!

The Mayonnaise Jar and Two Cups of Coffee

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee .

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.

The sand is everything else---the small stuff. 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

'Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.'

The coffee just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.

- Source Unknown