Is This Too Revealing? (A Parable)

I just need to vent about IT. Now that I’m actually channeling the frustration into writing about IT, my emotions appear to have escalated to unreasonable levels. The incredibly long hours I’ve been logging at work have coincided with my being required to spend more time with IT, and my frustration has evolved into what is likely a demented resentment for those responsible. For example, the extra time with IT has resulted in this crazy notion that the very purpose of IT’s existence is to inflict unnecessary pain, to establish unreasonably confining boundaries, and ultimately to crush my independent spirit...crazy right? That particular thought process however is just one of the many signs of my over-worked and under-rested mind, because the IT to which I refer is my bra!!

That’s right - call it what you want ladies - "brassiere", "bra", "breast-supporter", or a personal favorite from my granddaughter, "booby-belt". Doesn’t matter what label you may use because for me, it’s nothing more than an instrument of torture. Now this may have something to do with my current one being a fairly new acquisition so I’ve tried to give it some time, but this scratchy, inhibiting, beastly under-garment is so binding and constrictive that I just knew a woman (who would of course be wearing one all day) could never have been its creator or founder. So began my research...

In my sort-of-genealogy study, I discovered ancestors of the booby-belt dating back to 2500 BC, which were worn by Minoan women to "lift and expose". My studies also uncovered that ancient Greek and Roman women, in order to minimize their size, would strap bands over their busts to "rein them in" (a direct quote). Do you think any of them (Minoan, Greek or Roman) did this all by themselves, or were they compelled?

There you have it; those ancient-time-girlfriends who betrayed us by originating the practice of mammary-gland bondage!!

Alas for now, I have reconciled myself to cultural submission because when I compare myself to those who surround me, I seem to be alone in my overwhelming feelings of stifling restraint. But I know in my heart of hearts there simply MUST be an option more "fitting" my individuality, so in the meantime I am pro-actively exploring alternatives that will "set mine free" and allow this caged-bird to fly again! (Whew...it feels good to get that off my chest!)

It's Why I Haven't Updated

For three months of the year, my work-life consumes me to a point where I forget there’s a whole world out there, where people move, walk and even dance. If I wasn’t required to stand-up to pull a document off the printer on occasion, I’m quite sure my butt would spread and fold itself around the chair in my office. My “treat” (but only if I’m making really good progress) is a trip to the potty, which requires a few stairs (12 down and 12 up) and this time of year qualifies as a workout! Other than that, I move from my office-chair, to the seat in my car, to a chair in a client-conference-room, back to the seat of my car, and on to the next chair in another client-conference-room, or back to home-base (my office-chair). Then, at the end of the day, somewhere between 8:00pm and 11:00pm, depending on the day, I pull myself up out of my office-chair, drag myself into the seat of my car, drive home and fall into bed. Since my body is technically stretched out when I’m in bed, I count this as a work-out as well. Here is what makes it worthwhile;

1) I like what I do and I’m good at it (just ask me);
2) I’ve worked with most of my clients for 10 or more years, and they have become my friends;
3) I’m having a wild, passionate affair with the hottest guy in the office, who also happens to be my husband Kirk.

Remember though, we DID take four days off, right smack dab in the middle of insanity-season, to pick up our son Josh from his LDS mission in Mississippi. Awards are designated for the following trip categories:

• "Most Memorable” Award: Goes to hugging our son for the first time in two years.
• “Warm-Fuzzy” Award: Goes to all the incredible people we met.
• “Gut-Check” Award: Goes out to all the deep-fried southern food we ate.
• “Triple-Gut-Check” Award: Goes to Sam from Slidell, for cooking and feeding us deep-fried Oreos; that's a true story!
• "Tear-Jerker” Award: Goes to our children, granddaughters and Rachel who met us at the airport when we landed.

Trip Pics:

Seeing our boy after two years; with Josh in the mission home

With the Office Elders at Gloria's Kitchen in Jackson, MS With the Smith, Tjulanders, Gardner Families and Bishop Dome in Slidell, LAWith Ike (far left) and Robert & Mike at their home in Slidell, LA. Mark has a baptism date on November 11th!
Josh and Robert (Mark's son) who by the way, has some mad guitar skills!Just trying to stay awake - Josh had us on a missionary-schedule!
Josh and his companion, Elder Timms tracted into Sam, Danielle and their 3 little girls. Josh asked for 5 minutes of their time, and two hours later they were fast-friends. We hung out with Sam and Danielle in New Orleans; it was just like hangin' with our big kids! we love these two. Sam will forever remain in our hearts for introducing us to deep-fried Oreos...mmm, mmm, good!
Beignets and chocolate milk at the Cafe-du-Monde in the French Quarter
Brother Estrada in Biloxi, MS

Biloxi is still rebuilding, two years post-Katrina
With Sister Hitt in Clinton, MS (she fed my boy!)

Warren and Connie could be our BFF's. Connie was baptised last January. When Warren gets baptized, I predict he will be a patriarch!
With President and Sister James - Branch President of the inner-city Jackson Branch. With their son, Terrence. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this beat-boxin' stud will be playing football for the Y next year! the Cougars need you Terrence!Watching the airport-escalators for Joshie!

Here he comes!

"My, how Maddie and Sophie have grown!"

"She waited for two whole years - now what?" (stay-tuned)

" Heather's pregnant, and Jared's gonna be a dad?"

"Jen and Tony are pregnant too?!!!" (stay tuned) Sophie missed her grandpa!

Always an adventure, we got a flat on the way home from the airport, and of course Jared is SUCH a big helper!

Kirk had us back on the road in under 10 minutes!

It's good to have our boy home! He's reporting in our home ward this Sunday, 11/9 at 1:00pm. We just learned that Josh's friend Brook from Shreveport will be flying in to play a harp solo - so cool! Brook is a convert to the church, whose paying-job (still) is playing the organ for the Baptists! I love it!! I'll post again next time I make it out of my chair!