Getting Acclimated

Have you ever thought to yourself, "I don't belong here"? Maybe after you move to a new town. Maybe when given a new responsibility. Or maybe when you're faced with a tragedy or illness. How often I have found myself in that position wondering how I got where I am and having major reservations about whether or not I can manage my new situtation or surroundings. This picture is of Tiger and Vinegar, my parents' cats. Tiger and Vinegar were introduced to my family after a huge flood in Pasadena, Texas when they literally washed up to our driveway when they were only kittens. We've always assumed they are brother and sister. Tiger is the more adventurous one and Vinegar is a little more cautious. Shortly before Alvaro and I were married and we were in Pasadena for Easter, Tiger decided to take a vacation to Dallas by hopping into my trunk and making the 5 hour trip. We didn't know it till we opened the trunk at my apartment and discoved him. He was so happy to have a little time away.
Now my parents have moved to the country and here they go again...having to get acclimated again. After a quick think, they decided they don't really like cows or horses or other big animals. However, when we were home for Christmas, I found them venturing out into the field slowly investigating. They have once again acclimated to their new surroundings.
I wonder how and why. Was it because they had the constant of each other and my parents? Was it because of their own resolve? Or was it simply because they had no other choice and just had to buckle down and do it for survival. I wonder too why we humans find ourselves in situations that at first aren't comfortable. I'm never one to venture into the whole, "God is testing me" notion but I do believe strongly that God is right there with us as we bumble through. Through contant conversation and questioning of God we find our way into comfort and peace. It also doesn't hurt one bit to rely on the comfort of our family and friends...God speaking to us directing through them.
Who would ever think that cats could bring me to this understanding? Maybe God speaks through cats too. Take that you cat haters :)

This isn't what I planned

It's raining outside...a nice rain that I think the plants need. At first it was really storming with lots of scary lightening but now it is much more calm and more of a beneficial rain. So what should I do? Normally I go outside after work and water anything that looks thirsty and then just walk around with my hands on my hips taking a bug inventory and deciding what to do about them. But today I think I'm banished to the indoors. Well, I'll do what I always do. I'm a cross-stitcher and have taken on a project which, judging just from the size the of the thing, was sent straight from hell. When I ordered it I didn't realize I was getting the 16x20 version of one my favorite paintings...Paul Gauguin's 'When Will You Marry'. These are two sisters from Mataiea Village, Tahiti. The younger sister in the front has a beau and wants to marry. But she cannot until her older sister is betrothed. I just think the telling expression on the older sister's face could be on any of our faces. When I look at her, I imagine she's thinking, "Again with the marraige thing?!" She looks a little disgusted that this thing she probably wants (I only assume) still hasn't happened. And maybe she's even a little angry about it even before her younger sister brings it up, AGAIN. I think we all have dreams in our lives that we just always thought would happen...and that they would happen in a timing that's to our liking. I can't explain how we get that impression but we seem to be born with it. Every time I pick up my scroll frame with the massive piece of fabric (most of which is still blank even though I've been working on it for a year and a half) I look at that older sister's face and concentrate on her frustration. It's a human emotion...I think I won't deny it of myself. I'll allow myself to have it and once I'm done with it I'll move on to the next piece of thread.