Make a Wish!

The other day my friend went to a church that she had never visited before. I shared with her a tradition that my mom used to always share with me: When visiting a church for the first time, say a prayer and make a wish! I’ve never been one to turn down a wish, so I always think of my mom’s tradition when I enter a new church. Then I realized that I have quite a collection of traditions to claim wishes. I’ve learned that you can make a wish when: * the clock shows 11:11. (Husband taught me that one.) * it’s raining but the sun is still shining. * you’re wearing a necklace and the clasp happens to meet the charm in the front. (My childhood best friend taught me that.) * a ladybug lands on you. * you see a shooting star. * you break a wishbone with someone and you get the larger piece. * you throw a coin in a fountain. * you blow out the candles on your birthday cake. (This is, of course, the best one for a wish.) What are your wish traditions?

Things I've Learned: #1

1) It’s definitely worth the time to visit an old friend. I enjoyed getting away, and it was fun to catch up. I should do this more often. 2) Even still, it’s nice to come home after a trip. I guess Dorothy was right. (The ruby slippers are optional, though.) 3) Having Husband waiting for me to welcome me home was wonderful. Having Master’s homework waiting for me wasn’t quite as wonderful. 4) GPS navigation systems may be the perfect antidote for my navigation woes. My friend brought hers on our trip, and we didn’t get lost once. Hearing a calm British voice say “recalculating” after a wrong turn is much more pleasant than hearing a panicked American voice (my own) say, “I’m lost again!” 5) I usually have one flustered outburst before we have company arrive. Thankfully, I’ve gotten the outburst over with this morning, so I should be calm(er) when my folks arrive tomorrow. 6) Exclaiming “But our spices aren’t organized either!” is a bit dramatic and unnecessary in the pre-company outburst noted in #5. I’ve never known anyone to complain after a visit, “We had a wonderful time with our family, but it’s too bad that the disorganized spice drawer ruined the whole thing.” 7) I like doing a random list of things I’ve learned, and I’ll probably do this again sometime.