I told him I don't necessarily shave my legs every two weeks, so it was highly unlikely that would happen, and would the fish die if I didn't? And couldn't I just buy some fish that would eat the yucky stuff in the tank? He was nice enough to politely explain to me that there are fish that eat algae, but not 'waste'. Who knew? My dog does, so I just figured fish did too.

After having an aquarium running for about three years, I can tell you fish can live a long time in yucky water. Like three months. (I think I should insert here that I do shave my legs more often than that.)

I've had 'clean the fish tank' on my marker board for quite awhile. I've put it off and put it off and put it off, not that it's really a nasty job. You do have to shove your arms down into the water, almost up to your armpits, but having raised three kids, my arms have been in much worse. For some reason I just have a tendency to put it off. Yesterday afternoon, I decided no more procrastinating. After helping hubby mow the grass, and seeings as how I already had a t-shirt glued to my chest with sweat, and hair looking oh so lovely, I figured it was a good time to dive in, literally. So I did. I sucked (with a tube, not my mouth) and scoured and dumped water, and poured water, and got out the windex, then fed lovely blood worms to all the fish to calm them down after their traumatic experience of having a monster hand show up in the middle of their world. I certainly don't want them all belly-up tomorrow morning, right after I finally cleaned their home.

Much to my surprise - it was like I'd unleashed the crazy lady. For some reason, having felt like I was helpful to Don by mowing grass for an hour, then facing the dreaded fish tank task, I was on a roll - I cleaned all the bathrooms, the glass in the house, dusted several rooms, threw in a load of laundry, baked oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, and printed out the next set of photos to be scrapbooked. All in three hours. There was something so invigorating about finally doing what I had avoided for months, it gave me enthusiasm to accomplish so much more.

All this - and not even on prednizone! Who knew? For sure it encourages me to go back and look at that 'to-do' list, see what else is on it. I'm salivating just thinking about all I can get done, just by tackling one thing I've been avoiding like the plague.

Note: When I'd finally finished all the yucky jobs, I showered, dressed and headed to church, and I swear Worship was the best it's been in months. Makes me wonder if maybe I was just in a better frame of mind to participate, after a little bit of time spent in obedience? Just wondering.

Labels: Busy Buzz, Glimpse of the Heart