Quality Control

I had a very interesting conversation with someone who recently lost their job. We had a very candid conversation about everything from the difficult job market to family values. He was asking me questions about Jaocb's decision to find work again and what that might look like.

It is amazing how much money you can really live on when you decide that quality of life matters most. (I realize however that everyone's definition of quality is different.) We don't go out

to movies anymore and as a matter of fact- we just cancelled our Netflix account too. (An extra $20 a month for groceries) We don't eat out unless it's a church-sponsored event. We drive two ten-year old, paid off cars. We don't frequent Broadway shows and rarely go to concerts or conventions. We don't subscribe to the New York Times or have a membership to any country club or yacht club. We don't travel to exotic places for vacations or drink Starbucks four times a week.

But what we do invest in is life. We love weekly strolls along the boardwalk at Jones Beach. Life-giving conversation and companionship is completely free. We enjoy cooking dinner together each night with the sounds of "Jeopardy" in the background. We go on long walks through our neighborhood -for it's one of the most beautiful places in the spring. The highlight of the night is bath time and the 4th reading of "Goodnight Moon" for our 9 month old. We love waking up to Aaron's laugh and the smell of freshly brewed coffee and bacon. I love that I come home for lunch every day and that I get to feed and rock my son to sleep before I go back. I love that we see each other at every meal and that we are teaching Aaron the blessing, "God is Great, God is Good...".

We may not have the same quality of life as a lot of people. And according to the rest of the world, we are incredibly rich. And that's just how we see it. Yes, the economy is in terrible shape. Yes, we don't have much retirement, savings, or stock. But, what we do have is priceless. You can't put a price tag on memories. You can't put a value on togetherness.

So today- in this economic climate-I choose to say, and with conviction, we are rich...filthy rich!!

Love- The Burgess Bunch

Sweet Dreams

I think we often forget how much a good night's sleep has to do with proper daily functioning. There is nothing like a great night's sleep to rejuvenate both the body and the soul. The Burgess household is discovering this very truth.

For months we have been complaining of our tired, uncomfortable mattress. Every morning we wake up with back aches, headaches and stiff muscles. It also doesn't help matters that we often sleep with a squirmy 8 month old and a 90 pound yellow lab (who likes to stretch from end to end). Oh and did I mention we have a Queen sized bed?!

On a recent unexpected trip home for my Grandmother's funeral- we found ourselves in a sleep-related dilemma. On our returning flight (through Priceline) we were booked on a 6AM flight-not by our choice of course. As many of you know, a 6AM flight out of Atlanta means checking in at the airport by 4AM.

We decided due to lack of finances as well as our inner adventurous spirit, we would just "rough it" for the night and catch some Z's at the airport. After about 10 minutes of blaring fluorescent lights, a crying baby (who happened to be ours) and the continual security message on a loop - we decided no amount of money was too much for a good four hours of restful sleep.

Forty-five minutes later we found ourselves at the Atlanta Airport Marriott-which is another blog entry all in itself.

When we finally pounced in the big fluffy king size bed of heaven and glory-suddenly credit card woes and climbing AMEX bills escaped our mind. We woke 4 and half hours later, rested, rejuvenated, relaxed and whole. We both agreed that morning that we had just experienced the most amazing sleep-possibly ever.

Half laughing, Jacob said to me, "Too bad we can't order us this exact bed, huh?!"

It's amazing how far a little research will go-Jacob called me at work the next day with the best news I had heard in awhile. As a matter of fact, you CAN order a Marriott bed-from their website and have it custom made for you! (And it was cheaper than any Sealy, Stearns and Foster or Posturpedic we were considering)

We found out today that our new Marriott bed will be arriving tomorrow-complete with mattress cover and frame. My mind is flooded with sweet dreams and relaxed slumbers to come!

Let us not forget the benefits of a good night's sleep. For those of you tossing and turning each night-it doesn't have to be that way. There's hope.

In the words of one of my favorite gospel tunes..."Help is on the way". Hallelujah. Today I praise God for comfy beds and restorative sleep. There's power in rest.

Did I mention we're getting a king?


Sweet Dreams,


Lori