Life is kind of like Algebra.
No, seriously. Have you ever thought about it?
Let me see here. Let me give you a good algebra equation. How about 2x+5=15? What is x? It is our unknown. See? It is life. Oh. You say that x=5? It doesn’t equal life? Ok, let us try again.
How about 3x+32,906-2x^2=34,345? There. That one is a little more difficult. And, no, I don’t know what x equals. I am just trying to explain how life is like Algebra.
Ok, so we don’t know what x equals. Therefore, x is unknown. In life don’t we always have some kind of unknown? I know that in my life I have a couple of unknowns right now. So, my equation would look a little more like 2xy-3x=24. See the y? That is my second unknown. Oh, sure. There are more, but do you really want to see that on paper? Yeah. Me either.
I really do like Algebra, but I do not like unknowns. That is why I like Algebra. I move around numbers and letters and solve for the unknown. It really irritates me that I can’t solve for the unknowns in my life. I have a few unknowns right now. You know, they are nothing major. Just the typical unknowns that you get when you are married to the military. Am I going to move? Is he going to advance? If he advances will we have to move? If he doesn’t advance will he be able to retire? Will we be able to stay here for the last bit? Can we retire here? Am I going to make it through the teenage years without pinching his little nose off? Oh, I know that one doesn’t have anything to do with the military, but I am sure that you can relate to that one. Anyway, all these little unknowns are making me crazy. (Read that: CR. aaaa. Z.)I can do nothing about them. I just have to sit here and wait…and wait…and wait.
See? Life is like Algebra. Deep. I know. 
When I saw your title on my feed reader, I almost didn’t open it.
Remember, a pox on algebra=a pox on anything unknown. Period!
I hate unknowns too, but I always find the greatest comfort in knowing that God is in control.
By: chocolatechic on February 12, 2008
at 12:28 pm
It’s just not that hard, Tressa!
I totally disagree with you about life being like algebra. If life were like algebra, I’d want to crawl in a hole and die. Since I don’t feel like crawling in a hole and dying, life can’t be much like algebra at all. LOL
Why not try substituting your variables with a nice word instead? x could equal “exciting” and y could equal “adventure” and z could equal “new.” See? Life is looking better already.
By: Melanie on February 12, 2008
at 1:29 pm
I hope and pray your unanswered questions are answered ASAP. I don’t like the unknowns either…
And besides…I want to know if you are staying around here too!
Have a Happy Day!
~Tina
By: Tina on February 12, 2008
at 8:46 pm
Anything beyond 2x is deep enough.
Maybe this will help with ‘y’. Retirement at 20 is great!
By: Sheri on February 13, 2008
at 5:03 am
That’s a good simile.
I care about x, right before I stomp it into the dirt. X is the creaky noises at the end of the dark hall. Arm yourself with your knowns. Live! Look x in the face and laugh – hahaha. That’s what I’m talking about.
By: Donna on February 13, 2008
at 5:53 am
Thanks, guys! Oh, I am going to stomp it into the dirt! That sounds like a lot of fun.
Do you guys hear me laughing in the face of y? Hahahahaha!
LOL
By: tressays on February 13, 2008
at 6:16 am
I don’t particularly like Algebra, so I don’t compare life to it…life has good moments, I don’t see much good in Algebra!
I like Melanie’s thoughts, X=exciting & y=adventure!
We have always enjoyed our military career until we got here. Now we are seriously looking to retirement! The AF is no longer fun so it is time to look for something new. Dh has 20 years in, but we have at least 4 more to go!
By: missplacedalaskan on February 13, 2008
at 3:59 pm
You guys are cracking me up! I don’t mean to say that all these unknowns are a bad thing. I am just a planner, so unknowns bug me. I like to know what is coming up on me.
My husband’s military career has been good to us. I have no complaints. Well, unless you count the typical ones that we all have.
I think we all need to have an Algebra is fun class! That would be the ticket. I would blog about it, but I think that you guys would quit reading my blog. LOL
By: tressays on February 13, 2008
at 4:22 pm
Well *I* have complaints. But since I killed my own blog I won’t monopolize yours with them. LOL
At least you’re almost done. Soon the only unknown you’ll have to deal with is what to do with your kids’ noses after you pinch them off.
(How did you come up with that, anyway? It’s more than a little freaky.)
By: Melanie on February 13, 2008
at 5:02 pm
Tressa, You are probably one of the few that could make algebra = fun. Well, at least fun-ny!
By: Sheri on February 13, 2008
at 6:45 pm
I heard you laughing at Y and stomping X.
Yup, X doesn’t go well with planning ahead. We will do Y in X amount of months just doesn’t cut it. lol
By: Donna on February 13, 2008
at 7:13 pm