Apple Carts and Other lopsided Things
Got you attention didn't I? I know it's a little late in the day to be posting, but this is truly the first opportunity that I have had.
This is going to be a very short entry. Last night was opening night for "Last of the Red Hot Lovers", and it was alot of fun. The actresses were so "on" especially Katie. I do costuming and makeup for our local community theare and love it. I didn't get home till 11:30 and got up rather early this morning.
Bob and I are taking the kids over to the track to help with Special Olympics for the afternoon and call is 6:30 for tonight's performance. Tomorrow will be equally as hectic.
Megan took me to brunch today for my birthday and gave me the Jack Johnson Curious George CD ...I LOVE IT. I am listening to it right now and love the simplicity and realness.
Well, I will post more tomorrow.....
Love you all!
Mary
Friday, April 28, 2006
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Hiding the Blemish
Ok, I know that you all know that I had my 44th Bday this past Sunday. I had been feeling a bit old yesterday and had a nice converstaion with my cousin, Frank, about age. One topic led to another and as always, Nana came up. After we visited for a while we both came to the conclussion that Nana really was/is timeless. She never stopped being young. She loved her gardens, her tv shows, her dolls, her antiques, and all her teddy bears. She, although 87, was still very much a young person when she left us.
I know that if my Nana were here and she heard me whine about being 44, she would tell me, "well, you only look old if you aren't wearing lipstick" or something along that line. I made an appointment to have my makeup done. This is something I have never treated myself to and thought that it was a good time. After I was all "made up" I ran home, put on some decent clothes and straightened up the house....Bob's parents were due to arrive from Denver. I amglad that I had my makeup done because my MIL is very much a "you don't go out in public without some colour on your face" type of person.
Each time I passed a mirror I really wasn't comfortable with what I saw starring back and I couldn't pin point what was wrong, then....I thought, wow, I look like my mom, but something is missing. Upon examining the colors and tones that I had on I discovered that the makeup gal had covered my small red dot on the side of my nose. I didn't like that it was gone. This is something that keeps me tied to my mom in a way. She, too, has the red dot on the side of her nose. Neither of us was born with the dot. It just appeared during a pregnancy and never went away. I, for some reason, was feeling "off" because I didn't recognize myself without something so small and insignificant as a red dot. I remember the makeup gal calling it a blemish. (Isn't that something that is bad, something we DON"T want?) Well, to me, it isn't a blemish; it's a part of me that ties me to my mom and in turn to my forever youthful, Nana.
I love the make up, but think I will skip covering up my dot!
I know....silly girl!
Blessings!
Mary
Ok, I know that you all know that I had my 44th Bday this past Sunday. I had been feeling a bit old yesterday and had a nice converstaion with my cousin, Frank, about age. One topic led to another and as always, Nana came up. After we visited for a while we both came to the conclussion that Nana really was/is timeless. She never stopped being young. She loved her gardens, her tv shows, her dolls, her antiques, and all her teddy bears. She, although 87, was still very much a young person when she left us.
I know that if my Nana were here and she heard me whine about being 44, she would tell me, "well, you only look old if you aren't wearing lipstick" or something along that line. I made an appointment to have my makeup done. This is something I have never treated myself to and thought that it was a good time. After I was all "made up" I ran home, put on some decent clothes and straightened up the house....Bob's parents were due to arrive from Denver. I amglad that I had my makeup done because my MIL is very much a "you don't go out in public without some colour on your face" type of person.
Each time I passed a mirror I really wasn't comfortable with what I saw starring back and I couldn't pin point what was wrong, then....I thought, wow, I look like my mom, but something is missing. Upon examining the colors and tones that I had on I discovered that the makeup gal had covered my small red dot on the side of my nose. I didn't like that it was gone. This is something that keeps me tied to my mom in a way. She, too, has the red dot on the side of her nose. Neither of us was born with the dot. It just appeared during a pregnancy and never went away. I, for some reason, was feeling "off" because I didn't recognize myself without something so small and insignificant as a red dot. I remember the makeup gal calling it a blemish. (Isn't that something that is bad, something we DON"T want?) Well, to me, it isn't a blemish; it's a part of me that ties me to my mom and in turn to my forever youthful, Nana.
I love the make up, but think I will skip covering up my dot!
I know....silly girl!
Blessings!
Mary
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
The Quest for Knowledge
Megan is in the college hunt mode right now and has been pouring over catalogues and mailings from colleges all over the country and even some from Canada. As she sees the different courses and requirements from each college she is having a really hard time narrowing down her search. She still has a year left of high school, but, this is Meg. She is always, always, always prepared and informed about any big decision she makes. This is good. I am glad that she is searching out information.
If any of you know of a good private (preferrably Christian) Art College, please let us know. It's like finding a needle in a hay stack. She is actually leaning toward a school in Savannah, SCAD... they are pretty well known, but she thinks it's so far from home. She would like to be within driving distance to come home for short breaks..ie. Thanksgiving. She also is struggling with what she wants to do with specific majors. There are some interesting majors available from some of the colleges that she has looked at, including, "paper, book, & Print". I thought that would be a great major...she could make all my scrapping papers for me....lol. I don't think she wants to do that.
So...for the next few months we will be looking at schools and will be trying to help Meg narrow down her interests. I know that she will probably change her mind several times and will end up where she is supposed to be, but....
I have to ask myself, as she is going through this process, "Am I ready to let her go?" and the answer is, "NO". I don't want to let her go. I want her to stay home a bit longer... I also have to ask myself in helping Meg with her "Quest for Knowledge" am I helping her gain knowledge or is she helping me? Maybe there's a bit of both there.
Blessings!
Mary
Megan is in the college hunt mode right now and has been pouring over catalogues and mailings from colleges all over the country and even some from Canada. As she sees the different courses and requirements from each college she is having a really hard time narrowing down her search. She still has a year left of high school, but, this is Meg. She is always, always, always prepared and informed about any big decision she makes. This is good. I am glad that she is searching out information.
If any of you know of a good private (preferrably Christian) Art College, please let us know. It's like finding a needle in a hay stack. She is actually leaning toward a school in Savannah, SCAD... they are pretty well known, but she thinks it's so far from home. She would like to be within driving distance to come home for short breaks..ie. Thanksgiving. She also is struggling with what she wants to do with specific majors. There are some interesting majors available from some of the colleges that she has looked at, including, "paper, book, & Print". I thought that would be a great major...she could make all my scrapping papers for me....lol. I don't think she wants to do that.
So...for the next few months we will be looking at schools and will be trying to help Meg narrow down her interests. I know that she will probably change her mind several times and will end up where she is supposed to be, but....
I have to ask myself, as she is going through this process, "Am I ready to let her go?" and the answer is, "NO". I don't want to let her go. I want her to stay home a bit longer... I also have to ask myself in helping Meg with her "Quest for Knowledge" am I helping her gain knowledge or is she helping me? Maybe there's a bit of both there.
Blessings!
Mary
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Someone, Pinch Me
I think of all the fun things that happened this weekend. I think about Meg's perfect experience with prom and all the good things that I wrote about yesterday and I come to the realization that I only wrote about two days and completely left out Sunday.
As many of you know, I had a birthday on Sunday. I know that you are wondering just how old I am.... here's the skinny.. I turned 44 and am quite comfortable with this age. I don't feel 44... Heck, there are some days when I feel 6...especially when I am playing Barbies and make-believe with Anabelle. She has a way of pulling me into her 6 year old world where everything is colourful, perfect, and fun. For a birthday gift, Bob gave me a ticket to the circus. He knows how I love to go with the kids and just experience a few hours of hokie fun. The Shriner Circus came to town and Anabelle and I had a blast. So on my 44th I sat in the stands and watched the various acts and really enjoyed myself. I love letting Belle experience all the sites, smells, and flavours of the circus. She rode an elephant, ate cotton candy, popcorn, and a snowcone, and bought a light-up star lazer thing and I had a blast watching her eyes sparkle as she truly enjoyed her day. When we came home, Bob had made my cake. Can you believe that...He made a cake! The man can grill like there's no tomorrow...but bake... Nope..
The kids and Bob have been asking me for a long time what I would like for my Bday and the only things that I could come up with were: a ticket to the circus, Chronicles of Narnia-DVD, airfair for Boston-CKU, and adhesive.... Those of you who scrap know the importance of the adhesive. So.. spending the day with Belle at the circus was a nice suprise. The boys spent their entire day there helping sell popcorn during all three shows for the Boy Scouts. Meg went with Brian and she, too, rode the elephant. I will be getting my ticket to Boston on Friday and the boys couldn't decide which adhesive to buy so they gave me $30.00 to buy it myself. That will buy a few types.
I really am proud that Bob made the cake on his own. He also grilled beef/veggie, kabobs and made rice and a nice salad. After we finished dinner and had the cake we sat down and watched Chronicles...(they even remembered that). Late on Sunday night Bob asked me if I knew where the regular cooking oil was and I showed him the tall wine bottle that I have converted into my oil bottle and he laughed. He couldn't find the oil so he used my imported olive oil... to tell you the truth, we couldn't tell.. It was pretty good.
So, the short sumary is this... I had a fabulous weekend! I titled this thread; "Someone Pinch Me".. but now I have rethought that title and really don't want anyone to pinch me at all. I am loving my life, loving all the hustle and bustle that having five kids at home brings, loving where I am right now. 44 is pretty good. Soooo,...Don't you Dare Pinch Me~
Love you all!
Mary
I think of all the fun things that happened this weekend. I think about Meg's perfect experience with prom and all the good things that I wrote about yesterday and I come to the realization that I only wrote about two days and completely left out Sunday.
As many of you know, I had a birthday on Sunday. I know that you are wondering just how old I am.... here's the skinny.. I turned 44 and am quite comfortable with this age. I don't feel 44... Heck, there are some days when I feel 6...especially when I am playing Barbies and make-believe with Anabelle. She has a way of pulling me into her 6 year old world where everything is colourful, perfect, and fun. For a birthday gift, Bob gave me a ticket to the circus. He knows how I love to go with the kids and just experience a few hours of hokie fun. The Shriner Circus came to town and Anabelle and I had a blast. So on my 44th I sat in the stands and watched the various acts and really enjoyed myself. I love letting Belle experience all the sites, smells, and flavours of the circus. She rode an elephant, ate cotton candy, popcorn, and a snowcone, and bought a light-up star lazer thing and I had a blast watching her eyes sparkle as she truly enjoyed her day. When we came home, Bob had made my cake. Can you believe that...He made a cake! The man can grill like there's no tomorrow...but bake... Nope..
The kids and Bob have been asking me for a long time what I would like for my Bday and the only things that I could come up with were: a ticket to the circus, Chronicles of Narnia-DVD, airfair for Boston-CKU, and adhesive.... Those of you who scrap know the importance of the adhesive. So.. spending the day with Belle at the circus was a nice suprise. The boys spent their entire day there helping sell popcorn during all three shows for the Boy Scouts. Meg went with Brian and she, too, rode the elephant. I will be getting my ticket to Boston on Friday and the boys couldn't decide which adhesive to buy so they gave me $30.00 to buy it myself. That will buy a few types.
I really am proud that Bob made the cake on his own. He also grilled beef/veggie, kabobs and made rice and a nice salad. After we finished dinner and had the cake we sat down and watched Chronicles...(they even remembered that). Late on Sunday night Bob asked me if I knew where the regular cooking oil was and I showed him the tall wine bottle that I have converted into my oil bottle and he laughed. He couldn't find the oil so he used my imported olive oil... to tell you the truth, we couldn't tell.. It was pretty good.
So, the short sumary is this... I had a fabulous weekend! I titled this thread; "Someone Pinch Me".. but now I have rethought that title and really don't want anyone to pinch me at all. I am loving my life, loving all the hustle and bustle that having five kids at home brings, loving where I am right now. 44 is pretty good. Soooo,...Don't you Dare Pinch Me~
Love you all!
Mary
Monday, April 24, 2006
The Glass Slipper Fit
This past weekend seems to have flown by me like a blur. It was probably the fastest three days that I have ever experienced, so fast, that it really seems like a short little dream. I didn't know that I could pack as many activities into one weekend.
I'll start sequencially with Friday afternoon. Bob took Anabelle and the boys all shopping when he got home from work and I packed a bunch of scrapping supplies in my totoe to crop all night down at my LSS (Scrapbook Creations). The regular scrappers wanted to get together before hand to have a bite to eat and a drink to celebrate my birthday, so we went to Mr. Ts and had a fun time. I ended up scrapping til 3:15 am and only finished one layout completely. The other two that I worked on still need help..lol
Saturday was devoted almost entirely to helpiung Megan get ready for prom. She is so organized and had her day planned out pretty efficiently. By the time 4:15 rolled around, Megan had transformed herself into a fairy princess...actually looked like a cross between Audrey Hepburn (style wise) and herself, beauty wise. I will have to post some photos of her in the gallery a little bit later. Brian brought her the most beautiful white roses which complemented her dress nicely. The theme of this year's prom was "Hollywood".
As most of you know, Watertown is pretty small, and has a very limitted number of resturants in which to have a decent meal. Mary Konvalin, Kathleen Deutsch, and I prepared a formal dinner for ten out at Fred and Kathleen's. Not only did they have a great meal, but they didn't have to spend a fortune on food that they wouldn't like. I played chauffer and drove the five couples to the prom in out big van... they loved it! I am happy that the group of kids that Meg hangs out with isn't wasteful and doesn't try to showoff their famiily's economic standing in our community. They are a humble bunch of kids. I was glad as a mother to know that Megan was actually pretty frugal in her dress choices, doing her own hair, and using some of my jewelry so she didn't have to spend any more than what was necessary.
I wrote a while ago, I believe my first entry, about seeing Megan grow up and the emotions I felt while she tried on prom dresses. This weekend represented the end of that little chapter in the "Book of Meg". I know that there will be a lot more to write about but this little part of her life represented one of those "big" moments. The moment she put on that glass slipper and was transformed into that princess in a world where all is good, fair, happy, and just; a world where, unlike Cinderella, the fun of the ball didn't have to end at mid-night.
Have a beautiful, fun, happy day and put on that glass slipper....it fits anyone who tries...
And They Blinked
Once upon a time there was a little baby girl who was loved more than any other baby in the world. She brought lots of love and happiness into her mommy and daddy's hearts. They held her, fed her, bathed her, dressed her, hugged and kissed her, and they loved her more than they ever thought possible.
Then the mommy and daddy blinked and their little baby was now a big girl with big girl toys and big girl friends. She was a big sister and she played with her brothers and sister and was a wonderful joy. She taught them a lot of things and they all loved her very much, then...
The mommy and daddy blinked and their little girl was almost as tall as the mommy; tall enough to look into her mommy's eyes and see a sadness and fear in them, but this little girl did not notice this because she was so busy with her friends and her own life...
And then the mommy and daddy blinked and the little girl was now a young lady with ambition, dreams, and plans of her own. She was old enough to drive and get a job and she was even busier than ever. She was so busy that she didn't see the tears in her daddy's eye when she went to her first dance...
And the mommy and daddy blinked once again and the little girl was a little taller and older. She grew and learned even more than before. The little girl became more and more independent and began looking at colleges and made plans for her future...
And the mommy and daddy blinked. One afternoon the mommy and little girl went shopping for a dress. As the little girl tried on a beautiful princess dress, she looked at her mommy and saw tears in her mommy's eyes and was embarrassed. What the little girl did not know was that the mommy did not see the young lady in a beautiful dress. What she saw was a little baby girl who was held, and fed, and bathed, and dressed, and hugged, and kissed, and was loved more than they ever thought possible, and the mommy was sad, and she wished she and the daddy hadn't blinked at all.
This past weekend seems to have flown by me like a blur. It was probably the fastest three days that I have ever experienced, so fast, that it really seems like a short little dream. I didn't know that I could pack as many activities into one weekend.
I'll start sequencially with Friday afternoon. Bob took Anabelle and the boys all shopping when he got home from work and I packed a bunch of scrapping supplies in my totoe to crop all night down at my LSS (Scrapbook Creations). The regular scrappers wanted to get together before hand to have a bite to eat and a drink to celebrate my birthday, so we went to Mr. Ts and had a fun time. I ended up scrapping til 3:15 am and only finished one layout completely. The other two that I worked on still need help..lol
Saturday was devoted almost entirely to helpiung Megan get ready for prom. She is so organized and had her day planned out pretty efficiently. By the time 4:15 rolled around, Megan had transformed herself into a fairy princess...actually looked like a cross between Audrey Hepburn (style wise) and herself, beauty wise. I will have to post some photos of her in the gallery a little bit later. Brian brought her the most beautiful white roses which complemented her dress nicely. The theme of this year's prom was "Hollywood".
As most of you know, Watertown is pretty small, and has a very limitted number of resturants in which to have a decent meal. Mary Konvalin, Kathleen Deutsch, and I prepared a formal dinner for ten out at Fred and Kathleen's. Not only did they have a great meal, but they didn't have to spend a fortune on food that they wouldn't like. I played chauffer and drove the five couples to the prom in out big van... they loved it! I am happy that the group of kids that Meg hangs out with isn't wasteful and doesn't try to showoff their famiily's economic standing in our community. They are a humble bunch of kids. I was glad as a mother to know that Megan was actually pretty frugal in her dress choices, doing her own hair, and using some of my jewelry so she didn't have to spend any more than what was necessary.
I wrote a while ago, I believe my first entry, about seeing Megan grow up and the emotions I felt while she tried on prom dresses. This weekend represented the end of that little chapter in the "Book of Meg". I know that there will be a lot more to write about but this little part of her life represented one of those "big" moments. The moment she put on that glass slipper and was transformed into that princess in a world where all is good, fair, happy, and just; a world where, unlike Cinderella, the fun of the ball didn't have to end at mid-night.
Have a beautiful, fun, happy day and put on that glass slipper....it fits anyone who tries...
And They Blinked
Once upon a time there was a little baby girl who was loved more than any other baby in the world. She brought lots of love and happiness into her mommy and daddy's hearts. They held her, fed her, bathed her, dressed her, hugged and kissed her, and they loved her more than they ever thought possible.
Then the mommy and daddy blinked and their little baby was now a big girl with big girl toys and big girl friends. She was a big sister and she played with her brothers and sister and was a wonderful joy. She taught them a lot of things and they all loved her very much, then...
The mommy and daddy blinked and their little girl was almost as tall as the mommy; tall enough to look into her mommy's eyes and see a sadness and fear in them, but this little girl did not notice this because she was so busy with her friends and her own life...
And then the mommy and daddy blinked and the little girl was now a young lady with ambition, dreams, and plans of her own. She was old enough to drive and get a job and she was even busier than ever. She was so busy that she didn't see the tears in her daddy's eye when she went to her first dance...
And the mommy and daddy blinked once again and the little girl was a little taller and older. She grew and learned even more than before. The little girl became more and more independent and began looking at colleges and made plans for her future...
And the mommy and daddy blinked. One afternoon the mommy and little girl went shopping for a dress. As the little girl tried on a beautiful princess dress, she looked at her mommy and saw tears in her mommy's eyes and was embarrassed. What the little girl did not know was that the mommy did not see the young lady in a beautiful dress. What she saw was a little baby girl who was held, and fed, and bathed, and dressed, and hugged, and kissed, and was loved more than they ever thought possible, and the mommy was sad, and she wished she and the daddy hadn't blinked at all.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Fluffy Cats & Mean Dogs
what does this have to do with the price of tea in China....absolutely NOTHING!
I am sure you are wondering where my little pea brain will take you today and I have to admit that at times, I have no idea where.
Does this not happen to everyone at some point in their lives?
Yesterday was not the best day for us academically. The kids have Spring Fever and want to be outside instead of doing their work like the perfect little students that I so wish to have. But, this is reality.
When I was growing up...oh no, here we go again... My mom would tell us to stop fighting like Cats and Dogs.. I secretly knew I was a cat and my oldest brother...Dave, was the dog..nanner nanner.. I know you are but what am I? and it goes on and on and on. Well, I have to say, my kids are just as normail as the next. They fight, they yell, the scream, and yes, sometimes they even smack one another. But, they are still brothers and sisters who would stick up for each other even against the biggest bully. So,, to make this long winded story a bit shorter, Megan surprised me once again by sitting the boys down to give them a really annoying lecture..lol. And guess what? It worked...for about 30 minutes and then they were at it again. We cut school short and we waited for the principal to get home to deal with their constant picking... Bob is much better at lecturing the boys than I am. He has a way of making them feel that in order for them to be true men of character, they need to consider the feelings of others and need to honor their parents so that means that they have to do every little assignment that I give them. It really did not help that I had a migraine all day, but that is a whole other story.
The boys ended up doing all their work and appologized for being stinkers to one another and then to me. I was glad that they did this. Then.... they all had to go to their rooms for time outs. Funny how this works on older kids. Bob does not realize that they LOVE time out..lol. As I was there with a cold cloth over my head I could hear them discussing their behavior. They were really sorry..I guess having the principal talk with them was a good thing after all.
I posted some new photos under my gallery...some of Rob & Meg backstage during Annie. And..some new layouts.
Have a blessed day!
Mary
what does this have to do with the price of tea in China....absolutely NOTHING!
I am sure you are wondering where my little pea brain will take you today and I have to admit that at times, I have no idea where.
Does this not happen to everyone at some point in their lives?
Yesterday was not the best day for us academically. The kids have Spring Fever and want to be outside instead of doing their work like the perfect little students that I so wish to have. But, this is reality.
When I was growing up...oh no, here we go again... My mom would tell us to stop fighting like Cats and Dogs.. I secretly knew I was a cat and my oldest brother...Dave, was the dog..nanner nanner.. I know you are but what am I? and it goes on and on and on. Well, I have to say, my kids are just as normail as the next. They fight, they yell, the scream, and yes, sometimes they even smack one another. But, they are still brothers and sisters who would stick up for each other even against the biggest bully. So,, to make this long winded story a bit shorter, Megan surprised me once again by sitting the boys down to give them a really annoying lecture..lol. And guess what? It worked...for about 30 minutes and then they were at it again. We cut school short and we waited for the principal to get home to deal with their constant picking... Bob is much better at lecturing the boys than I am. He has a way of making them feel that in order for them to be true men of character, they need to consider the feelings of others and need to honor their parents so that means that they have to do every little assignment that I give them. It really did not help that I had a migraine all day, but that is a whole other story.
The boys ended up doing all their work and appologized for being stinkers to one another and then to me. I was glad that they did this. Then.... they all had to go to their rooms for time outs. Funny how this works on older kids. Bob does not realize that they LOVE time out..lol. As I was there with a cold cloth over my head I could hear them discussing their behavior. They were really sorry..I guess having the principal talk with them was a good thing after all.
I posted some new photos under my gallery...some of Rob & Meg backstage during Annie. And..some new layouts.
Have a blessed day!
Mary
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Sleepless Nights
I awoke this morning at 2:12 am and could not get back to sleep. I hate that! Some days I have a million and one things jumbling aound in my head and it gets overcrowded and I just can't shut down for the night. I am obsesive. I think about things over and over and over...I really want to work on that problem this year. I stated out the new year with a list of "intentions". The heck with resolutions! I never keep them so I never make them anymore. My main intention is to experience more of the "now".... not to let special everyday moments pass me by. I want to see so much of the kids' discoveries. As I was thinking about my intentions at 2 am I thought that it must be God wanting me to pray about something, so... I did, and at 2:17 I still could not fall asleep..so I got out my pad and a pen and just started to write whatever popped into my pea brain. I write a lot and then misplace the journals and then I buy new journals only to misplace those...I guess having a blog really is a good thing...think of all the trees I am saving. As I was writing I was also thinking about scrapbook layouts. I am going to concentrate on scrapping items and photos of things that touch my heart. The first thing/person that came to mind was Nana Sara. She is never very far from the front of my mind. In fact, I feel her pressence every single day. It's in the flowers that bloom while there is still snow on the ground. It's in the fresh smell of line dried linens. It's in the flowers that border my stationary. Her essece surrounds me at times and reminds me that it's all good with the world. So, at 2:21 this morning I wrote this:
"One More... One more talk~one more visit~one last piece of lemon mereigne pie from Grove Bakery~ What I would give for one more last moment~ I miss our visits, when you passed I lost my bestest friend, my cheerleader, my shrink, my shopping partner. The world lost so much when you left and it will never be the same again. I have tried over the past three years to be a good wife, mother, daughter, and sister, but I stuggle through each day. Your words of wisdom are never far from my mind. As I write this I feel such a heaviness~ I can scarcely see the lines on this page because of tears. Oh Nana, I miss you so much. I pray for strength, wisdom, patience, and compassion, but these intangibles seem to be just out of my reach. I wish I could sit next to you while you watch your favorite TV shows. I wish I could read the gossip rags with you as we have a glass of pepsi. I wish I could eat a piece of chicken from KFC. I know that this sounds funny, but I haven't been able to do any of these things since you left. I am afraid of making new memories because they may push the memories I have of you away. It just doesn't seem right. I wish I could go back and do all the things we did together. I just want One More"
So now you all know I've officially lost it.. I guess I have to go find whatever it is and get the kids going on their school work.
Love and Blessings!
Mary
I awoke this morning at 2:12 am and could not get back to sleep. I hate that! Some days I have a million and one things jumbling aound in my head and it gets overcrowded and I just can't shut down for the night. I am obsesive. I think about things over and over and over...I really want to work on that problem this year. I stated out the new year with a list of "intentions". The heck with resolutions! I never keep them so I never make them anymore. My main intention is to experience more of the "now".... not to let special everyday moments pass me by. I want to see so much of the kids' discoveries. As I was thinking about my intentions at 2 am I thought that it must be God wanting me to pray about something, so... I did, and at 2:17 I still could not fall asleep..so I got out my pad and a pen and just started to write whatever popped into my pea brain. I write a lot and then misplace the journals and then I buy new journals only to misplace those...I guess having a blog really is a good thing...think of all the trees I am saving. As I was writing I was also thinking about scrapbook layouts. I am going to concentrate on scrapping items and photos of things that touch my heart. The first thing/person that came to mind was Nana Sara. She is never very far from the front of my mind. In fact, I feel her pressence every single day. It's in the flowers that bloom while there is still snow on the ground. It's in the fresh smell of line dried linens. It's in the flowers that border my stationary. Her essece surrounds me at times and reminds me that it's all good with the world. So, at 2:21 this morning I wrote this:
"One More... One more talk~one more visit~one last piece of lemon mereigne pie from Grove Bakery~ What I would give for one more last moment~ I miss our visits, when you passed I lost my bestest friend, my cheerleader, my shrink, my shopping partner. The world lost so much when you left and it will never be the same again. I have tried over the past three years to be a good wife, mother, daughter, and sister, but I stuggle through each day. Your words of wisdom are never far from my mind. As I write this I feel such a heaviness~ I can scarcely see the lines on this page because of tears. Oh Nana, I miss you so much. I pray for strength, wisdom, patience, and compassion, but these intangibles seem to be just out of my reach. I wish I could sit next to you while you watch your favorite TV shows. I wish I could read the gossip rags with you as we have a glass of pepsi. I wish I could eat a piece of chicken from KFC. I know that this sounds funny, but I haven't been able to do any of these things since you left. I am afraid of making new memories because they may push the memories I have of you away. It just doesn't seem right. I wish I could go back and do all the things we did together. I just want One More"
So now you all know I've officially lost it.. I guess I have to go find whatever it is and get the kids going on their school work.
Love and Blessings!
Mary
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Cold Feet
Not so much to write about today. Life is still as busy as ever. I don't know why we as moms think we have to keep going and going and going... Someone needs to shoot that engergizer bunny! I stayed up a little late last night tidying up the library and putting away my scrap supplies. I have been pretty successful at getting my desk cleared by the end of the evening so when I get up in the morning to start school, I have a cleared desk on which to work. The kids are all still sleeping except for Meg and Robby. They, too, woke late and were tardy to their first classes. Bob was the only early bird. He got up at 5:00 and had breakfast with the men from church. I figure our getting up late is all his fault.. He usually gets the kids going by 6:30 and lets me sleep just a bit longer. Because he wasn't here to wake the kids up....we all kept sleeping. I am going to grasp at a straw here.... it's also his fault that I have cold feet....why??? because his body heat was gone from our bed, which in turn caused my feet to get cold...which in turn caused me to stay in bed a little longer... I know, it's a stretch...but hey, it's my brain that thinks illogically and that's ok.
It seems that lately I have been thinking a lot about growing up and my childhood. As I look at the kids and see them accomplish new things and go through different stages, it brings back a lot of memories from childhood. I am not going to get sentimental here. But...what I have learned in watching them isn't that I need to provide them with more opportunities to do what they like...it's that I really need to make every moment count. They are making their memories right now. They are storing them away in the recesses of their minds so that one day, they too, can remember the price of gas, or the taste of that big stick popsicle that will forever transport them back to their childhoods. Well, that's all folks....go and make some wonderful memories.
Mary
Not so much to write about today. Life is still as busy as ever. I don't know why we as moms think we have to keep going and going and going... Someone needs to shoot that engergizer bunny! I stayed up a little late last night tidying up the library and putting away my scrap supplies. I have been pretty successful at getting my desk cleared by the end of the evening so when I get up in the morning to start school, I have a cleared desk on which to work. The kids are all still sleeping except for Meg and Robby. They, too, woke late and were tardy to their first classes. Bob was the only early bird. He got up at 5:00 and had breakfast with the men from church. I figure our getting up late is all his fault.. He usually gets the kids going by 6:30 and lets me sleep just a bit longer. Because he wasn't here to wake the kids up....we all kept sleeping. I am going to grasp at a straw here.... it's also his fault that I have cold feet....why??? because his body heat was gone from our bed, which in turn caused my feet to get cold...which in turn caused me to stay in bed a little longer... I know, it's a stretch...but hey, it's my brain that thinks illogically and that's ok.
It seems that lately I have been thinking a lot about growing up and my childhood. As I look at the kids and see them accomplish new things and go through different stages, it brings back a lot of memories from childhood. I am not going to get sentimental here. But...what I have learned in watching them isn't that I need to provide them with more opportunities to do what they like...it's that I really need to make every moment count. They are making their memories right now. They are storing them away in the recesses of their minds so that one day, they too, can remember the price of gas, or the taste of that big stick popsicle that will forever transport them back to their childhoods. Well, that's all folks....go and make some wonderful memories.
Mary
Monday, April 17, 2006
Stinky Eggs
Yesterday was Easter Sunday and it was truly a glorious day here in our little corner of South Dakota.
Church services on Easter Sunday seem to be just a little more festive and the message is always filled with hope and praise that we serve a Risen Saviour. Our tradition at church is for all the members to bring a breakfast dish to pass and we meet at the church at 8 am for breakfast. Two gals made the best potatoes I have EVER had. I don't usually like potatoes, but these had cheese and sour cream in them and they were great. Soo...when we got home from church I quickly found a recipe for cheesy potatoes and made a batch to have with our Easter dinner. I played my flute during services and it was fun. Sorry Mom, I didn't play Via Del Rosa, I actually didn't think about that until we got home.
Isn't it amazing how God can teach us new things or give us insight into different areas that we have previously studied? Yesterday in Sunday School we were studying about the empty sepulchre and Connie Hanson told me something that I hadn't really heard before...apparently it's Jewish tradition to fold one's napkin after a meal to indicate that they are finished/done. When Peter ran to the tomb and found Jesus' linens, the linen that had covered his face was not thrown down or pushed aside, it was folded neatly, as if telling us that "he was finished" and that "it was done". I find that pretty interesting.
Temperatures were in the 70s which enabled us to have an egg hunt in the yard. Robby, Megan, and Andrew insisted on hiding the eggs so Anabelle and Nathaniel could find them. They had fun.. this brings me to a funny thing that happened, which in turn, brought back a funny Easter memory from my childhood and a few others. Meg had hidden an egg in a small pipe that came out of the side of the house. When Nathaniel went to get it, the egg simply rolled down the pipe under the kitchen area and they couldn't get to the egg. Bob tried to get it with a long stick, but, he too did not have any luck. I just know that some day we will all smell something awful from beneath the kitchen floor and know that it's a spoiled egg. This brought back a fun memory of mine. One year my brother, David...he's the oldest, found an odd colored blue egg and opened it and it reeked! It was the worse smelling thing I have ever the misfortune of smelling. When he showed it to my mom, she realized that the egg wasn't one that had been hidden that morning, it was one that we missed the year before. So, for a full year that egg "matured" into the stink bomb that it became.
When I spoke with Mom yesterday I told her about the egg going down the pipe and she said..."do you remember..." I guess I am not the only one who could not forget that Easter morning. I wonder if Dave has ever told his girls this story.
Easter Sunday also marks the beginning of the end of the school year. I am hoping to be finished by Anabelle's birthday in May. If we aren't done, then we will just keep going til we are finished. As I was thinking about the end of the school year I thought about what it was like for me when I was younger. It's amazing what one can remember when looking back through the years.
I remember so clearly-as if it was just yesterday-walking with my little brother on hot summer afternoons to Miller's Dairy to buy milk. The dairy was on the opposite side of our block. We lived on the SW corner and the dairy was on both the NE and SE half of our block, so the dairy was actually pretty close to our house. Mom would give us $1.75 and we had enough to buy a gallon of milk for 1.47 and two big stick popsicles for each of us for .06 each popsicle. Tax was included. First we would buy one big stick and go watch the dairy men milk cows while we sat on the edge of a big cement wall that overlooked the milking room. We were amazed at the octopus-like contraption that sucked the milk out of the cows. I can remember watching the milk as it made it's way through the clear hoses to the big glass ball before it went into the tank in an adjoining room. After we finished our first popsicle we would go and get the milk and buy another popsicle to enjoy ont eh walk home and still have three cents left over!
I remember Mom taking us to Thrifty Drug on a hot summer night to get a double dip ice cream cone. A single was .05 and an Double was .10... only pigs bought tripples. That same nickle cone would cost 1.50 today. My favorite was the mintNchip or the pineapple sherbet. My allowance was .50 a week and I thought I was the richest girl on the block. Prices sure have changed...A pencil out of a dial machine by the principal's office was a nickle, and a pack of school paper was .25. I remember clothes shopping for the new school year. Mom would allocate 50.00 per child and I would always come home with three new dresses, two pants, three blouses, saddle oxfords, 7 pairs of socks and undies (comesettas included), and a sweater. Living in San Diego meant that we really didn't need heavy coats and I don't remember buying any at the beginning of the school year. I have to say, all these memories were triggered by one small, seemingly insignificant event.....the downward slide of an Easter egg that will more than likely remain in the pipe that leads to nowhere land. Maybe that's where my brain is at any rate so I think the connection is apropriate.
Blessings! Mary
Yesterday was Easter Sunday and it was truly a glorious day here in our little corner of South Dakota.
Church services on Easter Sunday seem to be just a little more festive and the message is always filled with hope and praise that we serve a Risen Saviour. Our tradition at church is for all the members to bring a breakfast dish to pass and we meet at the church at 8 am for breakfast. Two gals made the best potatoes I have EVER had. I don't usually like potatoes, but these had cheese and sour cream in them and they were great. Soo...when we got home from church I quickly found a recipe for cheesy potatoes and made a batch to have with our Easter dinner. I played my flute during services and it was fun. Sorry Mom, I didn't play Via Del Rosa, I actually didn't think about that until we got home.
Isn't it amazing how God can teach us new things or give us insight into different areas that we have previously studied? Yesterday in Sunday School we were studying about the empty sepulchre and Connie Hanson told me something that I hadn't really heard before...apparently it's Jewish tradition to fold one's napkin after a meal to indicate that they are finished/done. When Peter ran to the tomb and found Jesus' linens, the linen that had covered his face was not thrown down or pushed aside, it was folded neatly, as if telling us that "he was finished" and that "it was done". I find that pretty interesting.
Temperatures were in the 70s which enabled us to have an egg hunt in the yard. Robby, Megan, and Andrew insisted on hiding the eggs so Anabelle and Nathaniel could find them. They had fun.. this brings me to a funny thing that happened, which in turn, brought back a funny Easter memory from my childhood and a few others. Meg had hidden an egg in a small pipe that came out of the side of the house. When Nathaniel went to get it, the egg simply rolled down the pipe under the kitchen area and they couldn't get to the egg. Bob tried to get it with a long stick, but, he too did not have any luck. I just know that some day we will all smell something awful from beneath the kitchen floor and know that it's a spoiled egg. This brought back a fun memory of mine. One year my brother, David...he's the oldest, found an odd colored blue egg and opened it and it reeked! It was the worse smelling thing I have ever the misfortune of smelling. When he showed it to my mom, she realized that the egg wasn't one that had been hidden that morning, it was one that we missed the year before. So, for a full year that egg "matured" into the stink bomb that it became.
When I spoke with Mom yesterday I told her about the egg going down the pipe and she said..."do you remember..." I guess I am not the only one who could not forget that Easter morning. I wonder if Dave has ever told his girls this story.
Easter Sunday also marks the beginning of the end of the school year. I am hoping to be finished by Anabelle's birthday in May. If we aren't done, then we will just keep going til we are finished. As I was thinking about the end of the school year I thought about what it was like for me when I was younger. It's amazing what one can remember when looking back through the years.
I remember so clearly-as if it was just yesterday-walking with my little brother on hot summer afternoons to Miller's Dairy to buy milk. The dairy was on the opposite side of our block. We lived on the SW corner and the dairy was on both the NE and SE half of our block, so the dairy was actually pretty close to our house. Mom would give us $1.75 and we had enough to buy a gallon of milk for 1.47 and two big stick popsicles for each of us for .06 each popsicle. Tax was included. First we would buy one big stick and go watch the dairy men milk cows while we sat on the edge of a big cement wall that overlooked the milking room. We were amazed at the octopus-like contraption that sucked the milk out of the cows. I can remember watching the milk as it made it's way through the clear hoses to the big glass ball before it went into the tank in an adjoining room. After we finished our first popsicle we would go and get the milk and buy another popsicle to enjoy ont eh walk home and still have three cents left over!
I remember Mom taking us to Thrifty Drug on a hot summer night to get a double dip ice cream cone. A single was .05 and an Double was .10... only pigs bought tripples. That same nickle cone would cost 1.50 today. My favorite was the mintNchip or the pineapple sherbet. My allowance was .50 a week and I thought I was the richest girl on the block. Prices sure have changed...A pencil out of a dial machine by the principal's office was a nickle, and a pack of school paper was .25. I remember clothes shopping for the new school year. Mom would allocate 50.00 per child and I would always come home with three new dresses, two pants, three blouses, saddle oxfords, 7 pairs of socks and undies (comesettas included), and a sweater. Living in San Diego meant that we really didn't need heavy coats and I don't remember buying any at the beginning of the school year. I have to say, all these memories were triggered by one small, seemingly insignificant event.....the downward slide of an Easter egg that will more than likely remain in the pipe that leads to nowhere land. Maybe that's where my brain is at any rate so I think the connection is apropriate.
Blessings! Mary
Friday, April 14, 2006
In the Garden
Last night was our Maundy Thursday services at church and I have to say that it was probably the most quiet, sobering, and meaningful service that I have been to in a long time. As I sat and watched my kids and their reactions to seeing our pastor washing feet, I thought....this is a good thing for them to see. They need to see how to humble oneself. This witnessing of humilty couldn't have come on a better day.
The kids were so mean to each other yesterday and Megan was so upset that she was actually left speechless. I don't know if it's spring fever or what, but their attitudes really sucked today.
After going to our co-op pickup Bob and I had lunch together. This is something that only happens once every eight weeks or so and we were really looking forward to being together in the middle of the day without any distractions...you know...just being. Before I sat down I called the house to remind the boys that they needed to finish straightening up their rooms and should not get on their computers. (We don't let them get online when we are not home with them). Meg told me that Robby was refusing to come to the phone and wouldn't get off his computer. Doesn't sound like a big deal...and in and of itself, it really isn't,.. it's what he did afterward that wasn't so nice...He actually got in her face and yelled at her. This is NOT Robby. Just as each child has his/her own personality, each of my children have very distinct characteristics. Meg is the determined go getter. Robby is Mr Compassion. Andrew is a "Let it Be" carefree soul, Nathaniel is the politician, and Anabelle is cuddles and love, very emotional. So, when Robby was yelling in her face she said she could see steam coming out of his ears and he scared her. Robby, although he is three years younger is about eight inches taller than Megan. So, she was all upset that he demonstrated anger and she is fearful that he's going to be mean to his future wife if something isn't done. Bob had along talk with him about repect and humility...then we went to church. God really knows what we need to hear and I am thankful for His message that really put everything into perspective. After church was over the congregation met in the front of the church and held hands and prayed. It wasn't a garden like the one Jesus prayed in, but it is the closest thing to a garden that can be found in South Dakota this time of year. On the drive home, they were all pretty quiet, but actually said some nice things to each other and by the night's end, they were back to being themselves.
On another note, the honor roll came out at school and both Meg and Robby are on the A list...Both said it's really not all that impressive, but I am a mom, so I get to be pleased and proud.
Last night was our Maundy Thursday services at church and I have to say that it was probably the most quiet, sobering, and meaningful service that I have been to in a long time. As I sat and watched my kids and their reactions to seeing our pastor washing feet, I thought....this is a good thing for them to see. They need to see how to humble oneself. This witnessing of humilty couldn't have come on a better day.
The kids were so mean to each other yesterday and Megan was so upset that she was actually left speechless. I don't know if it's spring fever or what, but their attitudes really sucked today.
After going to our co-op pickup Bob and I had lunch together. This is something that only happens once every eight weeks or so and we were really looking forward to being together in the middle of the day without any distractions...you know...just being. Before I sat down I called the house to remind the boys that they needed to finish straightening up their rooms and should not get on their computers. (We don't let them get online when we are not home with them). Meg told me that Robby was refusing to come to the phone and wouldn't get off his computer. Doesn't sound like a big deal...and in and of itself, it really isn't,.. it's what he did afterward that wasn't so nice...He actually got in her face and yelled at her. This is NOT Robby. Just as each child has his/her own personality, each of my children have very distinct characteristics. Meg is the determined go getter. Robby is Mr Compassion. Andrew is a "Let it Be" carefree soul, Nathaniel is the politician, and Anabelle is cuddles and love, very emotional. So, when Robby was yelling in her face she said she could see steam coming out of his ears and he scared her. Robby, although he is three years younger is about eight inches taller than Megan. So, she was all upset that he demonstrated anger and she is fearful that he's going to be mean to his future wife if something isn't done. Bob had along talk with him about repect and humility...then we went to church. God really knows what we need to hear and I am thankful for His message that really put everything into perspective. After church was over the congregation met in the front of the church and held hands and prayed. It wasn't a garden like the one Jesus prayed in, but it is the closest thing to a garden that can be found in South Dakota this time of year. On the drive home, they were all pretty quiet, but actually said some nice things to each other and by the night's end, they were back to being themselves.
On another note, the honor roll came out at school and both Meg and Robby are on the A list...Both said it's really not all that impressive, but I am a mom, so I get to be pleased and proud.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Swimming in the Deep End
Do you ever feel that no matter what you do that you are going to sink? I hate that claustraphobic feeling of things closing in on me. As school is coming to an end within the next month I look around my classroom/library and see that we still have a ton of work to complete. There are still so many more things that I want the kids to learn before the end of the year. Robby and Megan are just finishing up Algebra1 & 2 and need to get on to the next level. Andrew is stil tackling his pre-algebra and Nathaniel...is almost done! woo hoo. That's math..Anabelle finished her math curriculum about a month ago. We are really concentrating on continued growth in reading for her. There are so many uncertainties in this world and I am seeing first hand that getting the kids to finish all their work is one of those uncertainties...I want them to complete every last problem, but reality says,"Hey, when you were teaching in the public system the kids NEVER finished all their subjects." How many of you got all the way through your math book? Soooo.... I don't want to be the kind of mom that settles for part done, part taught, part prepared. I want the kids to be completely done, well taught, and best prepared. So...when I feel like I have the weight of five kids and 8 subjects sitting on the middle of my chest and feeling like an elephant is crushing me....I will remember that it's ok to tread water for a bit in order to catch my breath. Who says that school has to only be 179 days out of the year? Why not use each day as an opportunity to teach our kids; not just in the sense of text book knowledge...but real life knowledge. I want them to take out that magnifier and look at the crawling little buggies of the world. I want them to be able to watch the robbins nesting in the nests that they have built at the top of our porch pillars. I want them to do fun kitchen experiments....but clean up after themselves.
Treading water is something that I have not mastered in my life...I need to do it a little more frequently. The world will not come to an end if I step back from all the things that I do in order to catch my breath.
Speaking of water and treading it....Megan had her preliminary Life Guard Test yesterday. They had her swim an 800? (whatever that is). well, in the middle of it, she couldn't catch her breath and she stopped for a minute or so and then kept going til she finished. Then they had her retrieve a big cement block from the deep end of the pool without touching the sides of the pool at all. After the test was over the instructor called off three names and Megan was one of them. Out of a bunch of girls, she thought "Great, I didn't make it" because there were so many girls there. Then the instructor said, "Ok , Girls we want you and come by the pool to fill out your application we have jobs for you." She could not believe her ears. After she came home she told me that she was afraid that she may have just dreamed that he said that they wanted her and that in actuality, they didn't want her. Too funny. This is an incredible blessing...as many of you know, Meg has asthma, but has never let that slow her down. She finished her task at hand and had even forgot to take her inhaler with her. She tells me that she knows it was God because she prayed the whole time that she was swimming. The instructor offered to pay for her certification if she would agree to guard at the outdoor pool this summer. She is so excited. I asked her if she is going to quit her job checking at HyVee and she tells me that she wants to do both jobs.. I think it's too much, so I guess I'll take the whimps way out and have Bob tell her that she can only guard...lol. He should love that! Meg is my determined child, so he's in for a good discussion.
Well, the kids are all up and having their breakfasts so I have to run. Have a great day and remember, it's ok to tread water for a little bit....life isn't an 800.
Do you ever feel that no matter what you do that you are going to sink? I hate that claustraphobic feeling of things closing in on me. As school is coming to an end within the next month I look around my classroom/library and see that we still have a ton of work to complete. There are still so many more things that I want the kids to learn before the end of the year. Robby and Megan are just finishing up Algebra1 & 2 and need to get on to the next level. Andrew is stil tackling his pre-algebra and Nathaniel...is almost done! woo hoo. That's math..Anabelle finished her math curriculum about a month ago. We are really concentrating on continued growth in reading for her. There are so many uncertainties in this world and I am seeing first hand that getting the kids to finish all their work is one of those uncertainties...I want them to complete every last problem, but reality says,"Hey, when you were teaching in the public system the kids NEVER finished all their subjects." How many of you got all the way through your math book? Soooo.... I don't want to be the kind of mom that settles for part done, part taught, part prepared. I want the kids to be completely done, well taught, and best prepared. So...when I feel like I have the weight of five kids and 8 subjects sitting on the middle of my chest and feeling like an elephant is crushing me....I will remember that it's ok to tread water for a bit in order to catch my breath. Who says that school has to only be 179 days out of the year? Why not use each day as an opportunity to teach our kids; not just in the sense of text book knowledge...but real life knowledge. I want them to take out that magnifier and look at the crawling little buggies of the world. I want them to be able to watch the robbins nesting in the nests that they have built at the top of our porch pillars. I want them to do fun kitchen experiments....but clean up after themselves.
Treading water is something that I have not mastered in my life...I need to do it a little more frequently. The world will not come to an end if I step back from all the things that I do in order to catch my breath.
Speaking of water and treading it....Megan had her preliminary Life Guard Test yesterday. They had her swim an 800? (whatever that is). well, in the middle of it, she couldn't catch her breath and she stopped for a minute or so and then kept going til she finished. Then they had her retrieve a big cement block from the deep end of the pool without touching the sides of the pool at all. After the test was over the instructor called off three names and Megan was one of them. Out of a bunch of girls, she thought "Great, I didn't make it" because there were so many girls there. Then the instructor said, "Ok , Girls we want you and come by the pool to fill out your application we have jobs for you." She could not believe her ears. After she came home she told me that she was afraid that she may have just dreamed that he said that they wanted her and that in actuality, they didn't want her. Too funny. This is an incredible blessing...as many of you know, Meg has asthma, but has never let that slow her down. She finished her task at hand and had even forgot to take her inhaler with her. She tells me that she knows it was God because she prayed the whole time that she was swimming. The instructor offered to pay for her certification if she would agree to guard at the outdoor pool this summer. She is so excited. I asked her if she is going to quit her job checking at HyVee and she tells me that she wants to do both jobs.. I think it's too much, so I guess I'll take the whimps way out and have Bob tell her that she can only guard...lol. He should love that! Meg is my determined child, so he's in for a good discussion.
Well, the kids are all up and having their breakfasts so I have to run. Have a great day and remember, it's ok to tread water for a little bit....life isn't an 800.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Rise and Shine!
Even though almost amonth has passed since the first day of spring South Dakota remains cool. I don't think we ever left Fall....winter was pretty mild in these parts. For that I am glad. The kids have been riding thier bicycles up and down our driveway. Thank goodness it's 200 feet long! Keeps em going and keeps them off the street. Anabelle is so cute and daring now that she can ride by herself. She zips around like a bee in search of pollen. Too funny!
Robby and Megan are heading out the door to start their day. I usually don't have to get them up and prod them to get to school. They are usually really good about being on time. I think they've heard my montra a few times. Well, I thought Meg was still in the shower this morning and that Robby had overslept so I stood at the kitchen stairs and shouted up to his room that he was going to be late. I got no response and I thought, wow, he's really tired...so I started singing the "good morning to you, boop boop,"song in an extremely annoying voice and STILL no answer. I thought, wow, he's good....I'm gonna have to bring out the big guns. I then proceded to sing "Rise and Shine and Give God the Glory" while keeping beat on the wall, again in a voice that sounded more like a cat in heat....and then, a voice coming from behind me says, "Mom, what are you doing?" It was Robby, he wasn't even in his room to begin with....it was he who was in the shower and not Meg. She had gotten up earlier than normal and already got her daily routine done. I jumped and started laughing and thought, "Boy am I glad no one else witnessed my stellar performance."
The other kids are still dragging their feet and aren't moving very quickly. Even though the sun is out and it looks like spring, they are still tired. Bob went and signed the kids up for summer activities through Park & Rec. Anabelle is doing softball, pee wee, the boys are all taking swim and archery, and Meg is taking her life guard class and hopes to be guarding this summer at the new outdoor pool. All these activities, combined with music lessons, work for Meg, vacation, performance camp, and church stuff, will keep us all pretty busy this summer.
Not to mention all the various house projects that need to be completed. Well, the kids are all in the library and I need to get them started on their work.
Have a great day, and remember, "Rise and Shine and Give God the Glory, Glory"
Love ya!
Even though almost amonth has passed since the first day of spring South Dakota remains cool. I don't think we ever left Fall....winter was pretty mild in these parts. For that I am glad. The kids have been riding thier bicycles up and down our driveway. Thank goodness it's 200 feet long! Keeps em going and keeps them off the street. Anabelle is so cute and daring now that she can ride by herself. She zips around like a bee in search of pollen. Too funny!
Robby and Megan are heading out the door to start their day. I usually don't have to get them up and prod them to get to school. They are usually really good about being on time. I think they've heard my montra a few times. Well, I thought Meg was still in the shower this morning and that Robby had overslept so I stood at the kitchen stairs and shouted up to his room that he was going to be late. I got no response and I thought, wow, he's really tired...so I started singing the "good morning to you, boop boop,"song in an extremely annoying voice and STILL no answer. I thought, wow, he's good....I'm gonna have to bring out the big guns. I then proceded to sing "Rise and Shine and Give God the Glory" while keeping beat on the wall, again in a voice that sounded more like a cat in heat....and then, a voice coming from behind me says, "Mom, what are you doing?" It was Robby, he wasn't even in his room to begin with....it was he who was in the shower and not Meg. She had gotten up earlier than normal and already got her daily routine done. I jumped and started laughing and thought, "Boy am I glad no one else witnessed my stellar performance."
The other kids are still dragging their feet and aren't moving very quickly. Even though the sun is out and it looks like spring, they are still tired. Bob went and signed the kids up for summer activities through Park & Rec. Anabelle is doing softball, pee wee, the boys are all taking swim and archery, and Meg is taking her life guard class and hopes to be guarding this summer at the new outdoor pool. All these activities, combined with music lessons, work for Meg, vacation, performance camp, and church stuff, will keep us all pretty busy this summer.
Not to mention all the various house projects that need to be completed. Well, the kids are all in the library and I need to get them started on their work.
Have a great day, and remember, "Rise and Shine and Give God the Glory, Glory"
Love ya!
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Better Late Than Never
I tried to blog this morning, but the system was jammed up, so it is now afternoon and the kiddos are finished with their school work. I guess I an take a few minutes to jot down some thoughts. I am so very fortunate to have the family that I have. The kids are all relatively good, but more important than perfect behavior is this...we are all healthy and doing well. So often we take our health for granted. We forget that there are kids in this world that can't walk, see, talk, or even raise their heads to acknowledge stimuli in their environments. Although each of my kids have the ability to drive me crazy, they are still physically healthy. I don't ever want to take that for granted. A friend from my web site on MSN asked for prayer last night. A classmate of her son was in a terrible accident and one of their siblings was killed. It is very sobering to hear of a child's death. It makes me want to hug my kids one more time before they head out that door. I don't want to let a moment of their lives go by without them knowing how much they are loved. I am also reminded that prayers are heard and God does listen. Although one child lost his life, it couldhave been a lot worse, three other people from this same family were also in the accident. Please take a moment of your day and say alittle prayer for this family. I have to start getting dinner ready. Sooooo....remember we are BLESSED!
Love you!
Mary
I tried to blog this morning, but the system was jammed up, so it is now afternoon and the kiddos are finished with their school work. I guess I an take a few minutes to jot down some thoughts. I am so very fortunate to have the family that I have. The kids are all relatively good, but more important than perfect behavior is this...we are all healthy and doing well. So often we take our health for granted. We forget that there are kids in this world that can't walk, see, talk, or even raise their heads to acknowledge stimuli in their environments. Although each of my kids have the ability to drive me crazy, they are still physically healthy. I don't ever want to take that for granted. A friend from my web site on MSN asked for prayer last night. A classmate of her son was in a terrible accident and one of their siblings was killed. It is very sobering to hear of a child's death. It makes me want to hug my kids one more time before they head out that door. I don't want to let a moment of their lives go by without them knowing how much they are loved. I am also reminded that prayers are heard and God does listen. Although one child lost his life, it couldhave been a lot worse, three other people from this same family were also in the accident. Please take a moment of your day and say alittle prayer for this family. I have to start getting dinner ready. Sooooo....remember we are BLESSED!
Love you!
Mary
Monday, April 10, 2006
Riding Bicycles and Being Free
I purposely did not write yesterday so I could gather more significant events to write about. Actually, I ws just plain busy. My day started out great: kids all were ready for church on time, so for the first time in a long time, we weren't tardy to Sunday School. The service was really nice and peaceful. Jim sang a solo and I played three songs. I have always been curious about a few things in regard to church and ettiquite while in church. I want to know if it's ok for me to laugh when my kids do something funny during services...not like an out and out belly laugh, but a chuckle. Has that happened to any of you? Yesterday, while in church, right in the middle of a pretty serious part I looked over at Megan. She and Robby didn't get home the night before until 3:30 am.....(her dad had a talk with her about that) and she didn't have the energy or time to shower before church, so her hair was super curly, residual from "Annie" . I looked at her and she was dozing, ever time her head would fall and jerk a little, her hair would bounce back a second or two after her head did. It was really funny. Well, just when I laughed/ actually chuckled, the pastor caught me. I felt like I was eight years old again and was getting busted for singing my version of "Glory, Glory, Halelluya"...that's another story.
After church we went to a pancake feed at Holy Name Catholic Church that was sponsored by the Boy Scout troop in which Robby, Andrew, and Nathaniel belong. I was so happy to "not" have to cook. I am amazed at the amount of time and energy that goes into being a Boy Scout. When I was younger I was a "Juniorette" and had a great amount of fun. I don't think I was in this group very long, but did enjoy the time that I spent with the other girls. My mom's cousin, Mary Huber, was our leader and she always had crafts for us to make. I think the juniorettes were the Catholic Church's version of the "Girl Scout" I really don't remember.
After taking a long nap I ventured outside to watch Anabelle ride her bike, with no help. She is very proud of this accomplishment. As I stood there, taking pictures, I thought..."this is it, this is the last child that we will teach to ride a bike. This is our last child to accomplish this great milestone. And,,,I have to tell you, it made me sad. After all these years, she's the last one. Dave is all grown and is doing his own thing, Meg is getting ready to start on her own, Robby is in high school, Andrew not far behind, and my Nathaniel is in the 5th grade. Where does all the time go? Seeing Anabelle on her bike brought back a lot of memories. Memories of my kids, but also memories of my childhood. I remember the day that my dad brought me a bicycle to my Nana's house and how he took the training wheels off. I remember that fear of falling and the jumpy feeling in my chest each time I started to tip. I also remember my dad being there to catch me incase I fell. When I watched Anabelle, I thought, "She's so much braver than I was." She chased Bob and me off and kept telling us, "I can do it by myself" I don't need help, but thankyou". I wish she needed our help a little bit more.
I think I started readlly thinking about the kids growing up when I saw a couple at the pancake feed. The Foley's, they have older children that are our children's ages and we have participated in a lot of sports, theatre, etc, with them, and they have a new baby. Their next youngest is in junior high, obviously a Big suprise. He is now about 6 months old. I watched them with the baby and thought.....Boy am I glad that's not me! That was the first time that I really felt that way and meant it! In the past I had wanted to hold friend's babies or Bob would ask if I wanted another baby. I can honestly say..."I am so glad that God gave us what He did". Seeing Anabelle ride her bike and knowing that she is the last, was actually a good thing. I have to remember to cherish and savour thhose "first/last" moments of her life. And I think it's ok to chuckle in church every now and then. I think God was probably laughing, too, when witnessing Meg's bobble hair. Isn't this what a part of being free is all about? Well, have a great today!
Love you!
Mary
I purposely did not write yesterday so I could gather more significant events to write about. Actually, I ws just plain busy. My day started out great: kids all were ready for church on time, so for the first time in a long time, we weren't tardy to Sunday School. The service was really nice and peaceful. Jim sang a solo and I played three songs. I have always been curious about a few things in regard to church and ettiquite while in church. I want to know if it's ok for me to laugh when my kids do something funny during services...not like an out and out belly laugh, but a chuckle. Has that happened to any of you? Yesterday, while in church, right in the middle of a pretty serious part I looked over at Megan. She and Robby didn't get home the night before until 3:30 am.....(her dad had a talk with her about that) and she didn't have the energy or time to shower before church, so her hair was super curly, residual from "Annie" . I looked at her and she was dozing, ever time her head would fall and jerk a little, her hair would bounce back a second or two after her head did. It was really funny. Well, just when I laughed/ actually chuckled, the pastor caught me. I felt like I was eight years old again and was getting busted for singing my version of "Glory, Glory, Halelluya"...that's another story.
After church we went to a pancake feed at Holy Name Catholic Church that was sponsored by the Boy Scout troop in which Robby, Andrew, and Nathaniel belong. I was so happy to "not" have to cook. I am amazed at the amount of time and energy that goes into being a Boy Scout. When I was younger I was a "Juniorette" and had a great amount of fun. I don't think I was in this group very long, but did enjoy the time that I spent with the other girls. My mom's cousin, Mary Huber, was our leader and she always had crafts for us to make. I think the juniorettes were the Catholic Church's version of the "Girl Scout" I really don't remember.
After taking a long nap I ventured outside to watch Anabelle ride her bike, with no help. She is very proud of this accomplishment. As I stood there, taking pictures, I thought..."this is it, this is the last child that we will teach to ride a bike. This is our last child to accomplish this great milestone. And,,,I have to tell you, it made me sad. After all these years, she's the last one. Dave is all grown and is doing his own thing, Meg is getting ready to start on her own, Robby is in high school, Andrew not far behind, and my Nathaniel is in the 5th grade. Where does all the time go? Seeing Anabelle on her bike brought back a lot of memories. Memories of my kids, but also memories of my childhood. I remember the day that my dad brought me a bicycle to my Nana's house and how he took the training wheels off. I remember that fear of falling and the jumpy feeling in my chest each time I started to tip. I also remember my dad being there to catch me incase I fell. When I watched Anabelle, I thought, "She's so much braver than I was." She chased Bob and me off and kept telling us, "I can do it by myself" I don't need help, but thankyou". I wish she needed our help a little bit more.
I think I started readlly thinking about the kids growing up when I saw a couple at the pancake feed. The Foley's, they have older children that are our children's ages and we have participated in a lot of sports, theatre, etc, with them, and they have a new baby. Their next youngest is in junior high, obviously a Big suprise. He is now about 6 months old. I watched them with the baby and thought.....Boy am I glad that's not me! That was the first time that I really felt that way and meant it! In the past I had wanted to hold friend's babies or Bob would ask if I wanted another baby. I can honestly say..."I am so glad that God gave us what He did". Seeing Anabelle ride her bike and knowing that she is the last, was actually a good thing. I have to remember to cherish and savour thhose "first/last" moments of her life. And I think it's ok to chuckle in church every now and then. I think God was probably laughing, too, when witnessing Meg's bobble hair. Isn't this what a part of being free is all about? Well, have a great today!
Love you!
Mary
Saturday, April 08, 2006
It's Tomorrow, and Annie Was Right!
Last night's performance of "Annie" was incredible! Wow! The kids did a great job! I wish you all could have been here to see it. Robby had a hilarious moment where he ran out onto the stage, no one else was on stage, and yelled at the top of his lungs,"Run, Mom is gonna Kill Us! AAahhhhh!" The entire audience roared. Rob also had some major scenes as a paper boy and back up singing. He tells me that the choir teacher is having him sing solos...this is good. He actually loves to sing. Meg had the opening scene and I am really amazed that a person her size could be so loud!... and...convincing as the mean orphan, Pepper. She is really having a great time. I think her ability to portray a toughy comes from being the eldest child at home with three brothers behind her. Anabelle was completely mesmerized by the whole "Annie" experience. She cannot wait to get on stage like her older siblings. I really think it's genetic...Probably from Bob's side of the family. I know that the music comes from both sides, but acting??? Tonight is the last performance and I couldn't get a ticket. DD MIller holds 1,200 and each night has been a total and complete sellout; hopefully some of the procedes will stay in the theatre department.
There's so much to do as a high school junior and Megan is so very busy. We are so proud of the responsible young adult that she is becoming. She, as many of you know, is now looking into colleges and would like to go to a private school that emphasizes th arts. She doesn't have her heart set on any one college but has been looking into an arts college in Savannah, one in Minnesota, two in Canada, and a few down South. Well, that's all for now, I have to run to the grocery store and I hear Bob having a talk with Nathaniel about burning bugs with a magnifier...he is not encouraging him....he's telling him to knock it off...those poor bugs.
Have a great weekend.. I love you!
And yes...The sun came out today!
Last night's performance of "Annie" was incredible! Wow! The kids did a great job! I wish you all could have been here to see it. Robby had a hilarious moment where he ran out onto the stage, no one else was on stage, and yelled at the top of his lungs,"Run, Mom is gonna Kill Us! AAahhhhh!" The entire audience roared. Rob also had some major scenes as a paper boy and back up singing. He tells me that the choir teacher is having him sing solos...this is good. He actually loves to sing. Meg had the opening scene and I am really amazed that a person her size could be so loud!... and...convincing as the mean orphan, Pepper. She is really having a great time. I think her ability to portray a toughy comes from being the eldest child at home with three brothers behind her. Anabelle was completely mesmerized by the whole "Annie" experience. She cannot wait to get on stage like her older siblings. I really think it's genetic...Probably from Bob's side of the family. I know that the music comes from both sides, but acting??? Tonight is the last performance and I couldn't get a ticket. DD MIller holds 1,200 and each night has been a total and complete sellout; hopefully some of the procedes will stay in the theatre department.
There's so much to do as a high school junior and Megan is so very busy. We are so proud of the responsible young adult that she is becoming. She, as many of you know, is now looking into colleges and would like to go to a private school that emphasizes th arts. She doesn't have her heart set on any one college but has been looking into an arts college in Savannah, one in Minnesota, two in Canada, and a few down South. Well, that's all for now, I have to run to the grocery store and I hear Bob having a talk with Nathaniel about burning bugs with a magnifier...he is not encouraging him....he's telling him to knock it off...those poor bugs.
Have a great weekend.. I love you!
And yes...The sun came out today!
Friday, April 07, 2006
Computeritis & Jules Vern
There's an irony to this disease that seems to have plagued my family the last few years. Computers are suposed to free us up; shorten our lists; and help us to become more efficient in our lives. Why is it that we spend so much more time on them typing in our lists to our calendars on yahoo, aol, and msn than we ever would have just jotting down that appointment on a wall calendar? Can we take our computers everywhere with us and have access to that information? This really isn't a good point for my family...four of us have laptops....but, in theory, it works. I mean, how cumbersome would it be to have to turn on the computer, log in, and manuver around to their right site...and what if there is no wireless signal? We are out of luck.
I was mentioning to a gal that I really need to get off my computer more and spend more time reading, doing my devotions, and just "being", and she agreed. It is an addiction. You can't just type in that appointment. There are a bazillion other interesting hooks out there trying to grab our attention. It's worse than that huge menancing octopus from Jules Vern's, 20,000 Leagues. For those of you have never read this novel, it's NOT about baseball, football, or any other ball. One member of my family has desicribed the inet as a "never ending vortex containing multitudes of successive black holes collapsing upon one another".. I bet you can guess which child described the inet in this manner.
So, in my attempt to be less distracted by the computer, I am going to post once in the morning before I check my emails, and then I will stay off the computer all day until all school work is completed by everyone.
I live with the fear that the computer will replace human interaction and am certain that to a degree, it already has. Just take our local high school as an example;
The high school here has given each and every student a laptop to use and take home for the year. They have done this for three years now....and....guess what? Academics have fallen dramatically, test scores have plumeted, drug use is up, and there are 48 girls pregnant up there....all in a small school of about 800-900 students. Something is WRONG here. Bob and I sat down last night with a great friend, Fred Deutsch (Stephanie's dad) who is running for a spot on the school board and spoke at length about the problems I have mentioned. He has been told by the administration that the current ninth grade class is by far the worse that they have ever seen. Test scores of these students are the lowest in the state, so their solution is to isolate the ninth graders into their own wing of the high school and bring in a separate adminstrator and actually have an academy within the school specifically for the incoming freshmen. Sounds like a good plan. But will this solve the problems. I think not. Fred also told us that he met with a teacher up at the high school to talk about the concerns of the teachers and he was told that whenever Frad's name is brought up that there is fear of him getting on the board because he is "a man of faith". I really wish whoever made this statement would look at the very problems that public schools are facing. It isn't the laptops that are causing the problems...it's a lack of faith. Dugh! Even I get that! Surely they see the connection. Maybe they have bought into the bag of lies about keeping God out of the schools...we've tried that for years and it only gets worse. So.. if you are sending your kiddos off this morning, please say an extra prayer for them. If you have no children, please say a prayer for those of us who do.
Well, that's all for now. This octopus isn't getting me!
There's an irony to this disease that seems to have plagued my family the last few years. Computers are suposed to free us up; shorten our lists; and help us to become more efficient in our lives. Why is it that we spend so much more time on them typing in our lists to our calendars on yahoo, aol, and msn than we ever would have just jotting down that appointment on a wall calendar? Can we take our computers everywhere with us and have access to that information? This really isn't a good point for my family...four of us have laptops....but, in theory, it works. I mean, how cumbersome would it be to have to turn on the computer, log in, and manuver around to their right site...and what if there is no wireless signal? We are out of luck.
I was mentioning to a gal that I really need to get off my computer more and spend more time reading, doing my devotions, and just "being", and she agreed. It is an addiction. You can't just type in that appointment. There are a bazillion other interesting hooks out there trying to grab our attention. It's worse than that huge menancing octopus from Jules Vern's, 20,000 Leagues. For those of you have never read this novel, it's NOT about baseball, football, or any other ball. One member of my family has desicribed the inet as a "never ending vortex containing multitudes of successive black holes collapsing upon one another".. I bet you can guess which child described the inet in this manner.
So, in my attempt to be less distracted by the computer, I am going to post once in the morning before I check my emails, and then I will stay off the computer all day until all school work is completed by everyone.
I live with the fear that the computer will replace human interaction and am certain that to a degree, it already has. Just take our local high school as an example;
The high school here has given each and every student a laptop to use and take home for the year. They have done this for three years now....and....guess what? Academics have fallen dramatically, test scores have plumeted, drug use is up, and there are 48 girls pregnant up there....all in a small school of about 800-900 students. Something is WRONG here. Bob and I sat down last night with a great friend, Fred Deutsch (Stephanie's dad) who is running for a spot on the school board and spoke at length about the problems I have mentioned. He has been told by the administration that the current ninth grade class is by far the worse that they have ever seen. Test scores of these students are the lowest in the state, so their solution is to isolate the ninth graders into their own wing of the high school and bring in a separate adminstrator and actually have an academy within the school specifically for the incoming freshmen. Sounds like a good plan. But will this solve the problems. I think not. Fred also told us that he met with a teacher up at the high school to talk about the concerns of the teachers and he was told that whenever Frad's name is brought up that there is fear of him getting on the board because he is "a man of faith". I really wish whoever made this statement would look at the very problems that public schools are facing. It isn't the laptops that are causing the problems...it's a lack of faith. Dugh! Even I get that! Surely they see the connection. Maybe they have bought into the bag of lies about keeping God out of the schools...we've tried that for years and it only gets worse. So.. if you are sending your kiddos off this morning, please say an extra prayer for them. If you have no children, please say a prayer for those of us who do.
Well, that's all for now. This octopus isn't getting me!
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Flowers in Mosaic
When I woke this morning it was to the sound of thunder and a rumbling of the house. The weather outside has been gloomy and rainy all day, but I have tried to bring a little fun into my day. We all need a little colour each day to remind us of the rainbows at the end of the storm. I have been dragging my feet all day and haven't really felt fully awake. I think I need a nap.
I took the kids over to our church because I set up a "craft" day for the home school kids in our area. It was fun. I taught mosaic with scrapbooking paper scraps, Chris taught beads, Kay taught the kids how to make miniature bird feeders and Regina taught the kids how to decoupage. They had fun and were able to make some great gifts for Mother's Day.
Robby and Megan are busy getting ready for opening night tonight. It is supposed to be a sold out performance. DDMiller holds 1,000 people, so that's a lot of tickets that were pre sold. We are going tomorrow night. I know that they'll do a great job. Well, I have to run....I do think I'll go take a nap. That's all for now. I posted a new layout in my gallery so....please take a peek.
MFPC
When I woke this morning it was to the sound of thunder and a rumbling of the house. The weather outside has been gloomy and rainy all day, but I have tried to bring a little fun into my day. We all need a little colour each day to remind us of the rainbows at the end of the storm. I have been dragging my feet all day and haven't really felt fully awake. I think I need a nap.
I took the kids over to our church because I set up a "craft" day for the home school kids in our area. It was fun. I taught mosaic with scrapbooking paper scraps, Chris taught beads, Kay taught the kids how to make miniature bird feeders and Regina taught the kids how to decoupage. They had fun and were able to make some great gifts for Mother's Day.
Robby and Megan are busy getting ready for opening night tonight. It is supposed to be a sold out performance. DDMiller holds 1,000 people, so that's a lot of tickets that were pre sold. We are going tomorrow night. I know that they'll do a great job. Well, I have to run....I do think I'll go take a nap. That's all for now. I posted a new layout in my gallery so....please take a peek.
MFPC
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Upsidedown Umbrellas
Raindrops and Roses and Whiskers on Kittens....what does this have to do with Upsidedown Umbrellas? Absolutely nothing. That's the beauty of a free mind. I can post odd things to see if you are all really reading this.
Yesterday turned out to be an incredible day; the kids all cooperated and did all their school work without complaining or trying to get out of it. Nathaniel had a big math test and Megan completed her synopsis of To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. I was quite impressed with her observations of Boo, Jem, and Scout. If you haven't read this classic I would like to recommend that you do.
I came across another gal's blog site, Linda, and was quite impressed with her openess to share her faith. I really admire someone who can do this and still be herself. I have only been posting on this blog for a few days, but have made some changes, additions, and just fun stuff for you to see and maybe use. I have also figured out how to change the settings so that you can post comments.
I put some links in to enable you to go to other areas of my blog and added a few catagories of choices in the links section. For those of you who are not aware, I also take part in another site as a team member of "SwapsNmore", where I help manage the site, post challenges, offer swap themes, etc. This is a scrapbooking site that encourages people to scrap and trade with other scrappers from different geographical locations. We have some members of the site from as far away as New Zealand. Currently we have about 300 members and are very busy encouraging people to record their lives in an artful, meaningful way.
Please check it out and tell me what you think. If you are a scrapper, you'll be hooked. It's so addictive, but tons of fun. I love seeing what other scrappers create.
Raindrops and Roses and Whiskers on Kittens....what does this have to do with Upsidedown Umbrellas? Absolutely nothing. That's the beauty of a free mind. I can post odd things to see if you are all really reading this.
Yesterday turned out to be an incredible day; the kids all cooperated and did all their school work without complaining or trying to get out of it. Nathaniel had a big math test and Megan completed her synopsis of To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. I was quite impressed with her observations of Boo, Jem, and Scout. If you haven't read this classic I would like to recommend that you do.
I came across another gal's blog site, Linda, and was quite impressed with her openess to share her faith. I really admire someone who can do this and still be herself. I have only been posting on this blog for a few days, but have made some changes, additions, and just fun stuff for you to see and maybe use. I have also figured out how to change the settings so that you can post comments.
I put some links in to enable you to go to other areas of my blog and added a few catagories of choices in the links section. For those of you who are not aware, I also take part in another site as a team member of "SwapsNmore", where I help manage the site, post challenges, offer swap themes, etc. This is a scrapbooking site that encourages people to scrap and trade with other scrappers from different geographical locations. We have some members of the site from as far away as New Zealand. Currently we have about 300 members and are very busy encouraging people to record their lives in an artful, meaningful way.
Please check it out and tell me what you think. If you are a scrapper, you'll be hooked. It's so addictive, but tons of fun. I love seeing what other scrappers create.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Have I lost my Time?
Some days I feel like the rabbit from Alice in Wonderland, worried about being late for an important date. Tardiness is one of my biggest pet peeves. I tend to live by a code of behavior regarding tardiness that dictates this montra: To be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late, to be late is inexcusable. Dean Immel, my high school band director used to say that just about every day when someone would try to sneak in to class tardy. It was a large class with about 100 + students. We had an incredible music program...but that was before the implementation of budget cuts to non-sports programs in the public school system...I am digressing....I've only had two sips of my steaming hot coffee. Give me a few gulps and I'll be normal once again. Which brings me to this question: What is normal?
Oooppss I slipped again-back to topic here.
I found myself faced with a situation that has been happening all too often lately. I had overlapped, by accident or default, two engagements that I needed to attend last night. One started at 7:00 and the other at 7:30. I had committed to doing makeup and costuming for another play being done at our community theatre. I love doing costumes and makeup. This is something that gives me a lot of pleasure and time to do something that is just for me. Yes, I am helping others, especially men, put makeup on...this is obviously something that they are not used to doing. I had committed to Town Players two full months ago. Last week I received an invite in the mail from our pastor's wife for the kick off of the "Ladies" group. I really don't want to be involved with this, not because I don't love fellowship, but because I have been involved with every little thing that our church does simply out of obligation. The irony of this whole situation is this...the topic for the "Ladies" study is "Lifestyles of the Stressed and Frantic". We as women over commit outselves and don't know when to say that dreaded two lettered word "No". So, in the feeble attempt to placate everyone, I said "yes, I'll be there". I went, chatted a little, had a cup of coffee, and left. Why did I feel bad? Was it because church things are supposed to be good for you? Or, was it because once again, I felt manipulated to participate in something just because it was church related and someone invited me? If I can remember the mantra about being late, why can't I say No to overextension of my time? Are these people that I truly enjoy being around? Some yes and some, No. Why do I feel put in an awkward position having to be around these ladies? There are some very nice, wonderful ladies at our church and then there are the "others". I don't know if it's out of obligation because Bob is a Deacon at our church, or if it's that I am afraid that these ladies will think less of me if I don't "Do it all". If you have some words of wisdom, I am all ears, but I fear that this is a struggle by which all of us busy moms are plagued. So, Please say a short , or long, prayer for me that I find my voice and am able to say "No" to the things that really occupy too much of my time. I don't think I am losing my time, I think I am losing my voice. That's all for this morning. Have a beautiful day and don't forget it's ok to say No.
Some days I feel like the rabbit from Alice in Wonderland, worried about being late for an important date. Tardiness is one of my biggest pet peeves. I tend to live by a code of behavior regarding tardiness that dictates this montra: To be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late, to be late is inexcusable. Dean Immel, my high school band director used to say that just about every day when someone would try to sneak in to class tardy. It was a large class with about 100 + students. We had an incredible music program...but that was before the implementation of budget cuts to non-sports programs in the public school system...I am digressing....I've only had two sips of my steaming hot coffee. Give me a few gulps and I'll be normal once again. Which brings me to this question: What is normal?
Oooppss I slipped again-back to topic here.
I found myself faced with a situation that has been happening all too often lately. I had overlapped, by accident or default, two engagements that I needed to attend last night. One started at 7:00 and the other at 7:30. I had committed to doing makeup and costuming for another play being done at our community theatre. I love doing costumes and makeup. This is something that gives me a lot of pleasure and time to do something that is just for me. Yes, I am helping others, especially men, put makeup on...this is obviously something that they are not used to doing. I had committed to Town Players two full months ago. Last week I received an invite in the mail from our pastor's wife for the kick off of the "Ladies" group. I really don't want to be involved with this, not because I don't love fellowship, but because I have been involved with every little thing that our church does simply out of obligation. The irony of this whole situation is this...the topic for the "Ladies" study is "Lifestyles of the Stressed and Frantic". We as women over commit outselves and don't know when to say that dreaded two lettered word "No". So, in the feeble attempt to placate everyone, I said "yes, I'll be there". I went, chatted a little, had a cup of coffee, and left. Why did I feel bad? Was it because church things are supposed to be good for you? Or, was it because once again, I felt manipulated to participate in something just because it was church related and someone invited me? If I can remember the mantra about being late, why can't I say No to overextension of my time? Are these people that I truly enjoy being around? Some yes and some, No. Why do I feel put in an awkward position having to be around these ladies? There are some very nice, wonderful ladies at our church and then there are the "others". I don't know if it's out of obligation because Bob is a Deacon at our church, or if it's that I am afraid that these ladies will think less of me if I don't "Do it all". If you have some words of wisdom, I am all ears, but I fear that this is a struggle by which all of us busy moms are plagued. So, Please say a short , or long, prayer for me that I find my voice and am able to say "No" to the things that really occupy too much of my time. I don't think I am losing my time, I think I am losing my voice. That's all for this morning. Have a beautiful day and don't forget it's ok to say No.
Monday, April 03, 2006
Wipe Your Feet
Ok, I am beginning to sound like my mom........Thank Goodness! I used to think that her constant reminder for us to wipe our feet, or take our dish to the kitchen, or clear the table, was her way of getting out of doing the housework...that was until I was old enough to have to clean up after the fact that having three brothers really meant that there were three men living in our house that were oblivious to their surroundings. My mom kept a pretty clean house. I remember her telling us that we had to hurry and clean because the "insurance" man was coming to give them a quote. I didn't catch on until much later, when I realized that in all my at growing up years I never once saw their "insurance" man. It was mom's way of getting us to really clean our rooms without having to nag at us yet another time. I tried using the "insurance man" routine, but my kids are smarter than I was. They know that the insurance man doesn't make housecalls. So instead, I tell them that I am thinking of taking a long weekend away....by myself because I am so sick of looking at their messes that they just step over. That doesn't work either. They start asking where and when are we all going. They know that I can't leave them on the drop of a hat. hmmmm... I am going to have to think of something here.
This past weekend, as many know, Bob took the boys all camping. They were gone three days. In that three day time, Meg, Anabelle, and I, cleaned the house pretty darned good. I even scrubbed the floors on my hands and kness. .I felt good after I was finished because I was able to get all the foot prints, dropspots and grime off the floors. It wasn't like it was really bad, I just knew that all these little imperfections and marks were there and they needed to be obliterated from my kitchen. It was so nice to have quiet in the house and no one insisting on a full five course hot meal every day. Bob doesn't request this... it's just something that I have done for years. My mom always served full meals and it's just a part of who I am... Sooo, guess what? I took Anabelle to McDonald's on Friday night, got pizza for Saturday, and we had leftovers for Sunday...and I dropped 3 lbs. I don't know if that is good or bad? hmmm...
I thought I would start this entry by calling it Wipe Your Feet....and found that as I write these things all the little life lessons that my mom, and to an extent, Nana, taught me have really made me who I am. Hearing myself sound like my mom is actually a good thing. You read jokes about starting to sound like one's mother and I think...Well, Praise God I finally have some sense. Have I arrived at my final complete person/mom stage? Not by a long shot. I have so far to go....I still need to master the "insurance man" method. So mom, if you read this today, know that I love you and I thank you for all the little and not so little things that you said over the years, so I could sound like you.
I know that I told my mom this, but I haven't repeated this event ever to anyone other than her and Bob, who was involved in this instance. When Bob and I were first married and we had our first "big" fight, he looked at me and yelled, "You Sound Just Like Your Mom". I turned, stopped completely in my tracks....those of you who know me know that I am NEVER left without something to comeback with and am never completely "stopped", I looked at him, smiled sweetly and said, "Why, Thank you". He's never said it since. Sometimes I wish that he would, because if he did, I would know that I have accomplished something great.
So...for those of you who are reading this...remember..."Wipe your feet because the insurance man is coming."
Ok, I am beginning to sound like my mom........Thank Goodness! I used to think that her constant reminder for us to wipe our feet, or take our dish to the kitchen, or clear the table, was her way of getting out of doing the housework...that was until I was old enough to have to clean up after the fact that having three brothers really meant that there were three men living in our house that were oblivious to their surroundings. My mom kept a pretty clean house. I remember her telling us that we had to hurry and clean because the "insurance" man was coming to give them a quote. I didn't catch on until much later, when I realized that in all my at growing up years I never once saw their "insurance" man. It was mom's way of getting us to really clean our rooms without having to nag at us yet another time. I tried using the "insurance man" routine, but my kids are smarter than I was. They know that the insurance man doesn't make housecalls. So instead, I tell them that I am thinking of taking a long weekend away....by myself because I am so sick of looking at their messes that they just step over. That doesn't work either. They start asking where and when are we all going. They know that I can't leave them on the drop of a hat. hmmmm... I am going to have to think of something here.
This past weekend, as many know, Bob took the boys all camping. They were gone three days. In that three day time, Meg, Anabelle, and I, cleaned the house pretty darned good. I even scrubbed the floors on my hands and kness. .I felt good after I was finished because I was able to get all the foot prints, dropspots and grime off the floors. It wasn't like it was really bad, I just knew that all these little imperfections and marks were there and they needed to be obliterated from my kitchen. It was so nice to have quiet in the house and no one insisting on a full five course hot meal every day. Bob doesn't request this... it's just something that I have done for years. My mom always served full meals and it's just a part of who I am... Sooo, guess what? I took Anabelle to McDonald's on Friday night, got pizza for Saturday, and we had leftovers for Sunday...and I dropped 3 lbs. I don't know if that is good or bad? hmmm...
I thought I would start this entry by calling it Wipe Your Feet....and found that as I write these things all the little life lessons that my mom, and to an extent, Nana, taught me have really made me who I am. Hearing myself sound like my mom is actually a good thing. You read jokes about starting to sound like one's mother and I think...Well, Praise God I finally have some sense. Have I arrived at my final complete person/mom stage? Not by a long shot. I have so far to go....I still need to master the "insurance man" method. So mom, if you read this today, know that I love you and I thank you for all the little and not so little things that you said over the years, so I could sound like you.
I know that I told my mom this, but I haven't repeated this event ever to anyone other than her and Bob, who was involved in this instance. When Bob and I were first married and we had our first "big" fight, he looked at me and yelled, "You Sound Just Like Your Mom". I turned, stopped completely in my tracks....those of you who know me know that I am NEVER left without something to comeback with and am never completely "stopped", I looked at him, smiled sweetly and said, "Why, Thank you". He's never said it since. Sometimes I wish that he would, because if he did, I would know that I have accomplished something great.
So...for those of you who are reading this...remember..."Wipe your feet because the insurance man is coming."
Saturday, April 01, 2006
There's No Place Like Home
There is a crispness in the air and a cool mist that reminds me of a few things. There is also a bit of fog that is hanging about in a feable attempt to maintain it's blanket over the yard and there is a silence in the early part of the day that cannot be replicated any other place or time than this where we are right now; this very moment.
I awoke to a sneaking suspiscion that my day would start out busy and hectict once again; not unlike all my other days. Before I raise my head, though, I listen to the silence and relish those precious moments and I close my eyes to soak in every millisecond of peace. As my feet hit the carpet, I come to the stinking realization that the smallest munchkin of the Chapman clan drank way too much last night and my feather bed now needs a vacation at the local cleaner's. Not the way I wanted to start my day. I head downstairs after I strip the mattress bare, to bring in the boys' papers from their route. I have been elected to deliver their papers for them while they are away for the weekend. Anabelle is busy cleaning up and is so upset that she soiled my bed. I can't be angry, that emotion doesn't even enter into this senario. I just smile at her and remind her that it does no good to cry over spilt milk...this doesn't make her feel any better. She is such a sweet spirit and is so in tune with others. She is at that stage where she wants so desperately to be "bigger", but still wants to cuddle and be cooed over just a little bit. I love this phase of her life. Meggie decides to help me deliver the papers and we head out; the three of us Chapman girls, to bring the exciting news from all parts of the world to the peaceful inhabitants of a three block radius of our home. And to think, this is all done before 6:30 am. I can now see why the boys have no problem getting up early to deliver...this little corner of the world is so serene and peaceful. There are no cars driving around, polluting the air, or making paper delivery a hazzardous job. We are so very fortunate and blessed to live in a country where we can walk without fear of persecution or torment. God has blessed us incredibly.
As we finish delivering the paper I look back over the yard and see that the fog is lifting a bit and the air seems to stir. The world is waking.
There is a crispness in the air and a cool mist that reminds me of a few things. There is also a bit of fog that is hanging about in a feable attempt to maintain it's blanket over the yard and there is a silence in the early part of the day that cannot be replicated any other place or time than this where we are right now; this very moment.
I awoke to a sneaking suspiscion that my day would start out busy and hectict once again; not unlike all my other days. Before I raise my head, though, I listen to the silence and relish those precious moments and I close my eyes to soak in every millisecond of peace. As my feet hit the carpet, I come to the stinking realization that the smallest munchkin of the Chapman clan drank way too much last night and my feather bed now needs a vacation at the local cleaner's. Not the way I wanted to start my day. I head downstairs after I strip the mattress bare, to bring in the boys' papers from their route. I have been elected to deliver their papers for them while they are away for the weekend. Anabelle is busy cleaning up and is so upset that she soiled my bed. I can't be angry, that emotion doesn't even enter into this senario. I just smile at her and remind her that it does no good to cry over spilt milk...this doesn't make her feel any better. She is such a sweet spirit and is so in tune with others. She is at that stage where she wants so desperately to be "bigger", but still wants to cuddle and be cooed over just a little bit. I love this phase of her life. Meggie decides to help me deliver the papers and we head out; the three of us Chapman girls, to bring the exciting news from all parts of the world to the peaceful inhabitants of a three block radius of our home. And to think, this is all done before 6:30 am. I can now see why the boys have no problem getting up early to deliver...this little corner of the world is so serene and peaceful. There are no cars driving around, polluting the air, or making paper delivery a hazzardous job. We are so very fortunate and blessed to live in a country where we can walk without fear of persecution or torment. God has blessed us incredibly.
As we finish delivering the paper I look back over the yard and see that the fog is lifting a bit and the air seems to stir. The world is waking.
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