When does a free cup of coffee end up costing 86 dollars and some change?
When that free cup of coffee is at BAM and you decide to do a little browsing on your way out the door.
Is it bad that my four-year-old calls BAM the library?
5 Kids 1 Great Journey
Friday, November 30, 2007
Saturday, November 24, 2007
I Did Something Terrible...
To my hubby...
But it's the funniest thing I've ever seen in my life.
I sent it to all his staff as a Christmas card.
(Oh, and thanks, Ness, for turning me onto this).
Watch here.
But it's the funniest thing I've ever seen in my life.
I sent it to all his staff as a Christmas card.
(Oh, and thanks, Ness, for turning me onto this).
Watch here.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Mommy, Why is Molly DATING?!?
I was streamlining my computer picturefiles today and this one popped up on the screen
just as Zac walked by.
He immediately stopped, pulled the sucker out of his mouth with a loud *Thhhop* and in his toughest brother voice, demanded to know why Molly was dating.
We have a Thanksgiving service tonight, hosted by the school and if Zac sees Molly's "date," I think he'd punch him in the gut.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Where I Tell Santa to Go
Here are some of the places I tell "Santa" to get great gifts.
Many of these toys are made in Europe--mainly Germany--so you don't have to worry about toxic paint; many of them are made of wood and other sturdy material and they don't cost much more than Mattel or Playschool toys.
I have ordered many Christmas items from here and have never once been disappointed with the quality or service.
Both magazines just ended their free shipping, which is when I strive to order...but, alas, I missed both of the magazine's free shipping; I'm kicking myself and hoping they'll run another free shipping promo soon. I like to order for my nieces and nephews in K.C., have their presents shipped straight to my Mom and Dad's, so we don't have to haul a truckful of Santa's stuff to K.C.
Both mags offer giant candy canes that are made with a 100-year old recipe, using real sugar cane and natural dyes. Mmm...they're good! Many of the exact same items can be ordered through either company, so I go with the one that offers the best shipping deal; most of the time, the product prices are exactly the same, as well.
Check out this company (for adults), and then shop 'til you drop! Only 37 days and counting.
Many of these toys are made in Europe--mainly Germany--so you don't have to worry about toxic paint; many of them are made of wood and other sturdy material and they don't cost much more than Mattel or Playschool toys.
I have ordered many Christmas items from here and have never once been disappointed with the quality or service.
Both magazines just ended their free shipping, which is when I strive to order...but, alas, I missed both of the magazine's free shipping; I'm kicking myself and hoping they'll run another free shipping promo soon. I like to order for my nieces and nephews in K.C., have their presents shipped straight to my Mom and Dad's, so we don't have to haul a truckful of Santa's stuff to K.C.
Both mags offer giant candy canes that are made with a 100-year old recipe, using real sugar cane and natural dyes. Mmm...they're good! Many of the exact same items can be ordered through either company, so I go with the one that offers the best shipping deal; most of the time, the product prices are exactly the same, as well.
Check out this company (for adults), and then shop 'til you drop! Only 37 days and counting.
The Great Gum Caper
Last Wednesday, Number Five and I played "chaperone" to my hubby and the Financial Admin, as she and he attended a conference in Atlanta.
It was great! We were to just hang out, swim in the heated pool and hot tub, watch some TV, eat, shop, and go see some sights.
The first sight we saw Wednesday evening was the local Target. I forgot to pack swimsuits and big tears were being shed, so we ventured out into strange territory and found the comforting, red bullseye.
After swimming, Number Five and I met back with Hubby. While eating ice cream sundaes with me and Hubby, Number Five decided that between the Atlanta Zoo and the Georgia Aquarium, sharks and penguins rated much higher than lions, tigers and bears.
On Thursday, Number Five and I slept in, talked about going swimming but little man was determined to go see Cody, first thing.
I wasn't about to let my little guy down. I put on my big girl panties, pulled 'em up real high, calmed my nerves with a Starbucks and the knowledge that I'd driven in downtown Kansas City traffic for years, no problem; the new car had a compass--I told myself, "just find out which direction you want to go, Amy". We headed out the revolving door towards I-85/75 and the aquarium.
We navigated smoothly with the kick-butt map that was thoughtfully printed for both male and female brain function--it used words, pictures AND landmarks. Landmarks are always my first navigational choice. We drove straight there, no wrong turns, no road construction detours. The only problem was to park at the "Official GA Aquarium Parking Lot" or the parking lot right across the street, which was half the price ($5) but whose attendant didn't look quite on the up-and-up. Hmm...a woman, by herself w/a child, not familiar with area...I paid the $10 for peace of mind.
So, Number Five and I head down the sidewalk, with a few business people, toward the Aquarium (I stayed in a group, Mom). We rounded a bend and I see the entrance and this guy with his arms straight out to his sides, being electronically frisked with "the wand". I snort and think to myself, "Nice, wonder what that guy has in his pockets; what a stupid-head, doesn't he know to empty everything into the little bowl?"
We approach the security check-point and the following scenario took place in a matter of a few seconds: I move to the right and set my backpack-purse on the table and the officer asks me to open it. While I'm complying with this and rolling my eyes, he asks me very quickly..."Mam, do you have any guns, knives or gum in your purse?" My brain stops for a minute and rewinds as I repeat his words quietly to myself, 'guns, knives or gum'? Hmm...my brain recognizes that something doesn't fit into that equation and it throws me off for a second. I was thinking 'guns, knives or bombs' ; 'guns, knives or fishing nets'; guns, knives or pepper spray'. I finally look at him, amused and repeat his question with a quizzical expression on my face, "Guns, knives or GUM?" "Yes, Mam, gum." I giggled and said, "Um, yeah, I have some gum in there somewhere." "Can you take it out, please, Mam?" "Ok-aay, whatever". I start digging--all the way to the bottom--it's a backpack-purse, like Mary Poppins' purse. I finally find a pack of gum and pull it out; I'm NOT digging for the other pack I know is in there--so I stare at him like I'm done. He holds up his gloved hand and asks me to set the gum on the table. I thought maybe he was going to ask me to back away while he used a chemical kit to check it for liquid Nitrogen :)--he just looks at me like I'm supposed to know what to do next. I'm waiting for him to rifle through my backpack, assuming we all lie about having guns and knives (or omit whole truths...like having TWO packs of gum). He doesn't--he looks at me and I look at him; he looks at me and I look at him. It hits me that maybe we're done but I don't know if I'm supposed to keep my gum. I say, "Sooo, can I have the gum back now?" "No, Mam." *Silence and more staring* "Sooo, you want me to throw the gum in the trashcan?" "No, Mam." "Leave it...until...I'm done in the Aquarium?" "If you want, Mam, but I doubt if it'll be here when you're done." "Yea, I get that but do you want me to do something with it?" "No, Mam." I'm still waiting for him to dismiss me or rifle through my purse or say something that ends the "drill". We stare at each other and crickets start chirping. Things were really awkward. I finally said, "I'll just throw it away over there in the trashcan." "Yes, Mam, if you want." Oh, I wanted to alright, because I knew that after I stepped out of sight, they were all going to take it and chew it! Nobody else entered during the exchange so I don't know if they were trying to pull one over on me but I wasn't gonna' let them have my gum. That's not the end of the story...
I was totally confused at this point (as are you, I'm sure) so I walk up to go through the metal detector and before I could even step one foot through it, the officer says, "Mam, please stop and put your arms straight out." "Seriously?" I say. "Yes, Mam." So, I oblige and it was eery. Like being molested by some invisible force. At this point, I'm a little perturbed and I look down at Number Five standing beside me; he's looking up at me with a slightly confused/scared look on his face. I can't put my arms down to touch him and reassure him so I just tell him, "It's okay, it doesn't hurt or anything." As quick as it started, it was over and we were allowed to enter...after we paid $31.50. As it turns out, five and under were free for the day, as long as you weren't hiding any guns, knives or gum in your undies.
It was great! We were to just hang out, swim in the heated pool and hot tub, watch some TV, eat, shop, and go see some sights.
The first sight we saw Wednesday evening was the local Target. I forgot to pack swimsuits and big tears were being shed, so we ventured out into strange territory and found the comforting, red bullseye.
After swimming, Number Five and I met back with Hubby. While eating ice cream sundaes with me and Hubby, Number Five decided that between the Atlanta Zoo and the Georgia Aquarium, sharks and penguins rated much higher than lions, tigers and bears.
On Thursday, Number Five and I slept in, talked about going swimming but little man was determined to go see Cody, first thing.
A little background:
In 2004, when we decided to move to Florida but before we physically moved, I started having this recurring nightmare that I was on a small highway, heading over a small bridge to Cocoa Beach. On the horizon, out over the sand beach and the water, everything was black. Fierce-looking, fast-moving clouds were approaching--a HUGE hurricane was making landfall at that moment and I was the only one on the road; however, I wasn't afraid of the hurricane--what I found more horrifying in my nightmare was that the only turn around was an exit onto a tollroad AND I HAD NO MONEY! After we had physically moved to our home in 2004, I was amusingly relieved when I discovered that we lived at least half an hour from any tollroad. We also lived, begrudgingly, 45 minutes from any ocean beach. In the 90's, we had lived on Merritt Island, just one or two small bridges inland from Cocoa Beach, accessed by a small highway. For a short while, until I learned the area, I always feared getting on the Beeline/tollroad accidentally and not having any money. That's where my nightmare had manifested itself. I let the nightmare get to me and eversince, I had been very, very hesitant to travel any major highways with which I was not familiar, by myself.
I wasn't about to let my little guy down. I put on my big girl panties, pulled 'em up real high, calmed my nerves with a Starbucks and the knowledge that I'd driven in downtown Kansas City traffic for years, no problem; the new car had a compass--I told myself, "just find out which direction you want to go, Amy". We headed out the revolving door towards I-85/75 and the aquarium.
We navigated smoothly with the kick-butt map that was thoughtfully printed for both male and female brain function--it used words, pictures AND landmarks. Landmarks are always my first navigational choice. We drove straight there, no wrong turns, no road construction detours. The only problem was to park at the "Official GA Aquarium Parking Lot" or the parking lot right across the street, which was half the price ($5) but whose attendant didn't look quite on the up-and-up. Hmm...a woman, by herself w/a child, not familiar with area...I paid the $10 for peace of mind.
So, Number Five and I head down the sidewalk, with a few business people, toward the Aquarium (I stayed in a group, Mom). We rounded a bend and I see the entrance and this guy with his arms straight out to his sides, being electronically frisked with "the wand". I snort and think to myself, "Nice, wonder what that guy has in his pockets; what a stupid-head, doesn't he know to empty everything into the little bowl?"
We approach the security check-point and the following scenario took place in a matter of a few seconds: I move to the right and set my backpack-purse on the table and the officer asks me to open it. While I'm complying with this and rolling my eyes, he asks me very quickly..."Mam, do you have any guns, knives or gum in your purse?" My brain stops for a minute and rewinds as I repeat his words quietly to myself, 'guns, knives or gum'? Hmm...my brain recognizes that something doesn't fit into that equation and it throws me off for a second. I was thinking 'guns, knives or bombs' ; 'guns, knives or fishing nets'; guns, knives or pepper spray'. I finally look at him, amused and repeat his question with a quizzical expression on my face, "Guns, knives or GUM?" "Yes, Mam, gum." I giggled and said, "Um, yeah, I have some gum in there somewhere." "Can you take it out, please, Mam?" "Ok-aay, whatever". I start digging--all the way to the bottom--it's a backpack-purse, like Mary Poppins' purse. I finally find a pack of gum and pull it out; I'm NOT digging for the other pack I know is in there--so I stare at him like I'm done. He holds up his gloved hand and asks me to set the gum on the table. I thought maybe he was going to ask me to back away while he used a chemical kit to check it for liquid Nitrogen :)--he just looks at me like I'm supposed to know what to do next. I'm waiting for him to rifle through my backpack, assuming we all lie about having guns and knives (or omit whole truths...like having TWO packs of gum). He doesn't--he looks at me and I look at him; he looks at me and I look at him. It hits me that maybe we're done but I don't know if I'm supposed to keep my gum. I say, "Sooo, can I have the gum back now?" "No, Mam." *Silence and more staring* "Sooo, you want me to throw the gum in the trashcan?" "No, Mam." "Leave it...until...I'm done in the Aquarium?" "If you want, Mam, but I doubt if it'll be here when you're done." "Yea, I get that but do you want me to do something with it?" "No, Mam." I'm still waiting for him to dismiss me or rifle through my purse or say something that ends the "drill". We stare at each other and crickets start chirping. Things were really awkward. I finally said, "I'll just throw it away over there in the trashcan." "Yes, Mam, if you want." Oh, I wanted to alright, because I knew that after I stepped out of sight, they were all going to take it and chew it! Nobody else entered during the exchange so I don't know if they were trying to pull one over on me but I wasn't gonna' let them have my gum. That's not the end of the story...
I was totally confused at this point (as are you, I'm sure) so I walk up to go through the metal detector and before I could even step one foot through it, the officer says, "Mam, please stop and put your arms straight out." "Seriously?" I say. "Yes, Mam." So, I oblige and it was eery. Like being molested by some invisible force. At this point, I'm a little perturbed and I look down at Number Five standing beside me; he's looking up at me with a slightly confused/scared look on his face. I can't put my arms down to touch him and reassure him so I just tell him, "It's okay, it doesn't hurt or anything." As quick as it started, it was over and we were allowed to enter...after we paid $31.50. As it turns out, five and under were free for the day, as long as you weren't hiding any guns, knives or gum in your undies.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Hi Grandma(s)
My Grandma is so cool; she reads my blog faithfully and often comments.
I love her so much; she's so great with my kids too.
Takes them dancing with her and then out for lunch and frequently visits a Kansas City landmark/museum to complete the day. My other grandma often accompanies them, which I find wickedly spectacular. Ha, ha.
Both my grandmas are classy, sassy and kind. They've both been Grand Duchess of their Red Hat chapter.
Woohoo, Red Hat Hot Mommas!
My "talent" for writing probably comes from Grandma Ellen, as does my penchant for sometimes telling my hubby where he can stick it. :0)
My mad shopping skills and thoughtful but ornery side comes from Grandma Lorene, who could sell her homemade peanut brittle and make a killing.
I'm NOT kidding (Grandma make me a bucket, please).
When I was little they were to me...
Grandma Mom and Grandma Granny.
Now I've grown up.
I love you both, Mom and Granny.
See you both soon.
I love her so much; she's so great with my kids too.
Takes them dancing with her and then out for lunch and frequently visits a Kansas City landmark/museum to complete the day. My other grandma often accompanies them, which I find wickedly spectacular. Ha, ha.
Both my grandmas are classy, sassy and kind. They've both been Grand Duchess of their Red Hat chapter.
Woohoo, Red Hat Hot Mommas!
My "talent" for writing probably comes from Grandma Ellen, as does my penchant for sometimes telling my hubby where he can stick it. :0)
My mad shopping skills and thoughtful but ornery side comes from Grandma Lorene, who could sell her homemade peanut brittle and make a killing.
I'm NOT kidding (Grandma make me a bucket, please).
When I was little they were to me...
Grandma Mom and Grandma Granny.
Now I've grown up.
I love you both, Mom and Granny.
See you both soon.
Up My Sleeve
Yes, my loyal readers (all four of you), I do have a million alpha letters floating in my head, whole paragraphs of them, actually.
I have blogs up my sleeve, but
Until I have more time...
And my computer quits acting like it's overdosed on Dial-Up...
Those little alphas will just keep floating, bumping into each other, causing brain spasms and cravings for...
GREEK FOOD?
More later--have to go help first graders learn computer (Actually, they help me). Ha!
I have blogs up my sleeve, but
Until I have more time...
And my computer quits acting like it's overdosed on Dial-Up...
Those little alphas will just keep floating, bumping into each other, causing brain spasms and cravings for...
GREEK FOOD?
More later--have to go help first graders learn computer (Actually, they help me). Ha!
Friday, November 2, 2007
Ketchup
We've lived in HSV for a little over 18 months.
When we were contacted about an interview, we were like, "HMMM... ALABAMA."
It's small by big city standards but huge for a town that's relatively unknown. You would have to come see it to know what I mean. I consider it a well-kept secret.
HSV plays a large part in our nation's missile defense system. This is good and bad. Consider us well-protected, then realize that this year we were moved UP from #3, to #2 on "THE" list. You know, "X marks the spot," "Bullseye".
But at least we don't have alligators and hurricanes--right, Mom?
HSV builds rockets, satellites--basically all the "space and aeronautical stuff;" we are a major support to Cape Canaveral on launch days. We also build Toyotas and LG products. Actually, HSV is drowning in industries.
HSV has the most engineers per capita of any city in the USA. Something like 1 out of every 11 people. "Somewhere" out in California ranks second, with something like 1 of every 23 people.
Most of the SAHM's I know here, have Master's degrees in engineering or some other math- and science-based subject.
There is money here--old and new; it's usually VERY simply understated.
The German rocket scientist, Werner Von Braun, and his team of German rocket scientists that we "acquired" as part of a WWII peace treaty, played a huge part in HSV's history. Story goes Von Braun picked HSV for his home base because we sit in a valley and the landscape reminded him of his motherland, as well as, provided some secrecy for developing military rockets. We have much beautiful, European-inspired architecture in our historic districts and parks, as well as, botanical gardens and a planetarium.
HSV has alot of military in our airspace and lots of "booms" from testing of propulsion systems on rockets and Boeing's new aircraft systems. It's going to be getting noisier soon as they are going to begin testing the rocket boosters on the newest line of space vehicles that will be replacing our aging shuttles. They have not done this kind of testing since the 1970's, from what I understand, and many of the "oldtimers" around here say that when they begin, it will feel like an earthquake when they fire up the boosters. We used to live five minutes from Cape Canaveral, FL, and the shuttle lift-offs felt like I imagine an earthquake would feel. Everyone should experience the power of a shuttle lauch at least once in their lifetime; it's awesome! Anyway...
HSV has a numerous active community--walking trails,bike paths, marathons, cyclists clubs, Sierra Club, hiking trails, caves, cavers and a large Geocaching community; we have the Tennessee River, the Flint River, lakes, waterfalls; farms interspersed with cotton and corn fields and an International Airport; we're within short driving distance to Nashville, Atlanta, New Orleans, parts of Mississippi and Arkansas, as well as, the white-sand beaches of Florida.
HSV, with it's space and engineering base, of course has a very culturally-diverse city: German, Korean, Chinese, Indian just to name a few.
HSV has a very religiously-diverse city: Protestant, Jehovah-Witness, Methodist, C.O.C., Mormon, Community, Episcopal, Christian, A.O.G., Anglican, Jewish, Conscious-Living, Muslim, Adventist, all the Baptist sects, Holiness, Catholic, Unitarian, Non-Denominational, Lutheran, Nazarene, Bible, Inter-denominational, Presbyterian; Korean church, Spanish church, Chinese church. We have two new churches--Church TV and Building Church--don't know what they're about yet. And these are just the churches that I can think of that are within a couple of miles of our home. Seriously diverse for Alabama.
HSV has mountains, hills and valleys.
HSV has just enough of each season...not too cold but it does get pretty warm. We can drive to North Carolina in a few hours to see snow or ski.
HSV has two major hospitals with specialties in cardiology, orthopedics, breast cancer, neo-natal and a newly-opened St. Jude Children's Hospital Annex.
HSV has one of the largest army bases, Redstone Arsenal, with a thriving military community that will be growing by 10,000 more in the next few years, due to BRAC. Not sure I'm liking the traffic this is bringing, especially those crazy drivers from the Washington area.
HSV has beautiful, massive, plantation homes in our historic downtown. Our historic district has been well-maintained and still functions as a traditional downtown area that includes businesses, hotels, restaurants, jazz/blues clubs, coffee houses, ballroom/swing/big band dance clubs, a series of hands-on, children and art museums, as well as, homes/condos.
HSV has THE Space Camp!
HSV has many, many schools and several rank at the top in Math and Science testing.
What more could we possibly want? What more could Huntsville, Alabama offer?
How about KETCHUP--L.A. Ketchup, that is.
This week, HSV had a grand opening ceremony for it's newest development. I've been watching it go up since we moved here and I had NO IDEA how big this thing is; from the highway, it just looks like a slightly larger hotel but apparently, it's also shopping, condos, entertainment and food. It's being billed not as a Mall, but a DESTINATION.
A Destination. In Huntsville, Alabama.
We have a guy in town interviewing and we're supposed to take him out to eat Sunday. I think I'm gonna' come down with a sudden urge for Ketchup during worship time. My hubby has no clue about this new "destination;" he'll think I've gone madly Southern, asking for ketchup. I had better look at the prices first.
I've never even HEARD of half of these places. Truth be told, I probably cannot even afford to know these places exist but I HAVE to go see.
Anyone up for a girl's window-shopping weekend? Tammi? Amy? Sis? Mom?
Grandma, I KNOW you are.
Introducing HSV's Destination. More info here. And here.
Someone, come visit me...soon!
When we were contacted about an interview, we were like, "HMMM... ALABAMA."
It's small by big city standards but huge for a town that's relatively unknown. You would have to come see it to know what I mean. I consider it a well-kept secret.
HSV plays a large part in our nation's missile defense system. This is good and bad. Consider us well-protected, then realize that this year we were moved UP from #3, to #2 on "THE" list. You know, "X marks the spot," "Bullseye".
But at least we don't have alligators and hurricanes--right, Mom?
HSV builds rockets, satellites--basically all the "space and aeronautical stuff;" we are a major support to Cape Canaveral on launch days. We also build Toyotas and LG products. Actually, HSV is drowning in industries.
HSV has the most engineers per capita of any city in the USA. Something like 1 out of every 11 people. "Somewhere" out in California ranks second, with something like 1 of every 23 people.
Most of the SAHM's I know here, have Master's degrees in engineering or some other math- and science-based subject.
There is money here--old and new; it's usually VERY simply understated.
The German rocket scientist, Werner Von Braun, and his team of German rocket scientists that we "acquired" as part of a WWII peace treaty, played a huge part in HSV's history. Story goes Von Braun picked HSV for his home base because we sit in a valley and the landscape reminded him of his motherland, as well as, provided some secrecy for developing military rockets. We have much beautiful, European-inspired architecture in our historic districts and parks, as well as, botanical gardens and a planetarium.
HSV has alot of military in our airspace and lots of "booms" from testing of propulsion systems on rockets and Boeing's new aircraft systems. It's going to be getting noisier soon as they are going to begin testing the rocket boosters on the newest line of space vehicles that will be replacing our aging shuttles. They have not done this kind of testing since the 1970's, from what I understand, and many of the "oldtimers" around here say that when they begin, it will feel like an earthquake when they fire up the boosters. We used to live five minutes from Cape Canaveral, FL, and the shuttle lift-offs felt like I imagine an earthquake would feel. Everyone should experience the power of a shuttle lauch at least once in their lifetime; it's awesome! Anyway...
HSV has a numerous active community--walking trails,bike paths, marathons, cyclists clubs, Sierra Club, hiking trails, caves, cavers and a large Geocaching community; we have the Tennessee River, the Flint River, lakes, waterfalls; farms interspersed with cotton and corn fields and an International Airport; we're within short driving distance to Nashville, Atlanta, New Orleans, parts of Mississippi and Arkansas, as well as, the white-sand beaches of Florida.
HSV, with it's space and engineering base, of course has a very culturally-diverse city: German, Korean, Chinese, Indian just to name a few.
HSV has a very religiously-diverse city: Protestant, Jehovah-Witness, Methodist, C.O.C., Mormon, Community, Episcopal, Christian, A.O.G., Anglican, Jewish, Conscious-Living, Muslim, Adventist, all the Baptist sects, Holiness, Catholic, Unitarian, Non-Denominational, Lutheran, Nazarene, Bible, Inter-denominational, Presbyterian; Korean church, Spanish church, Chinese church. We have two new churches--Church TV and Building Church--don't know what they're about yet. And these are just the churches that I can think of that are within a couple of miles of our home. Seriously diverse for Alabama.
HSV has mountains, hills and valleys.
HSV has just enough of each season...not too cold but it does get pretty warm. We can drive to North Carolina in a few hours to see snow or ski.
HSV has two major hospitals with specialties in cardiology, orthopedics, breast cancer, neo-natal and a newly-opened St. Jude Children's Hospital Annex.
HSV has one of the largest army bases, Redstone Arsenal, with a thriving military community that will be growing by 10,000 more in the next few years, due to BRAC. Not sure I'm liking the traffic this is bringing, especially those crazy drivers from the Washington area.
HSV has beautiful, massive, plantation homes in our historic downtown. Our historic district has been well-maintained and still functions as a traditional downtown area that includes businesses, hotels, restaurants, jazz/blues clubs, coffee houses, ballroom/swing/big band dance clubs, a series of hands-on, children and art museums, as well as, homes/condos.
HSV has THE Space Camp!
HSV has many, many schools and several rank at the top in Math and Science testing.
HSV is chock-full of restaurants. Literally, any type of food you could want. Upscale, mom-n-pop, traditional Southern, Mexican to German to Thai.
HSV has two malls, at least four theatres, several bowling alleys, skating rinks, a swimming center, ice center, country clubs, putt-putt golf and a stop on the Robert Trent Jones golf trail; we have everything from trailer homes and dowtown condos to antebellum mansions, planned community cities, upscale apartments and homes in gated communities, teetering on the sides of mountains, starting at a measley, 8 Mil.What more could we possibly want? What more could Huntsville, Alabama offer?
How about KETCHUP--L.A. Ketchup, that is.
This week, HSV had a grand opening ceremony for it's newest development. I've been watching it go up since we moved here and I had NO IDEA how big this thing is; from the highway, it just looks like a slightly larger hotel but apparently, it's also shopping, condos, entertainment and food. It's being billed not as a Mall, but a DESTINATION.
A Destination. In Huntsville, Alabama.
We have a guy in town interviewing and we're supposed to take him out to eat Sunday. I think I'm gonna' come down with a sudden urge for Ketchup during worship time. My hubby has no clue about this new "destination;" he'll think I've gone madly Southern, asking for ketchup. I had better look at the prices first.
I've never even HEARD of half of these places. Truth be told, I probably cannot even afford to know these places exist but I HAVE to go see.
Anyone up for a girl's window-shopping weekend? Tammi? Amy? Sis? Mom?
Grandma, I KNOW you are.
Introducing HSV's Destination. More info here. And here.
Someone, come visit me...soon!
Quiet Time
Ever a quiet person on the outside; rocker girl on the inside.
That's my quiet time and I relish it.
I hear God in the so-called noise. I call it Passion.
Passions of Believers; often those overcoming scars inflicted by Believers.
My Passion for Christ is found most often
In the "noise" of rock music and dancing.
So, I'm sitting here bloggin' a new post,
So, I'm sitting here bloggin' a new post,
Rockin' out to Sarah Kelly.
And Creed's Greatest Hits.
Sippin' some Pumpkin Spice coffee.
In my favorite jammies and sweater.
It's almost Midnight.
Lights are off. Fireplace is cracklin',
Giving off warmth and the smell of winter's coming.
Dishwasher and washing machine quietly droning.
Kids long ago asleep.
Hubby doing his "renovating thing" at the other end of the house.
Christmas list is written. Half done with shopping.
Eagerly anticipating the upcoming Holidays for the first time in a couple of years.
Feeling at home in our new city.
Right now, right here, life is good.
And Creed's Greatest Hits.
Sippin' some Pumpkin Spice coffee.
In my favorite jammies and sweater.
It's almost Midnight.
Lights are off. Fireplace is cracklin',
Giving off warmth and the smell of winter's coming.
Dishwasher and washing machine quietly droning.
Kids long ago asleep.
Hubby doing his "renovating thing" at the other end of the house.
Christmas list is written. Half done with shopping.
Eagerly anticipating the upcoming Holidays for the first time in a couple of years.
Feeling at home in our new city.
Right now, right here, life is good.
Creed.
Higher.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Torrid Love Affair
Number 5 having begun preschool this year, awesome-hottie hubby and I take lunch dates quite often. It's most refreshing not having to bring along any kids.
Not that we don't love them; sometimes we don't like them, though. :0)
My girlfriends at hubby's work always give us a hard time after these lunch dates. Truthfully, so does the elementary principal and registrar--they're both ornery, older ladies and boy if they read this, I'll never hear the end of calling them "older". They rolled hubby and the upper school principal's office a couple of weeks ago just b/c they're the males in charge at school. All the women in the office call them "the boys," especially if they mess up anything. It never ends with the practical jokes and cutting up. That's the real reason I spend so much time up there.
Ribbing, giggling and suggestive comments aside, my hubby and I press forward. We appreciate good food too much and HSV is smack-full of eateries, cafe's, bistros, franchises and mom-n-pops.
We're still finding new places after almost two years living here. The Yellow Pages lists 54 PAGES of restaurants in HSV and the surrounding area. If you appreciate good food, you'll love HSV. There is one family in town that owns four different-themed restaurants and they're ALL yummy and extraordinarily clean. I've watched them clean the floors with steaming hot water and they take their shoes off to mop. And that seems to be the "norm" around here. Okay, I'm getting off-subject...
Two weeks ago hubby made a reservation at a quaint, little restaurant called the D&L Bistro, called me for a lunch date and came by the house to pick me up. It's been many years since all those things have happened at one time. All the planets must have been aligned that day or something. Just kidding, I have to give him kudos. "Kudos, G".
Mmmm, Mmmm, was it good!
Hubby scored some points, making reservations.
He's definitely up to something.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Not Inspired...
Inspiration in and of myself has fallen to the wayside as of late.
Busy World.
Busy Church.
Busy Life.
Busy Me.
Slowed down today to take a look at someone else's world. A world I've only seen a glimpse of myself. Read her story at "To Write Love On Her Arms". It's a great cause if you're lookin' for a charity.
It was a dark place.
Even among love.
We're all just one fallen step away.
What takes us there?
What brings us back?
Why so many?
Why can't we see?
Do we care?
Do we?
Busy World.
Busy Church.
Busy Life.
Busy Me.
Slowed down today to take a look at someone else's world. A world I've only seen a glimpse of myself. Read her story at "To Write Love On Her Arms". It's a great cause if you're lookin' for a charity.
It was a dark place.
Even among love.
We're all just one fallen step away.
What takes us there?
What brings us back?
Why so many?
Why can't we see?
Do we care?
Do we?
Monday, September 24, 2007
Did You Know 2.0
My hubby forwarded this YouTube to me after it went around his workplace staff on Friday, compliments of someone's someone that works for NASA in HSV.
My hubby has mentioned some of the same stats to me over the past couple of years b/c educators HAVE to know these things;actually seeing it really made it stick though.
It's frightening, exciting and mind-boggling! Wow!
I hope I live long enough to just see a part of what my children's generation will accomplish.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Falling for Winter
Since I've become a Mom and now have the responsibility to DRIVE my little people around on snowy roads where there are STUPID people driving; furthermore, because I rarely have the luxury of enjoying the playtime that snow often yields (especially in the south where they close all schools when one snowflake penetrates the atmosphere), I am no longer much of one for cold weather. I much prefer heat and humidity. For the most part, neither of the latter-mentioned bother me much at all. I think somewhere in my lineage, we must have "Suthun" blood. I must admit, however, that I do miss snow--fresh fallen snow to be exact. The ghostly quiet it always brings outside is the closest to heavenly peace that I think we experience here on earth. The color--indescribable white and for some reason, I always want to grab a handful and eat it--it tastes so...clean.
If anyone were to ask me what clean tastes like, I'd say, "Snow--it tastes like freshly-fallen snow."
I remember the first time I took particular notice of snow: My mother called me to our back door one night when I was maybe around seven--I don't know exactly how old I was but I do remember the quietness outside as she stuck a piece of black construction paper out the door. My curiosity was piqued of course. She pulled it back inside and revealed to me the beautiful snowflakes that landed on the dark background and told me that not one snowflake is ever the same as another. Ever since then, I find myself catching snowflakes and trying to memorize their uniqueness before they melt in my warm hand, the prism-ique beauty forever lost.
*Thank you, Mom; I know inside you is an artist disguised as my Mother. I never appreciated your creativity like I should have. Love you!*
Not surprisingly, I was so stoked to be offered this website and I've been hooked on it, much to the chagrin of my hubby who thought we were BOTH gonna' tag-team the house today...and my children who for some reason always ask ME, "Mom, when are we gonna eat?!?" :0)
More, More, More...
Did you know that there is a historical figure called, "The Snowflake Man"? Tammi may know of him--photographer of snowflakes--officially, a snowcrystal photomicrographer.
Say that three times, fast.
My kids like the websites, especially the snowflake movies; what kid, young or old, would not? It's mesmerizing and now I cannot wait until it gets cold enough here to frost my kitchen window.
Now, I need a new camera with one of those "fancy" lenses. Tammi, selling???
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Think You've Seen It All?
WATCH THIS.
Click on an UPPERCASE LETTER to start a song; then rollover the individual keys to make the "Pipeman" dance.
I personally enjoy, "Footloose," although "Staying Alive" ranks a really, really close second.
Rolling over "a" when Footloose gets to, "I'm Cuttin' It Loose!" is hilarious.
It's kinda' addictive, seeing how fast you can make him dance.
Ha, ha.
Click on an UPPERCASE LETTER to start a song; then rollover the individual keys to make the "Pipeman" dance.
I personally enjoy, "Footloose," although "Staying Alive" ranks a really, really close second.
Rolling over "a" when Footloose gets to, "I'm Cuttin' It Loose!" is hilarious.
It's kinda' addictive, seeing how fast you can make him dance.
Ha, ha.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Lazy Saturday
Thank goodness, the humidity is starting to wane and fall is peeking around the corner. We've had just enough rain to bring the grass back to green, to help the trees make beautiful rainbows of color in the weeks to come and to knock off the Crepe Myrtles' blooms with every droplet. After the rain stops, the yards, driveways, roofs and streets are dotted in all colors of Myrtle confetti. It's beautiful. My Japanese Maple is starting to turn from deep, purplely-red to burnt orangey-red and the tomato plants are looking exhausted from tirelessly birthing Romas for us, weeks on end. I think I'll put them out of their misery tomorrow.
Cotton is just starting to peek from its hard shell and I cannot wait 'til the day it all pops open like so much popcorn! It looks like fields of pure, white, fluffy snow that never turns into nasty, brown, melted mush. Last year, when the cotton popped open, I about made hubby wreck the car as we were driving down the main thoroughfare here in HSV. I'd never seen cotton blooming before and it caught me by surprise. I was lost in la-la land, gazing out the window, when I realized that the fields were white and it caught me off-guard being from the Midwest--my mind instantly went to "snow," except it was probably still 80 degrees outside. It took a minute but my brain overcame my midwestern-ess and went south--"Cotton! I suddenly and loudly blurted out, look, it's cotton!" Well, needless to say, I about scared hubby to death--he jumped and almost lost control of the car; he then looked at me like I had lost my mind.
As of late, the weather has turned off slightly crisp and misty, especially in the mornings. This morning was no exception. Usually, we sleep in on Saturday but today we had the school's Booster Club Pancake Breakfast to attend at one of the local Applebees, which interestingly enough, is headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, which is right next to Kansas City, Missouri. I know exactly where the building sits. Small world. So, we were up at 7:30a.m.--slightly earlier than usual, except for Number Four; he goes to be early and wakes early. Must be a mutant gene.
We go eat the yummo pancakes that were cooked by someone else, served by someone else and cleaned up by someone else. Worth every bit of the $5 per plate not to have to scrub syrup off every little thing Numbers Four and Five could possibly touch on their way to the bathtub.
We hop into the car, avoiding getting run over by all the nutty, obsessed, Alabama fans hurriedly heading off to Tuscaloosa and Number One mentions that since it's becoming cooler outside, she needs to go shopping for long sleeve shirts, as she's just recently gone through a growth spurt--at least her arms and feet have; now if those legs would just grow. Ooh, shopping, I say, we haven't really done that in a while--you ask your Dad, he'll tell me "no".
Hubby agrees to take us shopping as he needs to look for some new "basketball attire" since he'll be coaching soon; furthermore, today was a great day to go to the mall, since probably 75% of the town was either at the Alabama/Arkansas game in Tuscaloosa or watching it on ESPN. Still haven't figured out the madness about college football here--I think they are slightly nutty!
So, off we go to "the upscale mall," where we can usually only afford to shop off the clearance rack. We always go into Dillards first b/c if you hit them on just the right day, you get an extra 50% off the lowest clearance price. But today wasn't one of those days; however, Number One did find a cute top "on sale" but not on clearance, then managed to sweet-talk Daddy into contributing 100% of the total price, even though she's supposed to buy all her own clothes, outside of required school gear (she gets $20/wk and is learning how to budget her money--no we're not meanies). Girls are born, sooo-knowing how to work their Daddies, aren't they?
I suggested we hit the one of the local Salvation Army stores, the one that's our favorite b/c it always has many a great deal. Today, we hit it extra big and were able to find two to three outfits for four of the five kids, an awesome stereo for our pool, a kid's Mickey Mouse, 16-piece picnic set w/backpack and a never used, yoga/fitness mat--all for only $60! WOOHOO! Nobody even had time to whine, not even Number Five. Number One bought herself four fall/winter shirts and two pair of designer jeans, barely worn, for $17! She was tickled pink. Ha, ha.
One of these days, I'll blog about our ultimate place to shop: Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro, AL. Only 20 minutes shy of Huntsville. The things people never go back to claim amaze me!
Later in the afternoon, Number Four went to a birthday party at Pump It Up and now wants to have his party there, as I'm sure do ALL the first grade boys. After reading this article, I think I might be heading there myself, real soon!
The rest of the day, we just hung out: hubby washed cars, kids played in the hammock, on their bikes, dressed up like Hannah Montana (she's soooo IT), played Bball--just acted like kids. I was *supposed* to vacuum the pool but I just enjoyed the day. There's probably a tomorrow, so tomorrow, I'll clean the pool.
We had Idaho instant mashed potatoes and chicken salad sandwiches for dinner and nobody complained. I'd never made instant potatoes before; quite tasty and E-A-S-Y. I may never peel & boil another potato again. How DO those little granules that smell funny, suddenly *poof* into edible, white mush that tastes like potatoes?
Lazy Saturdays...is there anything better?
Cotton is just starting to peek from its hard shell and I cannot wait 'til the day it all pops open like so much popcorn! It looks like fields of pure, white, fluffy snow that never turns into nasty, brown, melted mush. Last year, when the cotton popped open, I about made hubby wreck the car as we were driving down the main thoroughfare here in HSV. I'd never seen cotton blooming before and it caught me by surprise. I was lost in la-la land, gazing out the window, when I realized that the fields were white and it caught me off-guard being from the Midwest--my mind instantly went to "snow," except it was probably still 80 degrees outside. It took a minute but my brain overcame my midwestern-ess and went south--"Cotton! I suddenly and loudly blurted out, look, it's cotton!" Well, needless to say, I about scared hubby to death--he jumped and almost lost control of the car; he then looked at me like I had lost my mind.
As of late, the weather has turned off slightly crisp and misty, especially in the mornings. This morning was no exception. Usually, we sleep in on Saturday but today we had the school's Booster Club Pancake Breakfast to attend at one of the local Applebees, which interestingly enough, is headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, which is right next to Kansas City, Missouri. I know exactly where the building sits. Small world. So, we were up at 7:30a.m.--slightly earlier than usual, except for Number Four; he goes to be early and wakes early. Must be a mutant gene.
We go eat the yummo pancakes that were cooked by someone else, served by someone else and cleaned up by someone else. Worth every bit of the $5 per plate not to have to scrub syrup off every little thing Numbers Four and Five could possibly touch on their way to the bathtub.
We hop into the car, avoiding getting run over by all the nutty, obsessed, Alabama fans hurriedly heading off to Tuscaloosa and Number One mentions that since it's becoming cooler outside, she needs to go shopping for long sleeve shirts, as she's just recently gone through a growth spurt--at least her arms and feet have; now if those legs would just grow. Ooh, shopping, I say, we haven't really done that in a while--you ask your Dad, he'll tell me "no".
Hubby agrees to take us shopping as he needs to look for some new "basketball attire" since he'll be coaching soon; furthermore, today was a great day to go to the mall, since probably 75% of the town was either at the Alabama/Arkansas game in Tuscaloosa or watching it on ESPN. Still haven't figured out the madness about college football here--I think they are slightly nutty!
So, off we go to "the upscale mall," where we can usually only afford to shop off the clearance rack. We always go into Dillards first b/c if you hit them on just the right day, you get an extra 50% off the lowest clearance price. But today wasn't one of those days; however, Number One did find a cute top "on sale" but not on clearance, then managed to sweet-talk Daddy into contributing 100% of the total price, even though she's supposed to buy all her own clothes, outside of required school gear (she gets $20/wk and is learning how to budget her money--no we're not meanies). Girls are born, sooo-knowing how to work their Daddies, aren't they?
I suggested we hit the one of the local Salvation Army stores, the one that's our favorite b/c it always has many a great deal. Today, we hit it extra big and were able to find two to three outfits for four of the five kids, an awesome stereo for our pool, a kid's Mickey Mouse, 16-piece picnic set w/backpack and a never used, yoga/fitness mat--all for only $60! WOOHOO! Nobody even had time to whine, not even Number Five. Number One bought herself four fall/winter shirts and two pair of designer jeans, barely worn, for $17! She was tickled pink. Ha, ha.
One of these days, I'll blog about our ultimate place to shop: Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro, AL. Only 20 minutes shy of Huntsville. The things people never go back to claim amaze me!
Later in the afternoon, Number Four went to a birthday party at Pump It Up and now wants to have his party there, as I'm sure do ALL the first grade boys. After reading this article, I think I might be heading there myself, real soon!
The rest of the day, we just hung out: hubby washed cars, kids played in the hammock, on their bikes, dressed up like Hannah Montana (she's soooo IT), played Bball--just acted like kids. I was *supposed* to vacuum the pool but I just enjoyed the day. There's probably a tomorrow, so tomorrow, I'll clean the pool.
We had Idaho instant mashed potatoes and chicken salad sandwiches for dinner and nobody complained. I'd never made instant potatoes before; quite tasty and E-A-S-Y. I may never peel & boil another potato again. How DO those little granules that smell funny, suddenly *poof* into edible, white mush that tastes like potatoes?
Lazy Saturdays...is there anything better?
Friday, September 14, 2007
Being Bold, Stepping Up, Speaking Out, Getting Uncomfortable
I was turned onto this story at the conference I attended in Nashville last weekend.
Hear Charlene Cothrane's story on YouTube, as well.
Priscilla Shirer, phenomenal speaker(especially for young women), told the "short version" story of this lady; a story she had just heard days before.
READ IT BEFORE GOING ANY FURTHER...
How many of us would really be willing to give up everything? And when we were yet "babes in Christ"?
I say I would and I have in a much bigger capacity than I would have even three years ago, but would I be this bold? I only pray that I could be...and only through His strength do I think I could; however, I KNOW beyond a shadow of doubt that I would never regret it. In some ways, I have to say that I envy this bold woman of the faith. Even though her life is tough right now, there is no doubt that "her cup overfloweth" and I SO LOVE being overflowing in Christ. There is no way to even describe the spirit dancing inside and, not feeling, but BEING completely at peace, content, alive and enboldened.
I believe strongly that God uses every moment of my life to prepare me for his purpose--no matter my "sin factor". I believe it because I've experienced it--the more I open myself to be used, the more aware I become of the past and day after day, it's clearly visible to me that every step of my life was preparation for "such a time as this". No matter what "as this" is. My whole life--the good, the bad and the ugly-- is relevant to Him every day.
So, it becomes of me, through freewill, the choice--to let myself be used by my Creator. From my birth to my death, through walking with the Lord step for step, and the times I've put a huge chasm between him and I, I am being called, "being prepped," to serve a purpose. There are high times and there are low, low times walking with other believers, but, there are absolutely no accidents; there is only perfection.
Everyone has a story--a history. Someone out there relates to my story--my sin, my struggle, my guilt, my tragedy, my loss, my depravity. Relational discipleship. The cycle of salvation, of "bringing into the fold". That's why the Bible is all about stories.
He conquered sin through death, so much so, that my sins--present, past and future--could not cause me to be useless for Him. That's awesome to me. Christ took the fact that I'm a sinful creature and uses it for His glory, through his power over death. Christ uses forgiven sin for His glory! That must really piss Satan off!
I always wondered why Christ does not also allow us to forget our sin when we ask forgiveness, as He forgets our sin; well, I think I might have a clue--if we forget our sin, how can we possibly relate to "the unredeemed sinners among us"? Does that even make sense? I'm thinking "on the blog".
This woman, Charlene, is not letting her sinful nature be the guilt that keeps her from being used by Christ. Thank heaven for what believers she has around her that were not so appalled by her sin, or overcome by hate, to render her unworthy to Christ's Kingdom. I love the fact that her Pastor is a woman, given her bad histories with men. Again, perfection in His plan--no accident, no coincidence.
She's bold; we need more believers like her. Believers not afraid to say, "Yes, I'm a Christian, take me for who I am, be offended but I will not be ashamed, I will not be silenced. And, personally, neither will I allow legalists to hijack Christ's name, as I have in the past because NOW I know better. I know the real Christ; I experience a relationship as real as you and me, everyday I wake and by God's grace, I'll never go back.
Yes, I Amy, am A Believer and I walk, talk and live as much a "Christian" as I can.
Hear Charlene Cothrane's story on YouTube, as well.
Priscilla Shirer, phenomenal speaker(especially for young women), told the "short version" story of this lady; a story she had just heard days before.
READ IT BEFORE GOING ANY FURTHER...
How many of us would really be willing to give up everything? And when we were yet "babes in Christ"?
I say I would and I have in a much bigger capacity than I would have even three years ago, but would I be this bold? I only pray that I could be...and only through His strength do I think I could; however, I KNOW beyond a shadow of doubt that I would never regret it. In some ways, I have to say that I envy this bold woman of the faith. Even though her life is tough right now, there is no doubt that "her cup overfloweth" and I SO LOVE being overflowing in Christ. There is no way to even describe the spirit dancing inside and, not feeling, but BEING completely at peace, content, alive and enboldened.
I believe strongly that God uses every moment of my life to prepare me for his purpose--no matter my "sin factor". I believe it because I've experienced it--the more I open myself to be used, the more aware I become of the past and day after day, it's clearly visible to me that every step of my life was preparation for "such a time as this". No matter what "as this" is. My whole life--the good, the bad and the ugly-- is relevant to Him every day.
So, it becomes of me, through freewill, the choice--to let myself be used by my Creator. From my birth to my death, through walking with the Lord step for step, and the times I've put a huge chasm between him and I, I am being called, "being prepped," to serve a purpose. There are high times and there are low, low times walking with other believers, but, there are absolutely no accidents; there is only perfection.
Everyone has a story--a history. Someone out there relates to my story--my sin, my struggle, my guilt, my tragedy, my loss, my depravity. Relational discipleship. The cycle of salvation, of "bringing into the fold". That's why the Bible is all about stories.
He conquered sin through death, so much so, that my sins--present, past and future--could not cause me to be useless for Him. That's awesome to me. Christ took the fact that I'm a sinful creature and uses it for His glory, through his power over death. Christ uses forgiven sin for His glory! That must really piss Satan off!
I always wondered why Christ does not also allow us to forget our sin when we ask forgiveness, as He forgets our sin; well, I think I might have a clue--if we forget our sin, how can we possibly relate to "the unredeemed sinners among us"? Does that even make sense? I'm thinking "on the blog".
This woman, Charlene, is not letting her sinful nature be the guilt that keeps her from being used by Christ. Thank heaven for what believers she has around her that were not so appalled by her sin, or overcome by hate, to render her unworthy to Christ's Kingdom. I love the fact that her Pastor is a woman, given her bad histories with men. Again, perfection in His plan--no accident, no coincidence.
She's bold; we need more believers like her. Believers not afraid to say, "Yes, I'm a Christian, take me for who I am, be offended but I will not be ashamed, I will not be silenced. And, personally, neither will I allow legalists to hijack Christ's name, as I have in the past because NOW I know better. I know the real Christ; I experience a relationship as real as you and me, everyday I wake and by God's grace, I'll never go back.
Yes, I Amy, am A Believer and I walk, talk and live as much a "Christian" as I can.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
As Promised
This is the first halfway decent picture that we've taken together in probably....fifteen years.
(Excluding Tammi's professional photographs, of course.)
You know how in EVERY family, there is always the "weird one"?
This is ours.
Number Five--always doing something strange to get a laugh.
That's all, folks!
Odd Observances
I've been EXTREMELY busy lately, volunteering at school, selling all kinds of our junk on eBay (hi, Ness!--loved those glasses) and going to a Beth Moore Convention in Nashville this past weekend. Yay! I LOVE Beth Moore Conventions--Kay Arthur also spoke and Priscilla Shirer, daughter of Pastor Tony Evans. They were all tremendous speakers and FUNNY! Mandisa gave her testimony and a micro-concert, as well. Awesome testimony, awesome concert--that girl can sing for Jesus! And she's beautiful.
Being busy, however, has not kept me from being the observant person that I am.
Being an observant person, combined with staying up until 2a.m. this morning while cooking Taco Soup, seven Rotisserie hens and three humongous steaks for dinners the next three nights, started me thinking about all the odd things I observed in the past week. For lack of a better blog, here is my tally that started on Saturday:
1. At Beth Moore Convention, I spot two of my second (or third) cousins from Kansas City. This is odd b/c I live in Alabama, one of them lives in Missouri and the other in Atlanta, Georgia; we haven't seen each other in years and we just happen to bump into each other in a convention hall full of 23,000+ women, in Tennessee! What are the odds?!?
2. Saw ANOTHER neighbor's toilet by the road today for garbage pickup. This is odd b/c it was directly across the street from neighbor who tossed his toilet by the road a few weeks ago. I started to wonder if maybe the two toilets were friendly and the other just couldn't bear to live anymore without her friend (yes, toilets are female; urinals are male--common sense, people. Bidets, well, they're European). In case you don't know about my "obsession," (some would call it) with abandoned toilets, read this.
3. While tying up seven cornish hens this evening, in preparation for the rotisserie, I had the tremendously frightening thought that if I was ever asked to tie up a human being, I wouldn't be able to. The seven small hens gave me a fit, especially their little, fat legs, and they were all dead, dead, dead! This may be crazy to you but it's not to me. My hubby once had to tie up a guy that was breaking into some apartments we owned and were renovating, in downtown Kansas City. My hubby backed him into a corner w/a piece of lead pipe he'd just cut from the plumbing; he proceeded to tie the guy up so he couldn't run--then they sat, and watched each other suspiciously and waited until the police arrived; I won't say how long that took--it was downtown of a big city and I'm sure there were more heinous crimes being commited than breaking and entering. So see, it's feasible that I MAY be asked at some point in my life to tie somebody up. Maybe I should take a knot-tying class.
4. While tying up the hens, I sort of felt like a big bully. They were just little things--no more than 18 ounces each, each one naked with goose-pimpled, pale skin and a huge hole where their head once was. I gently crossed their legs, wrapped kitchen twine tightly around them and proceeded to criss-cross the twine up their whole body, strapping in their wings. I sort of felt like I should say a prayer over them while stabbing their little bodies onto sharp rods for insertion into the rotisserie. I couldn't watch as they cooked. But I did inhale when they started to smell good AND I did take a little sample of a leg before I wrapped them in a blanket of foil and placed them lovingly into the fridge to be served tomorrow night, to my five ravenous children, who will tear into them like voracious beasts. If they didn't taste so dang good, the experience may have left me a vegetarian.
5. Piwi
The word alone cracked me up. It reminds me of the word little kids often use when they have to potty. I won't say it here...okay, "weewee". PeeWee Herman also came to mind, in his white suit, dancing on the bar. His stupid, red bike with the annoying bell. Piwi is actually an organic baby food I saw at Target tonight. It's a new product of theirs--I know when something is new b/c I'm in there like...everyday. Piwi is a cross between peas and kiwi, if I remember right. I looked up the company tonight. The food looked yummy--I almost bought a little container called, "Baby Tex Mex-a little chunky," just to see what it tasted like. It also reminded me of this girl I used to know in high school that brought baby food to school everyday for lunch. And ate it! She was really skinny...and strange. Stranger even, my hubby dated her once..and only once.
6. There was this little first grade girl that I saw in the hallway at my kids' school today. She and another little girl were making their way to the restroom and they rounded the corner about the same time as I and we all three almost ran smack-dab into two sixth graders. The sixth grade boys were each carefully carrying foil pans full of oil--cooking oil, I think. So this little, piggy-tailed, button-eyed, rosy-cheeked little cutie asked the boys what they had. They said, "oil". She said, "oil?!?, what for?" "We're burning it." They kept walking and she turned to me and said in a sixth graders are so dumb-voice, "You can't burn oil!" "Actually," I said, in my soft, motherly voice that I hardly ever use with my own kids, "You CAN burn oil; it burns real easy". Her button eyes got really big and curious-looking, like I imagine every pyromaniac looked in first grade; she said "Oh!" and seemed oddly excited about her newfound knowledge. It's always the cute & quiet ones!
7. Zac, my baby, was getting a haircut today. I sat watching him for a little while and, for some reason, he kept making faces at himself in the mirror while Henry (our stylist) was cutting away. He's never done that before. It was cracking me up. Next time I'm taking my camera! There is nothing odd about this, I just had to tell the cute story about my baby--you know how that is.
Well, all hens are done and put away; uniforms are washed and ready to go for Picture Day tomorrow (I HATE picture day); and being in charge of Picture Day tomorrow, I'd better get in bed so that I'll at least LOOK like I know what I'm doing.
I'm finally going to post a picture of myself tomorrow. During our kids' school's Grandparent's Day Luncheon on Friday, someone took my camera from me while I was clickin' away and took a quick pic of my hubby and I. It turned out pretty decent. Since Tammi and Kat have been on my case since the first time I talked about getting a new "do," I'm sure they are jumping up and down in absolute delight right now...or muttering under their breath, "It's about time!"
Moral of this Blog: "Don't do anything weird b/c someone, somewhere, is watching" and "never give a cute first grader information about fire".
Being busy, however, has not kept me from being the observant person that I am.
Being an observant person, combined with staying up until 2a.m. this morning while cooking Taco Soup, seven Rotisserie hens and three humongous steaks for dinners the next three nights, started me thinking about all the odd things I observed in the past week. For lack of a better blog, here is my tally that started on Saturday:
1. At Beth Moore Convention, I spot two of my second (or third) cousins from Kansas City. This is odd b/c I live in Alabama, one of them lives in Missouri and the other in Atlanta, Georgia; we haven't seen each other in years and we just happen to bump into each other in a convention hall full of 23,000+ women, in Tennessee! What are the odds?!?
2. Saw ANOTHER neighbor's toilet by the road today for garbage pickup. This is odd b/c it was directly across the street from neighbor who tossed his toilet by the road a few weeks ago. I started to wonder if maybe the two toilets were friendly and the other just couldn't bear to live anymore without her friend (yes, toilets are female; urinals are male--common sense, people. Bidets, well, they're European). In case you don't know about my "obsession," (some would call it) with abandoned toilets, read this.
3. While tying up seven cornish hens this evening, in preparation for the rotisserie, I had the tremendously frightening thought that if I was ever asked to tie up a human being, I wouldn't be able to. The seven small hens gave me a fit, especially their little, fat legs, and they were all dead, dead, dead! This may be crazy to you but it's not to me. My hubby once had to tie up a guy that was breaking into some apartments we owned and were renovating, in downtown Kansas City. My hubby backed him into a corner w/a piece of lead pipe he'd just cut from the plumbing; he proceeded to tie the guy up so he couldn't run--then they sat, and watched each other suspiciously and waited until the police arrived; I won't say how long that took--it was downtown of a big city and I'm sure there were more heinous crimes being commited than breaking and entering. So see, it's feasible that I MAY be asked at some point in my life to tie somebody up. Maybe I should take a knot-tying class.
4. While tying up the hens, I sort of felt like a big bully. They were just little things--no more than 18 ounces each, each one naked with goose-pimpled, pale skin and a huge hole where their head once was. I gently crossed their legs, wrapped kitchen twine tightly around them and proceeded to criss-cross the twine up their whole body, strapping in their wings. I sort of felt like I should say a prayer over them while stabbing their little bodies onto sharp rods for insertion into the rotisserie. I couldn't watch as they cooked. But I did inhale when they started to smell good AND I did take a little sample of a leg before I wrapped them in a blanket of foil and placed them lovingly into the fridge to be served tomorrow night, to my five ravenous children, who will tear into them like voracious beasts. If they didn't taste so dang good, the experience may have left me a vegetarian.
5. Piwi
The word alone cracked me up. It reminds me of the word little kids often use when they have to potty. I won't say it here...okay, "weewee". PeeWee Herman also came to mind, in his white suit, dancing on the bar. His stupid, red bike with the annoying bell. Piwi is actually an organic baby food I saw at Target tonight. It's a new product of theirs--I know when something is new b/c I'm in there like...everyday. Piwi is a cross between peas and kiwi, if I remember right. I looked up the company tonight. The food looked yummy--I almost bought a little container called, "Baby Tex Mex-a little chunky," just to see what it tasted like. It also reminded me of this girl I used to know in high school that brought baby food to school everyday for lunch. And ate it! She was really skinny...and strange. Stranger even, my hubby dated her once..and only once.
6. There was this little first grade girl that I saw in the hallway at my kids' school today. She and another little girl were making their way to the restroom and they rounded the corner about the same time as I and we all three almost ran smack-dab into two sixth graders. The sixth grade boys were each carefully carrying foil pans full of oil--cooking oil, I think. So this little, piggy-tailed, button-eyed, rosy-cheeked little cutie asked the boys what they had. They said, "oil". She said, "oil?!?, what for?" "We're burning it." They kept walking and she turned to me and said in a sixth graders are so dumb-voice, "You can't burn oil!" "Actually," I said, in my soft, motherly voice that I hardly ever use with my own kids, "You CAN burn oil; it burns real easy". Her button eyes got really big and curious-looking, like I imagine every pyromaniac looked in first grade; she said "Oh!" and seemed oddly excited about her newfound knowledge. It's always the cute & quiet ones!
7. Zac, my baby, was getting a haircut today. I sat watching him for a little while and, for some reason, he kept making faces at himself in the mirror while Henry (our stylist) was cutting away. He's never done that before. It was cracking me up. Next time I'm taking my camera! There is nothing odd about this, I just had to tell the cute story about my baby--you know how that is.
Well, all hens are done and put away; uniforms are washed and ready to go for Picture Day tomorrow (I HATE picture day); and being in charge of Picture Day tomorrow, I'd better get in bed so that I'll at least LOOK like I know what I'm doing.
I'm finally going to post a picture of myself tomorrow. During our kids' school's Grandparent's Day Luncheon on Friday, someone took my camera from me while I was clickin' away and took a quick pic of my hubby and I. It turned out pretty decent. Since Tammi and Kat have been on my case since the first time I talked about getting a new "do," I'm sure they are jumping up and down in absolute delight right now...or muttering under their breath, "It's about time!"
Moral of this Blog: "Don't do anything weird b/c someone, somewhere, is watching" and "never give a cute first grader information about fire".
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Mornings
This morning, as opposed to yesterday, is falling just a little shy of "Princess".
And, NO, I was not able to secure a pedicure last evening.
The morning is not awful, like "Alexander's Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day"; it's just that two things happened this morning to dim the glow of yesterday's "posh" activities.
1) Every t.p. dispenser had only one square, well, more like 1/2 a square of t.p. hanging from it and apparently only *I* know how to reconcile that problem.
2) As I was brushing Zac's teeth, preparing him for the school day, a BIG, green booger suddenly appeared at the entrance (or exit in this case) of his left nostril. Before I could grab for some t.p. that would most certainly NOT have been there for me, the booger tumbled out of his nostril and onto my lap. All in very S*L*O*W motion.
Reality.
It smacks. It stings. It burns. It sucks.
Good Morning!
And, NO, I was not able to secure a pedicure last evening.
The morning is not awful, like "Alexander's Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day"; it's just that two things happened this morning to dim the glow of yesterday's "posh" activities.
1) Every t.p. dispenser had only one square, well, more like 1/2 a square of t.p. hanging from it and apparently only *I* know how to reconcile that problem.
2) As I was brushing Zac's teeth, preparing him for the school day, a BIG, green booger suddenly appeared at the entrance (or exit in this case) of his left nostril. Before I could grab for some t.p. that would most certainly NOT have been there for me, the booger tumbled out of his nostril and onto my lap. All in very S*L*O*W motion.
Reality.
It smacks. It stings. It burns. It sucks.
Good Morning!
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Miss Volleyball 2007
Our oldest made the school Varsity volleyball team this year and seems to have finally gained some control over her gangly adolescent parts.
She's like a totally different person on the court this year. Could have something to do with her confidence level increasing combined with her feeling more comfortable with her teammates, having known them for an entire year now.
More likely, it has to do with her wearing contacts instead of glasses this year; I cannot imagine how hard it was to see with glasses that were no doubt getting in the way, slipping down her nose and obstructing some of her peripheral and vertical vision. The former are important in volleyball more so than any other sport, for no other reason than the hard, white object being spiked right at your nose, as if marked by imaginary bullseye.
BTW, what would be the correct plural form of "bullseye"? Bullsseye or bullsseyes or bullseyeses.
Back on subject...
Her school just this year went to tenth grade, pushing us into the Varsity leagues, in Alabama that is the AHSAA(?). Still small compared to heavily populated public schools, we were of course put into the 1A division which means we travel quite a distance to play most teams. Small country teams, way out in "Deliverance Country". Most games are an hour to an hour and a half away which means that this week alone, the girls have traveled an hour and a half, two different days to play in their division.
Tonight, because of conflicting schedules, Anna rode the bus home. She called when they got close to school and I was home from cooking class so I proceeded to collect my oldest child.
I pulled up, she said goodbye to friends and Coach Jones and she hopped into the back seat. We got home, Anna got out and came around the back of the car to collect her backpack at about the same time as I was walking behind the car to the garage. I took one look at her outfit, raised my eyebrows, snorted a little and made a comment about her "cute outfit".
Here she is...Miss Volleyball 2007
She's like a totally different person on the court this year. Could have something to do with her confidence level increasing combined with her feeling more comfortable with her teammates, having known them for an entire year now.
More likely, it has to do with her wearing contacts instead of glasses this year; I cannot imagine how hard it was to see with glasses that were no doubt getting in the way, slipping down her nose and obstructing some of her peripheral and vertical vision. The former are important in volleyball more so than any other sport, for no other reason than the hard, white object being spiked right at your nose, as if marked by imaginary bullseye.
BTW, what would be the correct plural form of "bullseye"? Bullsseye or bullsseyes or bullseyeses.
Back on subject...
Her school just this year went to tenth grade, pushing us into the Varsity leagues, in Alabama that is the AHSAA(?). Still small compared to heavily populated public schools, we were of course put into the 1A division which means we travel quite a distance to play most teams. Small country teams, way out in "Deliverance Country". Most games are an hour to an hour and a half away which means that this week alone, the girls have traveled an hour and a half, two different days to play in their division.
Tonight, because of conflicting schedules, Anna rode the bus home. She called when they got close to school and I was home from cooking class so I proceeded to collect my oldest child.
I pulled up, she said goodbye to friends and Coach Jones and she hopped into the back seat. We got home, Anna got out and came around the back of the car to collect her backpack at about the same time as I was walking behind the car to the garage. I took one look at her outfit, raised my eyebrows, snorted a little and made a comment about her "cute outfit".
Here she is...Miss Volleyball 2007
Princess Diary
I haven't done anything by my lonesome for years. It's been my choice, of course, barricading myself into a world of diapers, dishes, do-lists and doctor's appointments.
I was sooo excited when we moved here, after having lived in a small town in FL where the local mall had only two anchor stores...and they were JCPenney and Sears. It all went downhill from there.
We have two or three big malls here--yes, we do, in Alabama, in a town of which most have never heard. It's definitely a small "big city".
The mall closest in proximity to our house is seriously upscale from what I was used to in our former FL town, and as such, it has a Williams Sonoma. I'm a "gadget-girl" and I LOVE to browse the clearance at the back of the store, even though I rarely find anything I can afford--it's definitely pricey.
I regularly go into Williams Sonoma on Sunday to see what new recipes they have printed for the taking and to nibble on the samples they are cookin' up - Mmmm. It's not uncommon to find a meat and a sweet, which is just enough dessert after Sunday supper to satisfy my sweet tooth.
A few weeks back, while perusing the merchandise (and waiting on a little batch of heavenly vanilla angel bundt cakes to finish cooking in their paper ketchup containers), I decided that I was going to sign up for an in-store cooking class. They offer them once a month, sometimes more frequent, and I had been consistently putting off signing up b/c I never knew what my schedule would hold a month out.
I walked around the store, reading the pamphlet of upcoming cooking classes and contemplating what all I might be roped into doing a whole month into the future, when I finally decided, "Scrap it all, I'm just gonna' do it!"
I signed up, paid my $40, which I found a little high but most probably worth the night out ALL BY MYSELF, went home and proceeded to email my hubby and let him know that he'd be in charge on Sept. 4, 2007, come heck or high water. "Be home by 4:30...or else...please and thank ya'! "
I woke up this morning in a great mood. I am still stoked.
Actually, I went to bed last night giddy; yes, giddy.
Bonus: This morning I was a *MODEL* for my stylist who is seeking new employment at a chic salon in town. I received a complimentary color and cut for my "help". He gave me a rockin', cutting-edge cut and color, WooHoo! Bonus-Bonus: The salon he's seeking employment from has this small, German, shampoo lady who MADE MY DAY. I've never, EVER, had a shampoo like that, not even from my own Momma and if I could afford it, I'd go there every-single-day to let her shampoo my hair. I think I should have tipped her but I don't know the protocol for all that foo-foo stuff.
I'm definitely struttin' my stuff into Williams Sonoma tonight!
Now if only I could somehow finagle my hubby into giving me a pedicure tonight, I'd surely turn into *A Princess* before sunrise.
I'll let you know tomorrow if you should start adding a title to my name or curtsy-ing(?) when approaching me.
Ha, ha.
I was sooo excited when we moved here, after having lived in a small town in FL where the local mall had only two anchor stores...and they were JCPenney and Sears. It all went downhill from there.
We have two or three big malls here--yes, we do, in Alabama, in a town of which most have never heard. It's definitely a small "big city".
The mall closest in proximity to our house is seriously upscale from what I was used to in our former FL town, and as such, it has a Williams Sonoma. I'm a "gadget-girl" and I LOVE to browse the clearance at the back of the store, even though I rarely find anything I can afford--it's definitely pricey.
I regularly go into Williams Sonoma on Sunday to see what new recipes they have printed for the taking and to nibble on the samples they are cookin' up - Mmmm. It's not uncommon to find a meat and a sweet, which is just enough dessert after Sunday supper to satisfy my sweet tooth.
A few weeks back, while perusing the merchandise (and waiting on a little batch of heavenly vanilla angel bundt cakes to finish cooking in their paper ketchup containers), I decided that I was going to sign up for an in-store cooking class. They offer them once a month, sometimes more frequent, and I had been consistently putting off signing up b/c I never knew what my schedule would hold a month out.
I walked around the store, reading the pamphlet of upcoming cooking classes and contemplating what all I might be roped into doing a whole month into the future, when I finally decided, "Scrap it all, I'm just gonna' do it!"
I signed up, paid my $40, which I found a little high but most probably worth the night out ALL BY MYSELF, went home and proceeded to email my hubby and let him know that he'd be in charge on Sept. 4, 2007, come heck or high water. "Be home by 4:30...or else...please and thank ya'! "
I woke up this morning in a great mood. I am still stoked.
Actually, I went to bed last night giddy; yes, giddy.
Bonus: This morning I was a *MODEL* for my stylist who is seeking new employment at a chic salon in town. I received a complimentary color and cut for my "help". He gave me a rockin', cutting-edge cut and color, WooHoo! Bonus-Bonus: The salon he's seeking employment from has this small, German, shampoo lady who MADE MY DAY. I've never, EVER, had a shampoo like that, not even from my own Momma and if I could afford it, I'd go there every-single-day to let her shampoo my hair. I think I should have tipped her but I don't know the protocol for all that foo-foo stuff.
I'm definitely struttin' my stuff into Williams Sonoma tonight!
Now if only I could somehow finagle my hubby into giving me a pedicure tonight, I'd surely turn into *A Princess* before sunrise.
I'll let you know tomorrow if you should start adding a title to my name or curtsy-ing(?) when approaching me.
Ha, ha.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Bug Watchin'
Gerald and I were sitting, eating a Chimichanga for dinner tonight in our family room, while watching a new telefav of ours, "Ice Road Truckers".
The three boys were in the kitchen eating their meal, chatting about video games and how a bug with no wings made his way onto the dining room ceiling.
The two girls were having a sleepover with two sisters from school who happen to be the same ages as our girls. Cool, huh?
The anticipation of yet another round of video games made for a rather quick supper for the boys, and soon all was silent as they retreated into Jake's room.
Ahhh...the peace and quiet only video equipment can bring.
Suddenly, Zac zoomed toward the back bathroom and yelled something about "havin' to pee". Then, as quick as he had run into the bathroom, we heard "the flush" and then saw Zac zooming back towards the bedroom with video games (no, he did not wash his hands). We heard one of the kitchen chairs thump and we just assumed he had purposefully smacked it with his hand, as usual, when he was running except, all of a sudden, he let out a terrible wail and came quickly run-walking back into the family room holding his eye.
After I checked out his eye, his eyesight and the kitchen table, he finally quieted down enough to tell me how this all had happened:
"I was watchin' the bug!"
"What bug?"
"The one on the CEILING, Mom!"
He was running full speed while watching the bug on the ceiling.
Definitely, his father's child.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Lori
I Blogged a few posts ago about a young girl in our church family who was recently and suddenly diagnosed with the disease, Leukemia.
Her family is staying at a Ronald McDonald House in Memphis, while she receives intensive treatments at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Please, I ask if you are a praying individual, to bear the sweet burden with me and many others, in continuing to keep her family lifted up in prayer and her name whispered constantly into the ear of our Lord.
If you feel so compelled, you can keep up on her and her family's journey here. It's heart-wrenching yet interesting to read about their journey with this illness and it provides even more tangible testimony for giving to this irreplaceable charity hospital.
As well, I'm putting a link to her journal on the right side of my Blog, to get updates whenever you will.
Write her a letter! Her mother states it makes her day; especially if the letter is from a child her age. To know she is being lifted in prayer around the world, and from people that are strangers to her if not for this disease, encourages from the inside-out.
Thanks!
Her family is staying at a Ronald McDonald House in Memphis, while she receives intensive treatments at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Please, I ask if you are a praying individual, to bear the sweet burden with me and many others, in continuing to keep her family lifted up in prayer and her name whispered constantly into the ear of our Lord.
If you feel so compelled, you can keep up on her and her family's journey here. It's heart-wrenching yet interesting to read about their journey with this illness and it provides even more tangible testimony for giving to this irreplaceable charity hospital.
As well, I'm putting a link to her journal on the right side of my Blog, to get updates whenever you will.
Write her a letter! Her mother states it makes her day; especially if the letter is from a child her age. To know she is being lifted in prayer around the world, and from people that are strangers to her if not for this disease, encourages from the inside-out.
Thanks!
Discarded Inspiration
Disclaimer: I don't know how I did it, but this post won't separate between paragraphs, Arrr!! Please, just overlook it if you're a Grammar Freak like me.
Discarded Inspiration
I was driving home Monday afternoon, and again, temperatures were reaching around 102 degrees--the fourteenth day in a row. I was in a state of driver's oblivion, you know, zombie-land, where you are driving but you don't remember a thing about it. You just hope that bump you hit that brought you back to the land of the living, wasn't a person or a crusted-over, turkey-vulture leftovers, dead dog.
I was rounding the corner about a block from home and I do a roll-through-stop at the sign, which is by the way, totally acceptable in the South--go figure. It happens to be garbage day and as I look to my left, one of my neighbors has obviously been doing some weekend renovations, as there is a toilet sitting out by the road, just waiting for the garbage truck to arrive and take it away.
"That's not a bad-lookin' toilet," I think to myself as I do a roll-through,"I wonder why they replaced it?" It was a nice shade of brown (taupe) and I like natural colors.
Everytime I happen to see a toilet sitting by the edge of the road, the first thing that comes to mind is, "Nnnnasty!" and then immediately, I start to feel sorry for the toilet, just sitting there by its lonesome, excommunicated from the family it has so humbly served for so long, not even a square of t.p. to keep it company, on its way to porcelain heaven...because I'm sure Angels need a place to sit and read, don't you think? Surely, it gets old just flying around all the time.
I think there ought to be a law that you have to cover your toilet when you send it away. I mean, it's a VERY personal item to just set out by the side of the road for every Tom, Sally and Harry to see. Your neighbors don't want to come walkin' out in their bathrobe on Monday morning, mindin' their own business and pickin' up the morning paper, to look over and see their neighbor's toilet lookin' back at 'em with that cold, blank (insert color here) stare.
Toilets are personal items. Yes, everybody uses them (even in Alabama). People have good days on their toilets and bad days on their toilets. I believe some of my worst days have been spent on my toilet. I don't want to go into details about this, people, I think we all know what I mean. We all know how personal a toilet gets the day after a big party; or after a Mexican meal gone awry; should I even mention "Morning Sickness"? Many a man reads the big sports story of the day there and many a woman has found out she's with child there.
See, just too personal. Why set that kind of history by the side of the road, in open display? People start thinking things about you that they don't need to think, and I won't even get started on if you happen to be one of those who doesn't clean your toilet before you set it out. Come On! Have some pride!
So, at this point, you think I'm already weird but, there's more...
I then begin to think about all the personal items that the city just allows people to put out in plain sight, for garbage removal. Can you guess what came to mind next??? You're right if you're thinking, "Mattress".
I find the mattress to be the most personal item. Think about it.
What happens on mattresses? Children are conceived on mattresses (most of the time); people die on mattresses, dark but true, nonetheless; young girls write in their diaries and spill ounces of tears every year over lost loves...on mattresses; I don't think about what young boys do on their mattresses. We recover from our worst illnesses on mattresses and we watch Seinfeld, King of Queens and Leno on mattresses, while eating chips and getting itchy; there are many a bodily fluid excreted on mattresses.
Children jump, spouses snore, babies bond, boys wrestle, girls dream, dads tickle torture, moms comfort, lovers kiss and I, well I snuggle in and read on many a rainy, crisp, fall day and those long, cold, winter nights when the sun sets early and there is nothing else to do. I also dream up many a Blog post on my mattress.
We spend many a dollar to dress our mattresses in 600-thread count Egyptian cotton and, for some, satin and lace, and still for others, sheets embroidered by our Grandmothers for our Wedding Day. We place our favorite pillows on it and even spray it with romantic fragrances. We kneel by the side of our mattresses and voice our desires, needs and fears to our God. Not to forget, our mattresses are present every time we swear after we stub our big toe on the frame. Oh, what a mattress would reveal if it could talk!
The "imaginaries" that are displaced by a tossed mattress are inumerable. Here's the small list:
Monsters, dust bunnies, boogie men, barbie heads, marbles, earrings, coins, cheese puffs and those ever-elusive, cold-and-creepy hands that reach out for your ankles after you turn out the lights; you run and jump as high as you can back into the safety of your plush mattress, so as not to get dragged under and eaten alive.
Ode to The Mattress!
From the old, grungy bachelor pad mattress to the space-age, "I can hold a glass of wine w/o spilling it" mattress; to the techno-savvy "I've got your Number" mattress to the nightmarish hotel mattress that everyone's afraid to touch; from the feather mattress and the old hay and bug-infested mattress to the water mattress, air mattress and the bungalow hammock. Finally, the ever-sexy, vibrating mattress.
These everyday personal items--a part of the family--these are what brought me out of my Blogger stupor and back to writing. There had to be a voice out there saying more than just, "Eewww" when passing by the family toilet on Main Street. There had to be a voice for all the displaced imaginaries. Someone had to cry, "ENOUGH!"
And so, I discovered on Monday, August 20, 2007, around Noon, while DWO (driving while oblivious) that I still have things to say that are important. Things that might make a difference to just one person...or object.
I had to be a voice for the voiceless, the discarded, the un-appreciated.
I had to keep Blogging.
That is my story.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Apology
Remember "mother and wifely duties" I mentioned last evening? Well, they sort of jumped in the way today and I'm totally lacking any energy to Blog "the story that brought me back".
Tomorrow.
Tomorrow.
The sun will come out...
Tomorrow.
And too dang early, I'm sure.
Blog, top of my list, check.
Tomorrow.
Tomorrow.
The sun will come out...
Tomorrow.
And too dang early, I'm sure.
Blog, top of my list, check.
Monkey on my Blog
I've been far too busy the past week and a half to worry about a monkey that's been on my back; he jumped on sometime around the start of school, he's hung on relentlessly, and this past weekend he really started to get heavy...and stinky.
I knew that I'd have to shake him soon because he's a big headache and he gets in my way much too often.
I've been toying with deleting my Blog altogether. It's a decision I have wrestled with deeply, which I find ridiculously silly; it's just a Blog, for Pete's sake.
I enjoy writing, to say the least, and I find Blogging to be very therapeutic, which I also find ridiculously silly; however, that particular aspect of Blogging has been studied and documented and recently published. But that's another Blog.
My toying with this "deletion idea" is rooted in Blogger's Block.
There are a million subjects of which I could Blog, most of them being personal in nature. My own and my family's mundane, daily, life events I mentally file consistently during the day as potential Blog materials; however, when I sit down to Blog, the events quickly identify themselves as not worthy to be Blogged. Why? I have no idea. Much of it has to do with my mood and my energy level, of that I know for certain. I guess you could chalk it up to Artistic Style. Ridiculously silly, huh?
For a long time now, I feel I have Blogged nothing of substance--which disappoints me (I'm a functioning first-born with a somewhat anal personality). It really chaps my hide because one reason I decided to start posting Blogs is I felt maybe I could make a difference, even if just for one person, I could express my opinions, I could share my deep faith and my struggles to get there, I could be funny, I could showcase whatever "talent" some people thought I possessed, I could help someone, I could be a role model to my oldest, whom also enjoys writing. My Blogs, as of late, have been...boring and horribly unoriginal.
For this, I sincerely must apologize. I have not done my best work; I've been posting crap, just to have a new post (sorry, Mark, I know the last thing you want to see at the end of your day, is more crap--ha, ha-ha).
My decision: I'm not yet ready to throw in the towel.
Today, on my way home from taking my youngest to get his four-year-old shots and to have the doctor check his "shrinking feet" (as he told the doctor), I discovered a little flush of hope welling up inside me once again.
I have a story, one that will make a difference, will give hope, will heal, will make some laugh and others cry. It will make me a role model once again in my daughter's eyes!
That story...
Is still being written in my head. It will appear sometime Tuesday, when my laundry and errands for the day are complete. When I have completely emptied myself of all my wife and motherly urges, I will once again renew my spirit with a Blog post.
I am determined to shake that monkey, once and for all, Tuesday.
At the least, he'll get a bath. He really stinks!
For now, I must retire for the evening.
I knew that I'd have to shake him soon because he's a big headache and he gets in my way much too often.
I've been toying with deleting my Blog altogether. It's a decision I have wrestled with deeply, which I find ridiculously silly; it's just a Blog, for Pete's sake.
I enjoy writing, to say the least, and I find Blogging to be very therapeutic, which I also find ridiculously silly; however, that particular aspect of Blogging has been studied and documented and recently published. But that's another Blog.
My toying with this "deletion idea" is rooted in Blogger's Block.
There are a million subjects of which I could Blog, most of them being personal in nature. My own and my family's mundane, daily, life events I mentally file consistently during the day as potential Blog materials; however, when I sit down to Blog, the events quickly identify themselves as not worthy to be Blogged. Why? I have no idea. Much of it has to do with my mood and my energy level, of that I know for certain. I guess you could chalk it up to Artistic Style. Ridiculously silly, huh?
For a long time now, I feel I have Blogged nothing of substance--which disappoints me (I'm a functioning first-born with a somewhat anal personality). It really chaps my hide because one reason I decided to start posting Blogs is I felt maybe I could make a difference, even if just for one person, I could express my opinions, I could share my deep faith and my struggles to get there, I could be funny, I could showcase whatever "talent" some people thought I possessed, I could help someone, I could be a role model to my oldest, whom also enjoys writing. My Blogs, as of late, have been...boring and horribly unoriginal.
For this, I sincerely must apologize. I have not done my best work; I've been posting crap, just to have a new post (sorry, Mark, I know the last thing you want to see at the end of your day, is more crap--ha, ha-ha).
My decision: I'm not yet ready to throw in the towel.
Today, on my way home from taking my youngest to get his four-year-old shots and to have the doctor check his "shrinking feet" (as he told the doctor), I discovered a little flush of hope welling up inside me once again.
I have a story, one that will make a difference, will give hope, will heal, will make some laugh and others cry. It will make me a role model once again in my daughter's eyes!
That story...
Is still being written in my head. It will appear sometime Tuesday, when my laundry and errands for the day are complete. When I have completely emptied myself of all my wife and motherly urges, I will once again renew my spirit with a Blog post.
I am determined to shake that monkey, once and for all, Tuesday.
At the least, he'll get a bath. He really stinks!
For now, I must retire for the evening.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Friday, August 10, 2007
Bouncin' for Jesus
My hubby's been so busy with Back-to-School planning that he accidentally gave our tithe twice last week. I found it a little humorous when I thought about going back and asking for one of the checks back.
The thing is, he didn't realize it until he took a break from school orientations and teacher work days and all the school's board meetings to check our online account, which he usually checks daily; both the checks had already cleared at that point. We couldn't even "Stop Payment" to Jesus. :0)
All in all, it wasn't bad--we took all our budget cash we hadn't used yet (we're on the Dave Ramsey plan) and put it back into the bank, so that extra tithe cost us some groceries, clothing, cosmetics, blow money, kids' allowance, eating out and entertainment for the next five days and we only actually bounced one $4.60 debit swipe; however, that swipe ultimately cost us $38 in insufficient fund fees. Apparently, we have such upstanding credit with the bank (how that happened, I don't know) that they continued to let us swipe that debit card even though we didn't have the funds. The kicker is, our account isn't so important to the survival of the bank that they thought, "Hey they're never overdrawn, maybe there's something awry here, we should inform them today!" As a matter of fact, we JUST TODAY finally received that letter from them, informing us of our deficiency. That's exactly one week since the overdraft happened. Thank goodness my hubby is anal about checking our account.
So, this is how I interpret the bank's actions:
And when did Overdraft Protection become an option, not the norm? I don't know, I thought banks were there to protect our money while we allow them to invest it and make money for themselves. On the contrary, it seems that it's now a priviledge to use the banks services and we should bow down and kiss their feet at such a priviledge and beg for Overdraft Protection?
Sure, I was a little peeved about the whole thing, especially after sitting for twenty minutes with a four-year old that they tempted with crayons but no paper to color on. Maybe they expected us to purchase that also. We did NOT--I let him color on their nice, shiny, colorful, expensive flyers offering customers Overdraft Protection and all those other neat little "perks". I think we colored on about $38 worth. I told him to make sure he colored both sides. :0)
My hubby worked on them for awhile and I think we got our $38 back but not b/c we threatened to take our "large" balance somewhere else. They just snickered at that threat.
Now that I've blogged about it and let it all out, I feel much better.
The thing is, he didn't realize it until he took a break from school orientations and teacher work days and all the school's board meetings to check our online account, which he usually checks daily; both the checks had already cleared at that point. We couldn't even "Stop Payment" to Jesus. :0)
All in all, it wasn't bad--we took all our budget cash we hadn't used yet (we're on the Dave Ramsey plan) and put it back into the bank, so that extra tithe cost us some groceries, clothing, cosmetics, blow money, kids' allowance, eating out and entertainment for the next five days and we only actually bounced one $4.60 debit swipe; however, that swipe ultimately cost us $38 in insufficient fund fees. Apparently, we have such upstanding credit with the bank (how that happened, I don't know) that they continued to let us swipe that debit card even though we didn't have the funds. The kicker is, our account isn't so important to the survival of the bank that they thought, "Hey they're never overdrawn, maybe there's something awry here, we should inform them today!" As a matter of fact, we JUST TODAY finally received that letter from them, informing us of our deficiency. That's exactly one week since the overdraft happened. Thank goodness my hubby is anal about checking our account.
So, this is how I interpret the bank's actions:
We were a little worried about YOUR money's safety so we took a look at your account after you overdrew your funds. We found that you responsible people have enough ethics, and just enough income, to possibly get your bank account back into good standing (and still pay us overdraft fees...first). We'll be underhanded enough, legally of course thanks to our big money lobbyists and expensive lawyers, to take advantage of those ethics by letting you have a negative balance and still keep swiping so that we can get paid by Visa and also get $38 more of your money to invest back into Customer Service training. If enough customers keep a negative balance, soon we'll pay our tellers enough to smile and say, "Next, please" instead of "Helloooo, I'm open (you idiot)" and our lines will be shorter than 50 people at Noon on Fridays, when we all, especially Managers, take our long lunch breaks. Maybe we'll even open our doors at 9a.m. as posted, instead of 9:15, therefore alleviating our customers of late arrivals to dentist appointments. Have a nice day and have a yummy, green lollipop!
And when did Overdraft Protection become an option, not the norm? I don't know, I thought banks were there to protect our money while we allow them to invest it and make money for themselves. On the contrary, it seems that it's now a priviledge to use the banks services and we should bow down and kiss their feet at such a priviledge and beg for Overdraft Protection?
Sure, I was a little peeved about the whole thing, especially after sitting for twenty minutes with a four-year old that they tempted with crayons but no paper to color on. Maybe they expected us to purchase that also. We did NOT--I let him color on their nice, shiny, colorful, expensive flyers offering customers Overdraft Protection and all those other neat little "perks". I think we colored on about $38 worth. I told him to make sure he colored both sides. :0)
My hubby worked on them for awhile and I think we got our $38 back but not b/c we threatened to take our "large" balance somewhere else. They just snickered at that threat.
Now that I've blogged about it and let it all out, I feel much better.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Untitled
Today being Wednesday, August 8, 2007, I was going to sit down after a week of intense school-preparedness and blog about the kids' first day back.
Things went well.
I feel a burden upon my heart today though b/c while I'm sort of celebrating four of my children being back in school, there is a mother and father in our church whose seventh grade daughter was diagnosed with leukemia this weekend.
I feel I need to post the struggles that Ginger (the mother) writes about everyday, though I have no idea why.
Maybe because life seems so small at times like these.
And you just go where the Spirit leads....do your part, as part of The Vine, without questioning.
First, to catch you up to speed:
Friday night the family was at a movie and the daughter complained about her back hurting; by the time the movie had finished, she was writhing in pain. They decided to take her to the Emergency Room as a precautionary measure. That's it. It was that quick.
They say they caught it very early and that it's a very treatable form of leukemia...but it's still leukemia...and she's just a little girl.
They are at St. Jude's Hospital now, as well as, for the next sixth months and from there, will probably transfer to the St. Jude's Annex here in Huntsville. They are being provided a hotel room free-of-charge, but it only covers up to four family members and they have seven. They are trying to figure out what to do.
They are a homeschool family so they are close-knit but this puts an even greater burden on Ginger (the mom) to nurse her sick child and educate the others.
We don't know them personally, it's possible we've met but our church is very large and I don't remember them. Regardless, Lori (their daughter) is just about the same age as ours and their lives were turned upside down in one night.
Her updates are very open, honest, insightful and interesting. I feel compelled to pass this on to whomever may read it so that they can receive as many prayers as possible and feel the power of the Spirit.
Today's Update:
Here is an update from Ginger Clements on Lori. Please pray!
-------Original Message-------
From: ginclements
Date: 08/08/07 04:42:10
To: WBCShomeschool@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [WBCShomeschool] Latest update
I'm watching the clock tick down on my timed computer session and wondering how to best use 26 minutes. Also I forgot to put my contacts in, so I'm missing a lot of errors--try to interpret my mistakes!Lori's fever peaked tonight at about 104 degrees. It's currently down to 102. Fever is an enemy they swat at viciously around here. It means infection somewhere, so they started a course of strong antibiotics, morphine for pain, tylenol for headache, ice packs for comfort...I can't count how many drugs this child has received since Saturday. This is just the beginning, though. Chemo begins soon (probably tomorrow) and that is a veritable soup of medicines, all with really nasty side effects. Good news--chemo is not as difficult as in the past--there is less nausea because of some wonderful preventive medicines they've come up with. We are under the direct care of the head of oncology and under the watchful eye of the doctor who has written most of the leukemia protocols (the guidelines as to what medicines to give and when). Because this is a research hospital, we are being asked to take part in a study that will include an enhanced protocol. We need wisdom before the morning to decide. There is little chance for harm and a slight chance that it will be a more beneficial treatment. The main benefit is to posterity and I think that we're here by the grace of God and the patients who've undergone experimental treatments for years before we got here. Anyway, I'm absorbing what this all really means and this is the bottom line--we haven't a clue what we're about to go through! This much we know--we will be here for at least six weeks. I'm not sure when the timer begins on that: yesterday or tomorrow or the end of the week. Many of you have volunteered to bring us clothes or belongings from home. I believe my mother, brother and sister-in-law are coming up this weekend and they will be able to re-supply us for now. My head is spinning when I contemplate re-arranging our lives for six or seven weeks. That is just the beginning, however. Possibly we will be coming back and forth for six months for intensive treatments and then at least 2 1/2 years with most treatments taking place in Huntsville. For the next 10 years, Lori will be under a physician's care for this disease.We await the results of a few more tests before we know just how the above schedule will really work. This is barring complications, such as the fever she's currently running. She's still a very, very sick girl. The staff here already loves her and they've started spoiling her and bribing her with gifts (I think she racked up about four new toys/crafts today). One of the nurses from Huntsville Hospital called to check on her yesterday. She's getting a lot of attention by her sweet spirit. Every time they check her temp (hourly), give her meds (every 2-4 hours) or draw blood, she says "thank you". She has a gentle spirit that is winning hearts and breaking mine.I haven't begun to cry over this. I've leaked a few tears when I get alone, but I'm not away from her for any longer than I have to be. The clock is ticking away and I haven't said anything about how wonderful you have been. I've gotten calls from old friends that I had lost touch with because you have forwarded the updates to friends who continued to forward. I'm here without my email addresses, so if I've left anyone off of this mailing, it's only because I can't remember my name, let alone anyone's email! I appreciate every call and I know some of you have left messages that I want to return, but my phone decided to completely die yesterday and it took hours to resurrect it. My fully charged battery only lasted 1/2 a day thanks to all the sweet phone calls I received. I appreciate them and actually I thrive on them. It is a blessing to tell Lori, "Mrs. Spain said this hug is from her" or "Mrs. James says that she loves you". I've given her those messages dozens of times and i'm hoping to get it together enough to compile a list of all who have called and keep it in a journal for her. She is buoyed by your love. She had a few moments yesterday when she felt well enough to talk to someone on the phone, so please tell your children that if they want to talk to her, call my cell and maybe she'll be able to say hello. I'm down to 1 minute and I haven't thanked the Gureaskos for coming by. What a JOY to see the faces of friends who held our hands and prayed with us. I love you all so much. Please continue to lift us up as we make the hard decisions.
Things went well.
I feel a burden upon my heart today though b/c while I'm sort of celebrating four of my children being back in school, there is a mother and father in our church whose seventh grade daughter was diagnosed with leukemia this weekend.
I feel I need to post the struggles that Ginger (the mother) writes about everyday, though I have no idea why.
Maybe because life seems so small at times like these.
And you just go where the Spirit leads....do your part, as part of The Vine, without questioning.
First, to catch you up to speed:
Friday night the family was at a movie and the daughter complained about her back hurting; by the time the movie had finished, she was writhing in pain. They decided to take her to the Emergency Room as a precautionary measure. That's it. It was that quick.
They say they caught it very early and that it's a very treatable form of leukemia...but it's still leukemia...and she's just a little girl.
They are at St. Jude's Hospital now, as well as, for the next sixth months and from there, will probably transfer to the St. Jude's Annex here in Huntsville. They are being provided a hotel room free-of-charge, but it only covers up to four family members and they have seven. They are trying to figure out what to do.
They are a homeschool family so they are close-knit but this puts an even greater burden on Ginger (the mom) to nurse her sick child and educate the others.
We don't know them personally, it's possible we've met but our church is very large and I don't remember them. Regardless, Lori (their daughter) is just about the same age as ours and their lives were turned upside down in one night.
Her updates are very open, honest, insightful and interesting. I feel compelled to pass this on to whomever may read it so that they can receive as many prayers as possible and feel the power of the Spirit.
Today's Update:
Here is an update from Ginger Clements on Lori. Please pray!
-------Original Message-------
From: ginclements
Date: 08/08/07 04:42:10
To: WBCShomeschool@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [WBCShomeschool] Latest update
I'm watching the clock tick down on my timed computer session and wondering how to best use 26 minutes. Also I forgot to put my contacts in, so I'm missing a lot of errors--try to interpret my mistakes!Lori's fever peaked tonight at about 104 degrees. It's currently down to 102. Fever is an enemy they swat at viciously around here. It means infection somewhere, so they started a course of strong antibiotics, morphine for pain, tylenol for headache, ice packs for comfort...I can't count how many drugs this child has received since Saturday. This is just the beginning, though. Chemo begins soon (probably tomorrow) and that is a veritable soup of medicines, all with really nasty side effects. Good news--chemo is not as difficult as in the past--there is less nausea because of some wonderful preventive medicines they've come up with. We are under the direct care of the head of oncology and under the watchful eye of the doctor who has written most of the leukemia protocols (the guidelines as to what medicines to give and when). Because this is a research hospital, we are being asked to take part in a study that will include an enhanced protocol. We need wisdom before the morning to decide. There is little chance for harm and a slight chance that it will be a more beneficial treatment. The main benefit is to posterity and I think that we're here by the grace of God and the patients who've undergone experimental treatments for years before we got here. Anyway, I'm absorbing what this all really means and this is the bottom line--we haven't a clue what we're about to go through! This much we know--we will be here for at least six weeks. I'm not sure when the timer begins on that: yesterday or tomorrow or the end of the week. Many of you have volunteered to bring us clothes or belongings from home. I believe my mother, brother and sister-in-law are coming up this weekend and they will be able to re-supply us for now. My head is spinning when I contemplate re-arranging our lives for six or seven weeks. That is just the beginning, however. Possibly we will be coming back and forth for six months for intensive treatments and then at least 2 1/2 years with most treatments taking place in Huntsville. For the next 10 years, Lori will be under a physician's care for this disease.We await the results of a few more tests before we know just how the above schedule will really work. This is barring complications, such as the fever she's currently running. She's still a very, very sick girl. The staff here already loves her and they've started spoiling her and bribing her with gifts (I think she racked up about four new toys/crafts today). One of the nurses from Huntsville Hospital called to check on her yesterday. She's getting a lot of attention by her sweet spirit. Every time they check her temp (hourly), give her meds (every 2-4 hours) or draw blood, she says "thank you". She has a gentle spirit that is winning hearts and breaking mine.I haven't begun to cry over this. I've leaked a few tears when I get alone, but I'm not away from her for any longer than I have to be. The clock is ticking away and I haven't said anything about how wonderful you have been. I've gotten calls from old friends that I had lost touch with because you have forwarded the updates to friends who continued to forward. I'm here without my email addresses, so if I've left anyone off of this mailing, it's only because I can't remember my name, let alone anyone's email! I appreciate every call and I know some of you have left messages that I want to return, but my phone decided to completely die yesterday and it took hours to resurrect it. My fully charged battery only lasted 1/2 a day thanks to all the sweet phone calls I received. I appreciate them and actually I thrive on them. It is a blessing to tell Lori, "Mrs. Spain said this hug is from her" or "Mrs. James says that she loves you". I've given her those messages dozens of times and i'm hoping to get it together enough to compile a list of all who have called and keep it in a journal for her. She is buoyed by your love. She had a few moments yesterday when she felt well enough to talk to someone on the phone, so please tell your children that if they want to talk to her, call my cell and maybe she'll be able to say hello. I'm down to 1 minute and I haven't thanked the Gureaskos for coming by. What a JOY to see the faces of friends who held our hands and prayed with us. I love you all so much. Please continue to lift us up as we make the hard decisions.
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