Waiting for the hot tub man

I hate to wait. Not as much as my dad but I suspect that as I get older, my ability or desire to wait will continue to decrease. Today is kind of a bonus day. I took it off because I am working Saturday and I decided that I deserved two days off in a row. I had no specific plans. Other than an afternoon doctors appointment and a trip to the salon for a pedicure. (that sounds so decadent so in the interest of truth and honesty, I must confess that I have never had a pedicure in my life and I have only gone to a salon/spa once. For my niece's wedding. Where I got my hair styled. In that nifty "doo" that is on my blog page. But I got a gift certificate for my birthday. About which I am very excited. The gift certificate, not the birthday. ) Anyway, back to reality. Today, the bonus day. It's a bonus because I am off tomorrow and I could do all the "mom/wife" things tomorrow and just goof off today. But no. I am waiting for the hot tub man. And he hasn't called or shown up. Yet. You have to understand that I don't really want or have to go anywhere (except to the aforementioned stuff this afternoon), it's just the thought of not being able to go anywhere if I wanted to. It's funny how our brains work. If I were working, I would be thinking to myself, "gee, I really wish I could stay home and do nothing. Maybe curl up in bed or something. Because the weather is gray and drizzling." Of course, I can't go back to bed any way because of the hot tub man. As a side note, do hot tub men work when it is all grey and drizzly outside? I always thought electricity and water didn't mix. While I have been waiting, I have cleaned the kitchen, living room and both kids rooms. And done laundry. And put extra quilts on the bed. So I continue to wait. And ponder. And wish that I could go somewhere. Oh well.

Hey, the hot tub man called. Life is looking up!

Dancing week 5

It seems so frivolous to have a blog entry based on dancing with the stars. Especially when there are other things I should be doing. But it's my blog and my brain (and those who know me would probably agree that my brain is more often than not filled with frivolous things) so I am going to write about it. I cannot believe how much I enjoy the show. I was a scoffer when it came out, secretly chuckling behind other dedicated viewer back at the ridiculousness of it all. Then, in the third season, I decided to partake and see what all the fuss is about. And there's no going back baby. Anyway, I am sure that everyone gasped when Marie dropped like a rock after her dance. Although it was obvious to me that she was clearly out of breath (the audible sounds of gasping should have clued everyone in) I have heard certain radio talk show hosts this morning imply that perhaps it was the result of drugs or caffeine. (I find some people to be stupid beyond words.) I felt bad that on top of the humiliation of passing out on live TV, her scores were perhaps the worst she had during the past five weeks. I still think it will probably come down to Sabrina, Helio and Mel (although last weeks bottom two scare did cause me to vote this week!) but I think Jane and Cameron gave a wonderful showing as well. Looking at Jane and watching her move makes me think that I could look that good at 56 but the way to that ability/body is probably not through whoppers and cheese fries. (curses to Halloween candy in little packages that trick you into thinking you aren't really eating that much!) So who will go home? Mark Cuban? Marie? Mel? Who knows? But I will dash home after closing the store to watch the last five minutes with baited breath. It's addicting.

Gotta love the beautiful sound of tornado sirens

I suppose the title says it all. We appear to be going to have an exciting weather evening here. Fortunately so far, everything seems to be "radar indicated" as opposed to actual events. However, the one note siren has been going off for over an hour now. And there's another storm behind it and another one behind that and another one...well, you get the picture.

I used to be disappointed when we would all get in the closet and then nothing would happen. (what kind of idiotic notion is that?) However, there was the one night when we barely made it to the closet only to hear a tornado pass overhead. At that moment, I promised myself and God that I would never be disappointed or irritated at the closet tornado ritual when it amounts to nothing. However, the closet is full tonight. (We don't usually get tornado warnings this late in the season) so I suppose we shall all head to the bathtub if there is an immediate threat.

The best of times, the worst of times

Was it really? Actually, I am on vacation. Not for very much longer. But still, it's a vacation day for me. This vacation week for me is always a "do nothing" week. However, I seem to fill it every year with little bitty, time consuming activities. Which is not a bad thing. I take this week because my birthday is this week. And I am not overly fond of birthdays. For many reasons. Sometimes, I don't like the fact that I am getting older. Especially when I consider getting older means no more babies, more sags, droops and wrinkles, and so forth. Sometimes, I don't like birthdays because I am an adopted child. It's funny that at 43 years old, it still bothers me that my birth mother doesn't choose to contact me. Not that she would know where I am, or even still be alive herself. Logic doesn't enter this picture anywhere. Not that I am discontent with the life that I have or love my parents any less. It's just that sometimes I still feel like a part of me is missing. But mainly I just want the opportunity to sulk over whichever 40 something birthday this happens to be. And I think looking forward to vacation covers up the dreading another year passing. Of course, another year means I am still alive, in reasonably good health, at this point having all (or most) my mental faculties...and a host of other things that I cannot recall at this moment. (probably a senior moment sneaking up!) But it has been a good week. I have enjoyed being home. Sometimes I think I could do this (staying home) full time. But I would probably eat bon bons all day and grow very big. Or bigger. So happy vacation and happy birthday to me!

There are certain advantages to working late occasionally. I don't think it would be something I would want to do full time. (although there certainly is a need for people who work late, otherwise, who would staff the drivethru when I need fast food in the midnight hour?) I like the thought of going back to bed for a little while after the rest of the house has gone to do whatever it is that they do...although I didn't nap today. I like choosing what to do with my time...although today I paid bills (ick), made a doctors appointment (bleck) and did laundry (when aren't we doing laundry) so maybe I don't get to choose how to use my time. I did have time to read my Bible this morning though and I read a chapter or two in a book I am working on and I certainly did get to spend more time on the computer with no one hanging over my shoulder asking me what I am doing. So see, there are advantages to working late sometimes. Of course, I will miss about half of the results show on Dancing with the Stars. I guess the only part you really need to see is the last five or ten minutes though. Or watch Jimmy Kimmel to see who went home. But for now, it's off to work we go. To change lives, spread the Word, make a difference....

Spirit week?

What is up with Spirit week? When I was in school (hundreds of years ago to be sure) spirit week was that same every year. We had black/orange day and formal day and three other days that escape my memory. Jonathan's school changes stuff every year. Which wouldn't be so bad except they seem to struggle with "themes." This year they had nerd day, stoplight day (where you dressed in certain colors to signify your relationship status) and gangster day. Well, they decided not to go with stoplight day. I suppose it's because it's a christian school and they prefer our kids not to date. Or something like that. Then they apparently ruled out gangster day because most kids haven't heard of gangsters, thinking that it was "gangsta" day instead. Although I do not particularly approve of the gangster lifestyle, it bothers me that sophmores have no idea about this part of our history. (weren't gangsters a big part of Chicago history in the twenties?) So now he is having pirate day (which necessitated purchasing a pirate hat) and crazy day...in which he should need no costume. I suggested favorite author day but that earned some strange looks and a comment from Josh suggesting famous classical composer day. But at least I would know they were learning something!

It's Saturday somewhere

Sometimes all days seem to run together. It has been a while since I worked on a Saturday though. There's something different about Saturday retail. I guess the type of people that come in to shop are different than the ones who shop with us during the week. In any case, the day went relatively smoothly after having a somewhat rocky start. Of course, I hid in the back and did receiving for most of the afternoon so I guess it's easy for me to assume that things went well. And I am sure that they did. The coolest thing about today (other than the skillet full of cornbread and pecan butter that I had for lunch) was the interesting concoction MJ made for the scientific experiment for kids day. I am still not sure what purpose it served, but I am now the proud owner of some cool (literally) blue jelly that oozes into interesting patterns. I have no idea what I am going to do with it once the novelty wears off....kind of like the amish bread starter I once owned. It was really great for the first forty loaves or so, but if you don't keep making bread, that little sucker molds. I wonder if this stuff molds?

We had an uneventful evening at home (so far) as well. We finally sat down and watched the Nativity Story after having the DVD for about two weeks. Some things we want to see right away and some things seem to take forever to get around to. I am really glad that I watched it though. I was kind of puzzled by the comic relief the three kings seemed to provide at times. Almost like Larry Moe and Curly snuck into the picture somewhere. As far as it goes though, I would recommend it for someone who is looking for a movie depicting the birth of Jesus. It was a nice little love story too. I found myself thinking about stuff like this was the biography of Mary and Joseph and I had to stop and think, "hey, this is a movie, the Bible doesn't talk about this..." I also found myself leaking a few tears, but that's pretty normal for me with anything remotely emotional. I cry at cotton commercials.

What happened?

Well, when I was thinking about what I was going to write this morning, the theme seemed to be something about where all time goes when no one is looking. However, I think the theme today should be, why is everyone mad at me? Although it's not entirely accurate to say everyone. And I am not really sure that it is me that they are angry with. I just happen to live here. To illustrate the oddity of the morning...here is what happened. We have pie in the house. Lemon pie. Lemon is not normally my favorite...or even something I like. Most of the time it is too sour or bitter. However, this lemon pie is just right (hooray for mamaw!). So I divided up the pie amongst the pie eating people last night, saving my piece for a later date. This morning, my wonderful delightful daughter who blesses my life in so many ways, gets up and wants to eat my pie. On the premise that I don't like lemon pie. Sadly for her (and me) I informed her that this lemon pie was like no other and that I would like to eat it. So....she got mad. At me. She muttered something about the fact that there is nothing to eat for breakfast (although there are eggs and sausage and biscuits and cereal and danish and granola bars and milk and peanut butter and so forth) and off she stomps. Being the gutton for punishment that I am, I decided to continue to have a conversation with her. I told her that I was going to the grocery this morning and asked her what she would like for me to purchase for her breakfast. Nothing. Actually, she said something....what she said was, "nothing." Apparently there is nothing in the world that appeals to her. In her defense, I admit that there are times when nothing appeals to me either. But a gal's gotta eat. Off she goes to school, still irritated with me because I have lemon pie. Not that she didn't have lemon pie. Just not this morning.

On to the next member of the irritation brigade. I showed my wonderful delightful handsome husband a recipe that I was considering fixing for dinner. (note the food theme here...) I wanted to make sure that it sounded good to him too. His response was lukewarm at best, saying he wasn't sure that it sounded good. So I said that I wouldn't fix it. He gets irritated and says, fix it if you want (I promise, I didn't use any dramatic inflections in my voice or anything.). Well, I don't want to fix something that he won't eat, especially if it will just be us dining in this evening. So he is unhappy with me for wanting to fix something that he doesn't want to eat and she is unhappy because I won't let her have what is mine. (I guess if I were a good mother I would sacrifice my pie on the altar of indulging my child...but I am sure that I can convince myself that this is for her own good.)

Fortunately for me, my youngest child seems to be in a happy mood. Of course, he has wrangled the promise of pizza out of me for lunch and he has a houseful of friends over to keep him company, playing mindless video games for the rest of the afternoon. Which is fine. So now, I am going to order pizza, then go try to get all the laundry done and maybe a little painting and cleaning a toilet or two. Time does fly!

blogging

I find it hard to believe that it has been almost a month since I started this thing. Which brings me to my first thought. Blogging when you have nothing to say. Although anyone who knows me knows well enough that there is always something running around in my head. Nothing profound though. I have often composed entire journal entries in my head and when I finally find myself with my journal, poof! My brain empties out. Or things just weren't that important. I am sure that several life changing profound statements have been permanently lost because I wasn't able to stop right that instant. Not that I think I am going to stop immediately and write here either. After all, check out my track record.

I guess the other thing that is really on my mind right now is Romania. I have a friend (yes, more than one actually...) Argh, here I am about to wander on about important thoughts and POW! something popped in the washer. Not being mechanical, I have no idea what might make a popping noise, but I have decided to hope for the best. It is not in my plans to purchase/repair a washer at the moment. Or any moment really. Anyway, back to Romania. And my friend. She is there currently, doing some things that I don't really understand, and the news that she sends back is heartbreaking. Children with no hope for a better life. Being sold or wandering the streets with no home, no food, no shoes. No future. And my heart breaks. Then, I was reading a journal by a mother whose daughter has multiple health issues (they are currently in the NICU again) and she and her husband realize that this gift from God will probably never grow up, never get married, have children, hold a job....and yet, in the midst of it all, they are still so grateful for the moments God has given them with her, even knowing that they will have to let her go eventually. And my heart breaks.

Maybe, sometimes when I have nothing to say, or can't say anything, it's because my heart breaks too much.