Don't you just love the dryer sheet stuck to the blanket? Of course, I'd rather have a dryer sheet taking a nap on me than a couple of medium to large dogs. (Wolfie is the size of a german shepherd. He has some shepherd in him. Diego is part blue heeler and part dingo. And he's a bit chubby.)Saturday, February 28, 2009
this couch isn't big enough for all of us...
or maybe it is. Jonathan is supposed to be watching a movie with his dad but he is still tired from his recent bout with strep. So he fell asleep. Apparently the dogs took that as an invitation to make him a giant pillow.
Don't you just love the dryer sheet stuck to the blanket? Of course, I'd rather have a dryer sheet taking a nap on me than a couple of medium to large dogs. (Wolfie is the size of a german shepherd. He has some shepherd in him. Diego is part blue heeler and part dingo. And he's a bit chubby.)
Don't you just love the dryer sheet stuck to the blanket? Of course, I'd rather have a dryer sheet taking a nap on me than a couple of medium to large dogs. (Wolfie is the size of a german shepherd. He has some shepherd in him. Diego is part blue heeler and part dingo. And he's a bit chubby.)
Monday, February 23, 2009
So what do you do when you live in a non-tropical zone, it's winter, and your lemon tree starts to bloom.
Indoors.
Where (thankfully) there are no bees.
Why you whip out your trusty toothpick and try to pollinate the little suckers yourself, of course.
(We do weird things for entertainment when the winter days get long. Oh spring, we long for your bright colorful sunny days!)
Friday, February 20, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
reality bites...
or maybe a better subtitle might be that I've joined the I Love Lucy show and nobody told me.
I'm just gonna lay it all out right here. My frustration meter is FULL. (which is silly because honestly, there's nothing catastrophically wrong. Just a little dose of reality.)
We'll start the program with a look back at last Saturday. Valentine's Day. Anniversary Day. All was going well. We went to lunch instead of dinner because I don't like crowds and I don't like to wait. I want my food and I want it now. (in the most godly, Christlike way possible, of course.) We had a lovely lunch, with lovely conversation, and lovely gifts and we were all lovely. Then we went home. And all was well. Til I decided to walk down the steps. Which is something that I do with some regularity since it is a two story house.
However, this particular day, I decided to be graceful.
Or ungraceful.
boom.
splat.
Down I went. (when up on the rooftop I heard such a clatter, I sprang to my window to see what was the matter.) Except at our house it was five dogs coming to see what thundering herd might have flung itself down the steps.
Much pandemonium ensued.
After the dust had cleared (and Josh had picked my not so petite self up from the floor...remind me to tell you about that sometime), I found myself on the couch with a sprained ankle on the right side and an extremely sore (yet lovely) left side. Thus ended all weekend plans.
On Monday, after hobbling around work all day, I returned home to find a boy with a 102 degree temp.
Much rejoicing ensued.
Not.
Much Lysoling ensued. Tuesday morning found us doing acrobatic schedule juggling to get the boy to the doctor. Josh was due in Lexington and I was due at work. Fortunately, we have grandparents living nearby and the boy's grandmother was quite delighted to be able to spend some quality time with him. After much Lysoling, of course.
The diagnosis...strep. with an ear infection thrown in for some variety.
I must say that I was somewhat relieved with the strep diagnosis. I was concerned that he might have the flu and I figure that it's easier to catch the flu than strep. If this is incorrect, please leave me to wallow in my ignorance.
Here's the deal. Bible study night is Tuesday. Last Tuesday we were finishing up the "I'm not contagious, I don't know how you got the stomach flu" so I missed bible study. The week before was national "You must have a migraine and not be able to take your medicine til you turn green" day so I missed bible study. So, I really didn't want to miss bible study. But, my child is sick. "Running a fever, miserable, I want someone to sit with me and I pick you" sick. I am his mother. (and buddy let me tell you, nothing is bigger than mother guilt. ask Jonathan about the Porsche we promised him when he was three months old. On second thought, don't ask him. I don't think he remembers.) So...I stayed home. And sat with him in his room for several hours, rubbing his back, fixing the heating pad, bringing him koolaid and talking with him. Doing whatever it is that mothers do. (and hopefully not getting strep.) Because it was the right thing to do.
But I was frustrated.
Not just because I wanted to go to bible study.
But because I knew that some others would say that I made the wrong choice. That I should have gone. That I'd made a commitment.
And it aggravates me that I'm letting them frustrate me.
Because soon (sooner than I think), my babies will be gone. And I don't want them to think that activities were more important than they are.
And sometimes...a boy just needs his mom.
*Josh and I've been married 22 years. 21 years ago, I asked him to carry me up a hill. He turned to me and said, "you're not exactly petite." Of course, he tried to tell me that the definition of petite is short and at 5'10" I was too tall to be carried up the hill. Right. In 21 years, I have not forgotten. Nor will I forget for another 21 years.
I'm just gonna lay it all out right here. My frustration meter is FULL. (which is silly because honestly, there's nothing catastrophically wrong. Just a little dose of reality.)
We'll start the program with a look back at last Saturday. Valentine's Day. Anniversary Day. All was going well. We went to lunch instead of dinner because I don't like crowds and I don't like to wait. I want my food and I want it now. (in the most godly, Christlike way possible, of course.) We had a lovely lunch, with lovely conversation, and lovely gifts and we were all lovely. Then we went home. And all was well. Til I decided to walk down the steps. Which is something that I do with some regularity since it is a two story house.
However, this particular day, I decided to be graceful.
Or ungraceful.
boom.
splat.
Down I went. (when up on the rooftop I heard such a clatter, I sprang to my window to see what was the matter.) Except at our house it was five dogs coming to see what thundering herd might have flung itself down the steps.
Much pandemonium ensued.
After the dust had cleared (and Josh had picked my not so petite self up from the floor...remind me to tell you about that sometime), I found myself on the couch with a sprained ankle on the right side and an extremely sore (yet lovely) left side. Thus ended all weekend plans.
On Monday, after hobbling around work all day, I returned home to find a boy with a 102 degree temp.
Much rejoicing ensued.
Not.
Much Lysoling ensued. Tuesday morning found us doing acrobatic schedule juggling to get the boy to the doctor. Josh was due in Lexington and I was due at work. Fortunately, we have grandparents living nearby and the boy's grandmother was quite delighted to be able to spend some quality time with him. After much Lysoling, of course.
The diagnosis...strep. with an ear infection thrown in for some variety.
I must say that I was somewhat relieved with the strep diagnosis. I was concerned that he might have the flu and I figure that it's easier to catch the flu than strep. If this is incorrect, please leave me to wallow in my ignorance.
Here's the deal. Bible study night is Tuesday. Last Tuesday we were finishing up the "I'm not contagious, I don't know how you got the stomach flu" so I missed bible study. The week before was national "You must have a migraine and not be able to take your medicine til you turn green" day so I missed bible study. So, I really didn't want to miss bible study. But, my child is sick. "Running a fever, miserable, I want someone to sit with me and I pick you" sick. I am his mother. (and buddy let me tell you, nothing is bigger than mother guilt. ask Jonathan about the Porsche we promised him when he was three months old. On second thought, don't ask him. I don't think he remembers.) So...I stayed home. And sat with him in his room for several hours, rubbing his back, fixing the heating pad, bringing him koolaid and talking with him. Doing whatever it is that mothers do. (and hopefully not getting strep.) Because it was the right thing to do.
But I was frustrated.
Not just because I wanted to go to bible study.
But because I knew that some others would say that I made the wrong choice. That I should have gone. That I'd made a commitment.
And it aggravates me that I'm letting them frustrate me.
Because soon (sooner than I think), my babies will be gone. And I don't want them to think that activities were more important than they are.
And sometimes...a boy just needs his mom.
*Josh and I've been married 22 years. 21 years ago, I asked him to carry me up a hill. He turned to me and said, "you're not exactly petite." Of course, he tried to tell me that the definition of petite is short and at 5'10" I was too tall to be carried up the hill. Right. In 21 years, I have not forgotten. Nor will I forget for another 21 years.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
no second chances...
Her father is a practical man.
He tends to see a job or event as a challenge and begins to plan for it. Over the past few days I have watched as she and he have discussed table rounds, linens, centerpieces, flowers, cakes, and all sorts of wedding paraphernalia. They've stood with their heads together, comparing renting versus buying, the proper placement of whatnot, and so forth and so on.
As they've drawn closer together, I feel further apart.
Distanced.
Because while he sees her wedding as something to tackle, I see her this way...
He tends to see a job or event as a challenge and begins to plan for it. Over the past few days I have watched as she and he have discussed table rounds, linens, centerpieces, flowers, cakes, and all sorts of wedding paraphernalia. They've stood with their heads together, comparing renting versus buying, the proper placement of whatnot, and so forth and so on.
As they've drawn closer together, I feel further apart.
Distanced.
Because while he sees her wedding as something to tackle, I see her this way...
Still my baby girl.
And I realize that a chapter of parenthood is closing.
While I am excited for her, my heart longs for the little girl who wants to be sung to sleep, read to, comforted...
sigh.
It's times like these when I think we should of had ten or twelve children...
(this whole feeling was re-emphasized last night as I sat in a parking lot at midnight, watching a young man walk toward my car. As he got closer, with his dress shirt untucked, his tie taken off and a swagger in his step, I realized that someone had snatched up my baby boy and replaced him with this person. Then, in the car on the way home, listening to him mention a certain young lady several times, it dawned on me that his transition is almost complete as well.)
Thursday, February 12, 2009
I did NOT cry...
but I might have teared up a bit. We had a lovely morning of dress shopping...and found a dress that made my baby girl look and feel like a princess...without sending her mother into sticker shock. much.
We will still look a few other places just to be sure. But it was the neatest/weirdest feeling to see her in a bridal gown, complete with veil. Kind of like she's playing dress up...(can anybody else hear Sunrise, Sunset playing in the back of their mind?)
We will still look a few other places just to be sure. But it was the neatest/weirdest feeling to see her in a bridal gown, complete with veil. Kind of like she's playing dress up...(can anybody else hear Sunrise, Sunset playing in the back of their mind?)
random thoughts on a Thursday...
...have you ever wondered who came up with the idea of mixing flour, sugar, and eggs to make something? I wonder how many other "mixtures" they tried before they came up with something that tasted good? Did they try things like caterpillars, mud and green beans?
...generic store brand paper products are a wonderful cost saving idea until they are used on a frequent basis when dealing with an illness. (I want my Puffs with lotion!)
...are vacation days from work really vacation days when you still have to get up early to send people off to school and work? (this answer is easy. YES. Because you can always go back to bed and no one is the wiser. They frown on that sort of thing if you have to go into work.)
...do dishes breed like bunnies in the sink over night? Or are the dogs getting up and fixing themselves a late night snack?
...why does my cat insist that we watch him eat? Is he afraid he might choke on his kitty food and no one will be around to perform the Heimlich maneuver? Or is he hoping for sympathy as he has to eat dry crunchy bits?
...I am extremely grateful for underground power lines.
...apparently Louisville's new nickname is the windy city. Only someone forgot to tell us.
...all is quiet in the kitchen. It's still dark outside as I am typing. Suddenly, a dog with a sense of humor thinks it would be funny to slam up against the glass door on the porch. What a wonderful way to get the blood pumping. Better than exercise. (I think they've been showing too many ads for the new and improved Friday the 13th movie.)
...are you old enough to remember when the original Friday the 13th movie came out? Um...I might be.
...we are going wedding dress shopping today. I think I'm excited. I hope I don't cry. However, since cotton commercials make me tear up, I think I'm doomed.
...we are also meeting with the events coordinator at the church today. I don't think I'll cry. But if I do, I'll be using my Puffs with lotion.
...I still have one Christmas decoration left up. It's a bell wreath around my front door knob. You would think I'd notice it since I go in and out the door daily. I don't. Maybe I'll put it away today. Because Christmas is over.
...I will have been married 22 years this Saturday. Of course I was very young when we got married. Almost a toddler. And I'm still as charming and delightful now as I was then. snort. And petite too.
...okay, now my head is completely empty of thoughts. No, not really. But every one has headed out the door so I might try to take a short nap. Before my longer nap this afternoon.
Just kidding.
Maybe.
...generic store brand paper products are a wonderful cost saving idea until they are used on a frequent basis when dealing with an illness. (I want my Puffs with lotion!)
...are vacation days from work really vacation days when you still have to get up early to send people off to school and work? (this answer is easy. YES. Because you can always go back to bed and no one is the wiser. They frown on that sort of thing if you have to go into work.)
...do dishes breed like bunnies in the sink over night? Or are the dogs getting up and fixing themselves a late night snack?
...why does my cat insist that we watch him eat? Is he afraid he might choke on his kitty food and no one will be around to perform the Heimlich maneuver? Or is he hoping for sympathy as he has to eat dry crunchy bits?
...I am extremely grateful for underground power lines.
...apparently Louisville's new nickname is the windy city. Only someone forgot to tell us.
...all is quiet in the kitchen. It's still dark outside as I am typing. Suddenly, a dog with a sense of humor thinks it would be funny to slam up against the glass door on the porch. What a wonderful way to get the blood pumping. Better than exercise. (I think they've been showing too many ads for the new and improved Friday the 13th movie.)
...are you old enough to remember when the original Friday the 13th movie came out? Um...I might be.
...we are going wedding dress shopping today. I think I'm excited. I hope I don't cry. However, since cotton commercials make me tear up, I think I'm doomed.
...we are also meeting with the events coordinator at the church today. I don't think I'll cry. But if I do, I'll be using my Puffs with lotion.
...I still have one Christmas decoration left up. It's a bell wreath around my front door knob. You would think I'd notice it since I go in and out the door daily. I don't. Maybe I'll put it away today. Because Christmas is over.
...I will have been married 22 years this Saturday. Of course I was very young when we got married. Almost a toddler. And I'm still as charming and delightful now as I was then. snort. And petite too.
...okay, now my head is completely empty of thoughts. No, not really. But every one has headed out the door so I might try to take a short nap. Before my longer nap this afternoon.
Just kidding.
Maybe.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
trying to get my pollyanna on...
I am mostly a "glass half full" kinda gal. I have been told on more than one occasion that my ability to look for the sunshine and roses in a bad situation can be annoying. (which is really strange because I don't consider myself to be an optimist. I just prefer to look for the sunflower side of life.)
However, I am finding myself struggling a bit this week. I know very few people who have absolute job security, our family included. (actually, as I was typing, I realized that I could think of quite a few. Pollyanna lives!) Jessi has had to deal with furlough days at her work to help balance the city budget. (My response was to name all her friends who work with her and remind her that furlough days mean that they all get to keep their jobs right now. Which is a good point until you go to pay your bills and realize that you are missing several days of pay from the aforementioned furlough days. On the other hand, she still lives at home and doesn't really have that many bills.)
I have also worked where I work long enough (almost 21 years) to realize that christian retail is not exempt from lay-offs and hard times. The corporate portion of our company had lay-offs last August. I suspect that the retail division may do the same sometime later this year. Not to mention the fact that one of our christian retail competitors recently closed their store here. (I find it terribly sad that a city this size could not or would not support three christian retailers. I'd like to think that there are more than enough churches and Christians in our fair city to give business to all of us.)
Anyway, Josh found out on Friday that they are having their salaries reduced at his work in order to avoid lay-offs for now. I am most appreciative that they are taking this approach. I don't want anyone to be laid off. My problem is...the thing that I am having trouble finding the rainbow in...what I cannot wrap my head around is...if there really is a need to trim salaries and ponder lay-offs...then why on earth are they taking management on an all expenses paid trip to a famous gambling location? Any thoughts?
Friday, February 6, 2009
oh happy day!
Oh my goodness! It's supposed to get up to 52 degrees today! I am so excited! (I'm ready to open all the windows and start spring cleaning!) Warm feet! (maybe the twelve inches of snow and ice on the back part of my driveway will FINALLY melt.)
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
A look around town...
Fortunately, most of the snow and ice is melting away. Of course, it is also snowing again this morning but rumor has it that they are not expecting much in the way of accumulation. Regardless, I hope you enjoy a glimpse into our winter wonderland...
Sunday, February 1, 2009
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