Sunday, March 9, 2008
A Gift From My Angel
Last night something wonderful happened. Sometimes, on the weekend, I tend to "veg out" a little. Whether it's watching a movie till midnight, or playing games on the computer...it's something I do to just do nothing... Anyway, everyone was in bed and I was sitting on the couch with my laptop when my eye caught movement on the stairs. My littlest angel was up. As he came towards me, I asked him, "Hey buddy, what's up?" He didn't answer. He just plopped down next to me. I could tell he was disoriented, so I just put my arm around him and he laid his head on me. He fell asleep almost immediately. I sat there for a while with this perfect little person asleep on me. That hasn't happened for a while. I breathed in his "Saturday night bath" cleanliness... As he fell asleep, I could feel his little body relax and get heavier. It was lovely. I tear up even as I think about it. I'm not sure what woke him up because he doesn't remember coming downstairs. Maybe it was my light he saw and he just went towards it. Whatever made him do it, I was glad I got the chance and soak him in for a while. Kisses and hugs are very common around our house, but those days of holding a little one until they fall asleep, well, they just don't happen much around here anymore. It was a gift...
Friday, March 7, 2008
Spring Fever
I feel a little tickle here and there...and I groan inside. I try to fight it, but I feel it getting stronger and stronger. No, it isn't the latest flu bug that everyone has been experiencing. It's spring fever! It goes like this...
As I walk into our bedroom to put away laundry, I think to myself, "I should really move the furniture in this room! And, I really need to clean up the little nook that leads to our balcony. Oh! And wouldn't it be nice to put a little 2 cup coffee maker with a little basket of hot chocolate right next to the chaise on the balcony! Oh! Oh! And, wouldn't it be great to put a basket with all my favorite magazines that I don't get a chance to read, and of course I could have my Bible there too!!"
No! Resist! It's not time yet! So...I head back downstairs and I pass the dining room. As I look at my dining room, I think to myself, "I really need to recover those dining room chairs. Oh! Wouldn't it be cute to SEW some chair covers? Oh! Oh! I could sew a different set for EACH SEASON!! Then, I could change them out 4 times a year!!"
Then I come to my senses. I DON'T SEW!! What am I thinking? I can only sew patterns that require no curves!
So, I go back to the laundry room, and I think to myself, "These cabinets really need shelf paper. Why don't I just pull out all the stuff in all these cabinets and give them a really good cleaning?" Of course, we're still trying to get schoolwork done, and I have people coming over for dinner. I resist and move on. Yes, in my excitement to finally be in our new home, I was too impatient to go get more shelf paper when I ran out. I thought I'd just get it the next time I was at WM and would install it the next week. That was 5 years ago! Oh well...who cares?
Then, I'm putting some of the kids' books away and I happen to look down at the carpet in front of the fireplace. We have a huge rug in front of the fireplace and I begin to think... "I wonder what the carpet looks like under this rug.
OH. MY. GOSH! The carpet under the rug is a nice cream with grey flecks. The carpet in the rest of the room is grey. UGH!!! Time to clean the carpets. I must resist! I just don't have time! So, I put the rug back down. The outline of the rug is so stark, it looks like the last piece of a puzzle.
And what about the garden! It's taken me 30-some years to finally come to the conclusion...I HATE TO GARDEN!! I like being IN a garden, LOOKING at a garden, eating food FROM a garden, getting flowers FROM a garden...but I don't like weeding, sweating, bending over, getting my nails dirty... well, you get the idea. But, every year I get the urge to plant and I have grand ideas for a beautiful, lush oasis of flowers, shrubbery, butterflies, and birds. Well, this year is no different. I was actually looking at a seed catalog the other night!
What's wrong with me? I don't usually get so itchy for spring. Everything is so gray...I just want some color. I was reading my friend Wendy's blog and she was talking about creativity and our need for beauty. I agree with her. I think God put in us ladies a desire for peaceful loveliness. My hubby couldn't care less about the cute, little towels in the powder room, or the pretty pillows on the bed, or the romantic lampshade that gives such a nice glow on a cold evening. I really like the little touches. Well, I feel like things are in a rut. I want to change things up...everything feels cramped, and dingy, and stuffy. I want to make things feel new and...springy! So, I'm trying to resist. I just don't have the time right now, and I know my feelings are caused as much by the weather as anything. I try not to leave unfinished projects all around because they make me feel guilty. So, I started a "Peaceful Loveliness" list. Maybe I can do something during spring break and then save the rest for summer. People often ask me if we school year-round. Are you kidding? I need the break. We do fun stuff, and we always are reading, but nothing structured. I love to make my list, check it twice, then have the adrenaline high of crossing off stuff. I love that! So, I'm trying to keep from getting too distracted. Come quickly spring!!
As I walk into our bedroom to put away laundry, I think to myself, "I should really move the furniture in this room! And, I really need to clean up the little nook that leads to our balcony. Oh! And wouldn't it be nice to put a little 2 cup coffee maker with a little basket of hot chocolate right next to the chaise on the balcony! Oh! Oh! And, wouldn't it be great to put a basket with all my favorite magazines that I don't get a chance to read, and of course I could have my Bible there too!!"
No! Resist! It's not time yet! So...I head back downstairs and I pass the dining room. As I look at my dining room, I think to myself, "I really need to recover those dining room chairs. Oh! Wouldn't it be cute to SEW some chair covers? Oh! Oh! I could sew a different set for EACH SEASON!! Then, I could change them out 4 times a year!!"
Then I come to my senses. I DON'T SEW!! What am I thinking? I can only sew patterns that require no curves!
So, I go back to the laundry room, and I think to myself, "These cabinets really need shelf paper. Why don't I just pull out all the stuff in all these cabinets and give them a really good cleaning?" Of course, we're still trying to get schoolwork done, and I have people coming over for dinner. I resist and move on. Yes, in my excitement to finally be in our new home, I was too impatient to go get more shelf paper when I ran out. I thought I'd just get it the next time I was at WM and would install it the next week. That was 5 years ago! Oh well...who cares?
Then, I'm putting some of the kids' books away and I happen to look down at the carpet in front of the fireplace. We have a huge rug in front of the fireplace and I begin to think... "I wonder what the carpet looks like under this rug.
OH. MY. GOSH! The carpet under the rug is a nice cream with grey flecks. The carpet in the rest of the room is grey. UGH!!! Time to clean the carpets. I must resist! I just don't have time! So, I put the rug back down. The outline of the rug is so stark, it looks like the last piece of a puzzle.
And what about the garden! It's taken me 30-some years to finally come to the conclusion...I HATE TO GARDEN!! I like being IN a garden, LOOKING at a garden, eating food FROM a garden, getting flowers FROM a garden...but I don't like weeding, sweating, bending over, getting my nails dirty... well, you get the idea. But, every year I get the urge to plant and I have grand ideas for a beautiful, lush oasis of flowers, shrubbery, butterflies, and birds. Well, this year is no different. I was actually looking at a seed catalog the other night!
What's wrong with me? I don't usually get so itchy for spring. Everything is so gray...I just want some color. I was reading my friend Wendy's blog and she was talking about creativity and our need for beauty. I agree with her. I think God put in us ladies a desire for peaceful loveliness. My hubby couldn't care less about the cute, little towels in the powder room, or the pretty pillows on the bed, or the romantic lampshade that gives such a nice glow on a cold evening. I really like the little touches. Well, I feel like things are in a rut. I want to change things up...everything feels cramped, and dingy, and stuffy. I want to make things feel new and...springy! So, I'm trying to resist. I just don't have the time right now, and I know my feelings are caused as much by the weather as anything. I try not to leave unfinished projects all around because they make me feel guilty. So, I started a "Peaceful Loveliness" list. Maybe I can do something during spring break and then save the rest for summer. People often ask me if we school year-round. Are you kidding? I need the break. We do fun stuff, and we always are reading, but nothing structured. I love to make my list, check it twice, then have the adrenaline high of crossing off stuff. I love that! So, I'm trying to keep from getting too distracted. Come quickly spring!!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Out and About
Well, I did something today that I haven't done in a long time. First I took Zack to school at 8:15 because Roger got tied up at the hospital. Then, I had to take Zane to the middle school at 9:30 for band. I've actually done those trips many, many times...but not in my BATHROBE! I woke up a little late this morning and didn't have time to take a shower...but I really needed one. You know how it is...sometimes you can get away with just one more day. Well, this was not one of those days. So, I thought I'd be able to sneak the kids to school. Naturally, I had to stop at every stop light and stop sign. And, naturally, sitting at every stop was someone that I know. Bother! I probably could have gotten a shower between trips, but then we would be behind in our schooling and I really wanted to get them going on at least some things so we wouldn't be doing school till 5:00! So, several people got to see my stringy, greasy hair and my lovely J.Jill fuzzy bathrobe (which I love). Thankfully, they couldn't see my fuzzy, red slippered feet :-)
It reminds me of the time I was a new mom with a 4 week old and I answered the door for a UPS delivery. Imagine my horror afterwards when I realized I had answered the door, signed for a package, and gone back inside with my shirt unbuttoned down to my belly button because I was still in that fuzzy, head-spinning stage where all you do is nurse, change a diaper, nurse, try to squeeze in a mini-nap, change another diaper, then nurse some more, etc... Oh well, who am I trying to impress?
It reminds me of the time I was a new mom with a 4 week old and I answered the door for a UPS delivery. Imagine my horror afterwards when I realized I had answered the door, signed for a package, and gone back inside with my shirt unbuttoned down to my belly button because I was still in that fuzzy, head-spinning stage where all you do is nurse, change a diaper, nurse, try to squeeze in a mini-nap, change another diaper, then nurse some more, etc... Oh well, who am I trying to impress?
Friday, February 22, 2008
Fast Typing!
61 words
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Speaking of highschool... I remember my 8th grade typing class.
Look at my speed! I think I could do it even faster, but I'm not willing to cut my nails!
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Speaking of highschool... I remember my 8th grade typing class.
Look at my speed! I think I could do it even faster, but I'm not willing to cut my nails!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Classic Rock!
I think I may have gotten Roger one of the best Valentine presents ever. OK, so it was really for both of us...but after so many years of wedded bliss...we're way past needing to spend a ton of money one each other. Anyway, I got him the Time/Life Collection of Classic Rock CDs. This is a set of 11 cds that have all the best music from the late 70's, all the 80's, and some early 90's. Yes, I know that when you actually listen to the lyrics you realize that some of them aren't PG. But who actually listens to the words!!! Here's what happens when we listen to these cds.
The song begins...
Trish - "Oh, I love this song!" Of course, I have no idea what song it is...but I vaguely remember the beginning
Roger - "Yah, this is a good one." He doesn't remember which song it is either.
We each try to be the first to name the song, usually having to wait until the chorus.
Then, once we remember the song, I hit repeat and listen to it again.
Then, we say things like..."I remember listening to this when we'd cruise Main St." or "We'd listen to this at lunch time," or "This one reminds me of so and so....", or "We'd listen to this when we toilet papered our friends' homes,", etc....
And, I've discovered something! Cleaning the kitchen is MUCH more fun when you have fun music to play. I have one of those under the counter cd players and my kids get a kick when they walk into the kitchen and see their mom as she "Boogy,oogy,oogies Till She Just Can't Boogy No More".
So, in honor of my fabulous music, I've written a little story. See if you can find the titles to some great songs. There are 41 titles in my story.
Once upon a time there was a diamond girl. She had a favorite pet…it was a horse with no name. She loved that horse and would ride like the wind every chance she got. Now, Diamond Girl had a sister, Sara. Sara lived in Africa. One saturday in the park, Diamond Girl saw Sara walking in Memphis. Sara looked really sad. “Sara, Smile,” said Diamond Girl. Sara told her story.
“I was in California, dreamin and wondering, "When will I be loved? I want to know what love is!"
One day, I met a piano man. It was more than a feelin’. I was lost in love! The search is over, or so I thought. He had told me, “I’ve been waiting for a girl like you”. After many months of summer breezes and a trip to Kokomo, things changed. I told him “This is it. We don’t talk anymore! You’ve lost that lovin’ feeling. You’re so vain!”
He told me, “You’re right. I’m making love out of nothing at all.” He began to leave.
Suddenly, I was blinded by the light! “Baby, come back! One more night!”, I cried. “Look what you’ve done to me!”
He continued…”I’m taking it on the run. Release me,” he said. And he left me all by myself.
So, now I have sad eyes. I keep thinking, “I’ll be over you,” but I go crazy instead. I can see clearly now he never loved me. But it just hurt so bad. I’ll never be the same.
“That’s terrible! However, it really was against all odds you two would stay together.” said Diamond Girl. “It’s time for you to have a cool change. I want you to steal away. Please come to Boston”, she said. “I’ll drive.”
The song begins...
Trish - "Oh, I love this song!" Of course, I have no idea what song it is...but I vaguely remember the beginning
Roger - "Yah, this is a good one." He doesn't remember which song it is either.
We each try to be the first to name the song, usually having to wait until the chorus.
Then, once we remember the song, I hit repeat and listen to it again.
Then, we say things like..."I remember listening to this when we'd cruise Main St." or "We'd listen to this at lunch time," or "This one reminds me of so and so....", or "We'd listen to this when we toilet papered our friends' homes,", etc....
And, I've discovered something! Cleaning the kitchen is MUCH more fun when you have fun music to play. I have one of those under the counter cd players and my kids get a kick when they walk into the kitchen and see their mom as she "Boogy,oogy,oogies Till She Just Can't Boogy No More".
So, in honor of my fabulous music, I've written a little story. See if you can find the titles to some great songs. There are 41 titles in my story.
Once upon a time there was a diamond girl. She had a favorite pet…it was a horse with no name. She loved that horse and would ride like the wind every chance she got. Now, Diamond Girl had a sister, Sara. Sara lived in Africa. One saturday in the park, Diamond Girl saw Sara walking in Memphis. Sara looked really sad. “Sara, Smile,” said Diamond Girl. Sara told her story.
“I was in California, dreamin and wondering, "When will I be loved? I want to know what love is!"
One day, I met a piano man. It was more than a feelin’. I was lost in love! The search is over, or so I thought. He had told me, “I’ve been waiting for a girl like you”. After many months of summer breezes and a trip to Kokomo, things changed. I told him “This is it. We don’t talk anymore! You’ve lost that lovin’ feeling. You’re so vain!”
He told me, “You’re right. I’m making love out of nothing at all.” He began to leave.
Suddenly, I was blinded by the light! “Baby, come back! One more night!”, I cried. “Look what you’ve done to me!”
He continued…”I’m taking it on the run. Release me,” he said. And he left me all by myself.
So, now I have sad eyes. I keep thinking, “I’ll be over you,” but I go crazy instead. I can see clearly now he never loved me. But it just hurt so bad. I’ll never be the same.
“That’s terrible! However, it really was against all odds you two would stay together.” said Diamond Girl. “It’s time for you to have a cool change. I want you to steal away. Please come to Boston”, she said. “I’ll drive.”
Friday, February 15, 2008
Lunch Talk
Ahhhhhh.....Friday.......
I really love it when I really don't have anything pressing to do. I can sit and relax without feeling pressure to get up and tackle stuff. Of course, there's always house work, but it's easy to put that off :-).
My friend Shannon said she likes everyday news, like what people had for lunch...so I thought I'd post about lunch! First off, let me say, I really dislike making lunch. I'm very "cooking challenged" and only have a few things on my lunch list. So, a couple of years ago, I thought to myself, "why make this so hard?!" So, I decided to make the exact same thing for lunch every week. We have sandwiches twice a week, so keep those days apart. Here goes:
Monday - hotdogs
Tuesday - sandwiches (PBJ or ham/cheese)
Wed. - mac and cheese
Thurs - sandwiches
Friday - pizza or chicken nuggets (depends on what I have in the freezer)
Saturday - these days are a little less predictable but we usually have sandwiches.
My goal is to feed my family lunch for an average of about $1.50-2.00 a day. The hotdogs cost about $3 for my family, but the mac/cheese (2 boxes) costs $1.50 for the m/c, milk, and butter. The sandwiches costs about $1.00-1.10 for my family (5 sandwiches, chips, milk). I buy pizzas when they're on sale, so they cost me $2.25 ea.
The kids do have a "snack" at 10 o'clock and again at 3 o'clock. I usually let them have Little Debbie grainola bars or fruit snacks.
So, there you have it. Boring lunch. It's so funny how having a set plan for lunch every week has literally lifted a burden during my day.
Well, I'm putting my feet up while I watch the news. We're supposed to get some bitter rain/snow this weekend, but I hope everyone is warm and cozy and has a super weekend!
I really love it when I really don't have anything pressing to do. I can sit and relax without feeling pressure to get up and tackle stuff. Of course, there's always house work, but it's easy to put that off :-).
My friend Shannon said she likes everyday news, like what people had for lunch...so I thought I'd post about lunch! First off, let me say, I really dislike making lunch. I'm very "cooking challenged" and only have a few things on my lunch list. So, a couple of years ago, I thought to myself, "why make this so hard?!" So, I decided to make the exact same thing for lunch every week. We have sandwiches twice a week, so keep those days apart. Here goes:
Monday - hotdogs
Tuesday - sandwiches (PBJ or ham/cheese)
Wed. - mac and cheese
Thurs - sandwiches
Friday - pizza or chicken nuggets (depends on what I have in the freezer)
Saturday - these days are a little less predictable but we usually have sandwiches.
My goal is to feed my family lunch for an average of about $1.50-2.00 a day. The hotdogs cost about $3 for my family, but the mac/cheese (2 boxes) costs $1.50 for the m/c, milk, and butter. The sandwiches costs about $1.00-1.10 for my family (5 sandwiches, chips, milk). I buy pizzas when they're on sale, so they cost me $2.25 ea.
The kids do have a "snack" at 10 o'clock and again at 3 o'clock. I usually let them have Little Debbie grainola bars or fruit snacks.
So, there you have it. Boring lunch. It's so funny how having a set plan for lunch every week has literally lifted a burden during my day.
Well, I'm putting my feet up while I watch the news. We're supposed to get some bitter rain/snow this weekend, but I hope everyone is warm and cozy and has a super weekend!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Where's my weekend?
OK, let the weekend begin!!! Oh wait! It's Sunday night at 9:30! Tomorrow's Monday. Where did my weekend go you ask? Well, we just happened to have about 10 things to do and they all fell on this weekend. You can be stressed out about it, or you can be glad to get them all over in one weekend so you can stay home next weekend! Glass half full...glass half full...glass half full...right?
This just happened to be the weekend where all of our activities happened in Tulsa. You probably don't know this, but Roger and I both went to ORU. And, you may not have heard...but ORU is going through some "transition" (aka. scandal) right now. Anyway, this was ORU's homecoming weekend, which we never attend. But, they were having a special free dinner on Friday night for anyone associated with the former medical school, dental school, or ever enrolled in any of the health sciences majors (biology and chemistry). Once I saw the list of the 300 people attending, I wanted to go. There were so many former professors and many classmates that we hadn't seen in many years. It was a wonderful time. And, we got to meet Mart Green, the man that has come one board to try to take ORU out of its mess. We went with a pretty skeptical attitude, but we were pleasantly surprised at what seemed like a genuine man. We are cautiously optimistic and will wait to see how things go before we get to excited.
While that was happening, our two oldest boys went to a youth conference in Tulsa. They left Friday afternoon and the conference was over Saturday at 5:30. So, Roger and I, and the 3 little ones went to Tulsa after we dropped the boys off at the church. We met my Aunt Gayle in Tulsa and she took the little ones to her house while Roger and I went to the dinner.
THEN...we hung out in Tulsa on Saturday. I signed up the little ones to make a Valentine's box at a Lowe's in Tulsa. Then, we went to Woodland Hills Mall. Here's a scary thing...I went to the grand opening of Woodland Hills Mall in 1976!! Our youngest son had NEVER been in a mall before. He was pretty impressed. Then we took them for a treat and ate lunch at Incredible Pizza. It was incredible. Then we had a coupon for Barnes and Noble. Yes, it was a great day! It was nice to focus some attention on the little ones.
THEN we met the big boys and we all went back to Gayle's to spend the night because today Zane had a swim meet in Jenks. So, Roger, Zane and I got up at 6:30 this morning to get to the pool by 7:15. Gayle and Jimmy brought the other kids around 10:00. Zane did great by the way! Then we ate lunch at Mazzios with 2 of the other swim families from Siloam...the Pannetts and the Schultzes. We had to hurry home because I always take a nap at 2:00! I couldn't be late.
So, now you can see why I'm ready for the weekend. Thankfully, I had a dishwasher full of clean dishes. I had done all the laundry and just have to fold the last load. I had actually gotten most of the house in good shape. I really dislike coming home for an overnighter and feeling behind before I even walk in the door.
Everyone is bathed and in bed and we are gearing up for another week. Only 14 weeks of school left!
This just happened to be the weekend where all of our activities happened in Tulsa. You probably don't know this, but Roger and I both went to ORU. And, you may not have heard...but ORU is going through some "transition" (aka. scandal) right now. Anyway, this was ORU's homecoming weekend, which we never attend. But, they were having a special free dinner on Friday night for anyone associated with the former medical school, dental school, or ever enrolled in any of the health sciences majors (biology and chemistry). Once I saw the list of the 300 people attending, I wanted to go. There were so many former professors and many classmates that we hadn't seen in many years. It was a wonderful time. And, we got to meet Mart Green, the man that has come one board to try to take ORU out of its mess. We went with a pretty skeptical attitude, but we were pleasantly surprised at what seemed like a genuine man. We are cautiously optimistic and will wait to see how things go before we get to excited.
While that was happening, our two oldest boys went to a youth conference in Tulsa. They left Friday afternoon and the conference was over Saturday at 5:30. So, Roger and I, and the 3 little ones went to Tulsa after we dropped the boys off at the church. We met my Aunt Gayle in Tulsa and she took the little ones to her house while Roger and I went to the dinner.
THEN...we hung out in Tulsa on Saturday. I signed up the little ones to make a Valentine's box at a Lowe's in Tulsa. Then, we went to Woodland Hills Mall. Here's a scary thing...I went to the grand opening of Woodland Hills Mall in 1976!! Our youngest son had NEVER been in a mall before. He was pretty impressed. Then we took them for a treat and ate lunch at Incredible Pizza. It was incredible. Then we had a coupon for Barnes and Noble. Yes, it was a great day! It was nice to focus some attention on the little ones.
THEN we met the big boys and we all went back to Gayle's to spend the night because today Zane had a swim meet in Jenks. So, Roger, Zane and I got up at 6:30 this morning to get to the pool by 7:15. Gayle and Jimmy brought the other kids around 10:00. Zane did great by the way! Then we ate lunch at Mazzios with 2 of the other swim families from Siloam...the Pannetts and the Schultzes. We had to hurry home because I always take a nap at 2:00! I couldn't be late.
So, now you can see why I'm ready for the weekend. Thankfully, I had a dishwasher full of clean dishes. I had done all the laundry and just have to fold the last load. I had actually gotten most of the house in good shape. I really dislike coming home for an overnighter and feeling behind before I even walk in the door.
Everyone is bathed and in bed and we are gearing up for another week. Only 14 weeks of school left!
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