Just a thought..

I get a daily devotional thought from a friend of mine in South Dakota. Sometimes he really says it like I like it! Today was one of those times. As I get ready to return to work, I need to remember this thought in the classroom.

"Whether it is dealing with our children, employees, subordinates or just the man on the street, the way we set out to see people will determine the impression they will make. If we are looking for successes in their lives, we will see them in spite of their flaws; but, if we are hoping to catch them in failures, we’ll be able to do that, too."

Do you agree or disagree?

Maybe if I would deal with sweets in the same manner (more from the failure side) I would be thinner.

"We might need it later"

Okay, it must be God telling me it IS time to go back to work. It was a sign in the form of cooking that has my attention. Let me explain. And remember...the scene I am about to describe is "my life"..not yours...or is it?

I feel like I need to go to a confessional. I have harbored some things in my garage so that my dad would not sky rocket off. I can say this because he doesn't read my blog! You see, my family is filled with people that save stuff because "we might need it again". I have a closet full of clothes because today I might be a size 10...tomorrow a 12...I might have surgery and need something that doesn't touch me, just covers my body...or (big OR) I might loose that 16 pounds and could wear all these 8's again. I once wore a six, and you know....even though that was in the 5th grade, I might need those again for Halloween, OR they might come in style again, I would be skinny and could be set for the season! My mother is the same. If it is buy one get one...let's get 4. It could be anything, but we might need it again. My grandmother...well, "we didn't have much. Save that, we might need it".
My dad........only tools, trains, sweater vests and information. Everything else clutters the house. Kelly was the same. After his grandmother's death, we found baggies with batteries from "the first watch given to me by????in????", locks of hair, just about every card, button, scrap of fabric, watch, phone numbers..everything. Tony...is different. He is like me. I even have to keep him from dumpsters! He would rather find it, repair it, and keep it than buy it on eBay! So.....I have been keeping my mom's Christmas gifts for her class in my garage for about 2 months. Today (thank you Lord! seriously) My mom told my dad that he needed to come get 2 boxes out of my garage, and I was going to help her wrap them this week.
Dad, being the kind of guy who doesn't put things off (neither Traci or myself inherited that trait) called immediately after mom left for Ladies Bible Class. I opened the garage for him and pointed to the boxes. It was at that moment I realized that the freezer door was open. Now, it is not a big freezer, but it is holding 4 steaks, a roast, fajita chicken meet,hash browns(all recently purchased through Angel food ministries) some chicken meatballs (the kids didn't like), 12 ground hamburger patties (at least 2 years old that we MIGHT need if we were starving and I had only meat and seasoning), 2 microwave meals, 3 year old wienies and all important...a tub of chocolate chip cookie dough (part of the food pyramid). Oh, and there was quite a bit of ice! You ask, how did this happen since you are not cooking lately? Well, Makaley and I got a hankering for cookies(since they are on our diet). She wanted to cook something, and that was the easy solution to both. So.......I will not blame my daughter for the freezer being left open. I blame the cookies.
So, because of my non-dieting ways, I now have to cook a roast one night, fajitas one night and steaks another (all of which are still very cold). Guess I better go to the store for the vegetables because we don't have any of those in the freezer, cabinet or fridge.
As for harboring and keeping things. I am thankful that I was able to harbor these two boxes of "gifts";thankful it has been very cold since Sunday night, and thankful that my dad is a very disciplined prompt kind of guy. Otherwise, I would be mopping the garage while I am cooking the food. Sometimes it does pay off to keep things......"because we might need it later".

Black Friday Fun.

Okay, the news is out. Yes, I went shopping at 4AM on Black Friday. However, I did take the whole army with me...especially Nurse Yandell (both of them). Traci and I don't miss a black Friday together in the cold, with coffee. My second nurse was Megan...Tony's daughter. I figured if I fell over, one would help me the other would take the load to the register with my cash to get us out of there. Tony went just to carry bags over 5 pounds. Yes, there were some heavy bags and some old bags and some young bags and some bags that cut in line not even caring that I announced to them that I had NOT had my hormone pill, it was before 9AM, and I had not had sufficient coffee. These must be moms of teenagers, twins, or teach high school or kindergarten....nothings scared them!

My cousin Brandi and her husband Frank.......yep we were the women with the men who were laughing, throwing snow, and just being goofy...anyway, they ended up doing 50% of my shopping since I was in line #4 at Circuit City. Hello...they did not do a dry run obviously! AFTER we got in line, Tony and Megan headed to Starbucks for the "Latte run". They got back only to find out that it was now a "one in, one out" situation. Those women still did not understand that my latte was just outside the store, and I wanted it NOW!

After a breakfast at What-A-Burger...where Frank and Tony entertained all patrons, the guys and Megan left. Frank went to watch ball games, and Tony and Megan headed for sleep. That was probably not the best thing since the girls continued to do much damage to the checkbooks. BUT we did it with laughter, aching feet, and a woman who was ready to crash from lack of sleep. A little snow never stops the mail so why should it stop us?

So....needless it say......I have slept most of the day today. I have rested, and have no plans to do anything as exciting for at least this week. I do want to say that Black Friday was wonderful. It was day #2 of family and fun. That is what my life is most of the time.........family and fun. Believe me...my family can be fun.

Next year you are welcome to join us. We will meet at the table on Thanksgiving Day immediately after the dishes are in the dishwasher, and the food put away. We will plan our method of attack, and the lists that need to be checked off. Just come with a smile, no make-up, money, and remember...."no grumpies allowed".

Recuperating Part Two....and Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving to you...each of you. I know that bloggers all around are writing about the things they are thankful for today. Me too! It goes without saying that I am thankful for my family and friends. You know, they are the ones that stick by you when you are up, down, stupid, sick, on hormones, not on hormones, rejoice with you over silly things, and let you cry over the silly things. They love you as you are. Thanks family and friends!
I am thankful for the 6 weeks my doctor has required me to take off. Here are some of the reasons why.

* I have been able to spend time with my mom and dad. Time that I would not have had otherwise. Time to watch them during the day go about their day to day piddling and work. Going about their love and care for the other. I even have seen a different side of my dad. Too fun!

* I have been able to be mom more than ever. I have been able to get up in the morning and crawl into the bed with them and just wake up laughing. I have loved taking the kids to school. Taking lunch to them, visiting with the teachers, meeting the kids at my parents, teaching Kauy to make muffins, and Makaley to cook the casserole for Thanksgiving.

* I have been blessed to go to Ladies Bible Class at church (one time, but a dear lady taught it).

* I was blessed with an the invitation to attend a "tea/coffee" with my mom at the home of the woman who taught me to be a lady. Yes, I can be a refined lady when I want to! Mrs. Asbury taught me to cook in dutch ovens in her fireplace. She taught me to set a table, be polite, keep my mouth shut at the right time. She taught me to be a lady. At the tea/coffee, I was able to visit with her daughter, Elizabeth, who is a dear friend. Love her! BUT BEST of all...I was able to visit with Gordon (the husband/father). Even in his declined health, he was ornery to me. He made me laugh and smile. And to think...I went in there to bless him. What a day.

*I have developed a greater love for the teachers on the 6th grade team at Clack who have taken on my job as well as theirs. I promise you...I have not had a thing to worry about. Even with subs coming and going, they took it upon themselves to "get her done".

* I have had time to think of Suzanne Starr who kept me from quiting the teaching field my first year. Twenty-seven years later, I am not only teaching my favorite level(although they make me crazy), I will also be teaching a class at McMurry University! After my interview, I wanted to call her and tell her. Maybe I will.

* I have thought of my great-grandmother who has gone on to be my guardian angel. She taught me many things ....raw cookie dough is good(we have eaten some in the last few weeks), dominoes can teach math, wetting your pants is NOT the worst thing in the world (I have sneezed and coughed with uncrossed legs!!), some things remain secrets the rest of your life, and most of all how to be a good, tough, woman who loves others.

* I am thankful for my other mom Becky, now another of my guardian angels. She was there when I couldn't deal with things as a teenager, and she was there years later when I had to deal with loosing Kelly. I miss her. I have so many things that I need to ask her right now. Things that only she and I could talk about, things she had experienced, and things that I just need to tell her. Suzie does good with the listening and understanding, but she just ain't Becky! I have tried to find another Becky....not possible. My daughter needs a Becky sometimes, but they are hard to find.

* I am thankful for...oh so thankful...for Kelly. Tomorrow would have been our 16th anniversary. You know, it is "Black Friday" and I will be up ready to go for at least a couple of hours then home to bed. AND...he would have said something like, "that is silly, but go ahead and be sure to let me know when you leave." I can not tell you what Kelly did for my life. It's funny....I just wanted to introduce him to my sister, and lead him to Christ. I wanted to help rescue him and he turned around and rescued me. We were ham and eggs, black and white, up and down. (you know, those word pairs that just automatically go together). That was us. Thanks honey for 9 wonderful years, and 2 precious children.

Finally during this recuperation time, I have been able to read, read, read and play the piano (with Makaley). During this time, I have found some renewal! Of course I get renewed and then have to rest. I also have discovered that I do have great health, and get quickly irritated when I need to do something but can't yet! I didn't realize how much I do on a daily basis that I take for gratitude.

So.......Now that I am a "hyster-sister" (that what someone called me at church) I guess I can be thankful that instead of spending $4.00 a month on "paper goods" I can now spend that $4.00 a month on Starbucks! Well, for just a couple of more years. Makaley is growing up quickly.

Have a great Thanksgiving. Enjoy the family. This is my FAVORITE day of the year!!! No rush, no worry....eat, laugh, love, eat again, and do "family"! Love you guys.

Part 1 of recuperating.

Wow, you have friends and then you have those friends that tell it like it is. I have told you that my friend Suzie has been my friend since middle school. We are two peas in a pod. I love her and look forward to any communication from her. Today I found she had sent an email so I quickly opened it (before even clicking on the one from my mom or sister!) To my surprise it had more exclamation marks than words! Simply stated......."time to blog again!!!!!!!1" Do you think I got the point? It was funny that she would send me that because, I was thinking to myself "hmmmmmmmm it is time to get something on that blog".
Now that the bodily functions are back in form, (well, one is no longer able to do it's thing since it AIN'T there) and since I have keys and hormones, we are back to my normal everyday life. NOT!!!!! You get to feeling better, and so you go do something. Bang! Gotta have a nap. Then you can't sleep at night because you took a nap. So you do something the next day and don't take a nap and BANG........you sleep through the night and wake with such a full bladder that you roll to the bathroom. Where is my normal life......just without the uterus and ovaries. Hello...they didn't work anyway!
People ask me if I am resting. Yes! Others ask how things are going. So...here are a few of the things I do during this "healing time".
#10....You have some really bad hair days.
#9.....You take long hot showers. Pull the shower sprayer off and apply water pressure to areas that never had water pressure on them. Put the shower sprayer back on, take it off again, put it on then just stand there and debate the reason to shave your legs. NONE....Who cares....you are resting. It is legal to have 3 inch hairs on your legs. People don't even worry when you are recuperating.
#8.....You wear one comfortable outfit on Mon. ; a different one on Tues.; another on Wed. then you rotate for the next few days. Wash (see #3) and start over.
#7......You make sure that any shirt you wear will not show how low your boobs hang because by George......you are NOT required to wear a bra. The boobs sympathize with the lower parts and think they should relax also. By the medical "reason for surgery" it was: pelvic relaxation. Yep something relaxed....so relaxed it is gone.
#6......For two weeks you remember why you worked so hard to get a driver's license. Sorry mom, I love you, but as we all know..........no one can drive to suit us but US! One time we wait and wait for a car to come on by for fear the seat belt would tighten or we would have to slam on the brakes. The next time...same location, same time, we would zip right in between the two cars going east and west at warp speed while we were traveling north and south at somewhere between charged and super charger. I would suggest(that is all that happened) a different way...less traffic, but it would be at least 4 blocks out of the way. This from the woman who stock piles cereal! BUT I LOVE my mom. Right now I call and say "hey, this is the string/lint in your back pocket, what are you going to do today?" I wouldn't miss any time with my mom. She is too fun.
#5.....If there is nothing else to do, stand out in the street and direct the fire trucks coming to your parent's neighboorhood to put out the fire that started in the house down the street, but somehow ended up in your pasture. Yep.........I didn't have hormones at that point and I was still having hot flashes. Don't know which was hotter.........me or the blazes in the back pasture. Bet if I had started stripping down, the fire trucks would have turned in instead of passing the drive to the gate that led to the pasture! Well , maybe not because remember my boobs hang low!
#4.....You read and read and read. Remember the book (#3) that I read the 3rd chapter 3 times. Well, I have moved onto #6. It is starting to get really good.
#3.....You do some serious shopping because the sound of the dryer is so loud that you can't sit and read the 1st chapter in book #6. So......now not only did I have surgery and there ARE bills to pay (insurance is not up to 100% you know) now I have to have a new dryer. And since I have to get up to slam the lid on the washer to get it to the next cycle.....might as well get one of those too. Mom took me....so you know what that meant. Let's look at a new stove while we are at it. Like I am cooking right now. Don't have time. I have to keep getting up to keep the washer going and check to make sure the dryer didn't explode.
#2.....You sit and worry about the classroom, your reputation, and the sub. Let me say "subs". My class is now on sub #3. What is it with that number? What is it with these students? You also worry that as an Eng. teacher, you misspelled words on your thank you notes.
#1.....You get up every morning, get the kids up, fix breakfast, make the beds (yes that is a new habit) and then IF the weather is decent, you WALK your kids to school, kiss them bye, come home, drink coffee(take hormone pill), snooze 10 min. then call mom to see what adventure is ahead. At 3PM (see, there is that number again) you help with homework, scold for misbehaving, head for home, sit on the couch and thank the Lord that you were able to walk with those precious children, and count down the days till you go back to "the normal schedule days" but without the ovaries and uterus.
And if you are wondering.........You have 40 days until Christmas.

On the go!

I went for the 2 week checkup this week. The news on the street is true! I have my keys to the car back in my hands, gas in the tank from when it was $2.64 AND hormones pills! Can I hear a big yeeeee-hawwwwwwww! BUT, I still carry my cushy pillow everywhere! More later because...I gotta go pick up the kids and I am not crying about it.

I can rejoice!

We teach our children to be happy and rejoice when good things happen to them or to others. We also teach them to be full of compassion for those who need it. My children do both and sometimes they do it with a great deal of zest so at this moment, I would like to thank all of you at church and at home who rejoiced with me last week when I finally found relief! Yes, spinach greens do work!!!! Wonders!!!!!!!! Along with prayer...which I kinda felt funny asking God to help me GO!!
Anyway, my two children were alone with me when I finally found the "urge for relief" and were dancing in the hallway at home singing "she did it!" UMmmmmm rejoice with those who rejoice! I guess I didn't realize how worried they were about me until about 7:50 PM when my sister called from church to tell me that Kauy had announced to all in the sound booth that "mom pooped!" He then continued to tell some of our friends..........using his not so inside voice the same news! It wasn't long before Tony came in with the kids and said that 3 different ladies stopped him to tell him they were glad that I was feeling better and that.............yep, you got it...."the good news". I think I have taught my kids to be a little to excited about life. Or maybe the example we set during their potty training months/years is way too much. My goodness, Kauy earned tractors! We cheered, bought ribbons, and just were so excited. We get excited over some of the silliest things. Hey, in the last 2 weeks I have been excited over everyday normal bodily functions.
Last night as we practiced for Sunday's worship, I got excited. I have missed the last two Sunday's and Wed. nights. Is it that I have missed something during that time? Can I only rejoice when I am at church..........singing? Don't think so. I am rejoicing today. Just because. It is a beautiful day...........I am feeling somewhat better every day.................I get a few pains now and then to remind me to watch out............I have healthy family and friends........and you are reading this silly blog! So I am rejoicing. BUT....It sure didn't hurt to be with "family" and sing last night!