Two Days

Two days. That is it. No more sun; no more fun. Summer vacation's done. Of course that is what it would be if we were normal people. Yes, we officially start back to the books on Wednesday, but the first two days of school for the boys are an exchange day camp with another county. They will go to a different county for the day to learn and play with 4-H members from there and then they will be here the other day with members from the other county. Next week I think #1 has a day camp 4 out of 5 days! Then we head to WV to help clean out Grandma's house. The boys will do their school work on the ride up and back, but likely won't do any while they are there. And then we have a huge "field trip" planned for the last week of July and first week of August. We are Going West, Young Man. Yes, that's right. We are taking a family vacation to the western part of the states. We will go through NC, WV, KY, OH, IN, IL, IO, MN, SD, WY, MT, NE, KS, and MO. I think I got them all. The big stops are Badlands National Park, Mount Rushmore, Cody, WY, Yellowstone and Grand Tetons Parks, and Hannibal, MO, home of Mark Twain. There will be several other stops in-between, but those are the biggies. The boys will do school work during the rides, so really they will have lots of "book time" before it is over, but the main instruction will be to learn by seeing and doing. We were planning the trip with another family, but the woman's father is in poor health, and she is afraid to go now. So we asked the in-laws if they want to go. We already had reservations at a couple of spots--that's another story-- and didn't want to waste them if we could help it. Father-in-Law has always wanted to see Yellowstone, so it was good for all of us. Of course, all of this comes with the objective to save as much money as possible and yet have a memorable and fun time. So I have been using my coupons to buy prepackaged microwave food. I never knew there was so much available! I have found rice and pasta dishes, canned meats and fruits, and plan to stop every few days at a grocery for bread and fresh veg/fruit. We hope to only eat out once a day. We will see how it goes. We are thinking eat out for lunch while we travel, since that meal is less expensive, and then stop at a hotel about dinner time. Throw something in a hotel microwave, let the kids swim, and have a relaxing evening in. I asked the boys yesterday what could we do about souvenirs since we want to make it inexpensive. (And I had the ulterior motive of not allowing more junk in my house!) They came up with some good ideas...find a yellow rock (Yellowstone) or take a picture of a guy going really fast (Mount RUSH more). That lead us to the decision to make a movie. Now that movie making is so much easier, it won't have to be 30 hours of someone's vacation, but can be highlighted into a nice keepsake. So that is the plan as long as the boys get to take turns filming; that was the deal according to them. So we will spend the next two days trying to enjoy the last rays of summer before we hit the books. What a life!

Bye, Bye Virus

I like it when I click with people. I called the prof at NCSU, and I had a nice conversation with him. He isn't actually the guy I am to talk to, but that guy is on vacation next week, so this guy thought I ought to go ahead and speak with him. It went well. I still have a meeting scheduled with WVU on July 13, but now I feel like I have some more options. The prof I spoke with seemed very genuine and earthy; sort of what I would expect at NC State! I think I would fit in well there. The virus seems to have finally worked its way through my baby. He was up at midnight vomiting, but since then he has done ok. He has only had water, Powerade, and peanuts so far today, but I am hoping it is over. We will have plain pancakes for dinner just in case. A friend came over today to work on the day camp we are teaching in a couple weeks. I told her I need more than one day a week to just stay home. AND the days I do stay home need to not include a sick child. That is to say, the furniture is still not done being moved, shelves are not installed, and garbage is strewn around the house. I managed to sell three dozen eggs this morning at the farmer's market. I will try again tomorrow. You have to pay $5 to go on Saturdays, but the frig is so full of eggs that I will take the loss of $5 to get rid of them. Soon it will smell like the Lake of Burning Fire if I don't do something!

Highlights

Monday move furniture upstairs. Jump over things left downstairs. Practice presentation for Extension Agent and friends. Tuesday continue moving things and jumping out of the way. Couch arrives for the upstairs. YES! I didn't have to carry it. Mow grass, burn scrap wood pile, fight mosquitoes who are fighting for space after the chiggers. Wednesday leave at 7:20 a.m. for District Activity Day. WooHoo our kids did great!! Every one of our 4-H club member participants received a medal. #2 silver for his presentation on wildfire and #1 gold for his speech on basketball. Thursday awake to the sounds of vomiting as #2 lets loose with a virus. That's about all I can manage at this point. I need to disinfect the bathroom and take a nap.

Weekend

It has been a busy few days for me. Friday was my last day with thte "extra kids" until some time in August. They go away every July to visit France or family in other locales. This year it is France. The boys took french lessons for a good part of the year, but I don't know how much it actually helped. Before they left I asked the oldest how to ask where the bathroom is, to tell me he is lost and to ask for his MaMa. He couldn't do any of that. I suppose crossing your legs and crying would say the same thing in any language. Also on Friday I went through a lot of confusion. I am just not sure that going to grad school at WVU is the best option for me. There is a lot of indecision about which is better, a PhD or an EdD. That makes a big difference in how it is handled being in another state, and I may have to live there more than two semesters. I also am not sure that having a degree from WVU is a good idea, since we may at some point need me to work there while we care for aging parents. They don't hire their own. Also conversations with my professor father-in-law, and my mother-in-law and own mother had me confused. So I started looking at other programs again, and lo and behold, NC State in Raleigh has a program that looks like it will fit with me. I emailed the director and he is willing to talk to me. So I will be calling him today. Saturday was a trip to the beach with our church family. We took several friends, as did other people, so we ended up with about 25 people attending. Most of us didn't get too sunburned, the water was pleasant, little humidity in the air. It was just a very nice day to be at the beach. Then came Sunday. We took the Daddy to dinner at a Japanese Steakhouse that he likes. Then we came home and let him rest for a little while before we made him start carrying furniture upstairs. YES!! We have furniture upstairs. No, it isn't finished up there. Mostly we just need doors, but that is going to have to wait. I was afraid that #2 wasn't going to go upstairs; he had said on several occasions that it would be too far away from us. But when he saw his brother moving in, he decided it might be a good idea. It will take most of the week I am sure, but the beds are up there, as well as computers, desks, and a few other things, like the tv. So last night I got to enjoy my quiet livingroom.. I loved it! I think it will be a nice sanctuary for me. Today I will move my computer in there, and voila! I will be in a housewife's paradise.

Ticks and Other Pests

I'd Like to Check You for Ticks by Brad Paisley Every time you take a sip In this smokey atmosphere You press that bottle to your lips And I wish I was your beer And in the small there of your back Your jeans are playin' peek-a-boo I'd like to see the other half of your butterfly tattoo Hey that gives me an idea lets get out of this bar Drive out into the country And find a place to park Cause I'd like to see you out in the moonlight I'd like to kiss you way back in the sticks I'd like to walk through a field of wildflowers And I'd like to check you for ticks I know the perfect little path Out in these woods I used to hunt Don't worry babe I've got your back And I've also got your front I'd hate to waste a night like this I'll keep you safe you wait and see The only thing allowed to crawl all over you When we get there is me You know every guy in here tonight Would like to take you home But I got way more class than them Babe that ain't what I want Cause I'd like to see you out in the moonlight I'd like to kiss you way back in the sticks I'd like to walk you through a field of wildflowers And I'd like to check you for ticks Now ooohhh you never know where one might be And ooohhh there's lots of places that are hard to reach I'd like to see you out in the moonlight I'd like to kiss you baby way back in the sticks I'd like to walk you through a field of wildflowers And I'd like to check you for ticks Oh I'd sure like to check you for ticks Come on! I'm sure you are all wondering what religious connotations I get out of this song. I really like Brad Paisley. It might be that he is from WV, or that I like his wife, or that I can almost always understand what he is saying. I like him for certain because his songs are clever and often funny. The videos I have seen of his music are also quite humorous. But religion? Not on this song. I just got into a bunch of chiggers a couple of days ago, and thought it was an appropriate song. Too bad you can't check for those until it is too late, though Hubby has offered.

Fried, Son-ny Side Up

Yesterday, and to be honest still this morning, I wanted to fry my son. As I think about the situation, I suppose it is just fate playing a sarcastic trick on me. I do not put much emphasis on testing students. In fact, I tell my kids that though the standardized test is important for them to do well on, it doesn't mean anything. Huh! Until your kid gets the scores back, and he flopped big time. Now, how am I supposed to convince others that this test doesn't matter, when I am so disturbed by his scores? I suppose saying that I KNOW he can do better because he has done better in the past only makes me look like a coddling mother. To say that the teachers told me he was always the first one done, and that he was done in 7 minutes when it should have taken a half hour, makes me look like a mother that makes excuses and doesn't expect much from her child. But to be a mother that wants to get a higher degreee so that she can convince schools to stop placing so much emphasis on testing, and then her son royally screws up, makes it look like there are some sour grapes somewhere. The truth of the matter is that he still scored about average. He made a little improvement in Reading Comprehension, even getting done as quickly as he did. But he didn't make the expected overall improvements that I was seeing in the classroom. So what did this mother, who is against testing, tell the son who scored so "poorly?" This is the last year you can get a score like that. You'll be lucky to get into a community college with scores like that! Yes, it seems that I didn't score well on the Mother Test.

Color

Jamey Johnson, In Color Lyrics I said, Grandpa what’s this picture here It’s all black and white and ain’t real clear Is that you there, he said, yeah I was eleven Times were tough back in thirty-five That’s me and Uncle Joe just tryin’ to survive A cotton farm in the Great Depression And if it looks like we were scared to death Like a couple of kids just trying to save each other You should have seen it in color This one here was taken overseas In the middle of hell in nineteen forty-three In the winter time you can almost see my breath That was my tail gunner ole’ Johnny McGee He was a high school teacher from New Orleans And he had my back right through the day we left And if it looks like we were scared to death Like a couple of kids just trying to save each other You should have seen it in color A picture’s worth a thousand words But you can’t see what those shades of gray keep covered You should have seen it in color This one is my favorite one This is me and grandma in the summer sun All dressed up the day we said our vows You can’t tell it here but it was hot that June That rose was red and her eyes were blue And just look at that smile I was so proud That’s the story of my life Right there in black and white And if it looks like we were scared to death Like a couple of kids just trying to save each other You should have seen it in color A picture’s worth a thousand words But you can’t see what those shades of gray keep covered You should have seen it in color You should have seen it in color I can't really say that this says anything scripturally, but it says a lot to me on many levels. Of course, the most obvious is that you can't know what someone is going through until you go through it yourself. You can't understand the death of a spouse, the destruction of a home, an unexpected birth, a terminal illness, or being alone until you have gone through it yourself. What you can understand are just shades of gray. There are lots of happy things you can't understand either until you experience them...the love in someone's eyes, the birth of a long awaited child, a new home, friends around you. Those colors seem brighter and cheerier; I like them. Pastels of a quiet walk with God, holding a sleeping child, listening to a love song, or reading a good story are just as comforting, if not as bright. I guess the way this song touches me religiously is to know that Christ went through all of those emotions and he sees it all in color. There is no gray area with God; He knows it all. Praise God for colorful lives. ----------- The boys are back!! Yeah!!! Tomorrow we will go to the free summer movie and then hit the park for pizza with some friends. It will be a celebration of my three little ones finally seeing the two bigger ones. It has been a month since they have been together. They really are like brothers, and they miss each other. This is my last week with the boys until August, the little 3 anyway. They head to France for a long holiday with their parents. School starts in a couple of weeks for us here. I am trying to get the schedule together, and feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all. The older they get the harder school is to get through. I also have to remember that I have to grade everything I assign. Ugh.

Sound Like Life

Got a call last night from an old friend’s wife Said I hate to bother you Johnny Ray fell off the wagon He’s been gone all afternoon I know my buddy so I drove to Skully’s And found him at the bar I say hey man, what’s going on He said I don’t know where to start Sarah’s old car’s about to fall apart And the washer quit last week We had to put momma in the nursing home And the baby’s cutting teeth I didn’t get much work this week And I got bills to pay I said I know this ain’t what you wanna hear But it’s what I’m gonna say (Chorus)Sounds like life to me it ain’t no fantasy It’s just a common case of everyday reality Man I know it’s tough but you gotta suck it up To hear you talk you’re caught up in some tragedy It sounds like life to me Well his face turned red and he shook his head He said you don’t understand Three kids and a wife depend on me And I’m just one man To top it off I just found out That Sarah’s 2 months late I said hey bartender set us up a round We need to celebrate (Chorus)Sounds like life to me plain old destiny Yeah the only thing for certain is uncertainty You gotta hold on tight just enjoy the ride Get used to all this unpredictability Sounds like life Man I know its tough but you gotta suck it up To hear you talk you’re caught up in some tragedy Sounds like life to me Sounds like life This reminds me a lot of the book of Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament. Listen to a couple of excerpts from chapters 2 and 5: A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, and knowledge, and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand over to the one who pleases God. ...Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him- for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work- this is a gift of God. I am happy to say that God has given me that gift. I do enjoy my work and my life. ---------- The boys are at camp now, but I do have a funny conversation from the little bit of time they were here. I was talking about prom and girls wearing strapless dresses. The boys walked in and asked what was going on. I asked #1 what he thought of strapless dresses. He said he didn't care one way or the other, why? I said they are supposed to make you want to kiss on the girl. #2 says, "Right now that sounds disgusting, but in 5 years it will probably be delightful." I belly laughed on that one. I will have to remember to ask him if his first date is delightful. ------- Hubby and I took the free afternoon yesterday to watch the new movie, Up. It is a nice movie, great story, not for kids in my opinion, and I hated it. I cried through so much of it. I think it was hitting a little too close to home right now. It is about a man whose wife has died, and he fulfills a vow to her to go to South America and have an adventure. Lots of tears. It was very much a Sounds Like Life movie.

Home Again

Gatlinburg was wonderful as usual. It is such a beautiful place. I didn't feel like we had enough time to just enjoy the scenery. My mother asked me last night what the best part was. Niece #2, definitely. She is about 2 1/2, very talkative, and full of ideas-- all her own. We went to Dollywood, and I was the lucky one to get to take her on the rides. She did great and had a fabulous time. Twice she fell asleep on me; that was fabulous for me. What a snuggle bug a two year old is. I am happy to have my boys back, although they leave tomorrow for camp. #1 is going to BioTech Camp to learn about forensics. #2 is going to SpaceCamp to learn about astronomy. They only go for two days, back on Tuesday, so I won't miss them too badly. The floors are not finished as hoped. The sander broke partway through finishing the floors, and a part had to be ordered. It will be next week. Sigh. Par for the course, I suppose. Grandma's house sold very quickly. A neighbor bought it, so I supppose they knew it was a good deal. I'm going to miss that house. I don't like all of the changing that is going on...turning 40 soon, 20 years of marriage, a son starting Middle School, Grandma being unable to stay alone... How did this happen? I will be going to WV to help pack up the house next month. I'm sure lots of tears will follow.

Gatlinburg

Taking a break from the song series to give a short update. My boys are in Gatlinburg with Hubby's family now. They went down there on Saturday. Evidently yesterday #1 had a bout of homesickness, but was able to get over it. They have been gone over two weeks, and I know I miss my home after that long, too. Hubby and I will head out after work this evening to go to Gatlinburg. We will stay a couple of days and come back on Friday. It will be especially good to see my brother-in-law and sister-in-law and their kids. We saw them last at Christmas, but we were so sick that it feels like we didn't see them. We are super happy that the sister-in-law is doing well and has completed her radiation treatments. Thanks to everyone who was praying for her. I miss my boys. Yes, I talk to them nearly every day, but you can't hug over the phone. I know they are well and reasonably happy, but it will be good to get them back. Of course, we get back on Friday, and then they leave for 4-H camp on Sunday. The floors are to get finished upstairs while we are gone. Then I can really clean for the last time...super clean anyway. I will definitely still have to clean. It has been good to have some time to get caught up on things. Yesterday I had 10 children here throughout the day, and it reminded me of what I am about to get back into. It is difficult to keep things looking good when kids are at your house all day. I don't know when it will change, but adults certainly don't make as much of a mess as kids. I was putting away laundry this morning when Hubby heard me say, "I just don't understand." I was finding the wrong types of clothing in the drawers. There is a drawer for long sleeved shirts, one for short sleeved, one for pants, and another for shorts, etc. Why can they not get the right clothing in the correct drawer? Hubby said, "You still don't understand? They're crazy." I guess so. At what age do they gain their senses? Hope everyone has a great week. And keep your radios tuned to that country music!

Alyssa Lies

My little girl met a new friend, just the other day, on the playground at school between the tires and the swings But she came home with tear-filled eyes, and she said to me "Daddy, Alyssa lies" Well I just brushed it off at first, 'cause I didn't know how much my little girl had been hurt or the things she had seen. I wasn't ready when I said "You can tell me" and she said... "Alyssa lies to the classroom, Alyssa lies everyday at school, Alyssa lies to the teachers as she tries to cover every bruise" My little girl laid her head down that night to go to sleep. As I stepped out the room, I heard her say a prayer so soft and sweet "God bless my mom and my Dad and my new friend, Alyssa *oh*I know she needs you bad Because Alyssa lies to the classroom, Alyssa lies everyday at school, Alyssa lies to the teachers as she tries to cover every bruise" I had the worst night of sleep in years as I tried to think of a way to calm her fears I knew just what it was I had to do *I knew exactly what I had to do* but when we got to school on Monday I heard the news My little girl asked me why everybody looked so sad the lump in my throat grew bigger with every question that she asked. Until I felt the tears run down my face and I told her that Alyssa wouldn't be at school today 'Cause she doesn't lie in the classroom she doesn't lie anymore at school Alyssa lies with Jesus because there's nothin' anyone would do Tears filled my eyes when my little girl asked me why Alyssa lies *Oh Daddy, oh* Daddy tell me why Alyssa lies This song has been out a while. I did a little research, and it took the writer 3 years to get it together. It is definitely an emotional song. What does it have to do with my faith though? I think it says a lot about how we turn our heads and ignore what we don't want to believe. Even at church, I can brush someone off who is difficult to deal with or just puts too much "drama" into my life. But it doesn't change what the person is going through. The question is..."Will I be the one to listen to the "truth," to stand up for the one who can't stand on her own, to protect the helpless? Or will I listen to the lies, ignore the painful truth, and have Jesus to answer to?" That may sound melodramatic, but it happens every week to all of us. People are hurting. Are we being Jesus on Earth, or are we just being Jesus's Earthlings, living and never loving?

Sissy's Song

I like this song by Alan Jackson because it reminds me of a modern Psalm. There is pain, hurt, confusion, and hope. The verses change from hoping that she went to Jesus, wishing she went to Jesus, and finally being certain that she went to Jesus. So many of the Psalms are real like that. Your faith changes, ebbs and flows, if you will. But always there is the chorus getting you through the pain. In your heart of hearts you know Jesus is waiting for you. Why did she have to go? So young I just don't know why Things happen half the time Without reason without rhyme Lovely, sweet young woman Daughter, wife and mother Makes no sense to me I just have to believe She flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waiting And I know she's smiling saying Don't worry 'bout me Loved ones she left behind Just trying to survive And understand the why Feeling so lost inside Anger shot straight at God Then asking for His love Empty with disbelief Just hoping that maybe She flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waiting And I know she's smiling saying Don't worry 'bout me It's hard to say goodbye Her picture in my mind Will always be of times I'll cherish And I won't cry 'cause She flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees And she walks with jesus and her loved ones waiting And I know she's smiling saying Don't worry 'bout me

Roosters Are Country Music

I was planning on butchering a rooster this evening and some hens tomorrow, but it looks like we will be having rain. I butcher out in the back of the barn, so rain isn't conducive to butchering. I had hoped to get that done before the boys come back though, so I may just have to get wet. We have to catch the rooster in the evening, and the hens too, but I will put the hens in a cage and save for tomorrow. The rooster would be too feisty to wait until tomorrow. My plan is to get an incubator later this summer and start raising my own flock. I think it will pay for the incubator in the long run. I often have people stopping by to ask if I will sell chickens. The eggs have been profitable lately, too. It is just when I don't get eggs in the winter, but still have to feed the chickens, that it doesn't seem like a good idea. I may have to turn on a light for them this winter. --------- I like country music. I like that I can usually understand most of the words, and I like that no one yells or makes a lot of noise with guitars. I also like that the songs usually tell a story- even if it isn't a good, moral story. But I think one of my favorite reasons for liking country music is that it is religious. Jesus and God are often mentioned in favorable terms. So I thought I would have a little "series" on country music for a few days. I think I will write about some songs I enjoy and what they speak to me about my faith. Here is a little quip just to wet your whistle. I don't know the whole song, as it was a new one to me, but I heard a fragment the other day..."If you want to hear God laugh, just tell Him your plans." God rarely lets me follow through on my plans. In fact, if I say something like...I will NEVER marry a preacher...then somehow it seems to come to pass. But the Bible often says "and it came to pass" so I guess I am just staying scriptural. God's plans always seem hard to follow. He isn't very good at drawing maps, or maybe I am not good at reading them, but I always like where I end up after the trip is over. I wonder how much He is laughing now as I try to go to grad school, figure out a job, raise a family, build a house, lead a church. He must be getting quite the chuckle.

The Cure

I watched a movie last night from Netflix. It is called The Cure. The plot is that two eleven year old boys meet in a small town along the Mississipppi River and become friends. One boy has family problems, and the other has AIDS. They decide to find a cure for AIDS, and the story takes off from there. They hunt for different plants that might work, try to get to New Orleans where a quack has "found" a cure, and they spend a lot of time in the hospital. In the end, the boy dies, and the other is upset that they never found a cure. The grieving mother says that they did. Her son was alone and afraid before they became friends. His friendship was the cure they needed to make her son happy. Sappy, I know, but a good thought. How much could we "cure" people if we would only be a good friend to them? Here's to being a better friend today. -------- Turned in State Projects yesterday! WhooHoo!! We had a club project and 5 kids' projects. I am planning on helping another kid on Monday with her project, so that will take us to 6 kids' projects. I would like to help the state personnel work on the guidelines and judging of state projects. It isn't very well done, and I think with just a few easy adjustments it could be a lot better. I told our Extension Agent, though, that I am not getting a degree to work with 4-H. There isn't enough money in it. Guess that will come back to bite me; it always does.

Dog Days

Turned on the ac last evening. I have never turned it on June first before. It is supposed to be hot all week with a chance of storms. Think hot and humid. At least we found out that the upstairs unit is a good one. It cooled down fairly quickly up there. It was 97 degrees upstairs when we turned it on. I am trying to find a home for Kelly. She has caused too much trouble for us to deal with her any longer. Since the cement escapade we have put her in a harness. She can get out of it. Now she won't get up to let us get the harness back on her; she just lies down on her back and refuses to move. Any time the door opens, out she runs and heads to the new subdivision. Having children in the house, the door opens quite often, and the kids can't keep her in. Last night was our monthly prayer meeting. I enjoy taking the time to eat with friends and spend an hour in prayer. I kept thinking I needed to have more free time yesterday so that I could get more marked off my list, but after I sat down and relaxed, I realized I needed the prayer time more than I needed the work done. Sabbath rest is such a difficult concept for me.

Grandparents

Yes, I am getting things done, and getting in a little rest as well. Hubby and I took in a movie this afternoon, and then I took in a little nap after that. It's Sunday; I'm allowed. I am starting to miss my boys though. I just need to see them for an hour or so, a little hug time to cuddle with my babies. But then I would be ok. I still have lots to accomplish before I will feel like I am ready to start up with "family life" again. I also think it is really important that my boys get this time with their grandparents. I grew up down the lane from my father's parents, and my mother's parents were on the other side of the county. We were there most weekends visiting them. I had a good relationship with both sets of grandparents, and now I remember the things I learned from them. Grandma S. taught me that family is most important, kneading bread is the secret to a good loaf, and how to french braid hair. Papaw S. taught me to never stop learning and to always behave myself. Grandma F. showed me that some pain can never be forgotten, always offer food to company, and how to make salad dressing. Papaw F. was the one that never knew a stranger, and showed me that a compliment or an encouraging word can go a long way. It is these memories that help me through the days without my boys (and the fact that I am keeping myself busy to not think about them). I don't know what the boys will remember their grandparents teaching them...fishing, laughing, loving deeply, eat ice cream every day, who knows...but I do know that these will be special memories whatever they are.

A Morning Walk

I went for a walk with a couple of friends while I was in WV. I got up about 6:00, and started down the lane enjoying the fresh day. I breathed in the smells so deeply, fresh earth, wet grass, a horsey sort of odor...if I closed my eyes and smelled it now I would know right where I was. Then along came my ten year old friend. She was walking to school. She could have ridden the bus, but some mornings she likes to walk there. It's only about a mile to the school, and all of the neighbors know her and her family, so it is really quite safe. She was leaving her grandparents house after breakfast and a quick visit. Whiskers, the dog on their porch, was watching as she left, yearning to join this young, happy friend. As we walked along, thinking our own thoughts and listening to the morning sounds, my buddy took off. As she ran ahead, my mind raced backward. I started noticing the changes that had occured since I walked that way before. Several places have been "let go" and grown up or started falling down. I remembered the lot that was always kept so neatly, the neighbors' workshop where my grandmother met in winter to reupholster furniture, the yard that the crazy lady mowed in her bra... As I took the curve at the bottom of the hill, another friend was out jogging. I joined her for a bit, huffing and puffing to keep up. She was 16 not too long ago, and today she would march with the graduates in the parade. She was out jogging so early to get her day started right. She thought she had a few more pounds to lose on her 5 foot 7 frame..she weighs all of 103 pounds. The early morning air seemed to clear her mind, and she said she liked to talk to God on her jogs. She liked smelling the honeysuckle and peonies in the morning air. Someone had recently mowed hay, and the smell was sweet and clean. The birds were singing to each other, and the chipmunks were racing past on the road. I tried to slow her down, to say that a walk would be more meditative, but she had weight to lose and left me in the dust. Maybe when she is 40, I thought, she might slow down for a walk. That was when I saw the little girl again. She was barefoot, standing in the middle of a tar patch on the road. I suddenly remembered the feel of a tar patch, and removed my shoes as well. Tar patches are as soft as moleskin, and when a day is warm enough, you can pop little bubbles with your toes. It makes a terrible mess, and actually stays there most of the summer (since you do it often), but there isn't much that can compare. We couldn't stay there too long, my young friend had to get to the parade route for the festivities, and I had to get back home and start up my crew. As I walked back home, I mused over the surroundings. The land is hilly, of course, and the road winds and curves through the hills. Each hill and curve holds a surprise just beyond. Some surprises are sweet like honeysuckle, and some are as horrid as a dead opossum in the road, but if you notice the smells and sounds more, and even enjoy the tar patches, the dead opossums are quickly passed by...and the beauty that is yours to enjoy is so much greater than the little horrid spots. I hope my young friends always remember that.

What To Do?

Several people have asked what I do without kids for two weeks. Well, it isn't all bonbons and sweet tea. I have successfully assembled the boys' state projects, and I am nearly finished assembling the club project. I have spent many hours contemplating which English curriculum we will attempt this year. I even made a decision and ordered it already. I have made phone calls to doctors, stores, friends, etc. I have watched other people's children- that is my job. This morning I went to the Farmer's Market to sell my eggs. And I have gone to dinner with friends. Wednesday I went out with my husband before church. Last night we met another couple at a restaurant. Tonight I will have to cook since I am helping at the shelter. Tomorrow is a cookout at our house with church people. I guess food is where the fun is. My Weds. small group is reading the book One Month to Live. The last chapter was trying to not waste time in your day. The authors discussed the 20/80 rule, and stated that 20% of your time leads to 80% of your happiness. Taking a 14 hour day, that would mean about 3 hours of my day make up the majority of my day's happiness. I think I am not eating enough. -------- While I was gone Hubby was holding down the fort. On Monday morning a knock came at the door. "Do you have a black and white dog?" Yes, the fiend had struck again. She was running through a driveway in which the cement was being poured. He untied her from a post, but she got out of her collar and ran through the fresh cement TWO more times! She is now in a harnass instead of a neck collar. She has managed to get out of it once already. If it doesn't work she will have to be put down. I know you all think this is a ploy on my part to be rid of the dog, but she is doing it to herself. I guess she is getting her 80% of happiness any chance she can.

1868

I attended the WV Memorial Day Parade on Monday. It is held every year in my hometown. The school children march carrying flags and small bouquets of flowers. The parade ends at the National Cemetary, and the flags and flowers are placed on grave markers there. This has been occuring since 1868! I remember the long march through town to the cemetary, seeing people I knew and family members who would wave along the way. You were not to wave back. This was a solemn affair. At the end of the route, after your flags and flowers were placed, there were ice cream treats given out by the town grocery, Garden Fresh. This was a big deal. They were drumsticks or ice cream bowls that you ate with a stick. It was the only time in the year that I would eat one of those. I always carried irises or snowballs picked from our yard and then wrapped in foil. My hands would be so sweaty and tired by the end of the parade. The flags were to be held over our shoulders, but I don't know if we ever made it through an entire parade that way. We were instructed to wear white, and wear white we did. I wore white dresses, white socks, and white shoes. It was actually a formal affair. I even wore a white sunbonnet my mother made for me. Things are a bit different now. Most participants wore red, white, and blue. I don't think I saw any dresses. Flags are still carried, but not all students carry flowers. Teachers were casually dressed as well. Waving was automatic from both onlookers and participants. It seemed much more a community event than a formal affair. I guess it has to change. I imagine the first celebration, held in 1868, was much different than either 1977 or 2009. The Civil War had only been over for about 3 years. A President had been assassinated, a country torn apart, people and property lost forever. Yet, someone saw a need to celebrate. To celebrate healing, courage, bravery, and a new start. It didn't matter which side you fought on, now was the time to pull together. It had to be hard to sit on one side of the parade and watch the "enemy" sit on the other. I would like to imagine that everyone sat on one side together, but I know people and I am positive that didn't happen. It didn't take 141 years for my town to heal from the Civil War, but our country still bears the scars. I see the scars here in the South. I hope and pray that the other countries who are trying to recover from War will not take as long as our's has to heal. God bless us all with Peace and Healing.

All-American

I had a very nice weekend with my family in WV. I took the boys with me to visit their grandparents, and the last surviving great-grandmothers. On Memorial Day we went into my hometown to watch the parade. A 4-H club was passing by us, and I yelled "Go 4-H!" I said something to #2 about how 4-H is "All-American." He disagreed because there are 4-H clubs in other countries; it is international. Then I had to explain what "All-American" means. I said if you are an All-American Girl, you have blonde hair, blue eyes, a ponytail, are a cheerleader, and eat apple pie. "What if you are an All-American Boy?" he asked. Then you can be either light or dark headed, wear blue jeans, play baseball, and put frogs in your pockets. "Well, you better not slide into second with the frog in your pocket," he answered back. I enjoyed visiting with some old friends while I was in WV. There never seems to be enough time when I go back. I left the boys there to visit their GP for a couple of weeks. Now I have 2 weeks to get a lot done. Just like going home, I don't think there will be enough time.

Conflict

Yesterday I was involved in a conversation on an e-loop that involved the stance of Girl Scouts on homosexuality. Another woman and I had several "exchanges" about how we felt it ought to be handled. We were kind and respectful to each other, and I think we discovered that we believe about the same things, but we differ in how we would handle the situation. The part that bothered me was that another woman replied to my first response with, "Good grief." As if it weren't important to acknowledge that I may have a point, she just dismissed me. I imagine she assumed she knew where I stood on the issue, and instead of probing as my other friend did, she just gave up. It made me think about religion and its many interpretations. There are many who believe that if you don't see it their way then you are wrong and that is that. I would much rather have a conversation- not a yelling, back-biting, hateful dispute- that leads to better understanding of each other. I can't help but think that the people who knew Jesus best often got things wrong. If those who were with him daily couldn't get it all in their heads, why do we think that we will do any better? Taking Jesus's example and carefully and calmly explaining and probing will get the Kingdom farther than the accusatory self-righteousness of the Pharisees.

Excitement

I am taking the boys in two more days to WV to visit their grandparents. Yesterday, #2 packed his bags and asked if he could put them in the back of the van. He is excited. ------ The boys have been going upstairs a lot more to decide where they will put things in their new rooms. They are anxious to get back from their vacation so their room can be done. They are excited. ------ The heating and ac is completed upstairs. I am excited. ------ The electricity is completed. I am ecstatic! ----- I am leaving town for 5 days. I am concerned. I have spent the last 5 days painting. That means things are falling apart here. I have many other things to do today and tomorrow. That means more will fall apart. I will be gone for 5 days and will miss the demolition crew that will surely raze our house because of its current condition. I am excited again. ---------------- A friend is taking the boys on a field trip for me today. They are going to Raleigh to tour the Legislative Building. My husband says I don't understand "Summer Vacation." I think the boys will enjoy it. Yesterday they were doing Math games, and night before last they asked me to play American Trivia with them. They just enjoy learning. I will be keeping two of the kids of the friend who is taking my boys. We are going to pick strawberries. I guess that is a "Summer Vacation" activity. Maybe I am better at this than Hubby thinks.

Late Night Questions

I painted from 8 a.m. to about 6:45 p.m. today. I stopped for lunch and dinner and an apple snack part way through the afternoon. Let me tell you, that was a lot of painting. I started on the stairwell yesterday, and was able to get a good bit done on it. I had a ladder leaned against the lower wall and was hanging by an arm at times, trying to get to all of the corners. As I moved back on the steps I had Hubby come to hold me still. I have never been afraid of heights. At our last house I hung over the roof to paint the outside of the house before we sold it. It was a two story structure on a bank that made that side about 3 stories high. Yesterday painting the stairwell had me sweaty, heart racing, head thumping and sick to my stomach. I finished it up this morning, and Hubby helped me again. I told him I just didn't understand this reaction. His response? "You're getting older. You must finally be getting some sense." Thanks. --------- I have said it before and I will say it again, "I wish the dog would die." I do not hate her. In fact, I am fond of her. But she is a problem often enough that I wish she would leave me alone forever. Again last night she was up barking at who knows what. The last many nights she has awakened me with her barking at something out by the animals. I have lost some chickens in the last few months, so I have let her out to run off any potential threats, but last night I didn't think there was anything out there. I told her to be quiet and go to bed. Then I quietly went to bed...and lay there wide awake for a couple of hours. I finally got up and did some computer work, then headed back to bed at 5:30. Does anyone have a gun I could borrow? --------- Part of my lying awake led me down a familiar path. I have been thinking lately about how unfair this world is. A friend's baby dies, and then the next baby is terribly ill. A friend's "spiritual daughter" dies at age 23. People who want babies can't have them, while unwed young women who need serious mental help have babies. Children without parents, poverty sucking the life out of people, cancer striking the young, aged parents forgetting their children, and on and on. Why does this world have to be so unfair? Is it just to remind us that this world is not our home? Or is it because sin entered the world and destroyed the perfection God created? Is it Satan's way of destroying the faithful? I didn't find any answers last night, just more questions. I just wish this world would end for all of us so we could go home. Even the dog.

Disrupting Class

OK, I know I post a lot about the house and the kids, but today will be different. I am finally getting a little time to read a book I started before Christmas. It was recommended by a friend who teaches at the university, but also homeschools his children. Disrupting Class, by Clayton Christensen, is not an easy read for someone who doesn't like diagrams and intricate details of economics, but now that I have waded through that part, I am quickly swimming through the last part. Christensen takes his business theory (he teaches at the Harvard Business School) and applies it to the public education system in the USA. He shows how a business can not disrupt itself, because it is in business for itself and its current customers. Therefore, the Education System cannot disrupt itself because it already has things the way it wants them. So the business has to be disrupted by another business. And how is that going to happen in education? Good question. It seems that it is going to happen almost undetected by the unions and textbook companies. The internet and its many offerings are going to drastically change the way teachers approach their students. They will finally be able to individualize each child's instruction so that their own learning styles can be accomodated. This will first happen with students and parents outside of school, but as it takes hold and spreads, there will be little choice but to let it in the school systems. This actually has started to occur in trying to meet the demands of No Child Left Behind. I liked this last paragraph of chapter 5: "At some point, administrators, school committees, and teachers' unions will recognize that even without explicit adminstrative decisions ever having been made, student-centric learning will have become mainstream. The substitution curve analysis in chapter 4 suggests that this will happen in approximately 2014 when online courses have a 25 percent market share in high schools- six years from the date of publication of this book. Student-centric learning is not far away." Woo Hoo! Finally we are going to move away from all of the rules and red tape and actually let kids learn. It seems that the home school movement has had a lot to do with this change. More and more students are turning to other ways of learning than just textbooks, and now the rest of the world is starting to notice. If all of the predictions are correct this change will occur before my children are out of school. Glad to know we are on the cutting edge and my children will be a bit ahead of the game as they enter "Grown-Up Land." That makes my pained primer painting back feel a lot better. You knew I couldn't say nothing about the house job!

I Want My MaaMaa!

We separated the kids from their mothers this week. They are very sad. Usually when I do this they cry until they go completely hoarse. It takes about 3 days. I don't actually have to separate this group, since I have decided there is absolutely no room in my schedule for milking goats, but I separated them because they are destroying my plants. It is all their fault.

Above is Manly, crying for his Mama. I do feel sorry for him. The others butt him a lot and his best friend, Joy, has been sold. Below is Isabelle. I think she is the prettiest of the kids. She looks so soft and cuddly, like a Gund toy. She is also one of the quietest of the kids which puts her on my favorite list anyway. Listening to babies cry all day can get annoying.

Below is the new goat house my husband made for me on Mother's Day. I painted it, and then we got it out to the field on Wednesday. The kids do seem to use it, but before it got to the field it was very popular with the other kids. There were four of them playing in it one afternoon- all at once. Even the kid that is as tall as I am was in it with other children!

You can see all of the goats huddling in the corner crying to each other.

Faye is the only mother that seems angry about all of this. The other mothers will sit by the fence, but they don't have much to say about it. Faye on the other hand will butt the fence, try to push it over, even climb up it. Manly is desperate to get to her too.

Luke looks annoyed by the whole thing. We saw a bear on the way to church Wednesday evening. It wasn't too far from our house. If I were an angry bear I would go get some goat for breakfast or dinner. They really do make you look like Luke!

Even the chickens go to check them out, though I think they are hoping to find some food left over. I feel like a Nazi separating children from mothers and putting them on a train to far away. You have to have a hard heart sometimes to get through it.

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The septic guys did show up on my "Day Off" and repaired the problem. The drain field tube was split. It was a moderate expense, and nothing came back to visit in my house, so I guess I was happy.

I thought then that I would have yesterday off since the sanders weren't to come until today, but of course not. They showed up yesterday. So now the walls are hung, mudded, and sanded. I will paint primer today. No days off, but I see it as being one day closer to being finished. And that feels GREAT!

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Last night was the boys' "Fun of the Cup" event. They had friends over for a party and campfire. I told them I could not feed that many children, so they ate before they came. We had chips and drinks. Then made s'mores over the campfire. They were here from 6-9 and it wasn't that bad. I told them the only reason they could go into the house was to use the toilet. They obeyed that and everyone had a good time. The kids love to play in fire, as all children do, and so half an hour of "roasting sticks" made them pretty happy.

2 Fun of the Cups down, 1 to go. Hubby asked if we couldn't just do the third one today and be done with it. No. They want to invite friends to the beach for a day and I don't want to do that today. The water would be too cold for me.

No FotC next week as the boys head to WV for a little "Grandma Sleep Away Camp."

In case any of you are feeling terribly sorry for the goats, don't. This used to be a lovely grapevine in full leaf with budding grapes. I have tried to grow it for four years! They are bad, bad, bad little kids and deserve what they are getting. Plus they are plenty old enough to give up Mama Milk.

How Long Do You Have?

I am reading a book called One Month to Live for a discussion group on Wednesday nights. Last night was our first time to discuss it, and the question was, "If you had one month to live, what 5 things would you change about your life right now?" I actually had a hard time answering that question. There aren't that many things I would change about my life. Most definitely I would stop the work on the house, but since I think I have more than that left I won't be calling a halt to it yet. The only thing I came up with was to spend more time with friends and less time being busy. As for changing that, I said that if I had 2 years left instead of 1 month, I wouldn't change the busyness because most of our busy times are with friends and our children. I have a very nice life. I am watching the news for the first time in weeks. I have to say I have been in a little bubble of house and children. I don't think we have gone to war with anyone else, been attacked, or lost more homes. The big news seems to be some upset on American Idol. I have never followed Idol. I have seen some parts of it, but it never seemed to interest me. I guess at some point I will need to get interested in popular culture, since my boys are getting close to being teenagers, but for now I am safe. I know enough about Harry Potter to keep up with the conversation. I was having lunch with #5 a week or so ago, and commented that I can't believe he is going to be in Kindergarten next year. "Why?" "Because it seems like you were just a baby not too long ago." "Mrs. X, I have been alive for a loonnnggg time." I'm sure in his little world he has been, but it has gone awfully fast for me. I guess that is one thing that I would never change about my life. I like being around to see my children grow up. It occured to me yesterday that by the time I get the boys out of the house I will have spent 20 years raising children. (That is assuming they leave at 18.) 20 years is a career in some occupations! Will it have been worth losing money and benefits for 20 years? Most definitely! No matter how long I get to live.

A Day Off

The "Mudders" came yesterday, and will be back on Friday to sand. So that means I have today off of house stuff. Well, that is what it would mean if someone hadn't run over the drain field pipe to the septic system. So today I wait at home for the septic repair man to come and hand me another bill. I am very much hoping he gets here before I see septic inside the house. There was an odor yesterday, so I don't know how close we are to that happening. Above is a picture of #2's bedroom. It is looking from the far northeast corner towards the family room. This room had lots of issues with the ceiling. Painting is going to be tricky, but I can do it. The picture below is the repair job on the hallway ceiling. I really didn't think it could be done, but they did an excellent job.

The boys gave their presentations yesterday evening for the County Judges. #1 did a Public Speaking presentation on Basketball. #2 gave a demonstration in the Environmental Education category on Wildfires. Both boys did well. They should go to District competition at the end of June.

Below is #2 presenting his state project to the County 4-H Extension Agent. He wrote a coloring book about birds to be given to kids who do the Birds Project. Now we have to write up all of what they did and how it impacted them so that the project records can be sent in. Yeah, I thought it was summer break too.

7:15 A.M.!!!

Yesterday, the drywallers started their part of the work. They arrived about 10 till 8. They worked until a little after 6:00. Yes! The drywall is hung! It was a long day filled with doom and gloom. We got some bad news about friends, the boys had a LOT of work to do on their presentations for 4-H, the drywallers kept running into problems, the university didn't have me in the computer system, and it was a rainy, dark day. This morning the new drywall crew showed up at...you guessed it: 7:15 A.M.!!! The boys are still in bed. I was just getting into the shower when they showed up, so Hubby had to jump up and take care of letting them in. The head man said it won't be perfect, but it will look good. That is all we were hoping for. The rafters are all different sizes, so the ceiling will have a lot of waves to it. This crew today only does this step in the process, so if anyone can do it, I hope they can. About a week ago, #2 came in the office while I was working on something. He told me he was tired but not sleepy. About two minutes later I looked over and saw this! I think he needs to figure out the difference between sleepy and tired. We have all been feeling this way lately.

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#2 received a letter last week: Dear Former Earthling #2, Welcome to the Fellowship of Aliens, striving to be like our Extra-Terrestrial Lord, Jesus Christ. May God bless you with an eternity in His service. Love, Mel

4-H Movie Completed

I am so proud of #1. He was able to finish his movie in time for the Family Fun Day on Saturday. Except for a little guidance, he did this entire movie on his own, including writing the script! He has come a long way! I see him maturing in so many ways. On Friday he got up and mowed the lawn without being told, came in and showered, and then got to work on his movie. He volunteered at Give 2 the Troops on Thursday, and evidently lifted and moved lots and lots of boxes. Today at church he offered to carry things out for a lady whose hands were full. He certainly is growing into a fine, young man.

Besides all of that...He won second place in the GoScience Essay Contest!!! He was in the 6-8 grade division, so it really was quite an accomplishment. He was in 6 grade. He will receive a plaque and a t-shirt for winning. He had to write a research paper on a scientific experiment that was conducted during the 6th (? I don't remember for certain) Expedition of the International Space Station. This was his first research paper, and did I mention he won second place?

You can also find this movie on YouTube under the heading "We Are 4-H, Past and Present." The girl who did the interviewing is also trying to complete a state project. Her project was to form a blog and have former and current 4-H members to answer questions about what they enjoy(ed) about 4-H. If you are a former 4-Her, even from another state, and you would like to help her reach her goal of 100 bloggers, then go to www.weare4h.blogspot.com and leave her some comments. You should also soon be able to see the entire interviews that they conducted. #1 had to do a lot of editing of interviews in order to lower the time of the video, but we are placing them uncut on her blog.

Happy Mothers' Day

I love being a mother. I was talking with a young woman at church today. She has changed her major at college, AGAIN, and I was asking about that. She said it sounds weird to a lot of her friends, but she wants to get a job that will allow her to spend the most time with her kids and not have to put them in day care. She has no children. Her greatest desire in life is to be a Mommy. I commended her for thinking ahead and doing what she knows is important to her. It has been a blessing from God that I am able to stay home with my children, and for the most part, always have stayed with them.

Happy Mothers' Day to all of my friends and family whose lives are forever changed by being a mom. I don't have pictures on file of all of you, but I hope your day is great!

Hubby and I were reminiscing, and realized that it was Father's Day 14 years ago that we made our announcement that I would be a Mommy. Two years after that, on Mother's Day, we made our second announcement. What blessings I have been given! I missed my sweet niece's birthday yesterday. I can't believe my Precious Girl is 7 years old! Happy Birthday and see you in a month, Lovely Lady!!

The Stairway to Heaven

The windows were put in yesterday. They came from Lowe's, and our other windows did not, but they seem to match just fine. The stairs are very nearly completed. This is a picture going down the stairs. I tried to angle it so you can't see all of the stuff at the bottom of the stairs that is still cluttering up the hallway. The floor guy took a lot of his toys home yesterday, so the clutter is a little less.

The spindles and newl post are in now. I think today the first finish goes on them, and then nothing else happens to them until the floor guy finishes everything. That will be after the drywallers have done their thing and I have painted.

The stairs look nice. The guy that we are asking to do the drywall was very impressed with them. Several people who have walked on them say they are very sturdy compared with their own stairs. I guess doing the job right isn't always important in new construction these days.

So hopefully next week the drywall goes in and maybe I get to start putting on paint. I'm sort of afraid to post that for fear that it will jinx us and be another couple of months! #1 has been working on a movie for his state 4-H project for a few months. Today we should finish it! He interviewed about 10 people from the community who have been involved in 4-H. He also took action shots of 4-Hers "doing their thing." All of that has been combined and now he is voicing over the script that he wrote. Tomorrow is Family Fun Day in our county 4-H program, and we hope to show it there for publicity. School may be out, but we are still busy learning.

#2 made a coloring book of birds, along with information to teach about birds. He will be hosting a booth to teach kids how to make origami pigeons. Tomorrow should be a big day.

Another Friend

This Big Boy came walking down our lane yesterday. We see a turtle or two a year, and this is our second already. I wonder if we will break our record this year. This is the biggest one we have seen though.

He knew where he was headed and didn't let us or Kelly deter him from his mission. His legs and tail were enormous with saggy skin on his legs and spikes on his tail.

His plan was to cross the main road. He jumped back when a car came, but they slowed when they saw us standing there taking pictures.

We were very nervous about it, but he made it safely across. He actually moved quite quickly.

Safely on the other side, he rested in the ditch and stuck his head in the water there. Refreshing.

Another thing that is refreshing is 11 hours of sleep! I was having allergy issues the last couple of days, so last night I took a Benadryl. I was already exhausted, and the added meds with a rainy morning made the perfect mixture for some much needed rest.

Warm Bubble Bath

The more I counted all of my "wrongs" yesterday, the more I thought what I needed was a warm bubble bath. I was right. Funny how it can make everything seem a little less edgy. I didn't get to finish my bubble bath though, because a couple came by wanting to buy two goats. That was a good reason for me to get out of the tub! The woman is to come by this morning and pay me, and then get the goats on Saturday evening. They are a Mother's Day present! Don't worry, Mom and Mom-in-Law, you aren't getting goats. I am very ready to sell the little buggers. They get out more than they stay in, and they have ruined my grapevine. Yesterday they were in the flower bed eating all of the mint. They should have good breath for their new owners. --------- Our "Fun of the Cup" is a little different this summer. Normally we make a list of things that are fun to do and put them in a cup. Then we pick one a week for the summer. I looked at the calendar and told the boys there is so much going on this summer, that they would have to put the list on the calendar instead. We don't do things when there are other fun things scheduled, so it turned out that there were only three weeks that they could put a "Fun of the Cup" event! So last night was their first: watch movies and sleep in the livingroom. This has been one of their favorites for years, but I think #1 is growing out of the couch. He went to his bed. The other things they picked for the summer were to have friends over for a campfire, which is scheduled for next week, and to take friends to the beach, which is scheduled for the end of June. Then school starts July first. Summer gone. Whew that went fast!!! -------- Part of my annoyances yesterday was that a drywaller showed up to give an estimate. He was very negative about how hard the job would be, yada, yada, yada. He didn't give me the estimate, but will call. I am certain we will go with someone else. I think he is too much of a perfectionist and the job would cost my life savings. I looked at pictures of a floor last night. The guy who is doing our floor won first place in a contest here last week. The floor he did was absolutely beautiful. There were lots of patterns, turns, and designs in the wood. I asked him if he could redo our floor upstairs to look like that. It was $17,000 just for the floor!!!! Guess we'll stick to Plain Jane.

Sigh

This is my baby being baptized. The pictures were taken on a phone. Our regular camera lady was out of town, and of course I don't travel with my camera! I didn't even have my own phone there that day. Thanks to Ben for thinking fast and grabbing a few shots.

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I went to court today. Sigh. Back in March I received a speeding ticket. I openly admit I was speeding; I just didn't know it at the time. I honestly thought the limit was 55 mph, and I was going 50. The officer told me if I had been going in the oppposite direction I would have been fine, but the direction I was headed is 35 mph. I was told to go to the DA's office to take care of it or to go to court today.

I went a couple of weeks ago to the DA's office to ask for Prayer for Judgment- a strange concept here in NC that if you have a good record- which I do- then the judge says a prayer for you and that is that. At the DA's office they told me I have to go to court to ask for that, and that I should get a copy of my driving record from my insurance agent. So I called the agent, picked up a copy, and headed to court this morning.

First of all, they tell you the court house is on Main St. There is no Main St. in the tiny town that I had to appear in, nor is there a court house. It was on Third St (I was told later that everyone just calls it Main) and it was in the Town Hall. Things just went downhill from there. I didn't know where to go, what to do, my copy wasn't official, turn here, go there...it was awful.

I don't want to talk about it anymore, just suffice it to say, I paid $131 for getting caught in a trap. Deep Sigh. ----------

The morning only made the day seem worse. I told friends this afternoon that I could just sit and cry. I think the weather has a lot to do with it. I heard a tornado is headed for my house. That would be the expected ending for today. I am tired of the house project, of 4-H projects, of contemplating school, of dealing with children, of losing things, of most things. Sunday #1 said, "Summer vacation isn't turning out like I expected." "What did you expect?" I asked. "I thought it would be a lot more fun." I guess we are all sighing.

Don't feel sorry for the boy. He is headed to his grandparents for 2 weeks at the end of the month, and then a trip to Gatlinburg before a few days at camp. His fun will happen; it's just going to come a little slower than he wanted. I am hoping the same for myself.

God's Child

Always I have known that my children belong to the Lord, but today my baby made the decision himself to join Christ's Family. I was teaching Sunday School for #2's age group, and during class he told me he wanted to be baptized. We weren't discussing baptism in class, so it was a surprise to me. He said he wore waterproof pants (nylon) so that he could be baptized today. I told him he wouldn't be wearing his pants. What a Happy Day!!!! He called his grandparents before we started, to let them know what was happening. I had my feet in the water while he went under. I told him in the dressing room that I was going to cry, but that it was just tears of happiness. He said that was ok as long as I didn't cry too loudly so that everyone could hear me. I think I did ok. His dad did the baptizing, and we asked the church to join us on the stage. My poor baby was shaking like a leaf. He said it was cold water, but my feet were fine. I think it was nerves. Again, What A Happy Day!!! No one had a camera, but a friend took a picture on his phone. I hope it turns out well.

One Room At A Time

Harris Teeter had triple coupons again this week. I went twice looking for the free tortilla chips, but evidently HT in our area doesn't carry Grande brand. I did manage some multigrain tortilla chips for 75 cents though. The applesauce was in 6 packs and cost about 87 cents each. I thought they would be good for this summer's trips and picnics. 4 pounds of rice were free, as well as Kraft dressing, Ortega beans, Big Red gum, and mandarin oranges. I think I paid less than $15 for this group of items. I did have to buy milk and juice, so the exact amount isn't calculated yet.

This bunch was fun, too. 6 packs of rice for free, 4 Glass Plus free, Tetley tea and croutons free, even Hormel microwave meal free! The toilet paper was the most expensive at 2.24 for the big rolls. The cheese was 1.49, not bad in my opinion. This total was $14 and change.

This is not free! This is my expensive son sitting on our nearing-completion expensive staircase. -------------

I went to breakfast with some friends today. It was nice to sit outside and enjoy each others' company. We used to visit every week, but our schedules have changed and we have missed each other. Afterward, we made a call on another friend who was having a breakdown. I can't pass along all that happened or was said, but it was a long morning.

I came home to clean my kitchen. I am taking the house "One Room At a Time." The kitchen is going to take a couple of days at least. I decided to paint the inside of the cupboards where the paint was peeling and chipping. I have wanted to do it for years now, but I guess it wasn't a priority. I had to touch up paint other parts of the kitchen from where we removed the only outlet power strip that was bolted to the wall. So while the paint was out...

Now I am washing out cupboards. I still need to wash the walls and outside of the cupboards, and really, really need to mop the floor. Of course there is cleaning out the oven and trash can and refrigerator...better not to think too hard about it.

The following picture is my concession to a deranged husband. He has nightmares that he will need a drink, a really huge, outrageous amount of fluid, and won't be able to find a cup to put it in. So we keep large cups that he gets at different events. I counted 9 huge cups in my cabinet. It doesn't matter that he didn't know they were there, or that he hasn't drank from them in years. What matters is that they are there for when our diabetic, dying of thirst friends come to visit. He's so thoughtful, that husband of mine. That's why I keep him around.

Thirsty, Anyone?

Happy Birthday

Yesterday my husband called to ask if we should take the time to send a card to his mother for her birthday. He wasn't sure if it would have time to get there. "I don't think it does," I said. "Why? I don't even know what day it is," replied Hubby. "This is the 30th. Tomorrow is her birthday." So Happy Birthday Mother-in-Law! Our thoughts are with you; we just have lost track of time. We hope you have a happy day full of fun! Here's a funny conversation to help brighten your day: #2: I already watched a episode. #1: You mean an episode. #2: No. I mean a episode. #1: When you have a vowel followed by a continent, you say "an." I actually asked him to say it again, just in case I misheard, but no, it was continent. ----------- I am a sick person surrounded by sick people. Yesterday, my first day of summer vacation, I cleaned my livingroom. I cleaned the blinds, windows, furniture, walls, pictures...tore the room apart. A friend called and asked what I was doing. I said I was so excited because I was deep cleaning my living room. She answered, "I wish we were out of school so I could deep clean my living room. I'm so jealous." I guess you would say we are easy women to please. Or just sick.