Trouble with a Capital T that Rhymes with P that Stands for Poo

Normally my posts come together easily with words and pictures. But this morning I have tried and tried to get my pictures to show up and stay up. I've tried to get my paragraphs spaced right, but they keep spreading for miles down the page. I am so frustrated.

It's been a hard week and I was hoping today would provide a bit of normal. Of easy.

Last week my husband was gone for three days,

the dog had chronic diarrhea,

my youngest broke his collarbone and will have to wear a sling for 10 weeks.

My brother-in-law had surgery on his head , and the recovery has had complications.

His wife is being his nurse in the absence of quality, vigilant, paid nursing care in the so-called critical care unit.

Their pastor hasn't been by to visit because his wife of 49 years died during a routine hip replacement surgery on Thursday.

My daughter took a babysitting job on Friday after 60 hours of her regular job (to make traveling money for her trip to Chicago) but it was the absolute worst experience in her ten years of babysitting. She said it was like being on an episode of Supernanny, what with all their rudeness, fighting, disrespect, and disobedience. She left in tears with far less money than she had expected (but not negotiated so she takes the blame and says "lesson learned"). She feels she wasted the whole weekend by watching the RKE (Rottenest Kids Ever). Good thing I didn't know how bad things were going till Saturday night, and good thing I didn't have the address.

If you think being 13 years old makes you unanswerable to authority, think again. I'll come over there and set you straight. Don't you EVEN mess with my daughter or you will have to tangle with me! Like I said, good thing...

The dog is better, but still not 100%.

Joel's collarbone is mostly an annoyance, not very painful. He is celebrating every new "achievement" (figuring out how to do what he needs to do with just one hand).

My husband is still exhausted. I asked him this morning before work for a passionate hug. He says he has no passion left. He travels again this Wednesday.

We have another doctor's appointment with an x-ray to view the healing process. If the bones shift, the doctor will manipulate them into place or schedule surgery. We are praying the upsidedown "V" of the bones that his first x-ray showed will still be in a "V" except straighter.

Sarah is back at school with her 30 first graders, exhausted as well, with a resolve to negotiate rates or give up babysitting from now on. After all, a 22-year-old with a decade's worth of experience, her own car , a college degree, and a full-time job does not need the extra work for a young teen's wages. If parents value her experience, let them pay, I tell her. Don't sell yourself short.

Overall, my blogging woes are nothing. I will eventually get those wedding pictures posted. I can hardly wait!!!

Marti tagged me in a post on her blog. This is a fun way to get acquainted, so won't you please play along?

1. Post these rules.

2. You must post 11 random things about yourself.

3. Answer the ques­tions the tag­ger set for you in their post.

4. Cre­ate 11 new ques­tions for the peo­ple you tag to answer.

5. Go to their blog and tell them that you've tagged them.

6. No stuff in the tag­ging sec­tion about ‘you are tagged if you are read­ing
this.’ Blah blah blah, you legit­i­mately have to tag 11 peeps!

Here are Marti's questions and my answers:

1. Where do you like to vacation? Myrtle Beach, SC, has been a family favorite, but if I could choose, we'd go somewhere different every time.

2. Do you have pets? Yes, a spunky Golden Retriever who turns two this month.

3. What is your favorite color? purple
4. How many are in your family? 6
5. What is your least favorite thing to do? It's a toss-up between decluttering (I hate the decision overload, but I like the results) and exercising. (I hate to sweat, but it's the only way to get results.)
6. What is your most favorite thing to do? Another toss-up between teaching and blogging.
7. If money were no object, what would you like to do when you retire? Travel the world both for leisure and doing short-term missions trips.
8. What is your favorite season? Fall.
9. What book are you currently reading? The Water Giver
10.What time do you go to bed, get up in the morning? Go to bed between 10 and 1 , get up between 7 and 7:30 on weekdays, 8-8:30ish on weekends.
11.How long have you been blogging? Since January of 2005, so seven years. Can that possibly be right? It's all Laurie R's fault for getting me started!!!

Here are 11 random things about me:

1. I drive with my left arm tucked between the seat and the door most of the time.

2. I notice line and design everywhere I go.

3. People who know me call me a Grammar Queen, or Grammar Guru, or Grammar Nazi. I prefer "Queen" and choose to think of it as a term of endearment.

4. I crack my knuckles and neck multiple times a day.

5. Flying is a thrill to me. I love taking off, landing, hanging out in airports, seeing new places, meeting new people and reconnecting with old people, and by old I mean "ones I already know"!

6. I need a dental implant on the Lower East Side.

7. I have never been to New York City, and it's only few hours away.

8. My old dog died a year ago today, and I still miss her terribly sometimes.

9. These days I spend a lot time dreaming about becoming a grandmother. I hope I'm a good one.

10. I would rather have a pedicure than a manicure any day.

11. I would love to take a painting class. I've never had art lessons, but I teach art to middle schoolers. Ironic?

Next are my 11 questions for my tag-ees.

1. How long has it been since your last dental visit?

2. What was the best day for you in 2011?

3. What was the worst day for you in 2011?

4. If you could trade places with anyone for a week, who would it be, and why?

5. What drives you crazy in your home?

6. Who is the kindest person you know?

7. Do you have a nickname? Care to share?

8. Would you rather eat most of your meals at home, or in a restaurant?

9. Where do you see yourself in five years?

10. What's the last thing someone did to "make your day"?

11. What's your favorite decade, whether in your life or in your history studies?

Tag-ees: (Please don't feel you have to participate if that is unwelcome pressure, but consider my invitation as a "thinking of you" card today.)

Amy K

Briana A

Laurie R

Laurie H

Danielle J

AuburnChick

Joyce

Lea

Sarah Z

Susan K

Kelly C

What Is It?

Quiz time. Look at the photo and guess what it is.

a. deformed leg lamps, minus shades and shoes

b. twin edible models of Florida

c. a pair of challah bread loaves

If you said "c," you win.

This was my maiden attempt to make challah (pronounced holla, as in "holla when you need dinna, shweethott." The bread machine did the kneading, and I did the braiding. Despite my effforts to make three uniform strands to braid, the results were a bit, oh--shall we say--disappointing? At least on the surface. The texture and taste were quite pleasing, though.

Once again I forgot to label the loaves "Not for us," so a certain child helped himself to the "foot piece" of the one on the right. I took the rest of the limb as well as the whole other loaf to friends who love me in spite of my baking flops.

I will keep practicing my braiding technique in hopes of getting some pretty challah-la-la-la to give out to neighbors on our block.

\
It lookx z little better up close, right?

This 'n That

Happy belated anniversary to my baby sister. She's been married for 8 years.
She was my flowergirl when she was 7, and dreamed of her own Christmas wedding ever after. So she went with the last day of November when the church was decked out much like mine, but chose not to do the stress of the week of Christmas like I did. She is smarter than I am, by a long shot.


Today is the Parents' Luncheon for graduates at our daughter's university. I am taking another mom who doesn't know her way around too well, and meeting up with Sarah and her friend, Kelly. We are stopping by my hubby's office near the school so that he can drive the five of us. He is the guy you want at the wheel when you need to get from here to there, with a path that includes one-way streets, four-way stops, metered parking, parking garages, high heels, cold temperatures, and a big campus.



He left the house wearing a suit and Sarah asked, "Why a suit, Dad?" He answered dryly, "Somebody's gotta look good." Well, he does. I just love a sharp-dressed man. My daddy always made a suit look good, so I guess I'm partial to the "professional uniform" that includes a starched shirt and silk tie. And cufflinks for the finest occasions!

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Speaking of my daddy, I had one of those flashbacks today of a Christmas past. I was remembering when I was about 10 or 11, and had not a dime to my name, but wanted so badly to be able to buy presents for my parents. Daddy gave each of us girls $10 to shop with, and we bought him what he always asked for and raved about with "gush overkill" such as I've never been able to duplicate. What was the gift? Socks. Boot socks to wear with his cowboy boots. He wore cowboy boots with his suit because they supported him better than regular shoes. What I think of, looking back, is how his gesture of giving money to us so that we could have the joy of giving back, was such a picture of how our Heavenly Father operates. We have nothing without Him, not even one breath. But He gives to us, and it's His joy to receive back from us our piddly offerings of love, and I do believe he "gushes" over our mortal attempts to bless Him.

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My husband came home from work on Friday, changed his clothes, and then--without announcing it and without even so much as eating first, he began moving all the furniture out of the family room and then steam-cleaned the carpets. I don't know where he gets his drive. "Friday night" and "carpet cleaning" don't belong in the same sentence. At least not in my book. But he writes a different book, which is why he is so successful, I guess ."Work before play" is his motto, and I usually get it reversed. You know, to balance him? He decided while he was at it, to run the machine through the living and dining rooms also, so his sidekick rearranged her schedule and chairs to accomodate his ambition. I like the results. The dog doesn't. The Man declared, "No more tennis balls in the house! Look at this dirty water!" :(

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My sister Andrea had to put her dog to sleep a couple weeks ago. Wyatt was part yellow lab, part German Shepherd, and part greyhound.Three days before her birthday they let him go. He'd had bone cancer that was making his right front leg useless and extremely painful. They took him to the vet to see about amputating it, but the vet looked at the x-rays and saw that the cancer had spread to Wyatt's lungs and liver. They sedated him for the x-rays, and while he was calm and peaceful, Andrea and her hubby made the gut-wrenching decision to go ahead and put him down. Making him take another trip home would be agonizing for him. Making that awful ride back to the vet when it "was time" would be agonizing for them. So sad. Wyatt was the dog that her hubby got as a puppy when he returned from his deployment. He was very much a part of the healing process, and he was a heck of a watchdog, which is what every law enforcement officer wants as a sidekick.

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I decorated the tree all by my lonesome this year. No one wanted to help.

My parents are not celebrating Christmas for the second year in a row because "it's pagan." But unlike last year, I am not letting it "get to me." I have grown in the area of accepting what is, and respecting that other people don't owe it to me to keep traditions that I value. Am I sad and hurt? Yes. Do I still whine about it? Sure. But I'm not letting it zap my joy like it did last year. That was miserable.

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I have seen everything. My oldest son came home from a weekend in New Jersey where he'd gone clothes shopping at Syms in Philly. Syms is one of our all-time favorite stores. It's going out of business, so he seized the opportunity to buy some pants and shirts for work. And get this: a pink silk tie and pink shirt. People, can I tell you that my men have been anti-pink for as long as they've been alive, but now, NOW that one of them is taking a bride who LOVES pink, and is having him wear PINK in the wedding, well, he was rather sportin' it last night. "Mom, do you think this is too much pink?" And since he already had it on, I kept my mouth shut. No matter what I said, he would stick with his own opinion. He's like me that way. He really just wanted me to say, "No, it's not too much. You look great." And he did. Pink washes him out, but what mother can't see the handsome in any color?

That's it for now. I think my vehicle needs a vacuuming before I chauffeur anyone around in it.
I've had my "play before work" motto fulfilled at this point, so off I go. Have a happy Monday! I plan to.

Grace is Here

Thank you to those who have been reading along (and praying) about the plans my sisters and I have for hosting a big Golden Anniversary party for my parents. I would like to tell you specific ways that God has shown His grace when I've been tempted to "freak out" or "lose it" when I'm really in the mire of details.

1. My sisters have willingly taken on responsibilities that they're good at. My older sister, Rachel, has done a phenomenal job at scrapbooking 20 pages that will first be displayed on walls at the facility, and then I'll transfer them and finish the book within a month. My next younger sister, Andrea, sort of "interviewed" my parents and came up with a bio-bingo game as an icebreaker .That should be more fun than listening to any of us give a biographical speech. My baby sister, Jill, who is a senior administrative assistant professionally, is a natural as project manager, handling both the "big picture" and details like a trapeze artist. Did I mention that two of my sisters are out of state--way, WAY out of state?

2. Conference calls. We've had one, and are planning our second this Sunday. It's really fun to listen and talk to them all at once. As much as I have a love/hate relationship with technology ,I do love hearing my sisters' voices on the phone line. We can really get to laughing, though, since we are planning this event for what Bill Cosby calls "our common enemies"! When you have been a family for over four decades, there are a LOT of inside jokes, are there not? We could turn this into a roast if we wanted to. Easily. But we'll behave like the mature women our parents believe they've raised. At least for two hours.

3 Linking arms with the other non-Martha Stewart type sisters when the one Martha among us (not I) suggests something like--yes, true story-- adding color to the table by using the scrapbook paper as placemats, but making contrasting borders for them as well! All 60 of them! Um, guess what? Big fat NO! She also suggested hanging the picture boards from fishing line on the ceiling. Hello? If I'm in charge of the picture displays and I'm only 5'4" on a frizzy hair day, and I'm scared of stepladders, let's just say that's not happening. Lots of laughs behind the no, because she asked on a day I was "losing it." The other girls added to my "no" in their unique ways. When I say "unique," I mean one gives a wordy, diplomatic "too much trouble," and the other asks, "Are you KIDDING? No way!"

In the midst of all the busyness, Paul reminded me this past Monday that his brother wanted to come up for two days at the end of his conference in DC. (His older brother from Ohio.) When was the conference ending? Thursday. Normally I might come unglued, but since I already came unglued Sunday over something else, it was no big deal! Paul changed the sheets on the guest bed and took us to dinner, so it's been smooth for me! For two days they've had some brother time, which for them means a lot of talking about sports, politics, church, music, food, and their jobs . Oh, and a copious use of this statement: "I used to be able to do that, but not anymore. "

The "blast from the past," above is a portrait from 1983 . I know because the white dress was my high school graduation dress. I loved it, so gauzy and light. But it looks a little nun-ish to me now, all high-collared and everything. And if you look closely at all our faces, doesn't it appear we have two photographers? Half of us are looking west, the other east. Oh, well. For however the pictures turned out, I'm glad my mom insisted on professional sittings back in the day, because we have almost no whole-family pictures otherwise.

GratiTuesday

More lists here, folks, to bring some semblance of order and brevity to the page. Not that it's a promise; I said "semblance."

This is a gratitude list. I'm grateful for:

1. Memories like this one. My grandpa lived on a farm in Kansas, and it was the highlight of our lives to spend time there. It was like a slice of heaven to me, watching him with his cows. He was gentle and knowledgeable, and his voice was the only one they listened to. One year we visited when this week-old calf's mama had problems with her milk. Grandpa gave my sisters and me a chance to bottle feed him. Precious little fellow, that calf. But who, pray tell, let me out in public wearing those shorts and socks?

2. Charity pick-up trucks. But...have you ever scheduled a pick-up for charitable donations, only to have them come and pick up charitable non-donations? My daughter had four trash bags of stuff for her future classroom on the porch with her name on them. The truck took them away. When I called to report it, they were very nice but the long-and-short of it is, the truck took them to a thrift store an hour south of here and put the things out for sale. We could come get them if we want. Um, no thanks. The things were not THAT important to Sarah, but we were a tad miffed.

3. Protection in a minor car accident and the grace in the details. Joel and I were rearended on the way to school Friday. A college student hit us. Actually, it felt more like she drifted into us, but we felt it. A minor bump. When he turned around, he saw the young driver on her cell phone, texting. The intersection was busy, but providentially another school mom happened upon the scene and took Joel to school. I took down the girl's insurance information and reported it to my insurance company, but I probably won't report it to hers. No harm done to us or the van. She had said, "OMG, I'm really sorry. I am soooooooooo tired this morning." I have been in her shoes and "this" close to drifting into someone's bumper when utterly sleepy. So I think I'll love mercy and let it go. I hope she was scared enough to pay more attention next time.

4. The leaves slowly changing color this fall here in Maryland because of all the rain we've had. I'm so thankful because they should look splenDIFerous when my sisters arrive in two weeks from the southwest where it's been super hot and dry and brown.

5. Comfy pajamas.

6. Hair conditioners.

7. Encouraging parents of students after observing me in action. We had Parent Visitation last Thursday on the very day we had to change art rooms. I had 25 minutes to haul supplies downstairs, set up tables and chairs, get the paints and supplies out, smock up, and deal with a hot flash without air conditioning. Having parents there was rougher on my nerves than having an official performance by my superiors. I introduced myself and found out whose parents were there. Then I introduced the lesson: I told the students we are doing a piece called "Monochromatic Triangles" and it's up to them to interpret the title their way. "I am not going to tell you how many to triangles to paint. And they can be any size or shape. You just have to use at least three different values of the hue I put in front of you." Then I caught myself and laughed. "Well, by definition, triangles have a particular shape, so let's make sure ours are three-sided!" Paul asked if they fired me. No. You can't fire a volunteer.

8. Humor. This SNL parody, which I found via Kevin DeYoung's blog yesterday, cracked me up. "British. Very British." Check it out .

Monday Thirteen: Big Event Theme

I'm going to be a whirling dervish the next couple of weeks. Who knows if I'll be able to post ,let alone comment on any blogs. I'm staying sane by the grace of God, and one of the graces is the wonderful four-letter word "list."

While I'm in List Mode, here's 13 things going on in my mind, world, and heart, in random order.

1. My son Ben is the typical groom-to-be. Details are not important. Since the wedding is in March and I hadn't seen the need to put it on the calendar (it's not like I'm going to forget it, right?) I didn't register the time, either. All I could remember was they're serving brunch food. It's the bride's favorite. So I was thinking noon-ish.
2. My future DIL asked me to find out from our side of the family who will be renting hotel rooms what night so she can reserve a block of them. I asked Ben what time is the wedding? He said 11.
3. So I sweated and panicked and thought, "Eleven??? Seriously?? That is SO early for Marylanders to get up to New Jersey!" I hate to ask people to rent a room the night before, but was having nightmares in the day (daymares?) about half the family showing up late or missing it! The combo of not-early-birds, notorious traffic, and unpredictable weather known between MD and NJ in March, my stomach had tied the knot many times!
4. I highly encouraged folks to rent a room Friday because the wedding would be starting at 11 and ending in mid-afternoon. Not so much need for a Saturday booking.
5. I asked Dee and she said, "The wedding is at 1."
6. "One?! Whew! Where was I getting 11 o'clock? Oh, yeah, from the GROOM! I figured he ought to know.
7. Why should he know? My own groom nearly 25 years ago didn't care about the "details." I guess in a groom's mind, details include the time of the wedding.
8. Um, no, honey. A detail would be the time the girls are having their make-up done. I wouldn't expect you to know or care about that. In fact, I might be worried if you did.
9. My other young adult son is wondering what to give his girlfriend for her birthday. He is such a romantic, such a planner, but a broke romantic planner. Her birthday is in two weeks. Won't surprise me if he starts asking for some odd jobs around the house for money. If you hear someone singing, "Scrub! In the name of love! before you break her heart...o-o-whoa-whoa..." that's me as I hand Steve a rag.
10. My daughter sweet-talked her daddy into getting tickets to the Ravens game yesterday. You should have heard her build her case. "It's one of the few Sundays I won't have much homework this semester. The weather is beautiful. It's a 4:oo game so we're not gonna miss any church. We could make a memory. You know you want to." They took the boy with them. He was in his glory. Pictures coming soon. ( "Upload pictures to laptop" is on another list somewhere. Oh yeah--in my head. Not likely to happen if left there. )
11. I've started decorating the house a little with fall touches. Knowing your sisters are coming in from out of state has a way of making you notice that other things need your attention as well. Kind of want to get from "to do" to "ta-da" without really working., though. Not sure how...
12. I heard an excellent message today by a visiting pastor, a message that has encouraged me for the short- (and hopefully long-) term. It was from Jude 1b. That's right: Jude One b. The words "called," "loved," and "kept" are so sweet, so amazing. If you're a Christian, you're called. Why does God love you? Because He loves you? But why? Because He loves you! It's not because of anything lovable in you. ( "Sorry, pal.") And you are kept in Jesus. Kept! Forever! That is, if He has called you to Himself, and you have repented of your sin and put your faith in His work alone on the cross, you are His and kept forever. "That should put a really big smile on your face!" he concluded.
13. I am really tired and really excited at the same time. The effect of stress on me is somewhat narcoleptic. Seriously. I yawn a lot, and if I close my eyes, I can fall asleep on the spot. I really think so. I get it from my dad. Here's a picture from his retirement. He is holding up a sign he would post outside his cubicle before stretching out on the floor behind his desk. You can imagine how unsettling a sight that would be if the sign were absent. He's always believed that if your body needs sleep, give it sleep, not coffee, if you can.

Seven Snippets

Just a few odds 'n ends to blog about today.



1. I borrowed this cartoon from another blog. It made me honk like a goose.

























2. Not sure why Blogger isn't making this picture "large" when I ask, but you can upsize it several times by hitting "Control +++". Joel drew it two days ago. Reilly was holding a tennis ball in his mouth while he posed. He inherited artistic talent from his dad and his dad's mom, whose birthday it would have been the very day Joel drew it. She would have been so pleased to see this drawing. It would have been a birthday gift to her, I'm sure.






3. Still looking for a job. My hubby semi-chuckles at my criteria: 1) something creative 2)working with people I like 3) no math involved 4) not standing on a hard floor more than an hour 5) not more than 2 days a week 6) no weekends 7) no dress code or uniform 8) between 10 a.m. and 2 pm 9) benefits 10) within 10 miles of home 11) something I like.
He said, "It's a job, Zo. You don't have to like it." Really? I guess I don't really want a job-job, more like pay-me-to-have-fun.

4. I placed the art class order last night. Getting paid by the hour to do THAT would be fun! It took 4 hours to decide on 12 items. Isn't it always harder to work with a skeleton budget?

5. My daughter finished her first week of student teaching today. It started two days late because Hurricane Irene took out power to many schools in the area.

6. Will I able to start and finish some curtains I'm making for the basement by September 4th? Ben is having a Fantasy Football Draft Party here that night. The curtains will be a nod to the Ravens. Can you guess the four colors I plan to use?

7. My daughter has lost 18 pounds in 5 weeks. It took me 5 MONTHS to do that on Weight Watchers. I want to blame it on being twice her age. But really it's the ice cream instead of spinach smoothies. So proud of her. When she puts her mind to something, ain't no stopping her.

Slump

I'm in a slump and I've been here for a very long time. I'm miserable, actually. Yesterday my husband asked what my goals are. I have none. Me without goals, I know. Strange. I have tried and failed so many times I am on the brink of giving up with my goals--weight loss, housekeeping, you name it.

I want to know where I fit in, what I'm supposed to be doing, and whether anyone gives a crap.

The teaching job didn't materialize. The school can't afford to hire me. They have given the art class(es) to someone who is already hired to teach other classes as well. So ,for the first time since 1993, this August I am not planning any lessons or field trips. I'm not updating my professional wardrobe. I'm not emailing parents about school supplies lists.

I'm not excited about much of anything. I feel like I'm just observing everyone else enjoying new things or relationships.

I'm lost. I feel utterly out of my element. I have always worn the mantle of teacher and loved it, whether it was a homeschooling teacher or a classroom teacher. I help my husband teach once a month a church (3rd and 4th grade class, combined), but that's it. While I enjoy it, I'm not satisfied. I think I feel like a golden retriever without anything to fetch. I'm listless and looking for purpose. Being Suzy Homemaker doesn't cut it for me. I can only declutter and clean so much before I find myself saying, "This is dull-- and besides, who cares?? Really ,would anyone's life be that much better if my house were spotless?" I cook well enough to satisfy stomachs. I keep laundry pretty much done or in varying states of doneness.

But that stuff doesn't bring me the kind of high that planning lessons does. I love studying history and relating it to geography and art and Bible all at the same time. I love seeing what kids create with pen and paper or paint and canvas. I love having a little stack of tests to grade, especially the essays where they come up with some really clever answers. I enjoy helping kids learn new skills. I love the discussions about presidents and artists and entrepreneurs. My heart gravitates to the academic environment and all things school, sans math. (Math and I had a fling a 9-month fling called Geometry class back in the day; he was the one exception to my "math gives me cooties" motto. One math teacher friend burst my bubble when she declared, "Well, geometry is not real math." What is it, a touched-up, magazine model?)

Anyway, I can't stand this feeling. I have other issues to deal with, issues too private for the internet, but this one I can talk about. This lousy feeling that I'd rather be thriving in heaven than floundering on earth. In some ways I feel like my work on earth is done.

Miscellany Monday with Gratitude

Linking up at a blog called "lowercase letters" for Miscellany Monday. I am not only listing 8 randoms today, I am also grateful for all of them. (I'm having trouble getting the cute button to work. Sorry, Carissa.)


One. Going Green in a Smoothie Kind of Way.
I made this one today from things that had to be used up: Peach-Ginger Smoothie
1 cup canned peaches
1 fresh peach
1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
1 handful of ice
2 handfuls of fresh spinach
1 slice of cucumber & 1 slice of nectarine for garnish, because I just love garnishes.
Two. New-to-Us Patio Furniture. Free.
My husband has a wonderful, kind, friendly, and generous friend named Curtis. When Curtis and his wife bought a new table and chairs for themselves, Curtis offered us the old set. Can I tell you it's an answer to prayer? Not only is it classy and in good shape, it has an umbrella and doubles the amount of seating on our deck. Now we can have a large group over without dragging camp chairs and kitchen chairs from hither and yon. THREE. Fresh herbs.
I simply marvel that God makes so many different gorgeous variations on the shape and shade of leaves. The beauty of basil.
FOUR. Having my whole family--everyone--finally, on board with better eating resolve. For health. For taste. For wedding. It's a joy to make things like this Caribbean Chicken Salad and have everyone appreciate it.

FIVE. Bright red petunias that ask for a little water and lots of sunshine and return the favor with daily cheer.

SIX. Almost 33 child-free hours, just my silver-haired sweetie and me.
From noon on Saturday when Sarah took Joel to camp, while Steve was in PA and Ben was in NJ,
we had a glorious, wonderfully quiet, relaxed nest. He cut the grass and called it a day. I washed about 347 dishes and utensils by hand because the dishwasher wasn't acting right and all the "clean" dishes came out with dried-on gunk, so I scrubbed them manually, and called it a day. We just chilled, and for dinner brought home a Maryland crab cake platter and a cheesesteak sub. (Okay, so the better-eating resolve is kind of evolving! Sometimes an indulgence is merited, as in the name of celebrating a no-kids-home weekend.)

SEVEN. Cake Balls. I'd never heard of them until Kelly at Through the Water, wrote a "controversial" post. So cute that her choice of a "controversial post" was about cake mixes vs. made-from-scratch cakes, and how some people get cranky at the mere mention of cake mixes!

I was going to make a 13x9 of Steve's favorite yellow cake with chocolate frosting so he could enjoy a mini-birthday party with friends at camp. But, since I had other things also baking (I was in a mood) the cake got a bit overdone. Not badly, but it turned out "not pretty." While it cooled, I read blogs. Lo and behold, the solution to my problem was literally at my fingertips! Cake Balls are simple, messy, and the perfect way to delishify a flop.

Cake Balls:
-Crumble up a baked boxed cake
-Add a can of frosting.
-Mash it all up together in your hands and form balls.
-Freeze the balls. I read you can freeze them for 15 minutes to six hours. I froze them for four while I did other things. They were perfect to work with--no crumbling.
-Melt 3 large Hershey bars in the microwave with a little bit of milk. The milk gives you a good sheen.
-Roll each ball in melted chocolate. (Work quickly. The chocolate hardens fast.)
-Refrigerate on a tray for 15 minutes. Serve or seal as you desire.
-Enjoy the taste and the compliments!


( Did I mention these are messy? At first I felt like quitting, but then I realized there was no turning back and just declared it an adventure. I can get through almost anything if it's called an adventure.) Besides, Joel was having a blast with the camera.

I didn't get a shot of the finished product. But I can say that they passed the test kitchen's approval! And they were a big hit with the counselors.

EIGHT. My son (the supposedly wise camp counselor) spent his time off Saturday jumping off a 30-foot cliff into water below! I found out from his Facebook status, and let me tell you, it made my palms sweat and my heart race. Had he told me ahead of time, I probably would've retched. I thank God He didn't let Steve die or be paralyzed for life.

Fixed

The word "fix" is a peculiar one, isn't it? It has so many different meanings.

1. My dog has been fixed for a while now. (Actually, my husband likes to say, "He was fixed when he was born. Now he's broken.") One day recently my youngest child was having such a great time with our one and only dog, that he asked me, "Mom, Reilly is so cute. What does it take to make puppies?" Oh, my. Why do they always ask you that when you're unprepared? I repeated the question (an old parental stall tactic) and then said, "Well....you need a male and a female--." Then he asked, "and food and water, right?" I said, "Right," and he replied, "That's what I thought." And off he went. Shooey!!! Close call.

2. Today my daughter fixed a green smoothie. She declared it " a fail." She attempted to combine two different good-sounding recipes, and so in went a head of celery, two cups of spinach leaves, some lime juice, an apple, and cilantro. What she wished she'd used was parsley.
Let me tell you, it was very green. And very cilantro-ey. The faces we made trying to get it down should have been on youtube. The video would go viral, just like our guts. I told her it needed something else for sweetness, so she added berries. Do you know what happens when you mix red with green in a blender? I told her not to worry about it; it'd look the same coming out as going down. But I couldn't handle the tanginess, let alone the texture, so we added chunks of banana to our cup and poured smoothie over it. Then I added honey. Lots of honey. I wish I could say it fixed the problem.

3. And speaking of fixing problems, for your viewing pleasure (and ability), I fixed the link to the post called "Jimpressions." Have you ever heard such a funny pastor? I love impressions and I love to hear Shakespeare quoted. Combine the two and you've got some great comedy. Take a look and enjoy your Thursday.

4. What was last thing you "fixed"? A meal, a situation, your hair, a dog? Tell me. I'm fixin' to hear all about it.

When It's Time to Change, You've Got to Rearrange

Does anyone remember that song from "The Brady Bunch" ? The kids wanted to audition for a radio song by singing something together. But there was problem; Peter was going through puberty and his voice was changing. The change was embarrassing because his voice would crack mid-song . The solution to the embarrassment was to change songs, and they actually wrote a new song for the audition. Rather than fear the hormonal change, they emphasized it with spunk and humor.

The only lyrics that stick with me from their song are these:

"When it's time to change, you've got to rearrange."

Every time they said "change," Peter's voice would crack. (A little too predictably, but hey, it's television. Creative licensing at its best. Or not.) It made for another episode of can't-get-enough-of-the Bradys for this Greg-smitten girl.


At this juncture of my life, my "voice" is cracking, too. The way life's always been is about to change. We will be parents-of-the-groom in the spring, both vehicles (mine and my hubby's) have about 112,000 miles on them, the mold-ridden master bathroom must be remodeled for health's sake not vanity's (although we are getting a new vanity, tee hee), and our youngest son will most likely be attending a private Christian school in the fall. Oh, and yes, we want to go to Italy for our 25th. I think I've mentioned that a time or two! And we want to do something substantial for my parents' 50th.

Like my husband, I see a whole bunch of dollar signs.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$


If we are to continue with our goal to live within our means, then I have to start supplementing the income. And to be honest, I am ready. I am ready for change, to get out of the house more, be in a social environment, find work that I pray is fulfilling, not just "a job," and still be able to care for my home a few days a week. (I do like being at home, and I'm not a "career-minded individual" by any means. I just want to be busier enriching other people's lives, and contribute to the family coffers now that it wouldn't mean neglecting children's needs.)


That is not the only change for which we are about to rearrange. I want to start now by giving up some computer time for higher priorities. I haven't been doing a good job of homemaking lately. I haven't gotten in better shape physically. I haven't gotten involved in serving outside my home except for Sunday School once a month and the occasional meal taken to a sick person's family or to help someone out with child care. (My parents thus far have been self-sustaining, running each other to the doctor and skipping about town...well, as much as two arthritic seventy-somethings can skip.) In short, life has been too comfortable and it has proven detrimental. This "comfort" has added to, not relieved, depression. Isolation is not good.

So for the coming several weeks, I'm rearranging my priorities. A little experiment, you could say.

I want to
-do more fun things with my nine-year-old
- tackle the nagging jobs of cleaning and organizing around the house
-scrapbook some more
-find the fixtures, paint, tile, etc, for the bathroom job
-meet with friends face-to-face, on purpose, for girl-time
-concentrate on the being the kind of wife I'd want to be married to if I were him
-look for meaningful work for the new school year
-exercise 4x/week for starters and eat better
-spend time in prayer and Bible study, not just "devotions"
-limit blogging to 2 days/week, Facebook just 30 minutes a day (yes, computer time has been in control of me, not the other way around, and that form of "socializing" is not healthy)

Soo...my voice cracks now.

Sing with me, Cindy, Marsha, Jan..

When it's time to change, you've got to rearrange.

-

-

Why, Thank You! I Accept! Will You?

What a happy surprise to be reading along on Jessi's blog, Crocuses in March, and find she had nominated ME, along with others, for this distinguished honor that comes with a most beautiful blog button. I feel like I should change into an evening gown and buy some "fabulous-dahling" diamond earrings . The thought is blissful enough. Thanks, Jessi.

The idea is sort of an old-fashioned tag where I actually name the people whom I think deserve the award and actually, maybe quite possibly, update their blog more often than they change the battery in their smoke detector. I'm supposed to say 7 random facts about myself that I haven't disclosed yet. Could that be possible since this is literally my 1,295th blog post?

Ready? In random sequence, maybe these things will be "new" items about yours truly, things I want you to knowing before you make out your last will and testament. Ya never know when you might find such kindred spirit here that you decide to bequeath your collection of kitchen gadget duplicates to me.

1. I don't think I'm allergic to poison ivy. Everyone else in my family is, and there's plenty of it on our back fence near the woods. I know I've touched it, walked in it, and perhaps used it as filler in a vase with floral wonders from hither and yon. After all, nothing says "Welcome, Guests" quite like displaying foliage that all Boy Scouts are trained to recognize and run from.

2. Given the choice, I'd rather hang out with a group of men than women in casual social settings. I enjoy their brand of humor, their job tales, their subject matter that might include cars, home improvement projects, and other typically "guy stuff." Somehow their "small talk" does not bore me; I tire quickly of women's small talk, even my own!

3. When I like something a lot, I can sell it. In fact, I've been offered sales jobs on the spot in small boutiques simply because I offered my opinions and talked customers into $40 worth of goods in about five minutes as I stood behind them in line! I have "sold" jewelry, makeup, shoes, furniture, clothes, books, flowers, and eyeglasses by offering my opinions when asked (or sometimes by simply nudging them over hurdles of indecision). But that's only if I am absolutely sure I believe in the product, or think it's right for that customer from our brief interaction.

4. Once in a while I daydream about doing all the things in one year that I've wanted to do for twenty. Go snorkeling, take up the violin, work in the Vladimir "Baby House" in Russia for a year, lose half my body weight, go to culinary school abroad, paint wildlife, vacation two months on every continent except Antarctica (zero months, zero hours), take voice lessons, remodel the house, stage homes for sale, work for a florist, buy a new Audi A8, and teach one more child to read.

5. I despise women's T-shirts with writing, decals, or which otherwise advertise "been there, done that." I'm not quite as sensitive about guys' T-shirts, but unless you're painting or gardening, ladies, your printed T-shirt just look tacky to me. I so want to raise awareness on this topic. Maybe I'll organize the first 5K/1-mile walk/run ever that does not even OFFER a T-shirt at the event.

6. Three things I could live on: Life cereal, bananas, and gummy worms.

7. I believe that demons are real, and I wonder if the church has lost sight of the fact that there are principalities and powers at work that are wreaking havoc on believers. It's so much easier to remain naive and aloof or even skeptical. Not that I go looking for them or have a fascination with them. I do not. But I believe the church needs to wake up. We can't afford to sleep while others suffer with this often-taboo (or just plain unacknowledged) reality.

Now, may I present this award to five bloggers who deserve it:

Laurie @ Tulip in the Thicket
Joyce @ From this Side of the Pond
Lea @ CiCi's Corner
Sarah @ Homeward Bound (my lovely girl)
Kelly @ Wildlife and Home

Wednesday Hodgepodge: Chicken, Fools, Museums

Better late than never. I'm joining Joyce once again to answers questions From the Other Side of the Pond

1. April rolls in at the end of this week and in celebration of that infamous date (April 1st) answer this question-What is something foolish you've done?

"Pressing milk makes curd, pressing the nose makes it bleed, and pressing anger stirs up strife." I think most of my foolishness comes right out the mouth.

2. With April comes Easter and that classic edible treat known as Peeps...so tell me...what's your favorite way to fix/eat chicken? That wasn't what you were expecting, was it? I 'fooled' you. teehee.

About twice I year I love to eat Kentucky Fried Chicken. But then I have to drink a bottle of Dawn detergent to cut the grease off the roof of my mouth. My next favorite way to eat it is in Chicken Mediterranean Salad, which has grilled chieken (sliced) over mixed greens, pineapple chunks, red onion, cukes, shredded cheddar, and my own whipped up honey-dijon dressing.

3. What's the best museum you've ever visited? Or your favorite? Or the one you'd most like to visit?

The Smithsonian Museum of American History is one I've visited about three times, and it never gets old. I'm quite the history buff. When I had young kids, we took them to the Cincinnati Children's Museum, which was fantastic. For art, the Walters in Baltimore has stirred my love, and I really like the American Visionary Art Museum. But where would I love to go? The Louvre in France! I'd also like to visit the Met in NY or the Philly Museum. I feel so old liking art museums because I remember my aunt her friends getting a bang out of walking around what I thought were dull, boring places.

4. You know what they say about April showers...what's your preference-a shower or a bath?

Shower. It wakes me up and helps me face the day .If we had a super-comfy tub, I'm sure I'd be bathing more often.

5. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder"...fact or fiction? Why?

Fact. Although, I once heard that 9 days should be the limit that spouses are apart. After that (according to this factoid) the two start feeling independent in a not-so-healthy way. I enjoy the occasional 4-day trips my hubby takes. The first two days I feel like a free bird, eating ice cream for dinner if I want. The third day I prepare for his homecoming, and the 4th day I'm usually really eager to see him. Of course, when the kids were little, I could barely wait for 5 pm to roll around every day! Ten hours alone without him was too much.

6. What's your favorite product made/grown in your home state/province?

If you count crabs, that would be it. I love Maryland crabs. There's nothing quite like 'em.

7. What is going on in the world today that affects you the most?

I wish I enjoyed being more "up" on current events, but they depress me or make me angry if I dwell too long, and I always have more than a hunch that the liberal media isn't quite telling the whole story. What affects me most is seeing all the problems (hunger, poverty, child trafficking, drugs, murder, illiteracy, superstition, slavery, disease) and feeling helpless to do a thing about it. I'm so thankful that God is in control of it all, even though it doesn't always look like it. The biggest problem is sin; all these other things are byproducts of people rejecting God's love and not esteeming His holiness. But I can't change people's hearts, either. I can't even change mine! Somehow when I pray I don't feel so helpless.

8. Random thought: I was thinking today about what it would be like to lose both of my parents within a year of each other. The reason? I went to a viewing today; my friend's dad passed away a few days ago, and his mom passed away last April, I believe. Their daughter will be getting married in May, wearing her grandmother's wedding dress. These things made me recall our wedding; Paul's mom died three weeks before our ceremony, barely 13 months after his brother died. I have a feeling that my parents will die close together, one of a disease, and the other of a broken heart. That's a depressing thought to end with, but it's been a heavy-hearted day for me.

Thursday Thirteen

I'm in the mood to do a random post, but needed a prompt. Happened upon this one at Dackel Princess. I'll try to make this short. Um, yeh. You heard right.

1. I am wishing I'd get a bigger piece of pie from my kids' time. It seems we're just catching each other "on the fly" lately. But hey, at least they're not away at college. They might wish they were.

2. I'm in the mood to buy a new vehicle. Don't need one. Just want to trade the trusty, reliable, comfortable, paid-for minivan in for something that makes me want to get in and drive just for the fun of it. I'm thinking Audi A6 or A8. Or a Porsche. I'm so done with American cars. I want some German engineering for wheels.

3. We've been invited to Sunday dinner at my son's girlfriend's house. Steve and Ambrey want to cook for their parents again. (Last time we hosted, which was fun.) I love being invited to someone's house for dinner. I cannot remember the last time our family was invited to dinner somewhere. I feel so honored.

4. My parents want to take a trip to Russia to visit missionary friends. But my sisters and I don't think their health is good enough. How do you talk your elderly parents out of going to a part of Russia that is like Siberia in winter when they feel "called of God"?

5. My son's music teacher at co-op has told me two weeks in a row now just how good he is at playing recorder. I look at her with disbelief. He pitches a fit about practicing, rarely gets through the whole piece without stopping to complain that he hates everything about music. The teacher says, "Well, he doesn't act like that in my class, and he is really good. I want him to play the hard song for the final presentation night." I am beaming. He is not.

6. Our master bathroom is next in queue for our remodel attention and dollars. I dread starting the actual work because it always takes longer than planned. Even if you double the time as part of your plans! I wonder how long we can live with the dollar-store liner held up by duct tape over the gaping hole in the wall?

7. Will spring ever arrive? Really?

8. I love playing fetch-the-tennis-ball with my dog. He gets two of them in his mouth, drops one for me, and chases with one in his mouth. My husband wonders if I can tell which one Reilly peed on. I say I choose not to scratch and sniff. Playing dumb makes me feel better.

9. My life needs more purpose and meaning. I feel like I'm shriveling up in many ways--spiritually, socially, mentally, physically. Too often I pine away for how life used to be.

10. I am ready to get a whole new wardrobe after purging so many pieces a couple weeks ago.
Today I wore an outfit that my 9-year-old told me looked like something out of the 70s. "Mom, light jeans? Are you kidding?" Okay, tell me this. Who invited the What Not to Wear crew to the house? "These are my art jeans for painting in," I replied. He shook his head, "Yeah, but not in public." Did I say he's nine?

11. I've lost the school records that I'm solely responsible for. When our little school closed, the receptionist handed me a big file of my son's records. Now I need the standardized test results and last year's final report card. The new school principal needs them to help in her decision, supposedly. I've looked everywhere I know to look. I hate losing important things. I hate feeling judged for not being completely organized at all times.

12. Of all contestants on American Idol this year, my favorite is Scotty McCreery--the country singer. Wow. Coming from me, that's saying something. But oh, can that young guy sing, and he just seems so sugary nice.

13. One of my art students was cutting out magazine pictures today for her Mother's Day collage. The idea is to cut out things that express what makes their own mom happy. This little girl blurted out, "I SO wish my mom loved horses. This is just such a PRETTY picture of horses!"

Springtime Hodgepodge, Written Under a Blanket

Joining Joyce again, this time for springtime Hodgepodge. The only signs of spring today are daffodils and some greening of my weeping willow.













1. Sunday was the first day of spring. So they say. Ahem.

What is your favorite outdoor springtime activity?

Well, back to the first part . "They" say Sunday the 20th was the first day of spring, but I will always, always, always say it's March 21st. My firstborn's birth ushered in spring on that day in 1988, and forever his birthday is synonymous with the first day of spring.

My favorite springtime activity? Cutting daffodils for the first time and arranging them on the kitchen table in a white pitcher. I also-- (don't gag)-- enjoy washing windows and then changing my curtains.

2. Who would you want to come into your kitchen to cook dinner for you?

Hmmm. My first thought was Emeril Lagasse because he is so cute and personable and I love food that's been "kicked up a notch," as he says. BAM! He could also teach me a lot of things, I'm sure. I also think "pork fat rules" (gotta lummie sum bacon). But then I thought he would judge all my inferior cookware (inferior for him, good for me) or that I'd feel compelled to rush out and buy his brand before his arrival --you know, "suck up" to him?

So my new answer to the question would be "my cousin's husband, Rene." (Hard to take good pics in the limo, but you can see his incessant smile.) He absolutely shines in the kitchen, loves it, and is an extraordinary host. He fixed some superb tamales on New Year's Day this past year when I went to Texas-- for a mini-family reunion/NYE celebration-- and then hired a limo to take all of us (about 16 people) down to San Antonio's Riverwalk, where he had arranged (with my sister) a cruise on the river under Christmas lights, followed by service of hot cocoa on the top floor of a tower restaurant overlooking the entire city. That's what I'm talking about, baby. All the love and thoughtfulness and over-the-top memory making gift he has. The difference between having Emeril or having Rene in the kitchen would be love. I love Rene and would feel totally at ease with him in my kitchen. Emeril would impress me for sure, but Rene would bless me.

3. When did you last fly a kite?

Wow. I can't remember the last time I personally flew one. I remember when my husband and his brother Tony took the kids out to a big field and flew one. Or was that just a remote- controlled airplane? I don't remember if there was a kite or not!

4. What topic puts you to sleep faster than anything?
Almost anything dealing with electronic gaming or handheld devices. I am just not into video games, giga gadgets, "cool" apps and all that hoo-ha. As long as I have a computer and a working cell phone, I'm content with technology.

5. Which flowers do you associate with specific people, places, or events?

Daffodils--my oldest son's birth; daisies--my daughter's favorite; yellow roses--my husand's first gesture of "friendship" to me before he got up the nerve to actually use his words; poinsettias--our wedding; gladiolas--a former boss with a Spanish accent couldn't STAND them or the smell. Some were delivered at work one day and she went on and on, rolling those r's with disdain, about how "they jist remin't me uff my GRAN-mutherrr's fYOONerrhral in Pware-t'REEco. I think dey arhr ukly and dey STINK! Doan'jew agrhee?" One time, I shall never forget, I got flowers delivered to me at home from an anonymous sender. To this day I have no clue who sent them, but I was in a serious depression and they lifted me up and showed me God's love.

6. What significant historical events took place during your elementary school days?
I was unaware of world politics, for the most part, in those days. I do remember later that I was concerned about the hostages in Iran. My dad dug up a Christmas tree from our "back 40" in December, but the ground in January was too cold to replant it. Same with February. As we approached March, I was so embarrassed to be the only family with their Christmas tree still up. My mom (a poli-sci major and totally devoted to current events on the globe) said, "We'll leave it up till the hostages come home." She wasn't kidding. Replanting that five-foot pine was our celebration of the hostages' homecoming. I also remember (high school) the day Ronald Reagan was shot. He was my favorite President and I prayed and prayed for God to spare his life. I remember his humor: "I hoped that all my doctors were Republican."

7. Do you swear?

Yes. When I'm super angry/out-of-control mad, my speech is not "seasoned with salt" but "peppered with other things," I'm afraid. I wasn't raised like that. It shouldn't be part of my vocabulary, and it isn't the norm, but when I'm truly heated up over a searing hurt, it's like the proverbial sailor takes over my mouth.

Do you pseudo-swear? (You know crap, shoot, friggin'?)

Heck, yeah .

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I didn't realize how much I already loved our new dog, Reilly, until this past week. Last Friday his face and throat swelled up huge as a St. Bernard's, he was itching from head to tail, and he was having trouble breathing. We rushed him to the vet. He'd been bitten by a spider, the vet surmised. But Reilly survived the allergic reaction with steroids, Benadryl, and a lot of prayer.

Then yesterday he gave me another scare. I was in the family room, decluttering the toys, minding my own business. I had been ignoring him while "in my zone," and he'd fallen asleep behind "his" chair. He was lying on his side, and his eyes were open, glossy. I called, "Reilly?" No response. Normally he lifts his head. "Reilly?" I called more loudly. Panic. He didn't even twitch a tail. I screamed, "Reilly!" thinking he was dead! I thought, How? Did you choke on a Lego creation and I didn't notice? Or a sock? Wake up! Those glossy eyes freaked me out! But yelling in his face woke him up. Man! Be still my heart! Guess he was in his zone!

Here is swollen Reilly. Freak-ay!

A to Z

The clutter photos will have to wait till the next-next post, at least. Technical difficulties. Hope the news doesn't make you dissolve into a puddle of tears.

Meanwhile, I found this short little meme that looked like fun, so I'm playing along with Carrie at Farming on Faith.

A. Age: 45
B. Bed size: queen
C. Chore you dislike: decluttering
D. Dogs: 1, a 14-month-old golden male we adopted in February from someone who was clueless about how to care for him. He's sometimes too cute for words, and other times I have to bite my tongue against the words that do spring to mind.

E. Essential start to your day: coffee, eggs, and Bible reading
F. Favorite color: purple
G. Gold or silver: Love 'em both. Partial to silver. Bring on the bling!
H. Height: 5'3"
I. Instruments you play(ed): piano, harmonica, triangle
J. Job title: Mother & Teacher
K. Kids: 4
L. Live: I do.
M. Mom’s name: Brenda
N. Nicknames: Z, Zo, Zozie, Hey, Shorty, Comfy Princess
O. Overnight hospital stays: following each of four births and a recent surgery
P. Pet peeves: typos in commercial print; misused apostrophes; the words "like" and "ya know" and other fillers of speech; nervous laughs; people who talk about themselves on and on and without asking about the other person; riding w/ aggressive drivers; nail biting; mumbling instead of clear speech; seeing sweat pants on people in public; waiting for people to come to the table after I called and the food (MY food) is getting cold!; many more.
Q. Quote from a movie: "Here's lookin' at you, kid."

R. Righty or lefty: Righty.
S. Siblings: 3 sisters
T. Time you wake up: when my bladder says so
U. Underwear: Is this a yes/no question?? How about “Uniform” instead? cotton V-neck top and jeans

V. Vegetables you don’t like: not a fan of collard greens

W.What makes you run late: poor time management (usually my own, sometimes my youngest kid's)
X. X-rays you’ve had: starting from the top-- teeth, neck, back, pelvis, ankle
Y. Yummy food you make: beef burgundy is a fave, and a dish called "Don't Invite the Rabbi, Just the Pasta" which has bacon and noodles as key players
Z. Zoo animal favorites: lions, tigers, and bears, oh my! plus zebras, monkeys, camels, and giraffes

Want to play along? (Remember the days we used to "tag" each other? Teeheehee.)

Wednesday Hodgepodge: Dr. Seuss's Birthday, Thinking, and Sarcasm

Once again, some great questions from Joyce.

1. March 2nd is Dr. Seuss's birthday so I'm wondering...do you like green eggs and ham? Okay-how about this...how do you like your eggs? Or don't you?

I do not like green eggs and ham, not on plane, not a train. Well, okay, ham I like but not green eggs. I prefer mine white and yellow and either over-medium or scrambled. Eggs give me the protein lift I need in the morning to keep me from being too hungry by 10 a.m. Oh, and I LOVE Dr. Seuss. The most memorable book is not one that's often quoted from. Remember Yertle the Turtle?

My dad, who is a good artist, created huge poster-size visuals from this book for a children's sermon on pride that he gave when I was a third grader. (Of course, the adults always paid very close attention to the children's sermons, which I think was the idea.) I grew my love for words, in large part, by hearing my parents read Dr. Seuss to me.

Okay, so the question was more about eggs...:)

2. Is March coming in like a lion or something less ferocious where you live?
I would say it's coming in like a lion cub who is playing with a lamb. Cold air and sunshine.

3. Do you work better or worse under pressure?

Depends on the type of work, but usually I'm better under pressure. Housework--pressure, for sure. Tell me you'll be swinging by in 20 minutes and I can fly through the main level, tidying up. Tell me you'll be here in three weeks, and I'll wait till the day before and then go postal on everyone. With creative work such as writing, decorating, or making a gift for someone, I need more think time, and the results are better if I've given myself time to correct mistakes.


4. March Madness-are you a fan? It's college basketball in case you're wondering. And if you're outside the USA tell us, is there any sort of 'madness' taking place during March in your part of the world?

Yes and no. I couldn't tell you who's playing well this year, which is the "no" part of the answer, but when I sit down to watch the Final Four, then "yes," I call myself a fan. I mostly get caught up in my husband's and sons' excitement. I like basketball because 1) I understand the rules (I used to cheer for basketball games in high school) and 2) it's fast and 3)not too many people get hurt for life playing this sport, and 4) I like high numbers on a scoreboard. I mean, if you're going to play something for an hour and a half or more, why not rack up points in the 75-100 range? I could never understand why soccer games have goals that are only one stinkin' point apiece. All that sweat for what?


5. Under what circumstances do you do your best thinking?

Great question. I do my best thinking usually when I'm alone and am not bogged down with emotional issues. Mornings between 8 and 9 a.m. are typically quiet "think times," as are times when I'm driving a good ways to a familiar place. I don't think as well when working with dominant personalities. I tend to say "yes" and then regret it because I felt pressured to do things their way, even if I had it all thought out ahead of time how things should go. But I am also a quick thinker on the spot when Plan B is necessary. I grew up learning the art of "making do," which is one of the best things my parents ever taught me.

6. What item of clothing from your wardrobe do you wear most often?

A bra. Pretty much a daily, 4-season, must-have, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer.

7. Do you use sarcasm?

I try not to. At one point in my life, it was a chronic form of communication for me, and I thought it was funny. But somewhere, long ago, a wise counselor and speaker at some seminar addressed the issue of sarcasm in marriage and family dynamics. What he conveyed about it being rooted in anger and cynicism has stuck with me. Regardless of how it sounds to you coming out of your mouth, it almost always sounds harsh or biting to others. I hate it when others use sarcasm; I prefer direct, gracious speech.

8. Insert your own random thought here. When I'm happy, it shows in my kitchen. I cook more creatively, I care about presentation, and everything is clean and mostly organized. Lately I've been happy. However, I fight to remain happy (is that an oxymoron?) when I've worked hard to make a meal, time it right, and then wait and wait for people to come to the table when called. When I say it's time to eat, I don't want lollygaggers. I want appreciative eaters.

And with that, it's time to put tonight's dinner in the crockpot.

Hodgepodge Wednesday on a Real Wednesday, EDITED

Joyce, over at From this Side of the Pond always has great questions to get the mind in motion.

1. Did you know there is a national day of pretty much everything in the universe? Feb 23rd happens to be National Inconvenience Yourself Day...when was the last time you were inconvenienced?

The last really major inconvenience happened this past Saturday. I won't rehash it (you can scroll down to the post below called "Ours at Last..."). The inconvenience of me being a post-operative woman dealing with complications, hormones, a birthday boy with 7 friends talking about farts and poop, a new dog who is both an answer to prayer and a 74-pound ball of undisciplined affection, a 4-hour round trip car ride to adopt the goldmeister (the cute dude above, looking all innocent and everything), plus hunger, dehydration, elation for us, sadness for others...well, it was what I would call a Glorious Inconvenience.

2. When a room in your house needs painting, who does the job?

My husband. I wouldn't have it any other way. He is tall, perfectionistic, and tenacious. He will not stop until the job is done, and done beautifully. I am only the runner. I run for paint supplies, run for his iced tea, run for whatever he needs. But I love his mad paint skills. He procrastinates and hems and haws about getting started, but once he's got that roller in hand, it's full-steam ahead, baby. Speaking of steam, I find him uber attractive when he's in handyman mode. He doesn't understand why I find him so sexy when he paints. (But I've noticed he won't hire anyone else, either!)

3. Are you friends with your cousins?

Funny you should ask. I've just recently gotten back in touch with my cousins through Facebook. We never really knew each other as kids, living so far apart. But as adults sharing the same heritage (common enemies?) we really hit it off. My cousins, aunts, and uncles are hilarious and generous, talented and kind. I had the distinct pleasure of going to Texas this past New Year's week for a mini-reunion with my cousins Lisa, Cindi, Craig, and their branches of the family (nut) tree. The "highlight" of the reunion (aka Fireworks at Craig's on New Year's Eve)
came at about 5:30 pm just as the guests were arriving to eat. Craig's little girl fell out of the tree and broke her arm at the elbow. So off to the ER for them, and the rest of us hosted our own party and felt right at home.

4. Do you use an alarm clock-if yes, is it an actual alarm, music or something else?

Yes, but it's on my husband's side of the bed, set to music. I am almost always awake before it comes on because I have a bladder the size of a grape. And it's a grape that does disco.

5. What do you put ketchup on?

French fries, hash browns, and meatloaf.

6. What smells make you nostalgic?
A lot of them. 1) Perfume of my third grade librarian, Mrs. Fountain, and that of Mrs. Reeves, the mother of a close high school friend. The perfume Mrs. Reeves wore was called Norell. 2) Boxwood. It reminds me of Nan C's yard, tucked away from everything, where I found solace and the love of Jesus in Nan's company. She was my spiritual mother when I was a confused and hurting teenager. 3) Lilacs take me back to Kansas. 4) Honeysuckle to my lazy summer days in Dublin (Maryland).

7. Did you hear about the high school English teacher recently suspended for some things she wrote on her personal blog? You can read the story here but in a nutshell she vented a lot of frustration onto her blog. She didn't mention individual students by name but she did make some harsh comments about kids in general and their parents.

What are your thoughts-if you're a parent is your child's teacher online and are you a 'friend' or 'follower' there? If you're a teacher are you on facebook and do you accept or friend students there? How about their parents? If you're a student are you friends with your current or former teachers online? Do any of them have blogs you read? If you're a teacher or a parent do you ever use your blog as a place to vent your frustrations with our educational system? So much to discuss....

No, I didn't read it. It's not wise to air one's job grievances online. I learned the hard way as a teacher who didn't use names. Teachers: When a student misbehaves egregiously, and it's out of your league or needs further addressing, go to those who can do something about it: the parents and the principal. Parents: Do your teacher a huge favor and ASK frequently how your child is doing with listening, respecting, following directions, learning, getting along with others, neatness, etc. Don't assume everything's fine just because you haven't heard otherwise. And by all means, do NOT assume that your child is right just because you heard his side of the story first!

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Our new dog just ate a pencil eraser. Can I hope that it will erase some of his bad habits that come from within?