Little Boy Sick

The red-headed wonder child, 6yr old grandson, spends the night at our house on Friday nights.  Last night was Friday.  He was here.

Yesterday was the first day of his very first Spring Break.  He and Mommy slept in until almost 11:00.  They thought that was cool.  I saw it as the makings of one of my nightmares.  I was tired and ready for bed somewhere around 9:30.  I'm old remember.  Asher, the well-rested, red-headed wonder child was still going strong at 11:00.  (Insert weary sigh)

Our little man is not so good at sleeping alone, so he usually picks whether he's going to sleep with Mema or Pepa.  I won that lottery last night.  But we didn't sleep much.  The stuffy-nosed, well-rested, red-headed wonder child couldn't breathe, or find any comfortable position and he needed water four times. 

Somewhere around 4AM I awoke and felt I was "sleeping" next to an easy-bake oven.  I padded off to the bathroom at the far end of the house (since the close one is just a spare and not in complete working condition) to get the thermometer so that I could determine what temperature the oven was set at.  It was a toasty, and yes, rather miserable-feeling 100.4 (and my experience is that home thermometers are always a tad lower than the high power super-effecient doctor office ones, so his temp was probably a wee bit higher).  I tried to get him to take some children's pain medicine.  By the time I don't have to deal with children anymore, some genius is going to invent a tasteless and colorless concoction that children will take unawares.  I wish I knew how, because I would like to be the person that all mothers rise up and bless.

I must have gotten enough into the miserably-fevered, easy-bake oven, stuffy-nosed, one-time well rested, red-headed wonder child because he allowed me to sleep until a couple minutes after eight. 

I got up and found the homestead missing one husband.  He trotted off early to finish the weekly shopping (he's so good at it and so good to do it).  Before he left the house, however, he decided to try and pull out of the garage while the door was still rising.  Door is a bit mangled and car has some roof damage.  When he told me his retelling was missing what I would have considered the correct amount of contrition.  I would (and have, since I did a similar thing) apologized all over myself.  Not one word of that or any thing remotely resembling that.  We're so different. 

While I have been typing the  miserably-fevered, easy-bake oven, stuffy-nosed, one-time well rested, red-headed wonder child came out to sit with me on the couch to get that last bit of sleepy-time in.  I guess that makes him the cuddly-up, afghan-covered,  miserably-fevered, easy-bake oven, stuffy-nosed, one-time well rested, red-headed wonder child.  (And that's enough of that because I've actually gone to using cut and paste.)

I'm going to rustle up some coffee and I may even break down and use the leaded version...I may need some of the go power today.

Retail Therapy

I had to go out this morning and mail a package for Nelson (aka, The Hub-which seems fitting as he is such a central part of my life). He sold a stereo receiver on Craigslist--to a woman in Indiana. And she was willing to pay the shipping. He bought it off CL for $20 and it wasn't what we needed so he sold it for $25 plus shipping. Amazing.

When I was done I decided to spend some of my allowance at Goodwill. I found a couple tops at half price and was quite pleased. Then I drifted aimlessly over to the rack of shorts. I don't wear shorts. My legs are so white that I feel I do the world a service by wearing capris length summer pants. I won't tell you that it also cuts down on the cuts I used to have when attempting to shave my legs. I won't tell you that because it's embarrassing and way too much information. So don't ask.

Anyway... I found myself actually look through the rack of shorts when I came across a pair of longer walking shorts. They were well made, a name brand. I fell instantly in love. I even tried them on. And they fit. The wierd thing is that they are a plaid with very unusual colors. I would never in a million years have put lime green, bright yellow and grayish green (or green gray, I can't tell) together. Never. But I will buy the longish walking shorts in those colors that someone else decided to put together. So I walked out of my retail therapy session having spent $11 and I purchased two tops, my really cool long-shorts, and a half slip. Yeah, the last thing surprised even me, but I have a couple summer dresses and skirts that are a tad bit on the too flimsy side and I will feel more comfortable wearing a slip. Does that make me sound old? I guess that's okay, because I am, kinda sorta.

In just over a week, I will be fifty-five. I wish someone could explain to me how I don't feel as old as that sounds? The fresh crop of grayness in my hair which is framing my face screams it at me, but I'm getting better at considering it as cheap highlights for the moment. Nelson and I went out for dinner the other night at Denny's. A very yummy experience.

I looked through the menu and when I got to the back cover I began to snicker. Nelson looked at me like I was sounding a bit goofey. I just looked up at him and announced that we'll be able to eat out more soon, since I will be able to eat for less. I wonder what other little perks I'll find as learn to age with grace and a slice of panache.

Merrily we roll along...

Really, has it been a month since I've been here? Wow. I've writing in other places and doing so many other terrible time consuming things that I didn't realize how neglectful I've been. Many things have been shifting for me. Some good and exciting. Others challenging and emotionally draining. Sounds a lot like life as most of us live it. Here's one thing very new...very exciting for me. I applied for a scholarship to the Blue Ridge Mountains Chrisitan Writers Conference--and I got it!!! I was beyond excited. Sure, I still have to come up with the money for room and board and figure out the most economical way to get there, but I'm going! Today I made the registration complete by contacting the facility and reserving a room. Here's a description of the conference: http://www.brmcwc.com/ If you wander around the site you'll be able to see some of the keynote people and workshop leaders. I'm beyond excited about this, all that I'll be able to learn and all the connections I'll be able to make. Yay! But it also scares the bajeebees right out of me. This writing thing that I've dreamed about and wanted is going to happen. I'll keep you updated on how it's going. I'd appreciate your prayers, too. I still have a chunk of change I need to come up with. I'm confident God will provide. Best to come back to the real world and get some housecleaning done. Balance. It's one of the things I'm working on...More on that later. ")

An Example: They Grow So Fast

I was sitting at the computer taking my turn at a game of scrabble that I was playing with my sister when Asher came up to sit beside me with some of his way cool "Wild and Weird" cards that Pepa got him. He set the cards aside and focused on my Scrabble game. Since both his mommy and I play it, he has familiarity with the game. He proceeded to look at the letters on my slate: HYPSOA? (?=blank), and he tells me I can make the word happy. Or yoga. I am marveling, because it's one thing to make a word out of the letters you can see, but it takes a different skill to start making them up with a blank. I'm starting the game, and had already considered happy, so I was quite happy to use it. When the next slate of letters popped up, he was quick with a couple of choices--in case I need help. He's growing up so fast! He's so smart. His mommy had to work very, very late, so when it was time to fall asleep, he climbed into my lap and cuddled until he was off in dreamland. I cherish these moments. I will miss my little cuddle bug. But I am so excited to watch him grow.

Thirty-three

33 years. 12045 days 289080 hours 17344800 minutes 1040688000 seconds Plus countless tears, laughs, joys, and sorrows. I have said it before and I will probably repeat myself a hundred bazillion times more: he may not be perfect, but he's perfect for me. No one would have put up me, all my baggage and insecurities, like he has. He has supported my dreams, encouraged my talents, and allowed me to shine. Yesterday, because we didn't have Asher and we would today, he took half a day off so we could do some things we love. We had lunch at Red Lobster, and it was beyond delish. After that we shopped at the Christian Bookstore next door. We found a book of duets (we've been asked to sing at church) that is just perfect for us. Then we went to Barnes&Noble. I drooled all over a Nook, but came away without one. (The only sigh of the day) Then we stopped at Krogers to pick up a few things. For supper we had pizza at Pizza Hut--where we ate our first meal on our first date and our first meal as Mr. and Mrs. We finished the day with sundaes from Dairy Queen. Today I'm going to go buy him a movie. He said "Money Ball" was one he actually would have paid to see in the theaters, so now he'll be able to watch at home whenever he wants. I am a very thankful woman today. It is my anniversary.

Awareness

So since the beginning of the year I have added some routine or discipline to my life. And I'm liking the results. What I am beginning to see is that discipline in one area of life begets discipline in other areas as well. I have considered myself one of the most undisciplined persons on the planet. I attributed that to a sort of reaction formation to my mother's OCD personality. Her discipline expressed itself in a rigidity that I totally rebelled against. I seemed to revel in my disorganization and procrastination. Now, just shy of my 55th birthday, I am finding comfort and even enjoyment in the presence of discipline forming in my life. I started by chosing to read the Bible daily. Several years ago I had purchased a copy of the NLT version of the Bible in One Year. Knowing my patterns I opted to tear out the months of daily readings so that I would have no excuse to not have the book with me to read. (Apologies to all those who might find such "destruction" of a book offensive.) I began exercising daily. I have either walked, walked the dogs, ridden my bike, or worked out with the wii every day. I'm a bit excited that I'm up to 20 minutes of running in the morning and evening. Today I "ran" 3.8 miles. And it feels good! I'm cleaning my house weekly. In fact, right now, I'm writing this having vacuumed and getting ready to clean the bathrooms, to be followed by dusting. In part this has been facilitated by a gift I received for Christmas. Nelson bought me the Dyson Ball vacuum that is touted to be good for picking up pet hair. I love that little sucker! It makes vacuuming quick and easy--and thorough! I have always cleaned on an "as needed" basis. This was definite reaction to my mother's absolute rigidity of her cleaning schedule. Jesus could be at the door and he would just have had to wait until she was done. It's not that I didn't like a clean house--I just couldn't make myself get into a routine. Until now. Today I even organized the toy area of the family room. Honestly, I like it better than the way that Nelson had it done. Mom always said, if you want something done right...do it yourself. She is one smart chick! And I'm reading. I decided that this year I would write down the titles and authors of the books I read. I've already read 16 books. I went to the library today and took out four more. I did a little research and decided to check out some new authors. So I have four new authors. And I'm open to suggestions. I'm not big on romance or fluff. I don't want books that are bawdy or crude. And just I think about movies, I don't think vulgar language is necessary for communication. I guess I'm just a little old-fashioned that way. Well, this is not getting the bathrooms clean and Asher will be here in an hour so I will close and get 'er done. :)

Groundhog Day

I just want to go on record that I think all the Puxatawny Phil or whoever your local groundhog might be very, very ridiculous. Of course this goofy guy is going to see his shadow. Look at the calendar folks: spring doesn't come for 6 more weeks. I think this bunch of hooey is far more damaging to the psyche of a child than the tooth fairy, Santa Claus, and the Easter bunny all together. No child should be teased into thinking that an overgrown rat can bless them with the early warming and beauty of Spring. But I'm not bitter... On to better topics...Asher had a "well child" appointment this morning. Beth thought he was due for some shots. They did several tests to make sure he has reached all his 6yr old milestones and he has and he's 45lbs and 3'9". He coughed and the NP asked to look at his throat and his well-check turned into a strep check that came back positive. Beth was so funny. She called me and said, "Ok. You can tell me you told me so any time, becuase you were right." I told her on Monday that I thought she should have him checked. Imagine that, I was right. Should I go buy a lottery ticket? So since I was right, I took Beth and Asher out for lunch. I got a gift card the other day as payment for a resume I wrote. It was a good day to celebrate, and besides I have been wanting ribs really bad. Beth paid the balance and the tip, a pretty good deal for her! I thought I was going to buy Asher an Oreo milkshake, but he decided just to eat the cheese sticks off Beth's monster appetiser plate and most of my fries. He also drank half my mango tea. Needless to say, a good time was had by all. Nelson and I were supposed to have a meeting with our pastor last Thursday, but he got the opportunity to work overtime so we rescheduled for this week. One of the good things that came out of it was that I did some good cleaning in my house last week and today. It smells so good right now! At our meeting we're going to go over the spiritual gift inventories that we took as a part of the membership class last month. The results were no surprise to either of us. Nelson's strong gifts are in the areas of administration and missions, while mine are in pastoral, teaching, and encouragement. Now we just need to figure out how we're going to best use those gifts as we serve and worship there. Well, I need to wash dishes and finish laundry before Nelson gets home. TTFN