First, I want to start by saying I don't disagree with this, it just breaks my heart that there is a need.
I got an email from the school today asking parents to prepare our children for a lockdown drill that will take place tomorrow. This is a copy of the email (since they sent it to 600 families I think I'm safe putting it on my blog!)
Tomorrow morning at Forest Dale we will be reviewing our lockdown drill procedures with our students. Teachers will be working with students to help them understand the importance of this drill and why we find it necessary to practice.Taking into account that participating in this drill might make some students nervous, please take a few minutes this evening or over the weekend to talk to your child about the drill or about what they learned. As always, our first priority is student and staff safety and we want everyone to be prepared in case of an emergency. Thank you for your support and have a great weekend.
When I read this I thought, what the heck is is a lockdown drill and how am I supposed to discuss this when I don't know what it is. So I sent the following email;
Please explain the lockdown drill so I can better help my daughter understand.
Then I realized Hadley may actually know what this is so I asked her about it and she told me "it's where we practice if a bad guy comes in the school, we go in a classroom and hide."
The more she got into her explanation the more tears started building up in my eyes. It breaks my heart that our children live in a world where they need to know these things. I don't mean the schools shouldn't be doing this, I only mean that there shouldn't be a need for it.
We got home and had dinner, did homework, and wrapped up our evening. The kids went to bed and I looked at my email and I saw this,
Basically the teachers will discuss with the kids how we practice all of our safety drills in order to be prepared. During a full lockdown the teachers pull their classroom doors shut and bring and students left in the hallway into their rooms as well. The kids will practice where safe "hiding" places are in the room out of the line of sight through the door or interior windows. The door will be slightly barricaded and lights will turned off. Students will be silent and wait for on-going teacher instruction. Students will stay in their small group hiding places until the all clear is given.
We really try our best not to make this a scary event seeing as we are required to practice a full lockdown 4 times each year.
Again, I applaud them for having a plan and teaching the kids. God forbid something ever happen, it seems like it would be helpful to have a plan. I have all kinds of plans worked out with Hadley because I think being prepared is empowering.
When I read the email though, I cried a little, I can't help but think how sad it is that we have to have plans for these kinds of events. Has school violence really become common enough that we need a plan? What is wrong with the world? What kind of monster attacks children?
The only consolation I have is that we did earthquake drills when I was in school, and I even remember a school closing because of an Nostradamus prediction of an epic earthquake. I'll be 32 in December and I've still never been in an earthquake. Fingers crossed that I'm never in an earthquake because it's still my most feared natural disaster.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Different Reasons for the Same Book
On church on Sunday I was listening to the sermon, very closely, and ironically enough I can't really remember what it was about but I can't seem to get it off of my mind. That probably doesn't make sense but sometimes you hear what the holy spirit wants you to hear. The point of the sermon can have everything or nothing at all to do with what the speaker is saying. I don't mean to trivialize the minister because he is a very important tool for God, I just mean that sometimes the message he delivers isn't necessarily what he planned.
Like I said, I can't remember how I got on this path but I can't seem to get away from it. I grew up in an extremely conservative church with a minister who I still credit for helping me get me on my spiritual path. To this day, I don't think I'd have the relationship with God that I have if it hadn't been for Jim introducing me to Him when I was young. Jim also helped me through countless spiritual crisis throughout my first few years of adulthood. He is the one who baptized me, he counseled me when I decide to marry Keith, and he and his wife were there for me every time I needed something, they are truly fantastic people.
When I moved to WV Jim helped me find a "sound church" in town and even called them to get the lowdown for me. Much like most of my experiences in WV, that church presented as open, friendly, and the perfect fit; when in reality it was just one more thing on the list that made me miserable. I didn't fit in and it caused some major hiccups in my life. (personal and spiritual)
I'd expected everything to fall into place but it just wasn't working that way. I ended up leaving the church and leaving all churches for awhile because I'd never gone to any church besides the extremely conservative type and this was the only option within two or more hours. I sort of freaked out and felt totally lost, I didn't know where to go. On my way anywhere from my house, I passed a church and one day they had a sign up advertising Tuesday School with their phone number so I called. I got in touch with this amazing woman, Michelle, and we talked like old friends for nearly half an hour. That was my gateway into a more "liberal" version of the same brand of church I'd grown up in.
That church is where I met the second most influential minister in my life, Mark. Mark was a very open minded, charismatic, kind hearted, and fun minister. Not to say that Jim wasn't those things, but Mark was almost Jim's polar opposite but very similar at the same time. Mark was the first minister I'd heard, since Jim, who I looked forward to hearing every Sunday. I always knew that whatever Mark was bringing on Sunday morning would be spectacular, I knew his sermons would be pleasant, educating, and often times life changing.
What's ironic about these two men is that as much as I admire and respect both of them and as terrific as they both are; if I put them in a room together I'm not sure which one would walk out. Both are Christian ministers but they are pretty far apart on beliefs, and that is what's got me thinking...
How can educated, intelligent, great, Christian men have such different stances? (Or anyone really, not just men.) That's one of those things I don't understand about religion in general. I'm a Christian and I have a great relationship with God. I pray, I study, I try really hard to live a Christian life, and I believe 100% in God, his Son, and the Holy Spirit. With that said, I'm still confused most of the time about how we can all want to do the right thing so bad but we all have varying views of how to go about it.
No one likes labels, but in my religion there is a huge gamete of beliefs and the only way I know to clarify is with the labels. There is the extremely conservative, legalistic, church that I grew up in then there is the other end of the spectrum that I don't know much about but I grew up hearing tales of the "liberal churches" and I think I fall somewhere in between (but closer to the conservative side. What can I say, my roots run deep!)
Anyway, this all has me thinking about it and I can't find the answer and I'm not even sure there is one, but I'm glad we all have a forgiving God who loves us anyway. Whether we have the answers or not, God does and we are all doing the best we can to serve Him and I pray that as long we keep trying He will keep forgiving!
Like I said, I can't remember how I got on this path but I can't seem to get away from it. I grew up in an extremely conservative church with a minister who I still credit for helping me get me on my spiritual path. To this day, I don't think I'd have the relationship with God that I have if it hadn't been for Jim introducing me to Him when I was young. Jim also helped me through countless spiritual crisis throughout my first few years of adulthood. He is the one who baptized me, he counseled me when I decide to marry Keith, and he and his wife were there for me every time I needed something, they are truly fantastic people.
When I moved to WV Jim helped me find a "sound church" in town and even called them to get the lowdown for me. Much like most of my experiences in WV, that church presented as open, friendly, and the perfect fit; when in reality it was just one more thing on the list that made me miserable. I didn't fit in and it caused some major hiccups in my life. (personal and spiritual)
I'd expected everything to fall into place but it just wasn't working that way. I ended up leaving the church and leaving all churches for awhile because I'd never gone to any church besides the extremely conservative type and this was the only option within two or more hours. I sort of freaked out and felt totally lost, I didn't know where to go. On my way anywhere from my house, I passed a church and one day they had a sign up advertising Tuesday School with their phone number so I called. I got in touch with this amazing woman, Michelle, and we talked like old friends for nearly half an hour. That was my gateway into a more "liberal" version of the same brand of church I'd grown up in.
That church is where I met the second most influential minister in my life, Mark. Mark was a very open minded, charismatic, kind hearted, and fun minister. Not to say that Jim wasn't those things, but Mark was almost Jim's polar opposite but very similar at the same time. Mark was the first minister I'd heard, since Jim, who I looked forward to hearing every Sunday. I always knew that whatever Mark was bringing on Sunday morning would be spectacular, I knew his sermons would be pleasant, educating, and often times life changing.
What's ironic about these two men is that as much as I admire and respect both of them and as terrific as they both are; if I put them in a room together I'm not sure which one would walk out. Both are Christian ministers but they are pretty far apart on beliefs, and that is what's got me thinking...
How can educated, intelligent, great, Christian men have such different stances? (Or anyone really, not just men.) That's one of those things I don't understand about religion in general. I'm a Christian and I have a great relationship with God. I pray, I study, I try really hard to live a Christian life, and I believe 100% in God, his Son, and the Holy Spirit. With that said, I'm still confused most of the time about how we can all want to do the right thing so bad but we all have varying views of how to go about it.
No one likes labels, but in my religion there is a huge gamete of beliefs and the only way I know to clarify is with the labels. There is the extremely conservative, legalistic, church that I grew up in then there is the other end of the spectrum that I don't know much about but I grew up hearing tales of the "liberal churches" and I think I fall somewhere in between (but closer to the conservative side. What can I say, my roots run deep!)
Anyway, this all has me thinking about it and I can't find the answer and I'm not even sure there is one, but I'm glad we all have a forgiving God who loves us anyway. Whether we have the answers or not, God does and we are all doing the best we can to serve Him and I pray that as long we keep trying He will keep forgiving!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Evict OWS!
Lord have mercy! I kicked the hornets nest, completely accidentally, and it all started with this picture!
I made the comment that "I'm sick of those loser occupiers." (Well, I am!) Unfortunately, some people took it extremely personal. This all took place on Angela's facebook page and wasn't my intention. Someone called me ignorant, someone said I offended them, blah blah blah. Angela asked the person who called me ignorant to remove that comment and like a petulant child she basically replied "it's not fair!!! waaaa!" The funny part of all of this is that I didn't have my phone with me so I didn't even know it was going on. Also funny, I honestly don't care what they had to say but laughed profusely and mocked them for their comments later in the day.
Because it was Angela's page, and because I'm respectful to my friend, I chose not to reply and further insight the 99%. However, on MY BLOG, I will write my opinion.
First, they don't represent me! I'm neither the 1% wealthy, controlling American nor am I the dirty hippies sleeping in a park and pooping like animals, all while costing the tax payers tons of money! I am a member of who knows what percentage, who is fed up with freeloaders, disgusted with government, and irritated by the media.
I think someone (the local governments) needs to crack down on these freeloading, dead beat, dirty hippies who are living in the parks, costing taxpayers tons of money, and accomplishing nothing. I say gas them, bring the street sweepers in, and get rid of two problems at once! Sweep up the trash and the trashy people!
On the other hand, I will agree with the disgust of greed. I don't think the answer is making the rich pay everyone's tab, but I do think eliminating all of the loopholes might help, also stop handing out so many freebies and we won't need so much tax money. I get the idea of being fed up with corporate greed and ironically enough I agree with what I think OWS stands for. I don't think destroying Wall St will do any good for any of us but I'm up to my eyeballs in disgust with corporate greed and sell out politicians!
Another of Angela's friend made a comment, neither agreeing or disagreeing with me, and I thought it was genius! This is a quote, I'm leaving his name out for the sake of anonymity and because I don't know him, but this is what he said...
What about all those heads of companies who are making millions by building a company from scratch, risking their own well-being to do so, and are creating many jobs in the process. Are they part of the 1%? Are we to demonize them for their ...hard work? The other 99% can't say they've gotten no or little raises recently. Many people I know, who are part of the 99%, are doing quite well. Several are even thriving. So the "99%" marching is really probably only 4%. Wish they actually had a message and goal so I could understand their angst versus just hating the rich.
I'm a big supporter of freedom to assemble, freedom of speech, and freedom of association, however; I'm also a fan of paying your bills! If I wanted to host a large event in a park there would be a few things required to make it happen. (I used to work for the Parks & Recreation department, in administration, so I happen to know what I'm talking about here.) I'd have to get a noise permit, I'd need portalets, and I'd have to make sure we had security on site. The amount of portalets and security needed would be determined by my estimated expected attendance. There's also a good chance I'd need to pay some sort of monetary deposit as well and if it was going to be a large event I'd need to secure generators and all if this would be the financial responsibility of the event sponsors or coordinators.
With all that said, if the occupiers have taken all of these steps then good for them, carry on, and good luck! However, since I doubt they've done any of those things and I've read the statistics of what they're costing the taxpayers I say pay up or get out! Occupy Wall St, alone, is expected to cost the city (aka TAXPAYERS!) $2million! This, so called, movement has spread to nearly 150 cities and although I'm sure the costs will be less in several of those cities, they are NOT THE TAXPAYERS RESPONSIBILITY! So, I say to all of those who are supporting them, write some checks because my money shouldn't be wasted on it!
There seems to be no clear message, no direction, and no class amongst these people. Look here to see some of the classless signs they are marching with. The costumes and zombie outfits and outrageous silliness of it all makes it hard to take them seriously. If they really wanted to have an impact on the banks, they'd pull all of their money out of them, pay off all of their loans and not take on more, create a financial exodus from their enemies. I'd like to know how many of the protesters are using their iPads, iPhones, and laptops or have loans, checking accounts, etc with the very institutions they are claiming to hate so much...
And, on a side note...what the heck do Russel Simmons & Kanye West have to do with occupying?
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
This Too Shall Pass
I don't usually use my blog to vent but today is one of those times I'm not sure where else to go but I think it might be cathartic.
It's days like today that I wish I had a close family.
Keith is travelling like crazy and I know he's stressed about it because he doesn't like to be away from home this much. I'm stressed about it because when he's gone, I'm on full time. Work has been so stressful for him with travel and non stop demands that he's wound so tightly and it's affecting our time together. I don't want him gone all the time because I miss him and it's hard being on non stop with the house and kids but at the same time it's been unenjoyable having him around lately. He complains about not having enough time to do anything, works from home most of the time he's here, or is so short tempered that it's not worth trying to communicate. We went through this once before, when we lived in WV, and it's better this time since I actually have friends here and don't have a newborn baby, but it still stinks! I'm trying to be supportive and roll with it because I do sympathize and I know it will pass (I HOPE anyway!) but it's wearing me down too. Keith is so wrapped up in his pity party for himself that he can't see how hard it is on me too, and I'm so busy faking it so I don't add to his stress that I can't ask for help.
This time around with him being gone, Lydia and I are both sick AND Lydia has a broken arm which is making it extra special! I'm so on edge that the little things are starting to really upset me. I've been sick all weekend but wanted to make a nice home cooked meal for Keith before he left on Sunday so we had a pot roast and family dinner. I spent the next day irritated because the kitchen was a mess and I'm on single mom duty again. I finally got the kitchen cleaned but the rest of the house is messy and I don't feel good! UGH!
Now Lydia has a cast on her arm and is whining like it's a contest. My allergies are killing me and allergy meds are the biggest joke I've seen. On top of that, my back is starting to hurt again and really never got back to normal after the muscle spasms, then Hadley brings home this stupid project from school and 45 minutes of homework. She's also having teacher problems and is starting to hate school, and I had such a bad attitude about it all last night that I've probably sealed the deal. I'm really mad that this teacher is jading my daughters beautiful spirit, but I have such a chip on my shoulder right now I'm reluctant to step in for fear of making it worse!
It's times like this that I idealize having a close extended family. I feel like this would be the time that if I had a close relationship with my family they would swoop in and save the day. This would be the ideal time for family to show up and offer to take the kids home for a couple of hours and help Hadley do her project, or it would be great if they would swing by and clean the kitchen, or it would be nice if a grandpa would take Hadley to the driving range for a few minutes of golf because mommy can't and daddy is too busy. Unfortunately, I don't have that type of relationship with my family and even if Keith does, his family is too far away and too busy.
So, here I sit, blogging about it, near tears, and vowing that I'll be that person for my daughters. There will be no agenda, or judgement, only unconditional love. If I see my daughters going through difficulties in their families I will drop everything and do anything they need. They won't have to pretend everything is okay from fear of my ever present judgement, they won't be told that I'm too busy with my own life to help them, they won't ever have to worry about rejection from me. I promise that I will do as much as they will allow me to do for them and they will never owe me anything for it and I will never hang it over their heads.
In the meantime, I'm praying that this too shall pass (quickly) and we will all come out of it stronger and healthier! I love my husband and I pray that he remains successful but can slow down a little and enjoy life, I pray that God gives Hadley strength and perseverance in school and that her teacher starts building up instead of breaking down little kids, I pray that Lydia's arm heals quickly and perfectly, and I pray that my back is healed and these stinking allergies go away!
And when I look back at that prayer and realize that those are the things that have me down, I know how blessed I am! It could be so much worse and if these are the things that make me weak, I am one of the lucky ones. God is good!
It's days like today that I wish I had a close family.
Keith is travelling like crazy and I know he's stressed about it because he doesn't like to be away from home this much. I'm stressed about it because when he's gone, I'm on full time. Work has been so stressful for him with travel and non stop demands that he's wound so tightly and it's affecting our time together. I don't want him gone all the time because I miss him and it's hard being on non stop with the house and kids but at the same time it's been unenjoyable having him around lately. He complains about not having enough time to do anything, works from home most of the time he's here, or is so short tempered that it's not worth trying to communicate. We went through this once before, when we lived in WV, and it's better this time since I actually have friends here and don't have a newborn baby, but it still stinks! I'm trying to be supportive and roll with it because I do sympathize and I know it will pass (I HOPE anyway!) but it's wearing me down too. Keith is so wrapped up in his pity party for himself that he can't see how hard it is on me too, and I'm so busy faking it so I don't add to his stress that I can't ask for help.
This time around with him being gone, Lydia and I are both sick AND Lydia has a broken arm which is making it extra special! I'm so on edge that the little things are starting to really upset me. I've been sick all weekend but wanted to make a nice home cooked meal for Keith before he left on Sunday so we had a pot roast and family dinner. I spent the next day irritated because the kitchen was a mess and I'm on single mom duty again. I finally got the kitchen cleaned but the rest of the house is messy and I don't feel good! UGH!
Now Lydia has a cast on her arm and is whining like it's a contest. My allergies are killing me and allergy meds are the biggest joke I've seen. On top of that, my back is starting to hurt again and really never got back to normal after the muscle spasms, then Hadley brings home this stupid project from school and 45 minutes of homework. She's also having teacher problems and is starting to hate school, and I had such a bad attitude about it all last night that I've probably sealed the deal. I'm really mad that this teacher is jading my daughters beautiful spirit, but I have such a chip on my shoulder right now I'm reluctant to step in for fear of making it worse!
It's times like this that I idealize having a close extended family. I feel like this would be the time that if I had a close relationship with my family they would swoop in and save the day. This would be the ideal time for family to show up and offer to take the kids home for a couple of hours and help Hadley do her project, or it would be great if they would swing by and clean the kitchen, or it would be nice if a grandpa would take Hadley to the driving range for a few minutes of golf because mommy can't and daddy is too busy. Unfortunately, I don't have that type of relationship with my family and even if Keith does, his family is too far away and too busy.
So, here I sit, blogging about it, near tears, and vowing that I'll be that person for my daughters. There will be no agenda, or judgement, only unconditional love. If I see my daughters going through difficulties in their families I will drop everything and do anything they need. They won't have to pretend everything is okay from fear of my ever present judgement, they won't be told that I'm too busy with my own life to help them, they won't ever have to worry about rejection from me. I promise that I will do as much as they will allow me to do for them and they will never owe me anything for it and I will never hang it over their heads.
In the meantime, I'm praying that this too shall pass (quickly) and we will all come out of it stronger and healthier! I love my husband and I pray that he remains successful but can slow down a little and enjoy life, I pray that God gives Hadley strength and perseverance in school and that her teacher starts building up instead of breaking down little kids, I pray that Lydia's arm heals quickly and perfectly, and I pray that my back is healed and these stinking allergies go away!
And when I look back at that prayer and realize that those are the things that have me down, I know how blessed I am! It could be so much worse and if these are the things that make me weak, I am one of the lucky ones. God is good!
Monday, September 12, 2011
Pole Dancing For Jesus
I was going to blog about the latest crazy news on "Pole Dancing For Jesus" but really...what is there to say? My plan was to make jokes and crack remarks but what's the point?
I'm the first to admit that I'm wound pretty tightly and I'm a pretty conservative person, in general. I know this about myself and I know that not everyone is like that, and it's okay. However-THIS crosses lines. I am such a prude when it comes to "bedroom talk," I know, but holy cow!
I don't think it's the pole dancing part that shocks me so much as the "for Jesus" part. One thing that I don't like is using wacky gimmicks to get people in church. I find it insulting as a Christian and as an intelligent person.
Although, they may be onto something...when talking to an agnostic friend about this article he said "If Jesus says pole dance, I suggest you get your butt on the pole and work it!" (It got the agnostic thinking! Ha!)
In all seriousness, I enjoy doing things as a church. I love church cook outs, pot lucks, lunches at local eateries, hay rides, etc. I like fellowship with my christian brothers and sisters and I like to bring friends along who don't necessarily go to church with me. It's just like when I have a party at my house I like to invite people who will have fun. It's not a gimmick to bamboozle anyone into Christianity, it's to have a good time with people I enjoy from all walks of life.
Pole dancing, with or without Jesus, just isn't for me!
I'm the first to admit that I'm wound pretty tightly and I'm a pretty conservative person, in general. I know this about myself and I know that not everyone is like that, and it's okay. However-THIS crosses lines. I am such a prude when it comes to "bedroom talk," I know, but holy cow!
I don't think it's the pole dancing part that shocks me so much as the "for Jesus" part. One thing that I don't like is using wacky gimmicks to get people in church. I find it insulting as a Christian and as an intelligent person.
Although, they may be onto something...when talking to an agnostic friend about this article he said "If Jesus says pole dance, I suggest you get your butt on the pole and work it!" (It got the agnostic thinking! Ha!)
In all seriousness, I enjoy doing things as a church. I love church cook outs, pot lucks, lunches at local eateries, hay rides, etc. I like fellowship with my christian brothers and sisters and I like to bring friends along who don't necessarily go to church with me. It's just like when I have a party at my house I like to invite people who will have fun. It's not a gimmick to bamboozle anyone into Christianity, it's to have a good time with people I enjoy from all walks of life.
Pole dancing, with or without Jesus, just isn't for me!
Monday, September 5, 2011
Doctors, ERs, and Stress, Oh My!
I kind of bounce all over the place on what to blog about. I take pride in writing funny blogs and I love when people tell me they laugh at something I've written or when someone sends a link to one of their friends because they thought it was worth sharing.
Tonight though, I've got a lot on my heart and this is a cathartic post, so if you're here for humor you'll need to check out some of the other posts!
Wednesday morning I woke up a little groggy and had no idea why. Keith had left at 5am for Ft. Wayne so it was just me and the girls. I had hoped to get Hadley on the bus and then go back to bed for a little nap before Lydia woke up....then Lydia bounced down the stairs wide awake!
I was standing at the sink, brushing Hadley's hair and we were talking about how she was going to wear it. She decided on a pony tail so I was pulling it back and she said "mommy, I'm so thirsty" and I replied "Let me finish this pony tail and then we'll get you something to drink."
It was almost instantly that she slowly lowered her head down and laid it face down on the sink. I turned her head over and she was limp. I realized that she was unconscious and I began laying her down on the floor as gently as I could. I was trying not to freak out and she starts rolling her head from side to side groaning and breathing super fast and deep. It was like she was panting with super deep breaths and groaning while flopping her body around. It was a very scary time but not as scary as what happened next.
I was trying to hold her and keep her from hitting her head and I was trying to stay calm so I wouldn't scare her. I wasn't freaking out for some reason because the breathing and moaning was some what comforting to me. Then she stopped. Her body went limp, she quit breathing, and my mind went to a very dark place. I desperately prayed "please God, don't take my baby, please don't take her." My heart was breaking and I was terrified. I have never been that afraid of anything in my life. It only lasted for a couple of minutes (that felt like hours) and she opens her eyes and says "mommy, what just happened?"
She was very hot when she woke up so we got a wash cloth wet with cold water and Lydia went to get her a drink. I was freaking out and said "girls, mommy got a little scared when Hadley passed out so let's take a minute and pray over her." Ever word I prayed, Lydia repeated and wouldn't let go of her sister's hand. It was a terrifying morning with a beautiful moment.
Side Note: Lydia isn't usually my compassionate child but when her sister needed her she was right there to do anything we asked! I have never seen such compassion from her in my life. Later in the morning, I asked Lydia to watch Hadley while I called the doctor and when I came back, she was sitting right beside her staring. She later told me that it scared her and made her sad when Hadley passed out "because she's the best sister ever." and it brought tears to my eyes!
I had a bear of a time finding a telephone and finally got a call into my doctor because Hadley was begging NOT to go to the hospital. I got a call back saying to take her to the hospital. I called my friend Lisa and she was taking her boys to school, I said "okay, well call me back, it's important" and then hung up and sent a text that Hadley had passed out and I needed to take her to the hospital. (I was a little irrational and discombobulated)
Lisa's dad came and stayed with Lydia and I took Hadley to the hospital. Thank God for Ms. Dawn, who was waiting for me when we walked into the ER. Hadley seemed to be by this time (I wasn't!) The ER got her in pretty quick and they ran a barrage of tests and really didn't find anything. We spent the morning there and I was starting to wear down when Miche showed up.
Miche is Hadley's best friend's dad, and one of our neighbors. His timing was impeccable because he came just as I was starting to fall apart and Hadley was going to get her IV. He kept her distracted and kept me calm, he was truly a blessing! He is also the one who delivered the news that the CT scan was normal. I truly believe it was God's timing that brought him at that moment because I was just about to lose it!
Hadley's best friend's mom also came to check on Hadley and spent the rest of the afternoon with us. The family is a blessing. I've appreciated their friendship since we met, but never like I did that day. At one point one of the nurses asked about my other daughter and I honestly said, I have no idea....I assume she's with Lisa. (She was!) Another beautiful blessing, to know my youngest was safe and having fun, and not to have to worry about her. Thank God for good people to help when you need them!
We left the hospital with no real diagnosis, they said it was "vasel vega syncope" you can google it but it seems to me they don't know what it was, but they put a name on it to give crazy people some peace!
We followed up with our pediatrician and Hadley was almost instantly diagnosed with pneumonia. I felt good, we had a name and a reason along with a treatment! We came home and her fever began getting higher and higher. By 8 o clock it was 104.5 and I was keeping her on Tylenol and Advil. I started to freak out and called Danielle (a nurse, neighbor, & friend) and she said "take her to Riley to the ER" so I loaded up the car and we headed south, downtown Indy to Riley children's hospital.
They confirmed the diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia and they watched her for a while, her fever stayed high and she was delirious and completely out of it. They gave her meds to get the fever down and kept watching her throughout the next few hours. We finally left around 2 or 3am and Hadley fell asleep in the car, almost instantly. I got her home and upstairs to bed and we are just working through the pneumonia now.
I can't get the image of her laying lifeless on the floor out of my head, I'm having nightmares about it and I'm scared to let her out of my sight. She's staying home from school again tomorrow because she's still coughing and breathing rough, but I'm relieved because I'm scared to send her to school.
Today I went to the doctor because I was having debilitating back pain and was diagnosed with stress! Ha! I'm having back spasms because of stress...no kidding!
Tonight though, I've got a lot on my heart and this is a cathartic post, so if you're here for humor you'll need to check out some of the other posts!
Wednesday morning I woke up a little groggy and had no idea why. Keith had left at 5am for Ft. Wayne so it was just me and the girls. I had hoped to get Hadley on the bus and then go back to bed for a little nap before Lydia woke up....then Lydia bounced down the stairs wide awake!
I was standing at the sink, brushing Hadley's hair and we were talking about how she was going to wear it. She decided on a pony tail so I was pulling it back and she said "mommy, I'm so thirsty" and I replied "Let me finish this pony tail and then we'll get you something to drink."
It was almost instantly that she slowly lowered her head down and laid it face down on the sink. I turned her head over and she was limp. I realized that she was unconscious and I began laying her down on the floor as gently as I could. I was trying not to freak out and she starts rolling her head from side to side groaning and breathing super fast and deep. It was like she was panting with super deep breaths and groaning while flopping her body around. It was a very scary time but not as scary as what happened next.
I was trying to hold her and keep her from hitting her head and I was trying to stay calm so I wouldn't scare her. I wasn't freaking out for some reason because the breathing and moaning was some what comforting to me. Then she stopped. Her body went limp, she quit breathing, and my mind went to a very dark place. I desperately prayed "please God, don't take my baby, please don't take her." My heart was breaking and I was terrified. I have never been that afraid of anything in my life. It only lasted for a couple of minutes (that felt like hours) and she opens her eyes and says "mommy, what just happened?"
She was very hot when she woke up so we got a wash cloth wet with cold water and Lydia went to get her a drink. I was freaking out and said "girls, mommy got a little scared when Hadley passed out so let's take a minute and pray over her." Ever word I prayed, Lydia repeated and wouldn't let go of her sister's hand. It was a terrifying morning with a beautiful moment.
Side Note: Lydia isn't usually my compassionate child but when her sister needed her she was right there to do anything we asked! I have never seen such compassion from her in my life. Later in the morning, I asked Lydia to watch Hadley while I called the doctor and when I came back, she was sitting right beside her staring. She later told me that it scared her and made her sad when Hadley passed out "because she's the best sister ever." and it brought tears to my eyes!
I had a bear of a time finding a telephone and finally got a call into my doctor because Hadley was begging NOT to go to the hospital. I got a call back saying to take her to the hospital. I called my friend Lisa and she was taking her boys to school, I said "okay, well call me back, it's important" and then hung up and sent a text that Hadley had passed out and I needed to take her to the hospital. (I was a little irrational and discombobulated)
Lisa's dad came and stayed with Lydia and I took Hadley to the hospital. Thank God for Ms. Dawn, who was waiting for me when we walked into the ER. Hadley seemed to be by this time (I wasn't!) The ER got her in pretty quick and they ran a barrage of tests and really didn't find anything. We spent the morning there and I was starting to wear down when Miche showed up.
Miche is Hadley's best friend's dad, and one of our neighbors. His timing was impeccable because he came just as I was starting to fall apart and Hadley was going to get her IV. He kept her distracted and kept me calm, he was truly a blessing! He is also the one who delivered the news that the CT scan was normal. I truly believe it was God's timing that brought him at that moment because I was just about to lose it!
Hadley's best friend's mom also came to check on Hadley and spent the rest of the afternoon with us. The family is a blessing. I've appreciated their friendship since we met, but never like I did that day. At one point one of the nurses asked about my other daughter and I honestly said, I have no idea....I assume she's with Lisa. (She was!) Another beautiful blessing, to know my youngest was safe and having fun, and not to have to worry about her. Thank God for good people to help when you need them!
We left the hospital with no real diagnosis, they said it was "vasel vega syncope" you can google it but it seems to me they don't know what it was, but they put a name on it to give crazy people some peace!
We followed up with our pediatrician and Hadley was almost instantly diagnosed with pneumonia. I felt good, we had a name and a reason along with a treatment! We came home and her fever began getting higher and higher. By 8 o clock it was 104.5 and I was keeping her on Tylenol and Advil. I started to freak out and called Danielle (a nurse, neighbor, & friend) and she said "take her to Riley to the ER" so I loaded up the car and we headed south, downtown Indy to Riley children's hospital.
They confirmed the diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia and they watched her for a while, her fever stayed high and she was delirious and completely out of it. They gave her meds to get the fever down and kept watching her throughout the next few hours. We finally left around 2 or 3am and Hadley fell asleep in the car, almost instantly. I got her home and upstairs to bed and we are just working through the pneumonia now.
I can't get the image of her laying lifeless on the floor out of my head, I'm having nightmares about it and I'm scared to let her out of my sight. She's staying home from school again tomorrow because she's still coughing and breathing rough, but I'm relieved because I'm scared to send her to school.
Today I went to the doctor because I was having debilitating back pain and was diagnosed with stress! Ha! I'm having back spasms because of stress...no kidding!
Monday, August 29, 2011
Customer Service...For New Clients Only!
I have been a loyal customer to La Dolce salon for a couple of years now. It started when I first met Alex and she worked magic with my limp hair. She worked some kind of crazy voodoo and made it look like new hair! I hadn't had a hair cut like it since I left LA; when I went to "Katherine's-The Salon" on Ambassador Caffery. (If you live in LA and need a stylist, let me know, I'll give you the contact info! OMG! MAGICIAN!)
Then Alex left and I bounced around the salon to a couple of stylist and I found Eva. She did good hair, nothing like Alex (or Katherine!) but she was consistent and she listened to what I wanted so I kept going to her. Next Eva left the salon and I started the process of bouncing again because I like Dolce, a lot, my kids even LOVE Dolce! They think Dolce is the only salon/spa that people can go do. You know how kids get their loyalties lined out and it's permanently ingrained in them, that's Dolce for my kids! I like the people, I like the welcoming feeling, and there are a lot of talented stylist there, but after their Groupon I think I'm salon shopping!
Their facebook page has been commenting about an upcoming groupon and I have been anxiously waiting! Imagine my excitement when the groupon popped up Sunday!
Then Alex left and I bounced around the salon to a couple of stylist and I found Eva. She did good hair, nothing like Alex (or Katherine!) but she was consistent and she listened to what I wanted so I kept going to her. Next Eva left the salon and I started the process of bouncing again because I like Dolce, a lot, my kids even LOVE Dolce! They think Dolce is the only salon/spa that people can go do. You know how kids get their loyalties lined out and it's permanently ingrained in them, that's Dolce for my kids! I like the people, I like the welcoming feeling, and there are a lot of talented stylist there, but after their Groupon I think I'm salon shopping!
Their facebook page has been commenting about an upcoming groupon and I have been anxiously waiting! Imagine my excitement when the groupon popped up Sunday!
- A haircut (up to a $45 value)
- A deep-conditioning treatment (a $45 value)
- Partial highlights (up to an $85 value)
All for one low price of $65! Yahoo!
We were on our way to church and I was giddy! I said to Keith "ewww...I have to read the fine print to see how many of these I can buy!" So, I did and that's when I saw it...
"New clients only"
My heart sank!
I hate when companies offer promotions for "new clients only" and throw their old loyal clients away. When they do customer appreciation days, they aren't for "existing clients only" they are for anyone. New clients always welcome, old clients are already sucked in so who cares.
AT&T Uverse has the best customer service in this area of anyone I've ever seen! Say what you will about AT&T, but if you call them with a promotion they are running they will give it to you. They don't care if you're a new customer or if you've been with them for 100 years! All you have to do is call and ask for the promotion and they give it to you. I do with they'd just automatically apply promotions, but I guess it's not too much to ask that I contribute a little too!
So, as much as I love Dolce, I'm considering going elsewhere because I find this so offensive. I will say, they are one of the nicest salons (that I've gone to) in Carmel and they do great hair. I will still recommend them to anyone who asks, I'm just really irritated and a little hurt!
Lastly...I just saw on Regis and Kelly that short hair is back in style but while watching beautiful Emma Watson being interviewed I can truly say...just because something is in style doesn't mean it looks good on you! Ugh! She looks like a very feminine boy!
Happy Monday!
MTV VMA's 2011
I watched the MTV VMA's last night (yes, I know how old I am!) and to balance it out a little, I'm watching Good Morning America now! ha!
A few thoughts...
I can't stand Lady Gaga. I don't like her music, I hate that she weighs in on politics and think it matters because she sings, I think she's a cheap imitation of Madonna, and I think she was an embarrassment on the VMA's. She was a stage whoring laughing stock! She preformed as her alter ego Joe Calderon and that's fine, she's an artist, she's known for being a freak so whatever. What irritated me was her attention begging when presenting Brittney Spears with an achievement award. Okay, I love Brittney, I admit it. Brittney has had quite a few rough patches so why couldn't Gaga shut her mouth and let Brittney have her moment? What a disgusting human, it only drove my distaste to a new level! I will be very happy if I never hear another song or word from that repulsive woman!
Adele...wowza! Joy Beth has been telling me for years that I'd love Adele and I never disagreed, I just didn't pursue it. My kids love her song "Rolling in the Deep" but after watching her perform "Someone Like You" I went on Amazon and bought the CD (again, my age...not an MP3 but a CD!) My new Adele CD should be here by Wednesday! Sorry Joy, you were right!
Where the heck is Katy Perry from? I don't guess I've ever actually heard her speak before and was puzzled by her accent...Hadley LOVES Katy Perry, and I think she's fine, we censor a little but for the most part the kids enjoy her. She seemed a little trashy on the VMA's though...I would have thought she'd present herself better.
Beyonce's pregnant, who cares.
I think Chris Brown is a bad guy, but enjoyed watching him fly around the stage.
WHO is Justin Beiber, and WHY? Really? Why?
All in all, I love the VMA's. I love music, I like the ridiculousness of it all, the wacky clothes, the attention seeking behavior, the great performances, just all of it. I have for years! Cori and I used to record it (on VHS-google it kids) and watch it every year! I haven't outgrown it and really don't think I will. I was SHOCKED to see that The Real World still comes on though!
A few thoughts...
I can't stand Lady Gaga. I don't like her music, I hate that she weighs in on politics and think it matters because she sings, I think she's a cheap imitation of Madonna, and I think she was an embarrassment on the VMA's. She was a stage whoring laughing stock! She preformed as her alter ego Joe Calderon and that's fine, she's an artist, she's known for being a freak so whatever. What irritated me was her attention begging when presenting Brittney Spears with an achievement award. Okay, I love Brittney, I admit it. Brittney has had quite a few rough patches so why couldn't Gaga shut her mouth and let Brittney have her moment? What a disgusting human, it only drove my distaste to a new level! I will be very happy if I never hear another song or word from that repulsive woman!
Adele...wowza! Joy Beth has been telling me for years that I'd love Adele and I never disagreed, I just didn't pursue it. My kids love her song "Rolling in the Deep" but after watching her perform "Someone Like You" I went on Amazon and bought the CD (again, my age...not an MP3 but a CD!) My new Adele CD should be here by Wednesday! Sorry Joy, you were right!
Where the heck is Katy Perry from? I don't guess I've ever actually heard her speak before and was puzzled by her accent...Hadley LOVES Katy Perry, and I think she's fine, we censor a little but for the most part the kids enjoy her. She seemed a little trashy on the VMA's though...I would have thought she'd present herself better.
Beyonce's pregnant, who cares.
I think Chris Brown is a bad guy, but enjoyed watching him fly around the stage.
WHO is Justin Beiber, and WHY? Really? Why?
All in all, I love the VMA's. I love music, I like the ridiculousness of it all, the wacky clothes, the attention seeking behavior, the great performances, just all of it. I have for years! Cori and I used to record it (on VHS-google it kids) and watch it every year! I haven't outgrown it and really don't think I will. I was SHOCKED to see that The Real World still comes on though!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
School is Now in Session!
Ugh! I am not a fan of school!
I'll start by saying we live in a great school district; it's safe, fun, and high ranking statistically. We've lived in places where the private schools couldn't hold a candle to what our public schools do. They put a lot of emphasis on morals, integrity, and honesty, along with academics. It's not a complete love fest though because this insatiable desire to be the best, at everything, sometimes transforms students from kids to statistics (but I think all schools do that now). All in all, this is one of the better schools.
Just because it's a good school doesn't mean I LOVE having my baby gone away from me for 7 hours a day. It's nice that I don't obsessively worry about her safety, and it's great to know that she's going to be well educated, but it's excruciating seeing her leave in the morning and knowing she won't be back for hours!
I heard someone say today that their child "never flinched at the newness school brings" and what a blessing it is that children are so adaptive, I wish I felt the same way. I go kicking and screaming into every new experience!
This year is a little scary because there has been a lot of redistricing so Hadley is in a class full of strangers! Seriously, we went through the list and there were only 3-4 kids we knew! On top of that, last year was our first experience with full time school so we didn't really know what to expect, this year I know how bad it sucks to have my baby gone. Last but certainly not least, I heard some less than flattering rumors about Hadley's new teacher.
Side note, I typically choose not to put too much stock into negative opinions because there can be a myriad of different reasons for someone to have a bad year. I can think of a few of my teachers that there were negative opinions about, but I loved them! Also, sometimes people just have crappy experiences, maybe it was the teachers fault, maybe it was the students fault, or maybe no one or even everyone is to blame. I am a firm believer on clean slates!
Clean slates or not, my anxiety has little or nothing to do with the teacher! God can handle the teacher! My heart just hurts because I miss my baby so much. God and I are working through that!
My prayer is that Hadley has a great year! I pray that this is the year she makes the best friend that she craves so much. I pray that she gains her footing this year and comes into her own, I pray that she does this before the "mean girl" grade comes about. I pray that she settles in and realizes what a gift from God she truly is! I also pray for her teacher to let this be the year she proves the naysayers wrong! I pray that God makes magic happen in the second grade!
Y'all pray too!
To quote the Veggie Tales "God is bigger than the boogie man" so I know he's bigger than anything 2nd grade can throw at us!
I'll start by saying we live in a great school district; it's safe, fun, and high ranking statistically. We've lived in places where the private schools couldn't hold a candle to what our public schools do. They put a lot of emphasis on morals, integrity, and honesty, along with academics. It's not a complete love fest though because this insatiable desire to be the best, at everything, sometimes transforms students from kids to statistics (but I think all schools do that now). All in all, this is one of the better schools.
Just because it's a good school doesn't mean I LOVE having my baby gone away from me for 7 hours a day. It's nice that I don't obsessively worry about her safety, and it's great to know that she's going to be well educated, but it's excruciating seeing her leave in the morning and knowing she won't be back for hours!
I heard someone say today that their child "never flinched at the newness school brings" and what a blessing it is that children are so adaptive, I wish I felt the same way. I go kicking and screaming into every new experience!
This year is a little scary because there has been a lot of redistricing so Hadley is in a class full of strangers! Seriously, we went through the list and there were only 3-4 kids we knew! On top of that, last year was our first experience with full time school so we didn't really know what to expect, this year I know how bad it sucks to have my baby gone. Last but certainly not least, I heard some less than flattering rumors about Hadley's new teacher.
Side note, I typically choose not to put too much stock into negative opinions because there can be a myriad of different reasons for someone to have a bad year. I can think of a few of my teachers that there were negative opinions about, but I loved them! Also, sometimes people just have crappy experiences, maybe it was the teachers fault, maybe it was the students fault, or maybe no one or even everyone is to blame. I am a firm believer on clean slates!
Clean slates or not, my anxiety has little or nothing to do with the teacher! God can handle the teacher! My heart just hurts because I miss my baby so much. God and I are working through that!
My prayer is that Hadley has a great year! I pray that this is the year she makes the best friend that she craves so much. I pray that she gains her footing this year and comes into her own, I pray that she does this before the "mean girl" grade comes about. I pray that she settles in and realizes what a gift from God she truly is! I also pray for her teacher to let this be the year she proves the naysayers wrong! I pray that God makes magic happen in the second grade!
Y'all pray too!
To quote the Veggie Tales "God is bigger than the boogie man" so I know he's bigger than anything 2nd grade can throw at us!
Friday, August 5, 2011
We're Just Like You, Only Prettier!
I can't help but channel my inner Miranda Lambert when I say that!
It's so true but men don't realize it!
I'm on the board of our home owners association (HOA) for our neighborhood. I felt passionately about being on the board after those jerks in our last neighborhood, in WV, screwed us so royally. I wanted to be the anti-hoa, the people's advocate, not the neighborhood police.
It was a great year for me to be on the board too because this was the year that the board chose to re write (for lack of a better word) the neighborhood rules. We hired a lawyer who specializes in HOA legality. Side note, wouldn't that suck! $80 grand down the tubes so he can watch housewives fight about trash cans and flower beds! With that said, we re wrote the book! Ha! Every time a rule would come up I would tense up because of my libertarianism (Keith says anarchist!) whatever you call it, I'm a strong supporter of self governance so rules make me nervous! We came to a good agreement and there were ultimately very few rules that I was concerned with and I thought they were probably harmless because, let's be honest...who was going to enforce them?
Then the hammer dropped, the fire was lit, and the board was ready to RUN with the rules! OMG! It was like someone threw down the gauntlet and they took it as a personal challenge to make heads roll. Ironically enough, these are people I really respect and like, I just happen to disagree with this whole "police my neighbors" stance.
To be fair, they will say they aren't policing the neighbors, they are being proactive in maintaining our property value. They aren't creating new rules, just enforcing the rules that have been in place for years.
Okay, enough pc crap, this is my blog so I can tell it my way! :-)
Now to the point, or as my old boss used to say, I say all of that to say this...
I strongly disagreed with this whole mess. I don't want to be involved and I don't want my name associated with it. I've even contemplated resigning because I disagree so strongly. I'm not mad and I still like and respect my fellow board members, I just don't like this and I disagree with it. I felt like I was being pacified when I voiced my disagreements and decided that if my opinion wasn't going to be taken seriously then there is no need for me to attend anymore meetings. Again, not mad, just realistic.
So, when I got a text from another board member (whom I adore! Seriously!) asking if I could attend a meeting on Sunday I said no. First of all I can't, secondly I don't want to. Later he asked me if there was another date that would work for me. I told him not to worry about working with my schedule because I can email a financial report (I'm the treasurer) but I really don't have any other input for the meeting. I know this worried him because he asked what I meant by that and I meant just what I said.
This is where I say "we're just like you, only prettier." Men are capable of compartmentalizing, why can't they believe women are? If the shoe were on the other foot I don't think he would hold a grudge against me, so why does he think I will? With that said, I disagree but I don't care, I still like and respect him (and the entire board). I am just like him, (I compartmentalize!) only prettier! We can all disagree and still be friends!
It's so true but men don't realize it!
I'm on the board of our home owners association (HOA) for our neighborhood. I felt passionately about being on the board after those jerks in our last neighborhood, in WV, screwed us so royally. I wanted to be the anti-hoa, the people's advocate, not the neighborhood police.
It was a great year for me to be on the board too because this was the year that the board chose to re write (for lack of a better word) the neighborhood rules. We hired a lawyer who specializes in HOA legality. Side note, wouldn't that suck! $80 grand down the tubes so he can watch housewives fight about trash cans and flower beds! With that said, we re wrote the book! Ha! Every time a rule would come up I would tense up because of my libertarianism (Keith says anarchist!) whatever you call it, I'm a strong supporter of self governance so rules make me nervous! We came to a good agreement and there were ultimately very few rules that I was concerned with and I thought they were probably harmless because, let's be honest...who was going to enforce them?
Then the hammer dropped, the fire was lit, and the board was ready to RUN with the rules! OMG! It was like someone threw down the gauntlet and they took it as a personal challenge to make heads roll. Ironically enough, these are people I really respect and like, I just happen to disagree with this whole "police my neighbors" stance.
To be fair, they will say they aren't policing the neighbors, they are being proactive in maintaining our property value. They aren't creating new rules, just enforcing the rules that have been in place for years.
Okay, enough pc crap, this is my blog so I can tell it my way! :-)
Now to the point, or as my old boss used to say, I say all of that to say this...
I strongly disagreed with this whole mess. I don't want to be involved and I don't want my name associated with it. I've even contemplated resigning because I disagree so strongly. I'm not mad and I still like and respect my fellow board members, I just don't like this and I disagree with it. I felt like I was being pacified when I voiced my disagreements and decided that if my opinion wasn't going to be taken seriously then there is no need for me to attend anymore meetings. Again, not mad, just realistic.
So, when I got a text from another board member (whom I adore! Seriously!) asking if I could attend a meeting on Sunday I said no. First of all I can't, secondly I don't want to. Later he asked me if there was another date that would work for me. I told him not to worry about working with my schedule because I can email a financial report (I'm the treasurer) but I really don't have any other input for the meeting. I know this worried him because he asked what I meant by that and I meant just what I said.
This is where I say "we're just like you, only prettier." Men are capable of compartmentalizing, why can't they believe women are? If the shoe were on the other foot I don't think he would hold a grudge against me, so why does he think I will? With that said, I disagree but I don't care, I still like and respect him (and the entire board). I am just like him, (I compartmentalize!) only prettier! We can all disagree and still be friends!
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Looks Can Be Deceiving!
In a recent blog post, Frenemy to Friends, I made the comment that Danielle seemed to have it all together. She really looked perfect on the outside so of course I believed that must be the case. It wasn't until she replied to the blog that I realized looks were deceiving. Her reply stopped me in my tracks, it was so humbling and profound and I realized that maybe her life wasn't as perfect as I'd thought.
With that in mind, I was walking through my messy house today thinking, wow I bet (enter friend's name here) never lets her house get like this! Because this friend appears to have it all together, so it must be true, right? That's when the reminder hit me that looks can be deceiving.
I had a friend tell me, once, that I seem to have it all together. She actually told me that I look like I have it all figured out. HA! If that's not proof that looks can be deceiving, then nothing is! I may look like I've got it figured out, but most days I'm a jumbled mess on the inside! I'm like a duck, all calm and cool on top but paddling as fast as my legs will move underneath!
I think we're all like that (maybe some of us more than others) but we are all struggling to hold it together and we're doing the best we can. But, I also think others aren't judging nearly as harshly as we think they are. My neighbor and I had this conversation awhile back where I admitted I struggle between being a good mom, wife, housekeeper, etc and I asked her "do you have those struggles too?" she said "Lisa I think every mom and possibly every woman struggles with those feelings."
If I spend too much time getting the house clean and orderly I feel like my kids don't get the proper attention, and if I spend all my time with the kids, the house falls apart and there's no dinner then I feel like Keith isn't being treated fairly. Basically, I'm doing the best I can and although I'd like to have a model home, I just don't see that ever happening.
I manage to keep things livable and cook a good meal, most nights. I devote as much time as humanly possible to my lovely daughters so all in all I think I'm getting it together most days. There are things that completely throw me off kilter, like this week I have a sick kiddo who is attached to me. I love how snuggly she is so I drop everything to baby her and my whole house seems to have fallen apart! It's okay though, I'll get it back together sooner or later!
The moral of the story is, I think we all spend more time like this---------->
But I'll end with one final thought/question...
Why does it take so long to put the house together and about half that time to tear it apart?
With that in mind, I was walking through my messy house today thinking, wow I bet (enter friend's name here) never lets her house get like this! Because this friend appears to have it all together, so it must be true, right? That's when the reminder hit me that looks can be deceiving.
I had a friend tell me, once, that I seem to have it all together. She actually told me that I look like I have it all figured out. HA! If that's not proof that looks can be deceiving, then nothing is! I may look like I've got it figured out, but most days I'm a jumbled mess on the inside! I'm like a duck, all calm and cool on top but paddling as fast as my legs will move underneath!
I think we're all like that (maybe some of us more than others) but we are all struggling to hold it together and we're doing the best we can. But, I also think others aren't judging nearly as harshly as we think they are. My neighbor and I had this conversation awhile back where I admitted I struggle between being a good mom, wife, housekeeper, etc and I asked her "do you have those struggles too?" she said "Lisa I think every mom and possibly every woman struggles with those feelings."
If I spend too much time getting the house clean and orderly I feel like my kids don't get the proper attention, and if I spend all my time with the kids, the house falls apart and there's no dinner then I feel like Keith isn't being treated fairly. Basically, I'm doing the best I can and although I'd like to have a model home, I just don't see that ever happening.
I manage to keep things livable and cook a good meal, most nights. I devote as much time as humanly possible to my lovely daughters so all in all I think I'm getting it together most days. There are things that completely throw me off kilter, like this week I have a sick kiddo who is attached to me. I love how snuggly she is so I drop everything to baby her and my whole house seems to have fallen apart! It's okay though, I'll get it back together sooner or later!
The moral of the story is, I think we all spend more time like this---------->
Then we do like this--------->
Why does it take so long to put the house together and about half that time to tear it apart?
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Love Mulitplies, Not Divides
I have been blessed to grow close to an amazing woman while living in Carmel. I don't remember how the relationship started or even when really, but Hadley had a lot to do with it. Hadley has an sixth sense for finding good people and almost over night she fell in love with Ms. Audrey. She would run to hug her each time she saw her and she would get so excited to see her! I began to get to know her through Hadley and the more I got to know her the more I could see why Hadley loved her so much. Hadley was getting very wrapped up in Ms. Audrey but I couldn't help but be a little cautious.
You see, Ms. Audry has a big family full of wonderful people. She has daughters, a son, granddaughters, and several great grand children who live nearby and they are all very involved in each other's lives. I just couldn't see where Hadley would fit in. I thought Ms. Audrey couldn't possibly have enough room in her heart for one more child and I didn't want Hadley to get hurt when this reality hit.
I tried to pull away, slowly and without anyone noticing, but the bond between Hadley and Ms. Audrey was too much to compete with. For six months I would watch them together and Ms. Audrey really became a part of our family but I couldn't get that nagging paranoia out of my mind. We all grew closer and there is an unmistakable bond between Ms. Audrey and my family.
The more time we've spent together the more she's shown me that love multiplies, not divides. I watched in awe as Ms. Audrey allowed us in her heart, right beside her family. She has a heart that I haven't seen since my grandma and I am so honored to have her in my life. Just watching her unconditional love, that she freely gives, inspires me to be a better person and reminds me how wonderful love, without strings, is. What a blessing this reminder has been! My grandma always had a knack for making everyone around her feel loved and Ms. Audrey has that same gift. I am so happy that God brought this amazing woman into our lives!
You see, Ms. Audry has a big family full of wonderful people. She has daughters, a son, granddaughters, and several great grand children who live nearby and they are all very involved in each other's lives. I just couldn't see where Hadley would fit in. I thought Ms. Audrey couldn't possibly have enough room in her heart for one more child and I didn't want Hadley to get hurt when this reality hit.
I tried to pull away, slowly and without anyone noticing, but the bond between Hadley and Ms. Audrey was too much to compete with. For six months I would watch them together and Ms. Audrey really became a part of our family but I couldn't get that nagging paranoia out of my mind. We all grew closer and there is an unmistakable bond between Ms. Audrey and my family.
The more time we've spent together the more she's shown me that love multiplies, not divides. I watched in awe as Ms. Audrey allowed us in her heart, right beside her family. She has a heart that I haven't seen since my grandma and I am so honored to have her in my life. Just watching her unconditional love, that she freely gives, inspires me to be a better person and reminds me how wonderful love, without strings, is. What a blessing this reminder has been! My grandma always had a knack for making everyone around her feel loved and Ms. Audrey has that same gift. I am so happy that God brought this amazing woman into our lives!
Monday, July 11, 2011
Tooth Fairy Mix Up!
Last night the tooth fairy missed our house! Can you believe it? Seriously, an eager little girl, excitedly anticipating a dollar from the tooth fairy and that hussy is a no show! What kind of fairy does the tooth fairy think she is?
Naturally, Hadley woke up at 6:30 and came running downstairs with the shocking news! I pretended to sleep through it while she told Keith. He settled her down then looked at me and face palm! Epic fail!
Keith and I did some quick recon and explained to Hadley that she lost her tooth very late in the evening, and very unexpectedly. That coupled with the fact that it's summer and kids are probably getting teeth knocked out left and right, and the tooth fairy is just backlogged! We both feel pretty confident that she'll make an apperance tonight and she'll probably put a lil something extra under the pillow!
We'll be collecting our parents of the year awards sometime in the near future!
![]()
Naturally, Hadley woke up at 6:30 and came running downstairs with the shocking news! I pretended to sleep through it while she told Keith. He settled her down then looked at me and face palm! Epic fail!
Keith and I did some quick recon and explained to Hadley that she lost her tooth very late in the evening, and very unexpectedly. That coupled with the fact that it's summer and kids are probably getting teeth knocked out left and right, and the tooth fairy is just backlogged! We both feel pretty confident that she'll make an apperance tonight and she'll probably put a lil something extra under the pillow!
We'll be collecting our parents of the year awards sometime in the near future!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Frenemies to Friends?
I went out with an old "frenemy" not long ago and had a great time. This was a girl who ran in a similar circle as I did and we shared common hobbies, interests, and friends but for whatever reason we were never actually friends. As far as I know, she never really had any problems with me (although when she reads this, she may! ha!) but I never sincerely liked her. I would be nice to her but secretly I resented her.
A couple of years ago we friended on face book (yes to the teen next door-we old folks have face book!) and the more I followed her facebook, the more I realized we had a lot in common and I actually really liked her, I was seeing her through entirely different eyes than I did at 16. I actually listened to her, talked to her, appreciated where she's been in life (for the past 10+ years). She's a fun loving, good christian, intelligent, woman. Really, she's the type of friend I enjoy being around and maybe she always was, but as a teen I couldn't see past my opinion of her.
The sixteen or seventeen year old I saw was beautiful, smart, popular, fun, and the boys loved her. She had a great family, a hot boyfriend, and her life was perfect (right?!) So, naturally, I hated her (internally, of course). It's really a shame that I missed out on being friends with a girl who was probably really nice, because I was jealous. I honestly don't remember anything bad about her, I don't remember her saying anything mean about anybody, she was labeled a "good girl," and she probably was very likable. (I wouldn't know because I never gave her a chance) I wasn't unpopular, unattractive, or unlikable so there was really no reason for my internal competition with this girl but it existed anyway.
I've thought this over quite a bit, for several reasons, and one is so I can help my daughters not make the same mistakes or at least advise them when they do.
I think it all boils down to boys...
We road on 4H drill team together and she joined the team a year after I did. I was comfortable with my group of friends and I was best friends with one of the boys on the team. I don't know why, but I think it was sarcasm that drew Matt and I together from the very beginning. We were both smart asses and thought we were tough so we really hit it off. He was one of my very best friends for years and sometimes I still miss the closeness we once had.
Then came Danielle...Matt was smitten! (most of the boys were if I remember correctly) but I didn't care about the other boys, I cared that she was taking my BFF's attention away from me! I never had a "crush" on Matt, and we never dated, and there was no romantic competition, but she was interfering with my good times! I think Matt and Danielle dated for about five minutes so it should have been a non issue but in my teen drama years, it was a big deal! Add an ounce of insecurity, a boy, and a pretty girl to compete with and you have one hot mess on your teenage hands!
The last time I was in Nashville, Danielle and I got together and had a good time. (Well, I did anyway, maybe she was hating life! ha!) I got to know her as an adult, without pettiness, Matt, or any of the preconceived notions I'd had, and guess what...I liked her. She was still beautiful, smart, popular, fun, and the boys probably still love her, but I'm finally secure in myself (even if I didn't realize it was insecurity as a teen-it was) and I no longer see her as a threat or a competitor, I saw her as a woman who came from similar beginnings as I did. I don't have a whole lot of friends from my childhood or teen years so it's really nice to spend time with someone who can relate to where I come from. She's someone who has a common thread and I could see being friends with. I forsee us getting together when I'm in Nashville and keeping in touch, and honestly, if we were to ever end up in the same city I think we'd be really good friends.
And if Danielle reads this (and she really should since I'm going to send her the link) next time I'm in town, the cold beer is on me!
A couple of years ago we friended on face book (yes to the teen next door-we old folks have face book!) and the more I followed her facebook, the more I realized we had a lot in common and I actually really liked her, I was seeing her through entirely different eyes than I did at 16. I actually listened to her, talked to her, appreciated where she's been in life (for the past 10+ years). She's a fun loving, good christian, intelligent, woman. Really, she's the type of friend I enjoy being around and maybe she always was, but as a teen I couldn't see past my opinion of her.
The sixteen or seventeen year old I saw was beautiful, smart, popular, fun, and the boys loved her. She had a great family, a hot boyfriend, and her life was perfect (right?!) So, naturally, I hated her (internally, of course). It's really a shame that I missed out on being friends with a girl who was probably really nice, because I was jealous. I honestly don't remember anything bad about her, I don't remember her saying anything mean about anybody, she was labeled a "good girl," and she probably was very likable. (I wouldn't know because I never gave her a chance) I wasn't unpopular, unattractive, or unlikable so there was really no reason for my internal competition with this girl but it existed anyway.
I've thought this over quite a bit, for several reasons, and one is so I can help my daughters not make the same mistakes or at least advise them when they do.
I think it all boils down to boys...
We road on 4H drill team together and she joined the team a year after I did. I was comfortable with my group of friends and I was best friends with one of the boys on the team. I don't know why, but I think it was sarcasm that drew Matt and I together from the very beginning. We were both smart asses and thought we were tough so we really hit it off. He was one of my very best friends for years and sometimes I still miss the closeness we once had.
Then came Danielle...Matt was smitten! (most of the boys were if I remember correctly) but I didn't care about the other boys, I cared that she was taking my BFF's attention away from me! I never had a "crush" on Matt, and we never dated, and there was no romantic competition, but she was interfering with my good times! I think Matt and Danielle dated for about five minutes so it should have been a non issue but in my teen drama years, it was a big deal! Add an ounce of insecurity, a boy, and a pretty girl to compete with and you have one hot mess on your teenage hands!
The last time I was in Nashville, Danielle and I got together and had a good time. (Well, I did anyway, maybe she was hating life! ha!) I got to know her as an adult, without pettiness, Matt, or any of the preconceived notions I'd had, and guess what...I liked her. She was still beautiful, smart, popular, fun, and the boys probably still love her, but I'm finally secure in myself (even if I didn't realize it was insecurity as a teen-it was) and I no longer see her as a threat or a competitor, I saw her as a woman who came from similar beginnings as I did. I don't have a whole lot of friends from my childhood or teen years so it's really nice to spend time with someone who can relate to where I come from. She's someone who has a common thread and I could see being friends with. I forsee us getting together when I'm in Nashville and keeping in touch, and honestly, if we were to ever end up in the same city I think we'd be really good friends.
And if Danielle reads this (and she really should since I'm going to send her the link) next time I'm in town, the cold beer is on me!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
I'm Southern, Not Stupid
I recently spent a week getting back to my roots, God's country, you know...the south! I love being southern, there is a certain pride and comradery amongst southerners that I love and appreciate. It's a sense that, if you're not southern, you probably don't understand and that's okay; we planned it that way! Ha!
I grew up in a small town in Kentucky and moved to Louisiana shortly after my 19th birthday. I loved them both! I had a great childhood in rural Kentucky and I learned southern pride from the best when living in Louisiana! Maybe northerners have a sense of pride too and they just aren't as loud about it, Obviously not everything southern is awesome but the modern day south is pretty rockin!
I fit a lot of the southern cliches. I like to cook and I'm decent at it. I love country music. I like 4 wheelers and 4 wheel drives. I LOVE them in mud! I have a definite accent that thickens the longer I'm home. I say ma'am and sir to anyone older than me and at drive thrus or on the phone (you can never be sure!). I make casseroles and cookies for friends when there are hard times or they are sick. I have big hair (that gets bigger in humidity!).
On a side note, I'm convinced that big hair in the south was born of necessity. Y'all northerners don't understand what humidity can do to your hair. If you have natural curls, forget about it! Embrace your big hair and call it style!
I grew up listening to country music, riding around on dirt roads, working on the farm, fishing, and frog gigging. I was an active, award winning, member of FFA and 4H. I could drive a tractor before I was in middle school. I went to bonfire parties on saturday nights and church potlucks on sunday mornings. I am a country girl, I may live in the suburbs now, but rest assured the roots are deep!
I'm not racist, married to a family member, or stupid. I talk slow, I don't hear slow! I do sometimes go barefoot in the summer but I wash my feet and put on my shoes when it's appropriate! I cling to my guns and religion and I'm proud to be a Christian, American, and Southerner (in that order!)
I don't make fun of people for being from the north, there's just nothing funny about that, but I don't mind being razzed about being a southerner.
One of my favorite southern humor stories to tell is when a woman and I were talking and she asked me to repeat myself a couple of times. I thought she couldn't hear me so I sort of did a charade/mime movement and she figured it out. Her reply "oh, you're southern! That's why I didn't understand you!" There was nothing malicious in her comment, we just had a cultural miscommunication.
Another time, I called my mechanic and he and I were talking about my car problems when he said "oh, you're southern...I'll have to talk slower." I responded "nope, I hear fine. You just have to listen a little slower!" He's still my mechanic and he's awesome!
So, see, I can take a joke and I enjoy laughing and kidding around. I miss the south, so much, but Indy is a good place the people are nice. So, for all you northerners who think it's funny to make fun of us southerner's I say this...
"Y'all are just mad because you've spent most of your lives cold. Go down south, warm up, and you'll be happier!"
I grew up in a small town in Kentucky and moved to Louisiana shortly after my 19th birthday. I loved them both! I had a great childhood in rural Kentucky and I learned southern pride from the best when living in Louisiana! Maybe northerners have a sense of pride too and they just aren't as loud about it, Obviously not everything southern is awesome but the modern day south is pretty rockin!
I fit a lot of the southern cliches. I like to cook and I'm decent at it. I love country music. I like 4 wheelers and 4 wheel drives. I LOVE them in mud! I have a definite accent that thickens the longer I'm home. I say ma'am and sir to anyone older than me and at drive thrus or on the phone (you can never be sure!). I make casseroles and cookies for friends when there are hard times or they are sick. I have big hair (that gets bigger in humidity!).
On a side note, I'm convinced that big hair in the south was born of necessity. Y'all northerners don't understand what humidity can do to your hair. If you have natural curls, forget about it! Embrace your big hair and call it style!
I grew up listening to country music, riding around on dirt roads, working on the farm, fishing, and frog gigging. I was an active, award winning, member of FFA and 4H. I could drive a tractor before I was in middle school. I went to bonfire parties on saturday nights and church potlucks on sunday mornings. I am a country girl, I may live in the suburbs now, but rest assured the roots are deep!
I'm not racist, married to a family member, or stupid. I talk slow, I don't hear slow! I do sometimes go barefoot in the summer but I wash my feet and put on my shoes when it's appropriate! I cling to my guns and religion and I'm proud to be a Christian, American, and Southerner (in that order!)
I don't make fun of people for being from the north, there's just nothing funny about that, but I don't mind being razzed about being a southerner.
One of my favorite southern humor stories to tell is when a woman and I were talking and she asked me to repeat myself a couple of times. I thought she couldn't hear me so I sort of did a charade/mime movement and she figured it out. Her reply "oh, you're southern! That's why I didn't understand you!" There was nothing malicious in her comment, we just had a cultural miscommunication.
Another time, I called my mechanic and he and I were talking about my car problems when he said "oh, you're southern...I'll have to talk slower." I responded "nope, I hear fine. You just have to listen a little slower!" He's still my mechanic and he's awesome!
So, see, I can take a joke and I enjoy laughing and kidding around. I miss the south, so much, but Indy is a good place the people are nice. So, for all you northerners who think it's funny to make fun of us southerner's I say this...
"Y'all are just mad because you've spent most of your lives cold. Go down south, warm up, and you'll be happier!"
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Christian Rock is Not My Jam
I'm not going to say that christian rock is sinful or offensive or any other judgemental stuff about it but it's definitely not for me. I think that any way you get people to focus on God is a good thing and obviously different people need different avenues. Listening to christian rock probably won't save your soul but it could definitely put you on the right path.
Last night I went to a concert of a very popular christian band, like internationally popular, and after about thirty minutes in I was ready to go. I stood for nearly the entire three hour concert listening to music that wasn't terrible but it's just not my thing. I saw people swaying to music, praising God, wistfully singing along, and praying but all I could think was, why does the music have to be so loud? and, why can't we just sit down and listen? does it really sound better standing?
Honestly, I have to admit to being moved a time or two by the reaction of the crowd. It's quite touching to see that many people united to praise God, several religious backgrounds and cultures joining together for a common love of God. That is some amazing stuff to think about and even more amazing to see!
Unfortunately, when you go see a christian rock concert, there are tons of teeny boppers around! I'm too old and crabby to have any interest in standing for a three hour concert or jumping up and down in rhythm to every other song. I admire these young kids who so eagerly lay it out there! I wish I'd had their charisma for Christ at such an early age and I pray my kids are so free with their love of God when they're teenagers.
I've gotten a little spoiled to smaller venues and more intimate shows, it's been a long time since I've gone to an arena rock concert and an even longer time since I've had floor seats! We can probably agree this will be the last time I get floor seats. At one point I sent a text to Danielle that said "know what seats I hate worse than nose bleed....floor seats...guess where I'm sitting!" One of my pet peeves are when the band constantly asks the audience to sing. They did this a lot. If I want to hear myself sing I can do that in my car, I paid to hear the band!
I was glad I stayed because the lead singer (I suppose) made several comments and testimonies that were very moving, they also had a couple more songs that I fell in love with! One of the songs, literally, rocked me to the core. The band was Hillsong United and the song was Aftermath. Regardless of what I think of christian rock, this song was great!
All in all, it may not be my style but I respect the musicians and their talent. They were very talented, beautiful voices, and awesome musicians. Their lyrics were moving and amazing. It was entirely too loud for me, and the standing for three hours was ridiculous, but I'm all for people worshipping God. Christian rock is not my speed, but I'm sure it's someone's. Who knows the way God may have worked in that arena last night and that's what matters. It doesn't matter that the music didn't woo me, the crowd did. It doesn't matter that the songs weren't my style, the lyrics were. Realistically, it doesn't even matter that I was there. God moved changed lives last night, maybe even mine and time will tell, but what matters is that we were there because it was God's plan.
This is the song that I was psyched to hear, but they didn't sing it last night. From what I can tell (my opinion only) is that they started off a little more poppy and now they're gearing towards more rock. So, last night was a rock concert and I guess I like Christian pop...who knew!
Last night I went to a concert of a very popular christian band, like internationally popular, and after about thirty minutes in I was ready to go. I stood for nearly the entire three hour concert listening to music that wasn't terrible but it's just not my thing. I saw people swaying to music, praising God, wistfully singing along, and praying but all I could think was, why does the music have to be so loud? and, why can't we just sit down and listen? does it really sound better standing?
Honestly, I have to admit to being moved a time or two by the reaction of the crowd. It's quite touching to see that many people united to praise God, several religious backgrounds and cultures joining together for a common love of God. That is some amazing stuff to think about and even more amazing to see!
Unfortunately, when you go see a christian rock concert, there are tons of teeny boppers around! I'm too old and crabby to have any interest in standing for a three hour concert or jumping up and down in rhythm to every other song. I admire these young kids who so eagerly lay it out there! I wish I'd had their charisma for Christ at such an early age and I pray my kids are so free with their love of God when they're teenagers.
I've gotten a little spoiled to smaller venues and more intimate shows, it's been a long time since I've gone to an arena rock concert and an even longer time since I've had floor seats! We can probably agree this will be the last time I get floor seats. At one point I sent a text to Danielle that said "know what seats I hate worse than nose bleed....floor seats...guess where I'm sitting!" One of my pet peeves are when the band constantly asks the audience to sing. They did this a lot. If I want to hear myself sing I can do that in my car, I paid to hear the band!
I was glad I stayed because the lead singer (I suppose) made several comments and testimonies that were very moving, they also had a couple more songs that I fell in love with! One of the songs, literally, rocked me to the core. The band was Hillsong United and the song was Aftermath. Regardless of what I think of christian rock, this song was great!
All in all, it may not be my style but I respect the musicians and their talent. They were very talented, beautiful voices, and awesome musicians. Their lyrics were moving and amazing. It was entirely too loud for me, and the standing for three hours was ridiculous, but I'm all for people worshipping God. Christian rock is not my speed, but I'm sure it's someone's. Who knows the way God may have worked in that arena last night and that's what matters. It doesn't matter that the music didn't woo me, the crowd did. It doesn't matter that the songs weren't my style, the lyrics were. Realistically, it doesn't even matter that I was there. God moved changed lives last night, maybe even mine and time will tell, but what matters is that we were there because it was God's plan.
This is the song that I was psyched to hear, but they didn't sing it last night. From what I can tell (my opinion only) is that they started off a little more poppy and now they're gearing towards more rock. So, last night was a rock concert and I guess I like Christian pop...who knew!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Happy Birthday Lydia Rae!
I thank God multiple times daily for my beautiful daughters. They are so amazing and I am so grateful for every single moment I'm blessed enough to spend with them. I appreciate the good days, the bad days, and the days I don't know if I should laugh or cry. I try not to take a single moment for granted and I want to live each blessed moment to it's full potential. Even the days when I want to pull my hair out, when I'm reflecting at the end, I know how blessed I am.
On June 7th, 2007 I woke up and quickly realized it was going to be a day that would change our lives forever, I was in labor! I began getting dressed and trying to clean up and pack the last minute things in my bag. I called Keith and told him to meet me at the hospital. I told Emily, our nanny at the time, that I was going to go to the hospital because the baby was coming! I told her I'd need her to sleep over with Hadley and I was going to meet Keith at the hospital.
Emily was barely 21 and one of the sweetest girls you'll ever meet and she confronted me in the bathroom, as I was trying to put on make up and pack toiletries. Ever so timidly, she says "Lisa, I don't think I'm going to be able to let you drive yourself to the hospital." I kind of brushed her off and told her I'd be fine when she said "I think I'm going to have to put my foot down. You can't drive yourself to the hospital, you're in labor!" Right about then, a contraction nearly took me down and I gave in! I called Keith and told him we were going to have a change of plans and he needed to pick me up.
We got to the hospital and the maternity ward was busting at the seams! Literally, there were pregnant women all over the place! The triage nurse tells me there is one labor and delivery room left and it would be determined by who progressed further, faster. Yes, even labor and delivery is a competition! I was sweating it, because the triage rooms are TINY! The pregnancy had already been tricky so I, literally, prayed that God let me have the room!
The labor was progressing slower than it did with Hadley but I did manage to get the labor and delivery room, somehow! (Thank you God!) The midwife showed up and "checked" me and gave me some tips for speeding things up a little. She suggested I walk around the labor ward or take a shower. I went for a walk around the hospital-bigger than I thought and less pretty than I anticipated. I got back to the room and decided to try out the shower suggestion. I remember, at one point, sitting in the shower and yelling at Keith saying "WHO SUGGESTS THIS? I'm wet and slick and in crazy pain! What a stupid idea!" I survived the shower (barely) I got dressed, and went back to the bed (like a sane pregnant woman!).
I had an adorable L&D nurse, a midwife I loved, and an amazing doula, things really went pretty much as expected. At one point the midwife asked if I wanted her to break my water to speed things up a little. Ummm...YES! Let's get this show on the road! With Hadley, my water broke before I realized it (I'll tell that story on her birthday!) so I was surprised that things were going so slow.
Another time I remember when the nurses were chatting, waiting for Lydia to make her entrance. For some reason it really irritated me that they were chatting so much. I'm working my rear off and they were enjoying happy hour in my room. My amazing doula (I really loved her!) asked them to wait outside until we were ready.
I'm not going to share graphic details of the birth, for lots of reasons, but when Lydia made her grand entrance she was perfect! They cleaned her up, handed her over and our love affair grew even faster. I loved her from the moment we decided to have another baby. Every single day, I grew to love her more and more but seeing her was magical.
Jeremiah 1:5 says "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
What an outstanding blessing that God created this little princess he knew I would be her mommy. God knew our lives intertwined and He blessed us with each other for a purpose. I am so thankful that God chose me to be her mommy and her to be my Lydia.
Lydia entered the world and has changed our lives, for the better, every day she's been with us. She has grown into such an interesting little girl with such a great sense of humor. She is my little jokester, she's my sassy girl, and she's a light in our lives. I can not wait to see the woman she will, one day become, but I'm in NO HURRY!
I don't want to stop time, but I'd sure like a slow motion button! Don't be in too big of a hurry to grow up little princess! I LOVE YOU and I THANK GOD FOR YOU!
On June 7th, 2007 I woke up and quickly realized it was going to be a day that would change our lives forever, I was in labor! I began getting dressed and trying to clean up and pack the last minute things in my bag. I called Keith and told him to meet me at the hospital. I told Emily, our nanny at the time, that I was going to go to the hospital because the baby was coming! I told her I'd need her to sleep over with Hadley and I was going to meet Keith at the hospital.
Emily was barely 21 and one of the sweetest girls you'll ever meet and she confronted me in the bathroom, as I was trying to put on make up and pack toiletries. Ever so timidly, she says "Lisa, I don't think I'm going to be able to let you drive yourself to the hospital." I kind of brushed her off and told her I'd be fine when she said "I think I'm going to have to put my foot down. You can't drive yourself to the hospital, you're in labor!" Right about then, a contraction nearly took me down and I gave in! I called Keith and told him we were going to have a change of plans and he needed to pick me up.
We got to the hospital and the maternity ward was busting at the seams! Literally, there were pregnant women all over the place! The triage nurse tells me there is one labor and delivery room left and it would be determined by who progressed further, faster. Yes, even labor and delivery is a competition! I was sweating it, because the triage rooms are TINY! The pregnancy had already been tricky so I, literally, prayed that God let me have the room!
The labor was progressing slower than it did with Hadley but I did manage to get the labor and delivery room, somehow! (Thank you God!) The midwife showed up and "checked" me and gave me some tips for speeding things up a little. She suggested I walk around the labor ward or take a shower. I went for a walk around the hospital-bigger than I thought and less pretty than I anticipated. I got back to the room and decided to try out the shower suggestion. I remember, at one point, sitting in the shower and yelling at Keith saying "WHO SUGGESTS THIS? I'm wet and slick and in crazy pain! What a stupid idea!" I survived the shower (barely) I got dressed, and went back to the bed (like a sane pregnant woman!).
I had an adorable L&D nurse, a midwife I loved, and an amazing doula, things really went pretty much as expected. At one point the midwife asked if I wanted her to break my water to speed things up a little. Ummm...YES! Let's get this show on the road! With Hadley, my water broke before I realized it (I'll tell that story on her birthday!) so I was surprised that things were going so slow.
Another time I remember when the nurses were chatting, waiting for Lydia to make her entrance. For some reason it really irritated me that they were chatting so much. I'm working my rear off and they were enjoying happy hour in my room. My amazing doula (I really loved her!) asked them to wait outside until we were ready.
I'm not going to share graphic details of the birth, for lots of reasons, but when Lydia made her grand entrance she was perfect! They cleaned her up, handed her over and our love affair grew even faster. I loved her from the moment we decided to have another baby. Every single day, I grew to love her more and more but seeing her was magical.
Jeremiah 1:5 says "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
What an outstanding blessing that God created this little princess he knew I would be her mommy. God knew our lives intertwined and He blessed us with each other for a purpose. I am so thankful that God chose me to be her mommy and her to be my Lydia.
Lydia entered the world and has changed our lives, for the better, every day she's been with us. She has grown into such an interesting little girl with such a great sense of humor. She is my little jokester, she's my sassy girl, and she's a light in our lives. I can not wait to see the woman she will, one day become, but I'm in NO HURRY!
I don't want to stop time, but I'd sure like a slow motion button! Don't be in too big of a hurry to grow up little princess! I LOVE YOU and I THANK GOD FOR YOU!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Summer Vaca: Week 1 Review
Monday was Memorial day our whole family went to the pool! Yay summer!
Tuesday: Took Lydia to the doctor to get an all clear for her health! Yay! Pneumonia is gone! I took the girls home and Karisa came and babysat so I could go birthday shopping for Lydia and get a pedicure. I got some awesome gifts and my toes look pretty!
Wednesday: Weekly breakfast at Einstein Brother's with Hadley & Lydia, trip to the library for travel books on Indiana, off to an Indianapolis Indians game downtown. LOVE baseball! We went to Target to get Hadley a note book to journal her summer activities.
Thursday: Planted flowers and cleaned up the yard with the girls. They made an awesome planter together and played in the sandbox, last spring gymnastics class.
Friday: Cleaned house, shopped at Claire's for new earrings for Hadley then Keith and Hadley played golf.
Saturday: Babysitter while Keith and I went to Vintage Indiana, RECORD HEAT, pool time with the Wimmer's then pizza at our house while a storm raged outside.
Sunday: Church, dinner after church, Kung Fu Panda @ ACM Theater then an early bedtime so we can do it all over again this week!
Tuesday: Took Lydia to the doctor to get an all clear for her health! Yay! Pneumonia is gone! I took the girls home and Karisa came and babysat so I could go birthday shopping for Lydia and get a pedicure. I got some awesome gifts and my toes look pretty!
Wednesday: Weekly breakfast at Einstein Brother's with Hadley & Lydia, trip to the library for travel books on Indiana, off to an Indianapolis Indians game downtown. LOVE baseball! We went to Target to get Hadley a note book to journal her summer activities.
Thursday: Planted flowers and cleaned up the yard with the girls. They made an awesome planter together and played in the sandbox, last spring gymnastics class.
Friday: Cleaned house, shopped at Claire's for new earrings for Hadley then Keith and Hadley played golf.
Saturday: Babysitter while Keith and I went to Vintage Indiana, RECORD HEAT, pool time with the Wimmer's then pizza at our house while a storm raged outside.
Sunday: Church, dinner after church, Kung Fu Panda @ ACM Theater then an early bedtime so we can do it all over again this week!
All in all, this week has been an amazing one and I hope summer continues to be this great! I'd say I've worn them out though! Aren't they sweet!
Monday, May 30, 2011
Nothing Screams White Trash Like...
Well...US!
We had planned a camping trip with friends for Memorial Day weekend and even though I'm not a camper, I don't like when plans change. I'm not much of a planner so when plans are made, I like to stick with them. (My obsessive compulsive nature is probably why I'm not much of a planner! I can't handle the pressure!) Anyway, our trip got cancelled because Lydia has had pneumonia and ear infections. The pediatrician advised us against taking her out in the elements for that long, and she is on these never ending breathing treatments, two antibiotics, nose spray, and allergy meds...so it really would have been a lot of hassle.
With that said, I woke up a little grumpy on Saturday morning. Hadley and Lydia and another little girl in the neighborhood were running wild, bouncing from house to house, and driving me nuts. We were waiting on my parents to arrive and even though they said they were leaving "really early" it was 1'o'clock and they weren't here yet. My mood was a little tense!
I honestly can't remember how it started, but somehow Keith and I were arguing in the back yard, I also don't have any idea what we were arguing over. At one point, I was getting pretty mad and Keith said "just go in the house."
That's when it happened "DON'T YOU EVER TELL ME WHAT TO DO!!!" I yelled at the top of my lungs.
"Stop yelling at me," he replies back.
"IF YOU WOULD LISTEN TO ME I WOULDN'T HAVE TO YELL!" As loud as I could!
Then, I said "do you even KNOW where our KIDS are?!?"
He tells me they are in the front yard so I stomp around to the front yard to find them and they aren't there. I come in the house and look around a little and don't see them, so I go out front and yell(scream?) "HADLEY!" and I get nothing except a bunch of looks from neighbors because I'm pretty sure I sounded like a crazy lady. I come back in the house, still yelling and find the three of them, upstairs playing. I explain to Hadley how important it is for her to let me know where she is, all the time and go outside to tell Keith he was wrong. (I know, I know)
I step outside and as soon as I peer around the corner, I see the little girl's dad who timidly asks "Is Maddy here?" I tell him she's upstairs and I'll send her home in a little while and he quietly walks home.
Then it hits me...awesome! This man came to collect his daughter from the white trash neighbors who were fighting in the yard! Yes, we are those people! (well, I am anyway!) Definitely not one of my finer moments!
A couple of hours later, my parents finally get here and Hadlely is dying to get on my dad's Harley trike. She grabs a bandana and wraps it around her head and climbs on with a huge grin. Did I mention she's missing a couple of teeth? Apparantly, that white trash gene is strong! ha!
We had planned a camping trip with friends for Memorial Day weekend and even though I'm not a camper, I don't like when plans change. I'm not much of a planner so when plans are made, I like to stick with them. (My obsessive compulsive nature is probably why I'm not much of a planner! I can't handle the pressure!) Anyway, our trip got cancelled because Lydia has had pneumonia and ear infections. The pediatrician advised us against taking her out in the elements for that long, and she is on these never ending breathing treatments, two antibiotics, nose spray, and allergy meds...so it really would have been a lot of hassle.
With that said, I woke up a little grumpy on Saturday morning. Hadley and Lydia and another little girl in the neighborhood were running wild, bouncing from house to house, and driving me nuts. We were waiting on my parents to arrive and even though they said they were leaving "really early" it was 1'o'clock and they weren't here yet. My mood was a little tense!
I honestly can't remember how it started, but somehow Keith and I were arguing in the back yard, I also don't have any idea what we were arguing over. At one point, I was getting pretty mad and Keith said "just go in the house."
That's when it happened "DON'T YOU EVER TELL ME WHAT TO DO!!!" I yelled at the top of my lungs.
"Stop yelling at me," he replies back.
"IF YOU WOULD LISTEN TO ME I WOULDN'T HAVE TO YELL!" As loud as I could!
Then, I said "do you even KNOW where our KIDS are?!?"
He tells me they are in the front yard so I stomp around to the front yard to find them and they aren't there. I come in the house and look around a little and don't see them, so I go out front and yell(scream?) "HADLEY!" and I get nothing except a bunch of looks from neighbors because I'm pretty sure I sounded like a crazy lady. I come back in the house, still yelling and find the three of them, upstairs playing. I explain to Hadley how important it is for her to let me know where she is, all the time and go outside to tell Keith he was wrong. (I know, I know)
I step outside and as soon as I peer around the corner, I see the little girl's dad who timidly asks "Is Maddy here?" I tell him she's upstairs and I'll send her home in a little while and he quietly walks home.
Then it hits me...awesome! This man came to collect his daughter from the white trash neighbors who were fighting in the yard! Yes, we are those people! (well, I am anyway!) Definitely not one of my finer moments!
A couple of hours later, my parents finally get here and Hadlely is dying to get on my dad's Harley trike. She grabs a bandana and wraps it around her head and climbs on with a huge grin. Did I mention she's missing a couple of teeth? Apparantly, that white trash gene is strong! ha!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
I Thought I'd Live in Centertown Forever
I grew up in a very small town, Centertown, KY. My parents had a house built on the property bordering my grandparents farm. I had a blessed childhood with horses, cows, tractors, and family. I would walk to my grandma's house nearly every day and do anything she had going on. I would "help" can vegetables, watch Wheel of Fortune, and basically follow her around talking non stop! When grandaddy was outside working on the farm, I was right with him. He'd let me drive the tractor and feed the cows and help with all of the every day farm tasks. I always felt like the princess of the farm and I loved it! As I got older I was supposed to have more responsibilities around the farm but if I felt like they were too much all I had to do was whine to grandaddy and get a reprieve! You see, Grandaddy had two sons so when I came along as the first girl in the family my path was an easy one!
Mom always went to work at a crazy early hour. She had to be at work for her 7am shift and it was a 45 minute drive away (at her speed! ha!) so she'd take me to grandma and granddaddy's house to catch the bus for school, only, I didn't like to ride the bus, so I would ask Grandma to take me. Nearly every morning Grandma would take me to school and we'd stop by Grace's grocery store and get lunch and load up on candy and snacks! One morning I over heard Grandaddy telling grandma that she really shouldn't spoil me so much, that she should make me ride the bus once in awhile. Grandma, being the spitfire she always was said "fine then, you just tell her that she has to ride the bus." He tried, I pouted, and he ended up driving me to school that morning. I arrived at school shortly after stopping by Grace's to pick up the goodies I didn't need! Poor Grandaddy! Every once in awhile he'd try to flex his muscle but Grandma had a way of humbling you! ha!
As I got older I would walk to grandma's house so she could take me driving. She'd be sitting in her recliner, crocheting, and I'd walk in super quiet and scare her awake. I loved scaring grandma! She was such a good sport too, she never got mad or fussed, she'd just wake up and get to it.
When learning to parallel park Grandaddy set up buckets on the farm and let me try, over and over to fit grandma's car or his truck in between the buckets. I hit them more than once but did eventually figure it out.
On weekends and during the summer grandma and grandaddy loved to ride around through all the farm land and back roads and tell me stories of what it was like when they were kids and the history of the land. I spent hours and hours riding around with them doing that, those are some of my favorite memories. Then, grandaddy got a four wheeler and we'd ride around on it. We never abandoned are rides around in the truck we just added the four wheeler to the mix. It was a past time I loved and shared with Grandma and Grandaddy and many of my friends. Even now, when I go back to visit I ride around on those back roads, but they have changed so much it's just not the same.
I grew up thinking Centertown was perfect and that I'd live there forever. I had great family, great friends, and I had it all figured out. Centertown was a wonderful little town. I grew up knowing everyone because my family had always been there and Grandma was very social. Growing up knowing everyone and having everyone know you was a blessing and a curse, I always had help when I needed it but I couldn't get away with anything! It probably saved me from a lot of bad decsions but it saddled me with a certain arrogance. I felt indestructible growing up.
Shortly after I graduated from high school I moved in with my best friend, Joy, and her brand new husband. This was such a hard time for me and I feel so blessed that Joy was by my side through it. There were a lot of difficult things going on in my life during this time (no seriously) but Joy, Keith, and Grandma stood by me through it.
Keith and I got married in 1999 and our lives were still a little tumultuous so when the opportunity to move to Louisiana presented itself I jumped at the thought of leaving all of the trouble behind. We moved to Louisiana, made a life there and the rest is history. We've since left Louisiana and ended up in Indiana and I guess this is home now. I don't ever see myself moving back to Centertown now and that's a hard pill to swallow because I thought I'd live there forever.
I love my life now and I am very blessed but, I have to admit, it's not exactly like I thought it would be. I thought I'd live in Centertown forever.
Mom always went to work at a crazy early hour. She had to be at work for her 7am shift and it was a 45 minute drive away (at her speed! ha!) so she'd take me to grandma and granddaddy's house to catch the bus for school, only, I didn't like to ride the bus, so I would ask Grandma to take me. Nearly every morning Grandma would take me to school and we'd stop by Grace's grocery store and get lunch and load up on candy and snacks! One morning I over heard Grandaddy telling grandma that she really shouldn't spoil me so much, that she should make me ride the bus once in awhile. Grandma, being the spitfire she always was said "fine then, you just tell her that she has to ride the bus." He tried, I pouted, and he ended up driving me to school that morning. I arrived at school shortly after stopping by Grace's to pick up the goodies I didn't need! Poor Grandaddy! Every once in awhile he'd try to flex his muscle but Grandma had a way of humbling you! ha!
As I got older I would walk to grandma's house so she could take me driving. She'd be sitting in her recliner, crocheting, and I'd walk in super quiet and scare her awake. I loved scaring grandma! She was such a good sport too, she never got mad or fussed, she'd just wake up and get to it.
When learning to parallel park Grandaddy set up buckets on the farm and let me try, over and over to fit grandma's car or his truck in between the buckets. I hit them more than once but did eventually figure it out.
On weekends and during the summer grandma and grandaddy loved to ride around through all the farm land and back roads and tell me stories of what it was like when they were kids and the history of the land. I spent hours and hours riding around with them doing that, those are some of my favorite memories. Then, grandaddy got a four wheeler and we'd ride around on it. We never abandoned are rides around in the truck we just added the four wheeler to the mix. It was a past time I loved and shared with Grandma and Grandaddy and many of my friends. Even now, when I go back to visit I ride around on those back roads, but they have changed so much it's just not the same.
I grew up thinking Centertown was perfect and that I'd live there forever. I had great family, great friends, and I had it all figured out. Centertown was a wonderful little town. I grew up knowing everyone because my family had always been there and Grandma was very social. Growing up knowing everyone and having everyone know you was a blessing and a curse, I always had help when I needed it but I couldn't get away with anything! It probably saved me from a lot of bad decsions but it saddled me with a certain arrogance. I felt indestructible growing up.
Shortly after I graduated from high school I moved in with my best friend, Joy, and her brand new husband. This was such a hard time for me and I feel so blessed that Joy was by my side through it. There were a lot of difficult things going on in my life during this time (no seriously) but Joy, Keith, and Grandma stood by me through it.
Keith and I got married in 1999 and our lives were still a little tumultuous so when the opportunity to move to Louisiana presented itself I jumped at the thought of leaving all of the trouble behind. We moved to Louisiana, made a life there and the rest is history. We've since left Louisiana and ended up in Indiana and I guess this is home now. I don't ever see myself moving back to Centertown now and that's a hard pill to swallow because I thought I'd live there forever.
I love my life now and I am very blessed but, I have to admit, it's not exactly like I thought it would be. I thought I'd live in Centertown forever.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
I May Never Fly Again!
This time last weekend I was stranded in the Houston airport, wondering if I would ever see Indiana again! I left Lafayette, LA at 12pm on Sunday. We stopped at Raising Cane's to have lunch but other than that we made a straight trip to Alexandria, LA airport.
I should have known that it was going to be a rough trip when I hit the TSA officer in the face. (Yes, this happened) but I didn't catch on until many hours later!
To clear up the TSA incident, I was in the Alex airport and it was me and five TSA officers because it's a very small airport (but well protected from terrorists!). We were all chatting, about nothing in particular, as I was going through security and I got to the end of the xray machine and grabbed my shoes to put them back on. One of the officers asked about my trip and I was running through the list of what I'd done when it happened...my shoe got stuck on the grey plastic basket and as I yanked it up, too quickly, it flew out of my hand and hit the TSA officer in the side of the head, hard. I couldn't have hit him that squarely if I'd aimed. He turned around, quickly and mad, and I can only imagine the expression on my face as I mumbled "I'm so sorry..." then burst out laughing. (I know that was NOT the time to laugh but if you'd seen how mad he was you'd laugh too!) The other four TSA people also burst out laughing, because they'd seen what happened and knew it was an accident, then they explained to him how it happened-not a moment too soon either! I then told him "my husband is NOT going to be happy if I have to call him to bail me out of jail for assault with a deadly flip flop," and they all laughed with me!
I went on through security, unscathed, and waited for my plane. I was reading my book Confessions of a Prep School Mommy Handler (really good book!) when the plane got there, early! We boarded and left a few minutes early-awesome!
I got to Houston with a few minutes to run to the ladies room, powder my nose, swing by one of the gift shops, and pick of a couple of snacks for the next leg of the flight. Awesome! I get a great seat, right by the customer service desk, where I can hear all kinds of good stuff, and wait the next few minutes for my plane. I sort of tuned out everyone around me as I was reading but I start to notice the airport getting crowded. I check my fight status and it's been delayed about 20 minutes, not great but not unreasonable. I keep reading. The airport is getting even more crowded so I check my flight status again, delayed an additional 45 minutes, uh oh. I start over hearing weary travellers at the customer service counter, they were all so grumpy! It was like the guy behind the counter was personally responsible for the delays and he was sabotaging any hope they had to ever leave Houston, even though he was extremely courteous. I hear something about weather, I text Keith and Nicole to see what they can find online because it quickly becomes apparent that if I move I will lose my seat and any hopes of a seat for hours! I look at the radar and it's not good! There is a huge storm, stretching from Texas to Illinois, basically my flight path...see below.
The delays kept coming in, the stranded travellers kept getting nastier, but it was a great day for people watching! Speaking of people watching, I didn't tell this part of the night to anyone but Keith, but since I'm sure the guy who did this doesn't read my blog I'm going to share. I made a comment on my facebook status about men who forget to zip their zippers. Anyone who has insight on WHY this always happens, do tell! I see men unzipped all the time, they really are just big toddlers, but this particular night I was sitting in front of the flight status screens and I'd kind of made a game out of laughing a little at the men with unzipped pants. It all came to a screeching halt when I saw a man with unzipped pants who didn't have on underwear! Seriously! Gaping unzipped pants, nothing else! I got so embarrassed that I could feel the heat on my face and I buried my head in my book as quickly as possible. I wanted to tell him so spare him embarrassment but I couldn't bring myself to do it!
We eventually changed gates so I relocated to the other end of the airport to wait for my flight. I may have moved away from the customer service desk but I still heard plenty of interesting conversations (however, I didn't look for unzipped pants anymore! ugh!). I overheard old oilfield workers talking about getting jollies from the pat down at security, (seriously TSA, ya'll might want to rethink these) I over heard cell phone convos to all over the world, and I was lucky enough to over hear a group of soldiers talking about the security level at their base, I had to ask.
"I've been a little out of the loop this weekend, and I couldn't help but overhear what you said about security, what happened?"
The young soldier, who couldn't have been over 20, said "I don't know, I think we killed Kadafi's son or something." He said.
"Kadafi? I don't think Kadafi has that kind of fire power does he? Really?" I asked.
PFC Cutie then says "I don't know, it's all I can think of though. They have the base on the highest security level we have. They aren't letting anyone on and they're checking everyone."
I didn't have any other ideas so I just went back to my book.
A little while later I saw a man freak out at the ticket counter, I think we'd all had a few too many delays. We had a pilot, we had a plane, but we didn't have a flight attendant so we couldn't leave. I, so sincerely, told the pilot and gate attendant that I'd serve drinks, fill out paperwork, or anything else they needed if they would just take me home. I even agreed, on behalf of the entire plane, to forfeit drinks on this flight but they weren't having any of it. So we waited.
When the flight attendant finally arrived, looking frazzled, we all applauded for her! I have never been so happy to see a complete stranger as I was that night!
We were on the plane and nearing take off at 10:40! We got off the ground and had been in the air when the pilot makes this announcement.
"I don't know how many of you keep up with current events but all the major media channels are saying the state department is expected to announce that we killed Osama Bin Laden!" The entire plane erupts into applause and cheers! I got a little sick at my stomach for so many reasons. I know I play a hard nose republican but I can't help but think that was someone's son, daddy, brother, etc and it seems wrong to cheer that he's been killed.
This was the longest flight ever! Aside from the little fear that we were going to go down in a blaze of terrorist jihad, the weather was brutal! It was such a bumpy flight and we kept doing that thing where it feels like you're falling out of the sky. At one point the guy sitting beside me and I had both dozed off and woke up to what felt like the plane falling out of the sky! What is it about feeling like you're dying that makes you grab hold of the nearest stranger? Ugh! More embarrassment!
After the wake up scare, I decided to read some of my celebrity gossip rags till we landed. No more dozing with strangers for me! I'm deep into which of the Kardashian's is fat and how Steven Tyler has survived when the pilot makes the announcement, "looks like Indy is experiencing some pretty bad weather and we're going to have to circumvent the airport." That's when the tears bubbled over and I looked at the guy beside me and said "it's been a really long day, but circumvent means go around, doesn't it? I just want to go home to my babies!"
I did finally make it home, at 2:49am and I promptly went upstairs and kissed my babies!
Just an FYI, I could have driven and been home in 15 hours, I wouldn't have had to be visually assaulted, listen to profanity in every dialect, and I could have plugged my cell phone in! I chose to fly because it'd be a little quicker and safer, best laid plans, right! Ha!
I should have known that it was going to be a rough trip when I hit the TSA officer in the face. (Yes, this happened) but I didn't catch on until many hours later!
To clear up the TSA incident, I was in the Alex airport and it was me and five TSA officers because it's a very small airport (but well protected from terrorists!). We were all chatting, about nothing in particular, as I was going through security and I got to the end of the xray machine and grabbed my shoes to put them back on. One of the officers asked about my trip and I was running through the list of what I'd done when it happened...my shoe got stuck on the grey plastic basket and as I yanked it up, too quickly, it flew out of my hand and hit the TSA officer in the side of the head, hard. I couldn't have hit him that squarely if I'd aimed. He turned around, quickly and mad, and I can only imagine the expression on my face as I mumbled "I'm so sorry..." then burst out laughing. (I know that was NOT the time to laugh but if you'd seen how mad he was you'd laugh too!) The other four TSA people also burst out laughing, because they'd seen what happened and knew it was an accident, then they explained to him how it happened-not a moment too soon either! I then told him "my husband is NOT going to be happy if I have to call him to bail me out of jail for assault with a deadly flip flop," and they all laughed with me!
I went on through security, unscathed, and waited for my plane. I was reading my book Confessions of a Prep School Mommy Handler (really good book!) when the plane got there, early! We boarded and left a few minutes early-awesome!
I got to Houston with a few minutes to run to the ladies room, powder my nose, swing by one of the gift shops, and pick of a couple of snacks for the next leg of the flight. Awesome! I get a great seat, right by the customer service desk, where I can hear all kinds of good stuff, and wait the next few minutes for my plane. I sort of tuned out everyone around me as I was reading but I start to notice the airport getting crowded. I check my fight status and it's been delayed about 20 minutes, not great but not unreasonable. I keep reading. The airport is getting even more crowded so I check my flight status again, delayed an additional 45 minutes, uh oh. I start over hearing weary travellers at the customer service counter, they were all so grumpy! It was like the guy behind the counter was personally responsible for the delays and he was sabotaging any hope they had to ever leave Houston, even though he was extremely courteous. I hear something about weather, I text Keith and Nicole to see what they can find online because it quickly becomes apparent that if I move I will lose my seat and any hopes of a seat for hours! I look at the radar and it's not good! There is a huge storm, stretching from Texas to Illinois, basically my flight path...see below.
We eventually changed gates so I relocated to the other end of the airport to wait for my flight. I may have moved away from the customer service desk but I still heard plenty of interesting conversations (however, I didn't look for unzipped pants anymore! ugh!). I overheard old oilfield workers talking about getting jollies from the pat down at security, (seriously TSA, ya'll might want to rethink these) I over heard cell phone convos to all over the world, and I was lucky enough to over hear a group of soldiers talking about the security level at their base, I had to ask.
"I've been a little out of the loop this weekend, and I couldn't help but overhear what you said about security, what happened?"
The young soldier, who couldn't have been over 20, said "I don't know, I think we killed Kadafi's son or something." He said.
"Kadafi? I don't think Kadafi has that kind of fire power does he? Really?" I asked.
PFC Cutie then says "I don't know, it's all I can think of though. They have the base on the highest security level we have. They aren't letting anyone on and they're checking everyone."
I didn't have any other ideas so I just went back to my book.
A little while later I saw a man freak out at the ticket counter, I think we'd all had a few too many delays. We had a pilot, we had a plane, but we didn't have a flight attendant so we couldn't leave. I, so sincerely, told the pilot and gate attendant that I'd serve drinks, fill out paperwork, or anything else they needed if they would just take me home. I even agreed, on behalf of the entire plane, to forfeit drinks on this flight but they weren't having any of it. So we waited.
When the flight attendant finally arrived, looking frazzled, we all applauded for her! I have never been so happy to see a complete stranger as I was that night!
We were on the plane and nearing take off at 10:40! We got off the ground and had been in the air when the pilot makes this announcement.
"I don't know how many of you keep up with current events but all the major media channels are saying the state department is expected to announce that we killed Osama Bin Laden!" The entire plane erupts into applause and cheers! I got a little sick at my stomach for so many reasons. I know I play a hard nose republican but I can't help but think that was someone's son, daddy, brother, etc and it seems wrong to cheer that he's been killed.
This was the longest flight ever! Aside from the little fear that we were going to go down in a blaze of terrorist jihad, the weather was brutal! It was such a bumpy flight and we kept doing that thing where it feels like you're falling out of the sky. At one point the guy sitting beside me and I had both dozed off and woke up to what felt like the plane falling out of the sky! What is it about feeling like you're dying that makes you grab hold of the nearest stranger? Ugh! More embarrassment!
After the wake up scare, I decided to read some of my celebrity gossip rags till we landed. No more dozing with strangers for me! I'm deep into which of the Kardashian's is fat and how Steven Tyler has survived when the pilot makes the announcement, "looks like Indy is experiencing some pretty bad weather and we're going to have to circumvent the airport." That's when the tears bubbled over and I looked at the guy beside me and said "it's been a really long day, but circumvent means go around, doesn't it? I just want to go home to my babies!"
I did finally make it home, at 2:49am and I promptly went upstairs and kissed my babies!
Just an FYI, I could have driven and been home in 15 hours, I wouldn't have had to be visually assaulted, listen to profanity in every dialect, and I could have plugged my cell phone in! I chose to fly because it'd be a little quicker and safer, best laid plans, right! Ha!
Friday, May 13, 2011
Take That, Agent Jack Bauer
Starting 24 hours ago...
The girls and I went to the mall for some light shopping since Keith is in Las Vegas for the week and they wanted to get new outfits for Lydia's preschool program. We were having such a good night! We found cute clothes, on sale; everyone was getting along having fun! On the way home we swung by Steak N Shake for burgers then came home and watched The Voice and went to bed…ahhh…doesn’t that sound like a perfect evening?!? It really was!
I got the kids to bed (mine) with very little hassle and then I started tooling around the house doing the mom thing for a few minutes when I went out in the garage to get something and saw my car doors open. My immediate thought was “oh no, I bet my battery is dead!” because my car battery tends to die when the girls leave the doors open since the car lights up like a Christmas tree. I quickly started the car, yay it ran, and turned it back off.
A couple of hours later I went in the garage again and heard “click…click…click...click…” in very rapid succession. It sounded like when you’re trying to start a car and it won’t turn over because the battery is dead, only I wasn’t trying to start the car and the keys were in the house. I popped the hood and sure enough it was coming from under there. (that was as far as my assessment went!) I came in, got the keys and tried to start it again and got NOTHING! Not even a clicking sound, NOTHING!
I freaked out a little because the next day was going to be busy and I didn’t plan on having car problems! I went into action trying to come up with a backup plan. I sent texts to friends asking if their husbands would come jump my car since I didn’t have another car here to jump off of, I sent other texts to friends asking if they’d take Lydia to school in the morning in case I didn’t get the car started in time. I texted neighbors asking if they’d swing by and plug in and I got NOTHING from ANYONE! (not entirely true, one of my neighbors did text that he was in Chicago and couldn’t come over) I started freaking out a little more...(okay, a lot more!)
I called Keith, near tears, in Vegas, and said “my car won’t start, I can’t get ahold of anyone, I have a busy day tomorrow, I don’t know what else to do…” in one long breath on his voicemail.
Two hours later at 11:32pm, I got a text that said “it’s extremely loud what did you need is it urgent”
I replied, halfway mad, more helpless and frustrated than anything, “never mind, I’ll figure it out tomorrow.”
Earlier in the day Hadley and Lydia gone to the dentist and Hadley had a loose tooth pulled, so sometime during the night the tooth fairy was going to have to get her act together and shove something under the pillow. The tooth fairy made three attempts to do so and each time was greeted by a wide eyed little girl saying “what’cha doin’?”
Did I mention Hadley and Lydia were both asleep in my bed?!?
I came to the living room and ate a bowl of ice cream, in misery, and watched mindless TV. (Don’t judge, the Real Housewives of Orange County actually made me feel a little better.)
When the show went off, the tooth fairy made another, this time successful, attempt to make the tooth swap! It was 2am when this FINALLY took place!
I crawled in bed with my two little sleeping cherubs and the dog and went to sleep. Ahhh…much needed night’s sleep at 2am!
I fell right to sleep and woke up to something wet on my toes, at 4am. “dangit Belle, quit licking my toes! You’re disgusting!” Only, it wasn’t her licking me…she was throwing up on my feet. CRAP! I roll her out of bed, shove the kids around until I’ve gotten everything that she’s touched stripped off the bed (the kids NEVER WOKE UP!) grab clean blankets and cover everyone back up, after all it’s only 79 degrees in the house, and I desperately go back to sleep.
At 6am I wake up, WIDE AWAKE, from stress. I decide to get up and as I’m sneaking out of the bedroom I step in dog pee! It really shouldn’t have surprised me because what typically happens when Belle gets sick is she has a seizure, throws up, then pees somewhere. It’s just that usually I’ve had more than four hours of sleep and I’m a little more alert.
I decide to use my time wisely and send out a couple of texts because I still haven’t heard back from anyone, no one answers these either. I get dressed and do my thing til 7am when I wake Hadley up and get her ready for school. I return from the bus stop around 8am and call my mechanic. This man has daughters and a wife and God bless him, he has the patience of a saint! He calmly talks me off the ledge and tells me to get my car started and bring it in.
I call Ms. Dawn at church and spill the entire saga to her and she says she’ll find someone to help me out. She calls Mark and asks him to help and a few minutes later I’m rescued! The car was running and I’m ready to go, only I’m not…I get Lydia dressed and ready for school and I gather up the bed spread and all the dry cleaning and head out. I might as well make the trip count and I was scared to turn the car off because I didn’t know if it would start again so I ran a few errands before taking her to school.
Around 9am I start calling rental car places and I’m looking online at Enterprise (whom I will NEVER rent from again because of today!) and the prices in Carmel are $18/day for an economy car but over by my mechanic the price is $27/day. I call Enterprise and try to talk them into giving me the better price and they refuse and basically tell me I’m lying, that they don’t ever have cars for that price! Even though the message playing when I was on hold mentioned $9.99 weekend rentals, but I guess that’s just a fairy tale too! We had a little verbal altercation and I called PJ, my mechanic back. He assured me I could rent a car from him and I’d be okay.
The funny part of the rental car call is that as I was dialing, I dialed the wrong number. I called some woman in Hawaii who says “aloha, I’m going to have to call you back” then hangs up. Oops! I later get a text from that number that says “Hey! Sorry I missed your call but normal people sleep at 2:30am. Did you forget I live in Hawaii? J Talk to you soon!”
Umm…I don’t know who in the heck she thinks I am but God bless her for being so kind!
Got to the mechanic, got the rental, getting back on track! Yahoo!
Everything seemed to be falling back into place. We got the girls hair done, we went to dinner, and went to Lydia’s preschool end of year program. (Which she ROCKED!)
Then, I got the news from the mom of a little girl that had been here for a play date this week…the little girl has lice! UGH! In my desperation to keep everyone busy while Keith has been out of town, we’ve had LOTS of play dates. LOTS. Unfortunately this little girl’s dad found lice on her tonight and since she’d been here she felt obligated to tell me.
I want to start by being very clear; I have no blame what so ever for the little girl or her mommy! In fact, I sympathize, very much, with her sweet momma. However, that doesn’t make it any less frightening and frustrating!
So, I’m digesting this on the way home and the girls are in the backseat of the rental car bickering and being down right mean to each other over a to go cup of Fresca. I said “Hadley, just give me the cup!” So she does, and in my frustration I jerk it out of her hand and try to throw it out the window when the wind catches it and it flies all over me, the car, everything in the car, and the windshield, before finally going out the window.
Yes, I know littering is bad. Yes we live in Carmel and that’s a major faux pas but for crying out loud can’t I catch a break today!?! (I guess the good news is that I didn’t hit a Carmel police officer with my littering! Ha!)
Lydia begins chanting “mommy you blittered, mommy you blittered.” I tearfully reply, “I know, Lydia, mommies mess up sometimes too” then I sob my way home!
Needless to say that when I told the girls to put their pajamas on and go to bed, I didn’t get much flack about it! The thought mommy was a basket case and it would be best to avoid her!
Oh, and tomorrow…it’s Friday the 13th!
So, take that, agent Jack Bauer! You aint seen nothing till you’ve spent a day in my life!
The girls and I went to the mall for some light shopping since Keith is in Las Vegas for the week and they wanted to get new outfits for Lydia's preschool program. We were having such a good night! We found cute clothes, on sale; everyone was getting along having fun! On the way home we swung by Steak N Shake for burgers then came home and watched The Voice and went to bed…ahhh…doesn’t that sound like a perfect evening?!? It really was!
I got the kids to bed (mine) with very little hassle and then I started tooling around the house doing the mom thing for a few minutes when I went out in the garage to get something and saw my car doors open. My immediate thought was “oh no, I bet my battery is dead!” because my car battery tends to die when the girls leave the doors open since the car lights up like a Christmas tree. I quickly started the car, yay it ran, and turned it back off.
A couple of hours later I went in the garage again and heard “click…click…click...click…” in very rapid succession. It sounded like when you’re trying to start a car and it won’t turn over because the battery is dead, only I wasn’t trying to start the car and the keys were in the house. I popped the hood and sure enough it was coming from under there. (that was as far as my assessment went!) I came in, got the keys and tried to start it again and got NOTHING! Not even a clicking sound, NOTHING!
I freaked out a little because the next day was going to be busy and I didn’t plan on having car problems! I went into action trying to come up with a backup plan. I sent texts to friends asking if their husbands would come jump my car since I didn’t have another car here to jump off of, I sent other texts to friends asking if they’d take Lydia to school in the morning in case I didn’t get the car started in time. I texted neighbors asking if they’d swing by and plug in and I got NOTHING from ANYONE! (not entirely true, one of my neighbors did text that he was in Chicago and couldn’t come over) I started freaking out a little more...(okay, a lot more!)
I called Keith, near tears, in Vegas, and said “my car won’t start, I can’t get ahold of anyone, I have a busy day tomorrow, I don’t know what else to do…” in one long breath on his voicemail.
Two hours later at 11:32pm, I got a text that said “it’s extremely loud what did you need is it urgent”
I replied, halfway mad, more helpless and frustrated than anything, “never mind, I’ll figure it out tomorrow.”
Earlier in the day Hadley and Lydia gone to the dentist and Hadley had a loose tooth pulled, so sometime during the night the tooth fairy was going to have to get her act together and shove something under the pillow. The tooth fairy made three attempts to do so and each time was greeted by a wide eyed little girl saying “what’cha doin’?”
Did I mention Hadley and Lydia were both asleep in my bed?!?
I came to the living room and ate a bowl of ice cream, in misery, and watched mindless TV. (Don’t judge, the Real Housewives of Orange County actually made me feel a little better.)
When the show went off, the tooth fairy made another, this time successful, attempt to make the tooth swap! It was 2am when this FINALLY took place!
I crawled in bed with my two little sleeping cherubs and the dog and went to sleep. Ahhh…much needed night’s sleep at 2am!
I fell right to sleep and woke up to something wet on my toes, at 4am. “dangit Belle, quit licking my toes! You’re disgusting!” Only, it wasn’t her licking me…she was throwing up on my feet. CRAP! I roll her out of bed, shove the kids around until I’ve gotten everything that she’s touched stripped off the bed (the kids NEVER WOKE UP!) grab clean blankets and cover everyone back up, after all it’s only 79 degrees in the house, and I desperately go back to sleep.
At 6am I wake up, WIDE AWAKE, from stress. I decide to get up and as I’m sneaking out of the bedroom I step in dog pee! It really shouldn’t have surprised me because what typically happens when Belle gets sick is she has a seizure, throws up, then pees somewhere. It’s just that usually I’ve had more than four hours of sleep and I’m a little more alert.
I decide to use my time wisely and send out a couple of texts because I still haven’t heard back from anyone, no one answers these either. I get dressed and do my thing til 7am when I wake Hadley up and get her ready for school. I return from the bus stop around 8am and call my mechanic. This man has daughters and a wife and God bless him, he has the patience of a saint! He calmly talks me off the ledge and tells me to get my car started and bring it in.
I call Ms. Dawn at church and spill the entire saga to her and she says she’ll find someone to help me out. She calls Mark and asks him to help and a few minutes later I’m rescued! The car was running and I’m ready to go, only I’m not…I get Lydia dressed and ready for school and I gather up the bed spread and all the dry cleaning and head out. I might as well make the trip count and I was scared to turn the car off because I didn’t know if it would start again so I ran a few errands before taking her to school.
Around 9am I start calling rental car places and I’m looking online at Enterprise (whom I will NEVER rent from again because of today!) and the prices in Carmel are $18/day for an economy car but over by my mechanic the price is $27/day. I call Enterprise and try to talk them into giving me the better price and they refuse and basically tell me I’m lying, that they don’t ever have cars for that price! Even though the message playing when I was on hold mentioned $9.99 weekend rentals, but I guess that’s just a fairy tale too! We had a little verbal altercation and I called PJ, my mechanic back. He assured me I could rent a car from him and I’d be okay.
The funny part of the rental car call is that as I was dialing, I dialed the wrong number. I called some woman in Hawaii who says “aloha, I’m going to have to call you back” then hangs up. Oops! I later get a text from that number that says “Hey! Sorry I missed your call but normal people sleep at 2:30am. Did you forget I live in Hawaii? J Talk to you soon!”
Umm…I don’t know who in the heck she thinks I am but God bless her for being so kind!
Got to the mechanic, got the rental, getting back on track! Yahoo!
Everything seemed to be falling back into place. We got the girls hair done, we went to dinner, and went to Lydia’s preschool end of year program. (Which she ROCKED!)
Then, I got the news from the mom of a little girl that had been here for a play date this week…the little girl has lice! UGH! In my desperation to keep everyone busy while Keith has been out of town, we’ve had LOTS of play dates. LOTS. Unfortunately this little girl’s dad found lice on her tonight and since she’d been here she felt obligated to tell me.
I want to start by being very clear; I have no blame what so ever for the little girl or her mommy! In fact, I sympathize, very much, with her sweet momma. However, that doesn’t make it any less frightening and frustrating!
So, I’m digesting this on the way home and the girls are in the backseat of the rental car bickering and being down right mean to each other over a to go cup of Fresca. I said “Hadley, just give me the cup!” So she does, and in my frustration I jerk it out of her hand and try to throw it out the window when the wind catches it and it flies all over me, the car, everything in the car, and the windshield, before finally going out the window.
Yes, I know littering is bad. Yes we live in Carmel and that’s a major faux pas but for crying out loud can’t I catch a break today!?! (I guess the good news is that I didn’t hit a Carmel police officer with my littering! Ha!)
Lydia begins chanting “mommy you blittered, mommy you blittered.” I tearfully reply, “I know, Lydia, mommies mess up sometimes too” then I sob my way home!
Needless to say that when I told the girls to put their pajamas on and go to bed, I didn’t get much flack about it! The thought mommy was a basket case and it would be best to avoid her!
Oh, and tomorrow…it’s Friday the 13th!
So, take that, agent Jack Bauer! You aint seen nothing till you’ve spent a day in my life!
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