What do you REALLY think??

I look forward to the end of the year reports. The news shows will recap important events, deaths, and stories from the past year. Even though I look forward to their information every year......every year I am disappointed. I would like to know REAL important people who died, REAL special events, REAL news stories....

Here are some of my picks:

*July 11, 2009....my dad had a massive heart attack and survived.

*January 2009.....the first non-white man took office of President. (regardless of your political opinion it is still a moment in history)

*April 4, 2009....Jeff's younger brother married a great lady! (and before the rapture!)

*October 2009....Max had his 6th surgery (we are about to hit a record at Lebonheur).

*August 2009.....we got a dog and I like her!

*September 2009.....I left my job at Su Casa. My time with Su Casa was life changing. I met and worked with REAL people who are changing the world!!

*October-December 2009.....I faced some health issues that forced me to evaluate the way I think and act about EVERYTHING.

I would like to hear from my readers for a change! What are some events of this past year that affected you or the rest of the world??

Depp, Wahlberg, Wahlberg

(movies are rated on a 0 to 5 scale)

Sunday night we watched Public Enemies starring Johnny Depp. Before I give my review, I must tell you about my best friend Johnny.

I had a dream a while back about Johnny Depp. My family was sitting in a stadium next to Depp's family. Jeff and Johnny's wife went to get drinks for the two families. Johnny and I started talking. We had many things in common. He was really nice, funny and normal. He did not act at all like he was a movie actor. The two of us decided that our families would get together to grill out one night. I woke up from my dream. Ever since then, Johnny has been a dear, personal friend of mine.

However, that being said, I did not like the movie Public Enemies (Single-Disc Edition)

. I think Johnny did a fine job but there was not much of a story. Yes, I know, we all know the story. It is a great story, but for some reason, this movie could not tell it!! There were snapshots of a great story. It just did not deliver!!

I give this movie: 3 "walks right by the police".

Monday night we watched Shooter (Widescreen Edition)

starring Mark Wahlberg. This will become one of my favorite "shoot em up" movies. It had great action, great one liners, fun acting, and a pretty good story!! Mark Wahlberg has the "tough/cool" accent, he is a bad a-- with any weapon, he has done well with his physique, and he has redefined "slow motion" scenes....creating my new favorite "slow mo, cool entrance, Wahlberg scene". Half way through the movie I decided I would get a gun and learn to shoot. In my second life, I will be either an assassin or a sharp shooter!

I give this movie: 5 "silent killings".

Tonight we watched Four Brothers (Special Collector's Edition)

starring Mark Wahlberg. This was actually a pretty good movie. It had a good story. It had some great "shooting" scenes and one really great broken bone scene!! It also had my favorite "slow mo, cool entrance, Wahlberg scene"

I give this movie: 4 "caps in yo a--".

Eye know eye can do better = failure

Starting the day after Christmas, all the news shows start doing segments on "organization", "fitness and weight loss", etc.................WHY??

Why do people choose to start new things or to start over each new year??

I think it is human nature. We are constantly trying to do the right thing, but we all fail. By the end of the year, most of us have given up. We choose to start over so we can fail again.

There are several things I need to do:

1. Lose 30 pounds. HOW?? by eating smaller amounts and healthier foods AND 30 minutes of walking each day.

2. Get out of the house more. WHY??? I would never leave my house if it wasn't necessary. I hate errands, I hate grocery shopping, I hate leaving the house! This is not mentally healthy.

3. Changing attitude about church. BECAUSE??? I love my preacher. He gives wonderful sermons. I do have some wonderful friends at church. BUT I go to a church with "rich" people with "rich" lifestyles. I think many of them have a different "reality" than me!!

These are the 3 main things I need to change. There is no way I can do these things. I will fail. I will eat well for a month and then cheat. I will exercise for a week and then stop. I will go to church for maybe 3 Sundays in a row and then something will knock me off that "roll".

I would like to make one resolution and I will have to make it moment by moment....each and every day.

#1. When I do "this" or "that", when I make this choice, when I wake up, when I eat........does it glorify God??.........................

2010 will either be exhausting or a deeper relationship with Jesus!..........or both!!

.......and just like 80% of the world.......my thoughts..."can't start the change until 1-1-10!!"

I see dead people

Christmas Eve.

My dad has been admitted to the ER for an illness. Late that evening, they admit him to the hospital. A male nurse is taking us to the elevators that is just for patient transfers and staff. The hall is long and dark. The hospital is like a ghost town. The nurse pushes the button to go UP. We wait about a minute. The elevator doors open.

scene: a large elevator....a dead body covered in a red blanket......no one else.

nurse: "um.....is anyone on there?" He leans over to peer into the elevator. Mom and I lean over to peer into the elevator.

me: "is that what we think it is??"

dad: in a low growl.."I am not gettin on there with that!"

The doors close. The four of us look at each other wide-eyed. The nurse tells us to "stay put, he is going to get security".

My parents and I stand there in the dark, long, empty hall. Dad raises his eyebrows and rolls his eyes........................mom and I start laughing.

Another nurse comes around the corner with an empty wheel chair. She looks at us questioningly and asks, "um, are ya'll waiting on an elevator?" at the same time she pushes the UP button.

I tell the nurse what just happened. "WHAT??"

The door opens. Same elevator with the dead body.

Her eyes bug out. At that moment, the elevators across the hall open and two ladies in scrubs say "there she is!"....THEN another elevator opens and a security guard jumps off and runs over to the dead-body-elevator before the door closes again.

CHAOS....

The 2 ladies in scrubs are hooting and laughing and saying "we didn't lose her we were just sent to find her.......I'm not getting on the elevator with a dead body........I'm not getting on if you're not!!" They laugh and slap and stomp their feet.

Our original nurse looks disgusted by the lack of professionalism from the 2 ladies in scrubs. The 2nd nurse with the empty wheelchair yells "you should be more afraid of the live patients!" She is also clearly frustrated with the 2 ladies.

Me: "I am so thrilled! I have never seen a dead person!"

Mom: "yes you have! Grandee was dead at his funeral." (that quote is my favorite EVER)

Me: "I mean a body that hasn't been froofed for a funeral."

We soon find out that the undertaker..............oh wait! UNDERTAKER.....another hospital employee told us that he hates the undertakers because they look like reapers!! They come in with black hats and black long coats....

We soon find out that the undertaker was transporting the body (hence the red blanket and not a hospital sheet), put the body on the elevator, started talking, doors closed and elevator with body leaves....

Our nurse apologizes for the situation and said that he had to call the securtiy guard .....to fix the situation !

I told my dad, I am sorry you are sick but this was the best Christmas EVER!!

stockings were hung by the........

Well, our stockings are hung on coat hooks in our dining room......no chimney.......but they were made with love and care!!

I made Jeff a stocking our first Christmas we were married. I have one that my mom made when I was little.

I made Jack's when I was pregnant with him. I made Max's before his first Christmas.

We got Cotton (Jack's cat) on a New Year's weekend. I made her a stocking a couple of years after we had her. I did not have anymore felt material at the time. I did not care much for her.....she got a stocking made out of scraps. I stitched lights around her name in the hopes she would have the same outcome as the cat in the Christmas Vacation movie.

I made Vicki's stocking last month. She digs holes and buries things in the yard, so she got a bone shaped stocking and bones on the Christmas tree.

Jack immediately noticed that the dog's stocking is bigger than the cat's stocking.

Vicki has nosed her way right into all our hearts. Even my tiny Grinch heart!!

I was trying to take a picture of the boys before their concert and she insisted on being in the picture.....

Yes I know the lighting is horrible. We don't have any lights in our living room (2 lamps). Long story.....another blog post!

The cat has always "rested" under our Christmas tree. This year, Vicki has tried to join her too many times. Before we put presents under the tree, Cotton would sit in the Nativity and hiss at the dog!!

.....Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!!!!

To be honest......I was VERY surprised!!

(above: Jack warming up!)
(above: Max playing in the beginner band....he is one of two trumpets)

My boys picked up an instrument and read music for the first time EVER in October. They played in a concert last night and did VERY well!! Max was in the beginner band and elementary choir. He knew all his notes and all of the words to each song!! He played GREAT!!

Jack was in the beginner band, concert band, jazz band and concert choir. He was the only clarinet (now there is one more) so he was asked to play in all the bands. He learned ALL the music for ALL the bands!! He sounded FANTASTIC!!

I have to admit. I was not expecting much last night. The band just started in October. These kids worked very hard and many of them have never played before!!

This is the one and only "group" for home school in which I participate. I have found that I do not "blend" well with other home school families (ha! I don't "play" well with anybody, actually). This has not been that bad. I still have to keep my mouth shut at times.......or I go home regretting something I have said. This has been a great growing experience for me!

It has been VERY worth it!! My kids love playing their instruments!!

I have MANY more pics but I am not sure the other parents would be pleased with their kids being on the internet!! This blog IS read all over the world!! :)

School project for Christmas!!!

As teacher, principal, and school board, I make the decision to break from the normal curriculum at Christmas time!!

This year we did a gingerbread project. The boys had to create their own design to make out of gingerbread. They had to draw it out on graph paper, measure, make stencils and create a final drawing to represent their plan for the final project.

The boys had to read and follow directions, measure accurately, and work together to make the gingerbread. They used their stencils to cut out each piece needed for their project.

Next, they constructed their objects. They had to use problem solving skills to figure out how to put each piece together. They used cans of food for extra support while the icing (mortar) dried. After observing that some of the pieces did not turn out as planned, they had to decide whether it was due to baking or measuring.
We were all pleased with the final projects!! Jack made a castle tower and handmade army men with toothpicks or spaghetti noodles for swords. He created moss green icing for the decoration (mossy castle) and chose the candy for extra decor.

Max made a SWAT truck. He also used a cookie cutter for the men. If you look close, you can see that their was a shoot out. Some men have many bullet holes and lots of blood. One man was run over by the back of the SWAT truck and his arm was severed. Max made black icing for the truck, red sprinkles and red hots for blood and peppermints for the wheels.
As you can see, Max is very festive!!

Next week we will make our annual Christmas cookies!!

the latest MAZ creations

I had an idea to use my grandmother's handwritten recipes and printable fabric to make my mom and two older sisters.....kitchen towels.

I told my mom my idea. She showed me aprons that my grandmother made when she was younger. (My grandmother died from cancer when I was 4 months old.) She asked me to use these aprons to make NEW aprons so everyone could have "a piece" of each apron. I was very nervous to cut up my grandmother's aprons!! I make a lot of unusual things BUT 75% of them I end up tucking away somewhere because I don't like them. I did not want to waste these aprons on a stupid idea of mine!!!

Here are a few of the aprons that my grandmother made. They are laying on my grandmother's table cloth. (I believe if you click on the pics, you can see them better.)

I used this last apron to create a pattern in which I could use all the aprons to make 3 new aprons. Each apron uses a part of each apron style above. The back of the aprons are the table cloth that you see above.



This is a pic of the handwritten recipes. I scanned them, printed them on the special fabric and appliqued them to the aprons.

I really enjoyed this project. It took me around two weeks. I sewed them all by hand (I don't own a sewing machine).

I was so nervous about how these would turn out.....would I screw it up? would I ruin these vintage aprons? grandmother's memories???

I am pleased with each apron!! I actually did a great job stitching them!! There were few mistakes!!

I am hoping for a sewing machine in the future because this project gave me so many more ideas!!!

Another MAZ creation!!!

WARNING: possible TMI

I will warn you now......This is a post on medical issues. As you all know, I share everything! If you are embarrassed or grossed out by hearing about biology....then don't read my post!!!

For a month and a half, I have been having tests done. They found blood in my urine and I do not have any other symptoms. I had 5 urine tests, 2 pelvics, an ultrasound and a cysto (cameras in the bladder). One of the tests came back with 22 times the amount of blood cells than I should have had. They were looking for cancer. Today's test cleared me of cancer!!!! WOO HOO! They did not find any tumors or cancer. He said that I had swelling and redness. I have a bacteria infection and have been put on antibiotics for 90 days.

So.........of course I have a CLASSIC MAZ situation to share. Today they did a cysto on my bladder. They numb the area and then insert two cameras. I had to sit in this crazy chair. They put my legs in stirrups and raised my rear to the ceiling and dropped my head to the floor. The nurse put the numbing gel in the appropriate area, covered my legs, turned the light off and left the room (waiting for the anesthesia to work). So I am laying in this completely crazy position, in the dark, freezing as "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer" is blaring through the speakers. I found it very funny! I will forever associate this song with the "image" of today!!

Jeff and I are very relieved with the diagnosis. The nurse and doctor said they WERE looking for cancer due to other tests that were done. They had called me 2 days earlier and said the doctor would like to meet with me after the tests. I was prepared for the worst. I might be a pessimist but I figure......If you are prepared for the worst, then there are no surprises. AND if it isn't the worst....then whatever it is.......is MUCH better!! I am happy for the 3 months of antibiotic and a few days of painful pee pee!!

I am not going to say that God blessed me....since I don't have cancer. I believe that even if I did have cancer...I would have received many blessings from the lessons, trials and leaning on HIM!!!

OH! and best of all......my pee pee will be blue for the next few days!!! That is cool!

drugs and snoring

When I get the really bad migraines, I take Vicodin. When I take Vicodin, I get some crazy dreams!!

My usual dream is that I am as tiny as a fly but my hands are giant like the Hulk gloves you find in the toy department. In my dream, I am laying in my bed....the size of a fly with these ENORMOUS hands. Everything in my dream is heavy and in slow motion.....the feeling you get when you try to run in the pool or ocean.

Saturday night I had ALOT of medication trying to get rid of the horrible migraine. I started "dreaming". I was a tiny person with humongous hands. All these people were around me and making this low gurgle/snort noise. The noise was slow and long and loud. I would try to see around my hands to hear what they were saying...........(I know...it doesn't make sense)....

Then warm, stale air was blasting my face. I tried to move my enormous hands to block the air.

I woke up. I was facing Jeff. He was snoring and puffing. The low gurgle/snort noise was his snoring..... I tried to open my eyes and laugh. I lost control with a giggle and immediately fell asleep.

Drugs and snoring! THAT is entertainment!!

More Than Thanksgiving Day

My parents were married on Thanksgiving Day 44 years ago!?

I love this picture! They were 18 years old. This year, their anniversary fell on Thanksgiving Day...again!

The story goes that they picked Thanksgiving Day because mom's dad would not close his furniture store for their wedding. It would already be closed for Thanksgiving. I think my dad was trying to be "smart" and picked Thanksgiving so he would remember the anniversary. OOPS, Thanksgiving isn't the same every year (hee hee).

23 years ago, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and had her surgery near Thanksgiving Day. We put the Christmas tree up early that year...and have ever since! They had a steak dinner in the hospital on their anniversary.

Thanksgiving will always be more than just a day of food! It reminds me that 2 complete opposites can marry and stay committed to each other for life (ha ha). AND that my mom is a survivor! She survived to mother me throughout my teens, she was here for my wedding, she was here for the births of my kids, she IS HERE to be my friend!!

All I Ever Wanted....All I Ever Needed...(not the 80s song)

I had a deep discussion with a friend yesterday. She was asking me about debt, finances, Christmas presents, family, marriage, kids. All the deep questions that truly gave me a migraine by the end of the day. (I don't like to "think")

At the end of the conversation she looked at me and said "but I don't understand, you are truly happy! I can see it in the way you act, the things you say, your smile.".......(that is a first! I am usually accused of being sad or grumpy.....must have been the Jesus filter..)

Let me share what I shared with her:

Jeff has lost jobs and found jobs, we have worried about paying bills and we have had "eat out" money, we have had medical issues and we have been healhy, we have had deaths and other losses, we have had births and gains, our marriage has been up and down, we have made bad decisions and good decisions, BUT in all those life lessons....I have had Jesus. Jesus has pulled me up out of my pond of grief, anxiety, dispair.....Jesus has slapped me back into focus! Jesus has shown us that all we need his HIM...everything else is just life.

I had a good friend in college (Emily). She would say..."that has nothing to do with eternity."

I live by that.

The only thing that effects eternity is choosing to have a relationship with Jesus!

All anyone needs is Jesus.

I can starve to death, I can lose all wordly things, I could die......and worst of all I could lose family........but I would still have Jesus! AND that is ALL I NEED!!

The most wonderful time of the year!!

I love Halloween! My kids have made it even better. They love to design their own costumes. This year Jack was a brain. He made his own costume with some help from Jeff. Max was to be a turtle. We strapped his bean bag to him. He then changed it to a fantasy creature. Most people thought he was being creative.. "ninja turtle". He only cares about the candy anyway!!

Thanksgiving brings the changing weather. I will have to admit, I don't care much about Thanksgiving. Memphis weather is usually warm or wet. I hate cooking and REALLY am not a Thanksgiving food kind of person. You spend a bunch of time cooking and then it is eaten in a flash and then you spend double the time to clean up. I am fortunate to be with my family all through the year. I also have tried to make it a habit to be thankful everyday!!

BUT CHRISTMAS!!!! AHHHH Christmas, I love it!! I put my tree up the weekend of Thanksgiving. We have an artificial tree. ALLERGIES.

Sometimes Memphis will give me a break and I get some cold weather during Christmas-Holiday-Time. I love the music, the lights, the decorations, the food (anything I want). We are learning to emphasize the TRUE meaning of Christmas. Each year we are forced to do less and less "material" Christmas and do more and more "Spirit" and traditions of Christmas.

I know that when the boys are older they will remember the things they DID better than the things they GOT........................I hope.

So HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

HAPPY NEW YEAR

and don't forget to be thankful everyday!!

MMMWWWAAAhahahahahah

I can find ANYTHING to get out of exercise!!

I hate walking the dog. She darts at every squirrel, she jumps and pulls at every dog in their fences. I hate having something that will not obey me!!

I was given a treadmill. GREAT, I thought. I need to lose 27 pounds (lost 5 already).

I trained the dog to walk the treadmill!! She loves it! She walked 2 minutes the first time with me holding her up and steady on the treadmill. She walked 8 minutes the next time with her leash tied to the treadmill. She walked 10 minutes this morning with no trouble (on her leash). Two hours later. She gets on the treadmill by herself. I turned it on and she walked for 16 minutes, no leash, and hopped off when she was done (16.21 minutes)!!

She is a much happier and pleasant dog!!

Now I do not have to walk the neighborhood!!! BUT I will have to find time for ME on the treadmill!!

157

157....uggh!

125......

the difference: 32

32 is the difference between:

* taste of coke vs the taste of water

*the emotional feeling of buttered noodles vs the good feeling of fruits and veggies

*ordering fries vs ordering steamed veggies

*eating a serving for a family of 4 vs eating amount that fits in a serving spoon

*the feeling of fat rolls between your boobs and your lap when sitting vs the feeling of hip bones

*the pain in your hips and legs vs extra energy

*falling asleep in movies or mid day vs sleeping well at night and energy during the day

*embarrassment from your look in clothes vs wearing a belt and a tucked in shirt!

*my lifestyle for the past 36 years vs my lifestyle for the rest of my life

disappointment is a never ending circle

I am my biggest disappointment. I guess it is like that with everyone. You can blame your husband, your boss, family or kids but YOU are only struggling with yourself. (or I am)

Things that disappoint me:

*eating....eat bad things, disappoint, eat to feel better, disappoint, eat more bad things

*being over weight...too disappointing to type!!

*money....too disappointing to talk about

*stress leading to frustration leading to anger leading to uncontrolled actions or emotions, disappoint

Webster's Dictionary defines disappoint "to fail to satisfy the hope or expectation of"

I am a christian. I have chosen to walk away from earthly things and focus on Jesus Christ.

I have hope and expectations for myself, but I will always disappoint!!

My Lord has expectations for me, a plan! He is my only hope (contrary to star wars...).

I made the decision to drop everything and follow Christ about 30 years ago. So why do I have these heavy chains wrapped around my feet and hands? Why do I drag bags of disappointment behind me?? Why do I choose to drown in this ocean of stress when freedom surrounds me???

I want that freedom. I get that freedom for a day, sometimes. Then, I look away from Christ and I am heavy...again....with disappointment.....

**this is just an outlet for me...not really a cry for help!! I have all the answers in my heart and sitting in front of me NOW (my Bible)....

Where The Wild Things Are

After many many years, Maurice Sendak finally gave permission for his book to be made into a movie. He liked Spike Jonze and Spike's ideas.

I loved this book. I read it so many times (as a teacher) that I could quote almost the whole book. I was not sure what to expect from this movie. It was obviously going to be MUCH more than the few words in the original book. As I was able to see the previews, I became excited. It would not be animated. It would not have "cgi" monsters.

THEN, last week, I heard a review. The two movie critics said it was a great movie but a tear jerker because of the boy's life. I did not want to see something like that. I do not like movies that make me cry.....on purpose.

My Max really wanted to see this movie!! So, I went!

I have 3 perspectives on this movie. You can decide which person you would relate to and decide if you might like the movie!

Jack is 12 years old. He is not an aggressive child. He takes things literal!!

Max is 10 years old. He lives in his own imaginary world! He creates worlds and new people. Max is more of an aggressive child.

Me! I am 36 years old. A mother, a teacher and skeptic of kid movies.....most do not entertain me.

Jack

Jack did not like the movie AT ALL. He said it was long, boring and did not have a point. He found a few moments very funny. He did not think the "play fighting" with the Wild Things made sense because he found it strange that they would enjoy that kind of play.

Max

Max loved this movie. He repeated several parts of the movie on the way home and getting into bed. He talked about the "wild things world" as if he could actually go there and play with these monsters. I sat by Max and he laughed out loud throughout the movie. He really got the "surprise funny" moments. Even the funny parts that are just to be "seen" and you really have to pay attention!!

Me

I absolutely loved this movie. This child did not have a "horrible" life. It was not a tear jerker. It had some sentimental moments and YES it did bring a tear to my eye. Max, the character, has a family life like many children in this time of life. His parents are divorced. He has a loving mother that is tired and trying to make a life for her family. He misses his dad. He has an older sister that is not "mean" but ignores his attempts to "love" her and get her attention. The movie gives this as a background story. It is done well and not overdramatic.

The Wild Things world was fun, creative, hilarious and very entertaining. From an artistic point of view, the movie was beautiful to watch. From a teacher and mother point of view, the movie was thick with life lessons, boyhood, childhood anger and family dynamics.

The monsters were great. The face was CGI but the body was a puppet suit. It was interesting how the whole movie was "real" and the monsters fit right in!!

What really entertained me was how violent and aggressive this movie was. JUST LIKE A LITTLE BOY! The aggressive play, the yelling, the anger, the sweet moments......

I laughed out loud several times. The dialogue was great and at many times hysterical. There were sight gags, facial expressions, asides, and one liners.

I think most adults would love this movie. I think 6 to 1o year old boys would like the FUN of the movie. "In between" kids might be confused by the deep lessons that are lying below the story. I think that is why Jack did not enjoy the movie. He was not able to "read" into what the monsters were going through and how that relates to the needs of a family.

I think the younger children won't even notice it. They will see it as a story that entertains.

It IS an artistic movie so that may be a turn off to some people.

**I have no clue if there is any bad language. I never notice that in movies....

What's that smell???

I have a severe problem......

My car smells.

It has smelled for about a month.

The weird thing is.....it is a different smell ALMOST every time we get in the car.

It started out as a gym -locker- smelly- feet smell. Max had left his soccer shoes in the car. I took them out.

A week later, the smell was still there but a tiny bit different. It had more of a rotten-smelly-feet stink. I realized that I had a bag of shoes, in the back of the car, to take to the Goodwill. I took it to the Goodwill.

Later, there was a musty-mildew-rotten smell. Our sunroof had leaked so I figured it caused the stench. The area dried.

NOW it has a broccoli-poo smell.

WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MY CAR???

The real kicker?? Tomorrow I will mail the last payment on the car. We will be car payment free for the first time in 5 years!!

And the "newly paid for" car smells like an outhouse!!

ZOMBIELAND

As most of you know, Jeff was in town for a week. When he arrived last Monday night, I picked him up at the airport. We went out on a date for the first time in..............I have no idea.

We ate at Salsa, my favorite. I planned the date so I pick. That is the way it works right??

We then went to see Zombieland.

We entered the theater and I looked around. There were about 15 guys. I whispered to Jeff "I am the only girl". Jeff then whispered "I am the only guy with a date!" Before the movie started, two other females appeared with some guys.

In the first few minutes, I was a little disappointed because I quickly figured out that it was a comedy and not my favorite kind of zombie/vampire movies!! The disappointment did not last long. It was funny, entertaining, gross and very creative with some "effects". There was a surprise in the movie which I LOVED!!!

I would love to see the movie again when it comes to Netflix! I give this movie 4 head bashes! (out of 5)

I still think Shawn of the Dead was better, but this one is a close 2nd!!

30 Days of Night is #1 for "serious" zombie/vampire!!

I AM ALICE

Like most kids, I dreamed of being a rock star. The difference in my dream is.....it is seriously STILLl my dream. Sounds crazy? Well it is true. If I could do or be anything I wanted to be, I would be a rock star!! I love rock music! I actually love all music except Opera, Country and Christian Pop . My biggest obstacle is that I can not sing.

I recently thought about this dream of mine because I am turning 36 this month. Most people are on the road or headed to what they want to accomplish in life. I have already accomplished what I want! I have 2 great boys and the best husband. Other than those 3 guys......there isn't anything else important on this earth. (except you who are reading this of course)

So back to my "dream life".

Cindi Lauper was 36 years old when she entered the rock n roll world. So I could do it!! Age is not an issue.

Johnny Cash, Green Day, Nirvana, and many others could not sing. But they have great music!! So I could do it!! Voice is not an issue.

There are "not-so-beautiful" famous rockers. So I could do it!! Looks are not an issue.

I love to wear grungy clothes and mix them into my own fashion. I love to dye my hair different colors. So I could do it!!

I even have a stage name. ALICE....(you know like, Reba, Cher, Kiss)

It is my middle name. I never liked it growing up. Not sure why. Maybe I thought it sounded old. I probably did not like it because I did not know any other people named Alice. AND Margaret people were either nerdy or old ladies.

Alice has become my alter ego....or maybe the real me. Margaret looks plain and wears simple plain clothes. Alice would love to wear "goth" or "punk" clothes and make up!!

Margaret tries to not draw attention to herself and does not like people to look at her.

Alice would love to ROCK out on stage in front of millions. Alice would have a bass player, drummer and electric guitar player. Margaret has frizzy fro out of control curly hair with grey highlights. Alice would have straight hair. Blond with colorful stripes. Margaret rarely wears make up. And if she does, it is only eyeliner and lipstick. Alice would outline her eyes with the dark black pencil and wear dark lipstick. Margaret wears whatever Walmart and Target have on clearance. Alice would wear multicolored t-shirts, skirts, tights and boots. Margaret does not like to leave her house. Alice would love being famous and travel all over the world.

I wonder if Alice will ever appear.......

How did I get this guy??

After 40 days, we were able to see Jeff for two nights and one day. He is back in Philly for another "while". I still have normal complaints BUT I have a great man!!!

This pic is Jeff in Philly. 7 days a week he is in front of a computer dealing with lawyers (I might have some lawyer readers so I will keep my opinions to myself) hee hee

1. He truly would love to spend every moment with me and the boys. (but not in the house, he gets cabin fever)

2. He reads his Bible daily and seeks wisdom from God and not from man. (he calls the boys and talks to them about what they are reading in their Bibles)

3. He would do anything I ask. (but after 14 yrs I do get some huffs or looks and comments.....and he hates ordering pizza)

4. He never complains or blames the family for not being able to work in his shop when he is in town. (actually the last time he had time to work in his shop....he was in there 10 minutes and we got the call that dad was having a heart attack.....love ya dad!)

5. He never tells me how to wear my hair, what clothes to wear, to wear make-up, etc. I have friends whose husbands do that....that is odd to me. (lately he did make a comment that I look nice in skirts.....I bought some last week!!)

6. He asks my opinion about finances, job related dilemmas, life questions, etc. He makes me feel smart and needed.

7. He lets me be a stay-at-home-mom and still makes me feel like I am contributing to the famiy.

8. When I weighed 120 lbs, he told me I was beautiful. When I weighed 200 lbs, he told me I was beautiful. I now weigh !$^ lbs and he tells me I am beautiful.......out of the blue!!

9. He is not high-maintenance. I do not have to do anything to keep him happy and content. (well, he doesn't really like my hip hop music or a few of my movies)

10. He risks his life to tell me when I need an attitude adjustment. (at the time I want to kill him.....but later I appreciate it)

A Decade of Max

Max was born 10 years ago on September 28, 1999. I was excited because everyone told me the second child comes faster. NOT!!...I had Jack after 16 hours of labor. Max came after 18 hours of labor. AND he was born at 12:01 AM......his birthday was changed from the anticipated 27th to the 28th. How smart he was to wait. It is easy to remember 8/28 (Jack) and 9/28 (Max).

Max has had medical issues from the start. When I was pregnant, the doctors did some test and the measurements did not add up. They said it was normal for that to happen. I went back and they did more in depth test and they still were not pleased. They felt that Max might have Down Syndrome. After working with special needs kids, I knew what we would be facing. I wanted to do an amnio so we would know and be able to have the specialist on hand in delivery, if needed. The amnio came back normal.

Max was born.......healthy cry.........the crying did not stop for 2 years.

Max was very sick. He had collic, severe reflux, chronic ear infections, colds, sinus infections, 5ths disease, all sorts of viruses, flu, rashes, strep, etc. (he is even sick in the picture above)

Because of all his illnesses and not being able to breathe well, Max did not and does not sleep well. From age 2 until 7, he would have night terrors. He would sleep walk and talk. He still has sleep issues but they are much better since the surgeries.

2 years ago, he got a staff infection. It came back 3 times.

He started allergy shots 1 year ago. He is allergic to grass, trees, pollen, mold, mildew, dust....everything in the air! When he plays in grass, he gets a rash. When he is in old houses or buildings, he gets very sick. He is about to have his 6th surgery on his ears and nose. His ear drum is collapsing and thinning. He has lost some hearing in his right ear. (hopefully surgery will fix that)

I can't believe that Max has lived this kind of life and he is not a horrible kid!

Max makes the best of each situation. He sings, dances, laughs, makes us laugh, smiles, entertains himself, etc.

Thank you God for Max. Thank you God for giving him life and working in his life. Thank you for the many healings, watching over him in surgeries and fevers and breathing difficulties.

Thank you God for not answering my prayer when I was pregnant and giving me twins!!!

I think I would have become and addict of some sort if I had to deal with twins during Max's first 2 years!!! :)

Squirrels in the Military

I am not at all saying our military is not the best in the world!! They are!! I am so thankful for the lives and sacrifices that have been given for my freedom!

BUT, if they need extra help and great aim??? Then they should draft my squirrels!

My house is surrounded by the horrible rodent, the squirrel. We have a large Oak in the front of the house and a large Pecan tree in the back of the house. When we go out to the car, we must dodge acorns that have been thrown at us as hard as possible!!

When we are walking the dog in the back yard, relaxing or playing, we are bombarded by huge pecans thrown at great force!!

I have done an experiment. I stand and wait. The pecans start falling from the tree near me. Next they are hitting me on the back and on top of my head. I move this way and that.......I am still being hit by the pecans (or acorns out front).

These crazy squirrels wait and aim and POW!!! They get their mark!

I wish they ate mosquitoes. Then there might be a reason for those ugly demons!!

Dog People

I am now an owner of a dog. It is Max's dog but I am training her.

I do not understand dog people. When I walk the dog around the neighborhood, I can see them coming!! They are smiling at me and the dog like they have never seen such a thing...Then they have to ask the questions....and tell me about their dog.

One lady was very offended when she asked me to come look at her dog in the back yard and I said "no, I need to finish my walk and get back home". Why would I want to see her dog?

At the vet today, I watched as these people picked up their dogs, kissed their faces and talked in a whiney baby voice..............AND EVEN smiled while talking about squeezing the anal glands and how one was not as full as the other. I must have had the disgusted look on my face because that was what I was thinking DISGUSTING...The vet workers laughed at me. I had just told them I was a first time dog owner.

Dog people are like Kid people........I like my kids and I tolerate my animals....I don't want to be with other kids or animals!!!

Yes, I know...horrible thing for a teacher to say.

BUT, if I am teaching them or they are playing NICE and BEHAVED with my kids....then I will be happy to have THOSE kids around.....

I probably won't ever want other animals around!!

Classic MAZ

Ok, if you began reading when I began the blog.....you know why I call this blog Classic MAZ.

In short, it is because of the crazy things that I do or that happen to me.......and from the SNL skit "classic peg" starring Justin Timberlake.

Here is another Classic MAZ story:

I have been sick for about 3 weeks. I have mucho chest congestion. If I talk too much, I start coughing and it turns into UGLY cough. I end up coughing up a huge clot of snot.

(oh, come on....most of you should be used to my sinus stories by now)

Friday, I went to get my car inspected. It was a very rainy day and I felt like death. BUT it was a good day because my car radio was working and it has not worked since last winter. I sat in the inspection line for about an hour. I enjoyed my time to sing and bop to Pink, U2, Lady GaGa, No Doubt, Rihanna, Justin Timberlake.. and oh yea....GNR!!! (that is Guns and Roses for you non rockers!)

I just finished "Sweet Child of Mine" when it was my turn to pull up for inspection. I got a little tickle in my throat. I started coughing. I pulled up to the lady and rolled down my window. The cough sounded horrible. I knew I would be fine because you don't have to speak to these people. They just tell you what to do.........and you do it...........if you know how to work your car.............

She asked me to turn off my lights. I turned the 'switch'. She said "all the way off". I turned the 'switch" again and she kept staring at me. "I have auto lights. How do I turn them.....cough cough cough.........SPLAT"

My gum got in the way of the coughing. I felt the phlegm coming and before I could grab a kleenex.....the snot came out WITH my gum.....slid through my hand and landed on my steering wheel.

"......oh, you have auto lights....don't worry about it" she stared at me like I was the nastiest person she had ever seen. She finished my inspection and handed me the paper. She stretched way out to get it to me.....she wasn't taking a chance of getting hit by another snot ball!!

.......................claaasssic MAAAAZ

Summer trips

We went on a few trips with the Ziegenhorns this summer. It was a nice time to talk, tell stories of childhood, laugh and enjoy each other's company.

Unfortunately the first trip was a funeral.

It was in Oklahoma. We had never been there. We stopped at the memorial of the Oklahoma City bombing.

We also visited some indian mounds, trail of tears, the dam and taco bell...

The boys and I tortured my mother-in-law by using "dam" to describe many things: "look at the dam bridge, dam water, dam parking lot, etc....

We went to Kentucky to eat at a restaurant, whose name completely escapes me. We went to the lake, the dam (dams are interesting) and a few antique shops. Behind the restaurant, they had gift shops and odd animals!

We went to Shiloh for a day trip. It was very interesting. We got to see a demonstration of shooting a canyon and hear the history of its function and importance in the Civil War. We saw more indian mounds and the Tn River.

Vicki

Max has wanted a dog more than anything for several years. He knows better than to ask for one because I don't like animals. They smell, they shed, you have to feed them, you have to scoop poo or walk them, they are needy.....

AND THEY ALWAYS WANT TO BE WITH ME!!

Jack has a cat and she is fine. She knows to leave me alone. She knows to

leave the room just by the way I look at her. Jack takes care of all her needs and I usually don't have to be involved.

I am realizing (the past 2 years) that the world was not created for ME and everything is not all about ME.....hard lesson for ME!

We got Max a dog for his birthday, which isn't until September 28th.

We happened upon a rescue dog FOR FREE! She had already been "fixed", had shots, etc...

Max planned on naming his dog Bailey, but when he saw her, he named her Vicki....odd name for an animal and I have no idea how he got the name!!

We have had the dog 3 weeks and she has demolished all her toys except one. She demolished a brand new crate the second day we had her. She chewed her new leash in half on the 3rd day we had her. She demolished the brand new "cushion" in her first crate. She recently demolished the plastic tray in the bottom of her 2nd new crate.

It took me a week to train her to go "potty" while on a leash. She was used to running with 4 other dogs on a bunch of land!!

Jack's cat is NOT HAPPY. It took the last 3 weeks for her to sit in the same room as Vicki. At least once a day, she sneaks up on the sleeping dog and smacks the fire out of her head about 5 times and then runs out of the room.

I found out this dog is high-energy, so I now have

to run/walk her EVERY day....I hate exercise.

The worst thing about walking her: she haunches and does the weird walk while leaving turds all the way down the street!! EVERY time! Then I have to walk the rest of the way with warm, steamy poo in a plastic bag!!

All that said.....she is getting used to her kennel (w/o a bottom). She is a nice, calm dog when we are home. She sleeps through storms (huge blessing). She now potties on command and obeys simple commands. She doesn't stink!! And the shedding isn't noticeable!

I do have to walk her because she ran away from Max into traffic one day....MAJOR TRAUMA for Max. AND she tripped him another day and gave him road rash. That same day, Jack was standing too close to the outside cable when she darted for her ball and the cable (leash) burned his leg (blisters, scabs and all).

Max is learning how to not treat her like a human so we can have a well behaved, well adjusted dog!! It has only been 3 weeks and things are going great.....and I have lost 7 pounds!!

Annual Autumn intruder!

Jeff got his job in August of 2006. In the first week of this new job he went to Philly for 8 weeks. One night, while he was gone, he actually got to talk to us on the phone (very rare). I was looking out the back door (window) while I was talking to him.....looking out into the dark, past the porch light.

Suddenly my focus changed and I noticed a huge intricate spider web created across the doorway (outside). My focus changed again, and I saw the ugliest creepiest scariest spider. It was weaving its web FAST!! At the time, we rarely used our back door. SOOO we did not use the back door for days. I noticed each day a new room, floor, garden, pool and play room was being added to the web! My dad came over at night (it disappeared during the day) and sprayed the spider with bug spray until it fell. He stomped it! WOO HOO!!

Fall of 2007, the intruder was back! My neighbor killed it for me.

Fall of 2008, the intruder was back! My dad came, sprayed and killed it for me.

This year....of course Jeff is gone each time.....we are using our door A LOT. We have a dog and we take it out the back door many times all day long. I just happened to be on the phone with Jeff one night, looking out the back door window.....and my focused changed.........huge intruder uglier than all the others. This one creeped me out the most because I could have easily opened the door to take the dog out and walked right into it!!! UUUUGGGGHHH

It took two attempts to get rid of it..sprayed 2 seperate times but each time I lost sight of it when it fell. I REALLY check before going in and out the door now!!

I have a 12 year old???

Jack Stanley Ziegenhorn was born on August 28, 1997. He was born on my dad's birthday and they share the middle name, Stanley. We knew Jeff would be gone for both of the boys' birthdays so we celebrated before he left, we celegrated on the 28th and then again the next weekend with the in-laws. Mucho Celebrationo!

Jeff's mom and dad gave him a fish tank, fish, frogs and 2 fiddler crabs. The crabs are now in their own container because they murdered the frogs and left their shredded bodies in the gravel. Very cool!

The boys chose not to have a party so they could have better presents. SOOO we ate at Taco Bell with my mom and dad, I made a chocolate cake before Jeff left town, we ate at Taco Bell on Jack's actual birthday, and we ate at Taco Bell with my in-laws and saw the G.I Joe movie......

We gave Jack a cool teen chair for his room, a DS game and a small lego set.

(can anyone guess Jack's favorite place to eat?)
The night of the 28th we took Granddad to Corky's. I have been taking him there for his birthday present since 1986. Even the year Jack was born....we just went on the 27th!

Master Gardner

Max's science this year will be Botany. I decided to start a small flower garden in the back yard (over the summer) to prepare us for this fall and things we will be learning. Our yard floods EVERY time it rains. I will eventually get big pots or plastic pools and grow my "container" gardens... But seeing as how I do not work, I found things that do not cost money. We have many concrete blocks so I dug an area and neatly leveled the blocks to outline a rectangle area in a patch that does not flood. I had already shoveled out the grass... 2 DAYS TOIL. I chose 2 different packs of sunflower seeds and some wild flower seeds. I planted each and every sunflower seed as directed on the package and then flung the wildflower seeds.

THEN...

I watched the birds dig and eat all my sunflower seeds.

ALL except 2..............

and they must have eaten all the wildflower seeds

except 1..........

I'M BA ACK

ok, you are right, I did not wait til October....but if I had... I would have wasted more time catching you guys up on all my "stuff". So much has happened in August! Here is a list of topics ahead:

*Jeff's in Philly, gone 25 days already

*Jack turned 12 (8/28) and got a fish tank with fish, frogs and crabs

*Max got a dog for his birthday (coming 9/28....the birthday, not the dog....dog is here)

*Life lessons for me due to the dog.....I dislike animals (and I live in a zoo now)

*My sinus issues (you know you love to hear about my snot)

*spiritual growth (1 step forward, 2 steps back, repeat)

*return of the fall "ugliestcreepiestscariest spider in the world"

*trip to Shiloh

*trip to Kentucky

*soccer

*scouts

*infamous neighbor

*new school year

Well, this should be a year's worth of blogging/posting.....plus the stuff that happens between now and then!!

thanks for reading!!

Until October.....................

I will be handing my job as Children's Program Coordinator over to a GREAT person!! My job will end the last of August. I will be spending the month of August planning for this next school year (4th and 6th grade.....they grow so fast!) September will be our first month of school and implementing a new curriculum. I know I will be so busy!!

SOOO I will not be blogging again until October. Check back in October!

MAZ

Ben Watson, Action News 5....

When I taught at Shrine School, the news would occasionally do "fluff" pieces on something or someone at the school. One day Ben Watson from channel 5 news came to our school to tape an interview. Me and a few other teachers were eating lunch in the lounge. Ben Watson came in to use our restroom. He was in the bathroom for quite a while. We were beginning to notice and make some whispered comments. Someone realized that he was probably trying to figure out how to flush the toilet. We had a "faulty" flush. You had to lift up on the handle instead of pushing down. Mr. Watson opened the bathroom door and paused. We asked if he needed help with the toilet and immediately explained how to flush it.

.........and this is what cracks me up at random times TO THIS DAY!!

In his reporter voice, Ben Watson said "I thought I was going to have to get a cup and scoop my stuff out."

HA HA HA HA HA I guess you had to be there but I really wished he had asked for a cup to scoop his stuff out!! That would have been hilarious!!

it's that time of year!!

As a kid, I dreaded school! Hated it! Then, like the brilliant genius that I am, I became a teacher so that school could be a part of my life forever.

Of course now that I teach from home and my class consists of my two sons, I am in paradise!!

I love getting up at 5:30am.......ok, ok I hate getting up but once I am up........

I love how the sun sends different yellows and oranges through my front windows. I love the quiet in the house as I prepare for the day. I love the sound of the morning news in the background as I fix breakfast. I love that homeroom and first period are in the living room around 9am! I love that my students are cuddled up on the couch and in the chair with their bare feet slung over the arms of the furniture while they read, work a math problem or in discussion.

..................................................when November rolls around....................................................

I sleep until Jeff leaves for work and then jump in the shower. The boys are watching PBS or Qubo while I sling breakfast together. We still start by 9am but midterms and papers have turned the relaxed mornings into gripes and grumbles.....................

which to do first?? read book or watch movie

If I see the movie first, then I do not read the book. I figure that I know how it will end so I do not need to read it.

If I read the book first, then I do not mind watching the movie. It is usually not as good as the book but it is still great. (Harry Potter, To Kill A Mockingbird, etc)

UNTIL RECENTLY!!!!

I read Inkheart to the boys as a class book. We really enjoyed the book and could not wait for the movie to come out on DVD. We just recently watched the movie and it was horrible. They pretty much rewrote the story. The characters' names were the same and the ending was the same...BUT the thrill, mystery and story were......well, gone!

A while back I saw the movie Ella Enchanted. I enjoyed the movie. It was OK for a kid movie. It is very hard for me to find a kid movie that entertains ME!!

I just read the book (written in the 90s). It, of course, is so much better but the movie AGAIN rewrote the book. The places are different, the story line is different, the actions of the characters are different.

So now I have to decide.....do I read the book first or watch the movie first???

I probably will read the book (always better). AND if I find the book after I have seen the movie, I will probably read it.....most likely it will be a different story.

Oh, and did you know that "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" was written a long, long time ago by F. Scott Fitzgerald!! I saw the movie and it was good. I want to read the book soon!! I wonder what the story REALLY is!!??

understanding ADD through croquet

I realized Max had problems with focusing, control and auditory processing when he was in 1st grade. I have tried to understand why he cries at the smallest things (pitiful silent cries not tantrums) and why he seems to be in another world or "unaware" at times. Why can he not follow 2 step directions?? Why is he so smart and yet things seem so hard for him?? I know from my education "why" but this is my baby and I wanted to understand HOW he feels and WHAT he is going through.

This weekend we had fabulous weather so we set up croquet in the back yard. Jack's game is to come after the balls of others and knock them totally off the court. My game is to beat the pants off my boys. Max is always in competition with Jack so I was amazed at his strategy. Max would knock the crap out of the ball and totally miss his mark. At first I thought he was being silly. THEN I saw his face. He was truly distraught that he wasn't getting anywhere and he was behind. So I began to study him (while I beat the pants off Jack). Max would look at the mark, look at his ball and "pow" slam the mallet into the ball. He could not coordinate the mallet to drive the ball in the correct direction. He tried so hard. THEN he would barely hit the ball and scoop it. He would look at me and without a whine or fit he would simply say "I did not mean to cheat. I did not mean to scoop it." I told him it was fine. THEN "wham" he would knock it crazy again. I showed him how the mallet steered the direction of the ball and it was important to make the mallet hit the ball straight. He tried. He tried to hide his teary eyes. He would smile and patiently go to his ball WAY off course each turn. The frustration set in and then he could not correct it. He was frustrated, embarrassed and sad. AND he did not want us to know. He tried to dance, crack jokes, anything to distract from his true feelings. My heart broke. I realized this must be what he goes through each day when he spills his drink at every breakfast, drops a plate of food at least one meal a day. Gets fussed at for food all over his face and clothes each day. Gets fussed at for not "listening" when told to do something (more than one something). His day starts early and spirals downward everyday. What chokes me up is that he has the sweetest, happiest personality. He does not complain, make excuses or throw fits. His crying over silly things must be when the straw has broken the camels back and he can't control his emotion. I have a broken heart for what he must go through and how he feels he needs to hide what he truly feels. Who knew that a game of croquet could open a window into my son's daily struggles.

Fine line between good and evil

From a spiritual point of view, I have always thought of life like walking a tight rope. You must walk straight toward the end and not take your eyes off the "safe" platform ahead of you. If you look down or away, you will lose your balance and fall!

On that note!

I have been reading the book Mommie Dearest by Christina Crawford. She tells the story of her life as Joan Crawfords daughter. I saw the movie when I was in high school. After I finish the book, I want to watch it again. Christina talks about all the abuse from her mother.

HOWEVER, I have done many of these things to my children.

I DO NOT CUSS OR BEAT MY CHILDREN!! Don't stop reading and call the police!!

Some examples:

She talks about the abuse where she would not eat dinner b/c it was bloody meat. It was put in the fridge and given to her for breakfast, lunch, etc......

I put Max's dinner in the fridge and gave it to him for breakfast several times. Max was a horrible picky eater and would not even try the food! It was never bloody meat, though!

She talks about how the kids were trained to not talk when adults were around (be seen and not heard).

I have taught my boys not to join in adult conversation. To sit quite and respectful, not to interrupt. AND to a certain extent "be seen and not heard unless requested by the adult!"

She talks about how she did the dishes at age 4 and all the other chores she was expected to do. Since my boys were about 4yrs old, I have had them do dishes, laundry, clean rooms, make bed, clean bathroom, etc.

There were several similarities! I joke about "what was so wrong with Joan Crawford?"

BUT I will defend myself:

I do not scream and cuss at my kids, I do not beat them, I correct in love (most of the time), I do not make fun of them (most of the time), I don't get drunk and I apologize when I have been wrong in my motives!!

It is amazing to me that I am like Joan. I am controlling, obsessive compulsive, strict, etc...

The difference is I seek help from God, not any substance or other people.

It is fascinating that the Lord is what makes the difference in WHO someone is!!

YOUU can DO it!!

I can hear Tony Little saying "yooouuu can doo it!". Years ago someone in the family bought the Tony Little videos. he would encourage you in the workout by saying this in his not-so-new yorker accent!

I am learning I CAN DOOO IT!

Jeff and I have made a decision that I will not work (except tutoring) and I will spend the work time on the new home school plan! I am buying less groceries, which results in eating less!! The right portions are not as expensive as our usual "stuffing" portions. I am making gifts or thrift shopping for holidays (sorry family). AND I have started recycling our "garbage" to make other household needs. I might end up on a talk show one day as the "crazy lady" BUT it is actually kind of fun!! I just started this new adventure so I will have to post pictures and ideas later!

The one thing I wish I could figure out is how to make my own printer ink (hee hee). That stuff is ridiculously expensive. I bought some today and the black was $22 and the color was $27!! Hopefully my clients will not care if I handwrite their reports :)

Jack is so smart!!

I am skipping the blog about my dad's heart attack and my brother-in-laws brush with death because almost all my readers have heard the stories!! I will say again, I am so thankful to God that he let dad hang around earth a while longer!!!

So ANYWAY, Jack and I were talking the other day............let me take a minute to tell you how much I ENJOY talking to my sons! I don't really miss the baby days (not my thing) but I do miss the toddler years!! I feel like age 5yr til now has sped by and I missed those years!! BUT now is fun in its own "season" of adventures.....

So ANYWAY, Jack and I were talking...he was telling me that he wanted to save his money for an inintendo. He told me about all the wonderful things that it can do. I listened and consciously was not saying anything. I sat and listened and nodded my head. I would say "that sounds great", "oooh, how cool", etc

I often get reports of what other kids have. I used to say, "well both of their parents work", or "we don't have the money". BUT again, I have realized.....my kids know our financial status, our kids know the choices we have made, our kids know what they can and can't have. It is best to let them speak things. OF COURSE they want these things, who wouldn't????

ANYWAY, Jack told me about a kid who wanted an itouch instead of an inintendo. Jack was expressing his thoughts on how much better an inintendo is and cheaper. WELL, you know me and I can't keep my mouth shut for long....

I said (trying to make a point):

"well it is better to have what is cool to everyone else than to have something that would actually be fun."

Jack: "what?"

Me: "wouldn't you rather have something that would look great to everyone else than to have something that you would just rather have...because you would rather have it?"

Jack: "I know that this is a trick question, but I don't know how to answer because I don't understand.."

This made me laugh out loud! I gave him a big hug and said....."I was tricking you, but I know that you don't try to impress others....so it was a useless trick!" He grinned that grin that brings the world to their knees!! He has a great smile. I told him he will be famous for his smile one day!!!

60 years later

This is a public service announcement:

If you have a new house or are just planting new trees and plants, please keep the future in mind!!

Do not plant an oak tree next to a sidewalk or even in the front yard when the front yard is only about 10 feet deep. Don't plant bushes (that grow) near the porch or in a tight corner!

REMEMBER in 60 years, someone else will most likely own your house. These owners will have to deal with roots moving walkways and destroying the house pipes. The huge bushes will be almost impossible to remove from the tight corners!!

Not what I meant to teach them!!

Lately, I have tried to answer the kids cries for "MORE" by telling them about life choices.

I choose to not work so that I can teach the boys and stay home with them. Because of this choice, we can not do things that cost money, eat out much, travel, etc. If I worked, we could do all those things but I would be miserable because I would have to put them back in a school building, have someone watch them when I could not. I would rather have time with them and enjoy teaching them instead of doing things or buying things.

Today, I had to buy some things at the dollar store. I only had a debit card and you must buy 8 things in order to use the debit card. I bought my 4 items and then bought 4 junk toys for the boys. This afternoon they had so much fun:

Max said:

"mom, thank you for buying us toys when it is not a holiday. AND I know you gave up your money so you could be with us. BUT thank you for spending daddy's money on toys today"

Then he ran off to play. Yes, I sacrifice my money to be the perfect mother and I spend daddy's money on dollar store toys.....

Age of Opportunity

As most of you know, I am a behavior therapist. I like to keep up on the latest books that churches and doctors and teachers are encouraging parents to read. I also read them for my own knowledge and help :)

My middle sister gave me a great book at Christmas time:

Age of Opportunity A Biblical Guide to Parenting Teens by Paul David Tripp

I have really been enjoying this book!! It has brought to my attention the things that I could possibly have done wrong because I am a "do it because I said so" mom. It has also been an encouragement in my own spiritual life. Tripp tells the parents to look at your heart and motives of your heart before engaging with your child. That is so important!!

He also explains and backs up with scripture, that it is so important to not let your teen become secluded, private, silent, selfish (all this is natural but dangerous). He gives great points on how to deal with the heart motives of your child by teaching them what God says!! What God has planned for them!! What God created them to be!!

I read this while I am by the pool. Blinking back tears because of dealing with my own heart, recognizing my own mistakes, and the excitement of what is ahead!!

72 Lengths=1 Mile

We joined the YMCA. I absolutely love being by a pool, sunning and reading. I could do it 16 hours a day! I used to swim 1 mile in college (hard but I could do it). I am much older and weathered so I could only swim 5 lengths. On the 5th length, I came up for air and inhaled a tiny bit of water. I started the ugly cough. I prayed I would not throw up in the pool. Someone did that a couple of weeks ago and it was quite an ordeal. EVERYONE had to get out of the pool for 45 minutes. They skimmed and hosed and cleaned for 20 minutes.

If I had barfed today, it would have been the last time I ever showed my face at that YMCA!!

showering in tropical storm

I spent the day getting Su Casa ready for VBS. Mom called at 4pm and said a storm would hit memphis in about 50 minutes. I had to finish painting 4 signs, glue a sign, and take 2 girls home. I rushed around the office like TAZ. I threw the girls out in their driveway as the sky turned black. I was soaked in sweat because we do not have air at the office. I tried to fly home but the cars seemed to be going in slow motion and stopping on yellow lights :)

I pulled into my driveway and the sky was black and I could hear thunder. I threw my bags on the couch and jumped in the shower. The lights kept flickering but I figured I had a few minutes before the storm hit. When I got out of the shower, I heard the rain. I looked out of the window and there were limbs EVERYWHERE. When I turned on the news, they were talking about all the damage around the city and how it was like a tropical storm. I missed it! I was in the shower somehow escaping electrocution!

I had to put a leash on my hair!

My hair seems to get frizzier every year. I think I might have had pretty curls in college. I did not appreciate my hair in those days. I hated it then as I do now. This Memphis heat with humidity makes my hair take on a life of its own! Today, as I was working in the building with no air, I caught my shadow on the wall. I could not figure out what might be behind me, slowly creeping up on me. I turned around to see what was casting the shadow. Nothing was behind me. I looked again at the shadow. I put my hand above my head. A crazy, hairy octopus-type being began to gobble my hand. I realized my hair had seemed to come to life! I quickly found an elastic leash, gathered the frizz monster and wadded it up into the leash. Throughout the day it would loose itself, trying to take over the surrounding area. I would have to catch it and stuff it back in the leash.