Christmas And Everyday

Even though I started earlier this year to get decorations up and cookies done, I am behind. I end up being the one to do it ALL...I DID get the kids to put the tinsel and ornaments on the tree. But the rest of the decorations and the cookies are all up to me. If that was all there was to do, I could get it done quickly enough, but the everyday real world waits for no one. You know...the vacuuming and dusting that you do and once you get from one end of the house to the other you have to start all over again. Especially with Max in the house. Who wants a dog fur 'coat'?

And of course there is the never ending pile of laundry. I have gotten that down to a twice a week thing.

I did manage to get one gingerbread house done. This gingerbread house was done in 2 days. I wanted to fuss with it more and make it look better but it came out pretty good...considering. Troy is going to be out of town this week and he needed to deliver it last night. We gave it to his friend Dave that he plays golf with. Dave is older and his wife had surgery on her knee. She is laid up for the holidays and they are expecting the kids and grandkids for Christmas holidays. The little ones and pick it apart.









I have another one to make. I will take the next 3 days to work on it while doing other things...I have a music booster meeting, bags to fill with food at the food pantry, sugar cookies to frost and gingerbread men cookies to bake and decorate, presents to wrap.

The 2nd house is going to the Youth Pastor at our church. He works so very hard with those teenagers! His wife is a teacher at a preschool and they have two little very very active boys. They will like to eat it, too!

We will be gone for the weekend...visiting family before the Christmas. Doing things a little differently this year. I guess I will put off the grocery shopping until we get back.

Taking In Strays

My parents' house always seemed to have an invisible neon sign out front that only small stray dogs could read. Or perhaps it was a certain sound that the house emitted that only small stray dogs could hear. Without even knowing they wanted another dog, a small one, of the toy fox terrier variety, would just show up. My parents would just take it in and keep it warm and fed until it was time for it to pass on. The life span of a toy fox terrier was barely double that of a hamster. We are on our third hamster in 4 years...of course the first two we had simultaneously. Cookie lasted 2 years. Jacque lasted 3. I found both of them dead first. I am not looking forward to when Pete transpires.

Our house seems to have a beacon of its own. We end up with stray kids. Last night was another example.

There is this boy, Hunter, that Bethany has known for about 3 years, at least. He is of some sort of middle eastern descent (although, he was born in America). I have watched over the years as I would pick Bethany up from school, Hunter would always be by her side joking around and there was always The Hug. Bethany is a hugger. She didn't get it from me. She got it from her friends, mostly. Everyone always has wanted to hug her. She will still come up to me and drape herself on me from time to time.

Anyway, she and Hunter have always been buddies. He has his moods of silliness tinged with some kind of sadness.

Last night, as I was starting dinner, the doorbell rang. I looked out the front door peephole and there stood Hunter. I was surprised becuz he has never been to our house. I opened the door and said hello and he looked at me kind of confused...he has only seen me through the windows of a car. He said, "Is this where Bethany lives? Is she home?" I showed him into the livingroom and went to find Bethany. She was confused by his appearance also.

They sat in the livingroom and talked while I got dinner ready. I kept poking my head into the doorway and asking, "Would you like some hot chocolate?" "Dr. Pepper?"
"Could I get you to drink the kool aid?" He would crack up and politely decline while Bethany would say, "Mom! Quit being weird!"

When dinner was ready, I announced to Hunter that dinner was ready and I had set him a place and he didn't have to eat but he had to sit. He looked at me with a varying wave of emotion and I said, "Just do it." He just grinned and sat down at the table.

We were having a sort of leftover night...leftover some things from Thanksgiving along with Mac and cheese and hamburgers and hotdogs. Bethany said, "This probably looks like a weird dinner." Hunter said, "No! This looks better than anything I ever get! My dad cooks SOME times...and it is always something odd. But usually I cook up some ramen soup and call it dinner." I said, "Must be your family is always busy and gone in different directions?" He said, "To tell you the truth, I don't have any idea what it is my mom does or where she goes." What do you say to that?

After dinner he thanked me for feeding him. It was so very cold out...Troy volunteered to give him a ride home. I heard Bethany saying, "You'll love this car! It has seats that get warm!" I laugh becuz she is so fascinated by that and I hear her tell everyone!

My kids always seem to attract those kids that don't seem to have a cohesive family life at home. Then again, perhaps I am really out of touch and we are a minority type family...we have family dinners and conversations at the table.

I said something to Bethany this morning about it being odd that Hunter just showed up. She said, "he said something about his dad kicking him out." great. I also said, "I wonder how many times we will see Hunter now that he knows we will feed him?" LOL I also understand now, why he hugs Bethany so much...she hugs back. AND I also understand that sadness in his eyes. It is amazing to me that the kid isn't hanging out with the ones that like to smoke pot, drink, and get into trouble. But he is very polite and well spoken. And when we said grace before dinner he said, "I always have said a prayer before I eat...but no one has said it with me." Hunter is definitely an enigma.

Highs and Lows

Troy informed me that today may be his last golf game for the 'season'. I will believe it when I see it! LOL The Men's Group at church had their last scheduled golf tournament for the year this last Saturday. The day was quite cool!

Today is another pretty cool one. Last year it was not this cold at this time. In fact, it has been pretty warm around here until after Halloween, usually. I am thinking that we may be seeing a very early winter. One of the couples I know at the dog park commented that they think they may end up doing their leaf raking in the Spring...they think the snow will come while the leaves are falling. That is not a very nice thought.

Since my last post I have had a week long bout of the flu, TJ returned from his visit to S.C. to see his friend Steve graduate from boot camp, Troy spent a week in Iowa at a end-of-year company meeting and training session, TJ wrecked my van, and Bethany has attended the Homecoming Dance. I do not seem to be having much luck in the job search and am getting quite annoyed.

Here are pictures of the van after the accident:




He slid into the back of a Cadillac being driven by another kid his age...TJ was driving his mom's van and this 'kid' was driving his mommy's car. The Cadillac didn't look bad at all..my van was totalled. At least everyone was okay.

Here are pictures of Bethany going to the Homecoming Dance:





She said they had a very good time and her date (Mike) was a gentleman. He should have been after the 'talk' I had with him when he came to pick her up!! LOL

I would appreciate prayers from everyone that I would get a job soon. Especially with my van being put out of commission...and I told Troy there was no way we would look into getting me another vehicle until I had a job. I am driving TJ's car, right now. I'm not fond of it but it is better than having NOTHING to drive.

The Ability to Juggle

I am so out of shape. Physically...definitely. But also out of shape as far as 'juggling'. I used to be a pretty good juggler when I was younger/when the kids were younger. I could juggle a job and school activities for the kids, family stuff, and household 'duties'. I would get tired but it would take a lot to knock me down. However, yesterday just about put me under.

I woke up early so that I could make some potato salad and bake a few dozen cookies for Troy. He had a golf tournament to go to and afterwards there was a 'potluck' dinner at one of the player's homes and everyone was asked to bring a dish and some cookies. Troy mentioned sugar cookies. Of course, I couldn't just make round sugar cookies. I got out my fall leaf cookie cutter, cut them out, used a toothpick to make the 'veins' in the leaves, baked them, then used a very thin, food colored decorator icing to 'paint' the cookies to look like fall leaves. They were very pretty...at least, I thought so.



I quickly took a shower and had to pick Bethany up from band practice (Troy had dropped her off and then went to help set up at the football field for the Band invitational).

Fixed Bethany something to eat and began counting out the money for the bags for the various locations at the Invitational that needed it. Bethany announces that she can't find her one band shirt (they had two they had to take) and had to help her look only to discover she left it at a friend's. She had to take last year's model instead...ran her to the football field...went back home and worked on the money, again...had to run some to the concessions stands. Back home to let Max out, make sure the gates were up, he had food, water, treats...grab the rest of the money and head out for the Invitational. Spent the day there doing double duty: manned the band entry gate and helped with entry ticket sales. At the end of it all, had to help set the trophies up at the front of the field for the awards...collect the bags of proceeds from all the booths...find Bethany a way home (freshman had to clean up)...get the bags home...let Max out...people arrived to help count and record. I was doing Troy's laundry at the same time since he had to leave by noon today. Everyone left at midnight but I was up until almost 3 a.m.

Bethany's friend Amber also came to spend the night...although, they did their own thing and fell asleep early (by early I mean one a.m.)

So, Troy left. TJ should be home either late tonight or early tomorrow morning.

Bethany got asked to the Homecoming Dance. I told her I would take her to Joann Fabrics to pick out her material and I will make her dress.

This next week has 2 soccer games and a football game to look 'forward' to. The Mum Festival is this weekend, too. I am not doing anything for that...the festival. Although Bethany will be in the parade Saturday morning.

I am going to be a bum today. I'm tired and I ache. I'm feeling so very old right now!

September Days

It is now a wee bit past mid-September by the clock. Okay...it isn't really time on the clock but it will do.

Since my last post I attended my 30 year class reunion (I feel so old) and had some laughs with some friends I haven't connected with in YEARS. I also didn't feel quite so old LOOKING after looking at some of the others. There were some that hadn't changed too much and some that there was no way of recognizing. Some got better looking with age, some got worse...and there was one that I swear got younger looking!

It was an experience, and that is all I will say about that.

Troy's stepfather died a few days after my class reunion. After we had returned fron the reunion, Troy and TJ had gone off to Chicago where Troy had some work to do for another guy that was on vacation. So, they had to leave there and drive all the way back to Conneaut while my daughter and I drove up there from here.

School started for Bethany the next week. I had done some school shopping with her before we left for the funeral. When we got back I picked up the last of the odds and ends. The band started performances. TJ's school started the next week.

I began my term as the vice-treasurer for the Music Boosters. It isn't too bad except there has been a wee bit of snitting going on within the ranks and I am not too happy with any of it. I just keep my mouth shut and do what I'm supposed to, smile at everyone, side with no one, and remain invisible as much as I can. As with any group, there is the small core of 'elite' that band together and want to run the show. They have extended their 'circle' to me but if being in their circle means attending 'extra' meetings at the local sports bar, I am afraid I am not going to be very popular with them.

TJ has been quite the traveler this summer...vacation with us at the end of July to see family and he stayed on there an extra week, then Chicago with his dad, back to Conneaut, then a few weeks later he spent a week in Conneaut with his Grandma Helen, back home for a couple of days, then packed up and off to Fort Jackson, SC with The Applegates to see his best friend Steven graduate from Army boot camp. They will be taking him to his training staion in Augusta, GA over the weekend.

Troy will be leaving on Sunday for a week in Iowa for meetings and end of fiscal year training.

Last Sunday we had a family birthday dinner and cake to celebrate the kids' birthdays since it was going to be the only time when we could until Sept. 26.

Bethany has had Friday night footballs games and this last Saturday was a band invitational. This Friday night they travel 1 1/2 hours to an away game and the next day is our band invitational. I will be busy all day with that, as well as she. Troy volunteered to help with the set-up for a few hours Saturday morning but he has a golf tournament followed by a potluck dinner mixed with euchre. I don't know how to play cards. People have tried to teach me but I just don't like playing games. Hope he enjoys himself.

I had the Music Booster meeting this week along with the Executive Committee meeting. Fun. Various ones are sharing their 'perspective' of others with me. I don't say a word. I don't know any of them...and I'm not sure I want to. I also have to realize that if they are yapping to me about someone else, they are trading their 'perspective' on me with each other. I just try to give them very little to have a perspective about!

I also got called by the church on Thursday to come in and make up the food pantry bags for the ppl coming in for food. Miriam (the secretary) gets so very flustered! She said that Mary (the older woman that runs the food pantry) had not made up enough bags and she wasn't answering her phone. Miriam says, "I don't know what she could be doing!" I caught it before it came out of my mouth..."She might be having a life!" but I just smiled and said, "It wasn't a bother. Glad I could help." and left. I know Mary and her husband are elderly but that doesn't mean they sit at home on their thumbs waiting for someone to need them! LOL

Anyway, by the end of October, I am hoping that things will become more manageable.

TJ and I filled out his application for his school's Sr. Class Trip. The school funds are paying for it (it will cost us nothing). The kids will meet at one of 5 different airports with school personnel, fly to Orlando, Florida and they will all meet up at the hotel they book for them. They will visit Kennedy Space Center, Universal Studios, and be part of Grad Night events at Disney World. There are a few other activities that I don't remember.

I guess I have everything pretty much caught up here! finally.

Catch Up

It has been awhile! The last I wrote on here was when Bethany got home from Band Camp!

Since then we made a quick trip up to Conneaut to visit and to attend our nephew Kevin's graduation Open House. Troy's Aunt Shirley was there visiting from Florida, also.

I like having an open house or something like that to go to that all the family attends. I can see and talk to a lot of relatives all at once and it makes it so convenient.

On Tuesday Troy, Bethany and I headed back to Tipp City. TJ stayed behind with his car for a few more days. When we got home, we unloaded and then Troy and I went to the kennel to pick up Max. That dog just about knocked me down! He jumped in the van and landed on Troy and stayed there holding him down all the way home. LOL

Wednesday morning and Troy was really sick. It lasted for 2 days.

On Saturday Troy went off to a church golf outing and TJ headed home. Thank heaven for internet maps and cell phones because TJ missed his turn off twice. Yikes! I had to guide him back out of one of the nastiest parts of East Cleveland back onto route 271S and then I had to guide him out of the center of Columbus to get on route 70W. When he got home, he parked his car, fell out of the driver's door and kissed the driveway. He announced, "Never again!" That will change as he ages.

Sunday morning and TJ was ill...that lasted a couple of days. Monday morning and I was REALLY sick...I was much better by Tuesday morning. It didn't hit Bethany until Wednesday...it lasted 2 days for her too.

Tuesday night TJ was incharge of taking Bethany to and from marching band practice and taking Max to the dog park because Troy had booked us a room at a hotel not TOO far away (down near the Air Force Base) and we went out to dinner for our 20th anniversary. He surprised me with brand new wedding bands! I was REALLY surprised, too!

Bethany missed out on her band practice Thursday night...she was too sick.

Which brings us to today. Troy played golf...twice. I took Max to the dog park and TJ went off to the Area Church Softball Tournament. There was 4 games tied for 1st place. They won and had to play another game to see who took home the 1st and 2nd place trophies. Troy came down to the dog park to take over watching Max so I could see some of the last game and get a couple of pictures.


That's TJ playing catcher. He wore his Cleveland Browns jersey for good luck. I laughed at him! And on top of that, it was an 'Edwards' jersey. I asked him if he was going to drop the balls!


This is the second place trophy. They lost 5-2. But, hey...they did good!

Tomorrow I am hoping to have some time to be outside clearing out a few areas and transplanting some flowers...again.

The Evening Activities

The buses rolled in and the marching band rolled out...looking tired and hot and hungry. The parents had gathered in the high school cafeteria with lots of food and drinks. The tables were filled and many more were carried in and unfolded.

As I turned to head out the door to find my Bethany, I heard her voice and turned. There she was. I don't remember her looking so very grown up! She was tanned and thinner. She hadn't hugged and kissed me that much since she was in about 1st grade! That's when I KNEW she was delirious from hungry and lack of sleep! LOL

We ate and TJ had to get up and take off. He had a church softball tournament to play in. It turns out they didn't play too well and lost this game. But there was a 3 way tie for 1st place, and since their team was one of the 3, they will have another chance in two weeks.

After everyone was done eating and the clean-up was under way, the Music Booster President took me around to introduce me to the other officers. I am the new Vice Treasurer. I am just there to help the Treasurer with some of her duties. Other than that, I only signed up for one more thing...I will work the concession stand at one of the home games. Bethany seemed to be really happy with my new post.


Tippecanoe High School 2009-10 Marching Red Devils


Bethany is the second from the right...the shrimp playing the bells. LOL


Listening to her instructions!!

She came home, took a shower and talked a mile a minute! Troy took Max to the doggy park while TJ was at his game...and I dumped everything out of Bethany's bags to wash it up, and repack it to take off in the morning to go for family visits.

Band Camp

This is the ever alert Bethany on her last day of Rookie Marching Camp.


This is Bethany's friend Amy.


And this is her friend Megan...the organized one. (someone has to be!)

I didn't sleep well last night and neither did Bethany. She was 'excited' about going to band camp. I was nervous that we would forget something...or SHE would forget something. But after going over lists and rechecking things and the last minute recheck of the bags...Troy loaded her up and I dropped her off.

They had reserved a bus JUST FOR the suitcases. After seeing the amount of luggage waiting for the bus on the sidewalk...and knowing that not everyone was there, yet, I'm not sure one bus will do it! On top of the bus for hauling suitcases...and the 3busses for hauling kids...they also have a truck with a VERY LARGE trailer that they haul the instruments in. They have gotten very efficient at packing it...after so many years of doing that, I suppose they would. However, the band seems to be bigger than ever this year. I'm thinking that they may want those clarinet players to hang on to their own instruments.

The band director had a MANDATORY meeting Monday night for ALL students going to band camp and their parents. He told the students how many bags to bring. One large one and one large duffel bag for bedding. (I adhered to that...not everyone did. But I also know from experience that if you bring it, you haul it. Bethany will thank me.) Mr. Parks (the director) told of one enterprising young man who had figured out that he could pack quite a lot of his clothes inside a large dorm refrigerator, so instead of bringing a suitcase, he brought a dorm fridge, instead. After laughing about it a bit, Mr. Parks put on a serious face and said, "Dont' do that." LOL

I am not worried about Bethany NOT being okay at band camp...she will be just fine. I'm just worried about her leaving things behind! I might have to call her on Thursday night and make sure she is checking the WHOLE room to make sure she has things packed...and a few items in particular.

Troy has to be in Indiana a good part of this week...so it will be me and TJ...oh, and Max and Pete.

Today turned out to be a really beautiful day after all that downpouring yesterday. We are SUPPOSED to get more rain tomorrow. I just hope they have good weather for their week at band camp.

Just Moving Along

My back is better...not entirely healed, but better.

My days are broken up this week by taking Bethany back and forth to the high school. She has Rookie Marching Camp for two hours in the morning then band practice for 2 1/2 hours in the evening. Although, last night it was a mandatory music boosters meeting for band camp...for the kids AND the parents. We sat in those uncomfortable plastic chairs for 1 1/2 hours. I came home and instantly iced my back!

Bethany tossed up her breakfast this morning. She made it through 1 hour of marching. I had to pick her up. I know what most of the problem is...allergies and sinus drainage. So, I have just this week to get it under control before she hits band camp. I gave her some decongestant and she used her nasal spray before climbing under the covers for a few hours. If it isn't one thing, it's another.

TJ spent some time hanging out with this kid from the church, Ross. Ross is in the marching band with Bethany, altho he is in his Jr. year of school. TJ was impressed with the fact that Ross could play a multitude of instruments...stringed, brass, woodwind, percussion, and keyboard. He seems to be one of those musical savants.
This is good becuz I finally began TJ's keyboard lessons with him this week. We will see what kind of a gift TJ has for instruments. It will give him something else to do since Steven left for the Army last Monday.

Troy is busy again this week with some short travels. He spent some time on Saturday trimming bushes and hoeing the dirt around the plants in the front of the house. It looks really nice! He also took a long ride on the new bike trails that extend from here to Troy, Ohio. When he got back he announced that he was buying a wide gel seat for his bike. LOL!!! I am getting a new bike, myself, so that I can join him biking the trails. TJ has a bike and Bethany also needs one. Troy said that we will all need the multi-speed bikes as the trail is an uphill slope coming back from Troy, Ohio. yay.

I spent a lot of time last Wednesday night and Thursday morning baking cookies for home and for the 4th of July music booster refreshment stand. I baked about 10 dozen cookies. We had a light and steady rain Saturday evening and I thought maybe the festivities at the park would be cut short. But the fireworks were still launched. We walked down to the end of our block so the trees weren't in the way. They were very nice.

Max has made many friends for himself at the Dog Park. 95% of the owners know him and us owners all know each other by sight. It has been one thing to be known as Troy's wife or Bethany's mom or TJ's mom but now I am recognized as Max's owner...and some call me Max's mom. I am not the parent to a dog. But I just let it go. Some ppl are weird that way.

Today is warm and sunny. I hope to soak up some of that sun. It always makes one feel better!

Forced Slow Down

I've grown quite impatient with this whole back healing thing. Each day is a bit better but each morning starts with stiffness and pinched nerves. As much as I hate to, I believe I am going to have to make another trip to the chiropractor. The first visit was what started my back mending so perhaps a second trip will give me less morning stiffness and pinching.

Troy was 'lucky' to escape and be off doing his customer visits. I was hoping to have a visit back home myself but my back had other ideas.

Things are not getting done around here quite as fast as I had hoped. I can only do so much right now. The kids can help take up the slack on a few things but it is only the everyday chores.

After this weekend TJ will be floating out there on his own. Steven will be gone. I have been thankful that God brought this friend into TJ's life. Steven is a good Christian boy and he and TJ have spent a lot of time together...and I didn't have to worry if they were getting into trouble. I just hope the Army doesn't kick the goodness out of him.

Bethany is enjoying her 'time off' this week. Next week she has some band practices and the week after that she has 4 mornings of 'Rookie Camp' for band...along with night time band practices. This week she has spent some time with her friends.

My job search is going about the same. I guess it is just as well. Not sure it would look good for me to be hobbling into an interview. LOL

Thunder and Rain

This is day #4 with my lower back in mucho pain. I would have seen the chiropractor yesterday but his office is not open on Thursdays. I called first thing this morning and I can't get in until 4. I am hoping for some relief for the weekend. Kinda tired of walking around with ice on my back...that is if you can call how I move 'walking'.

Today is very hot and humid. We have had lots of scattered showers with occassional thunder thrown in for good measure. TJ will not have a softball game tonight to play. He will be spending most of the weekend at Steven's house. Steven ships out on June 29th for Army boot camp. I have appreciated having Steven in TJ's life. He has been a really great friend to him.

Bethany is free from percussion practice this next week. She was given a set of bells and a practice snare. She doesn't need the practice snare for anything, really, at this point in time. The week after next only consists of a few night time full band practices. After that, she gets busy. Once August hits there will be Friday night football games and band competitions EVERY SATURDAY until November. Then in November, they will attend a Bands of America competition in Indianapolis. They go every year...it is a 2-3 day event. Bands from all over the country come there to compete. The list is quite long! She will really be looking forward to Thanksgiving break...shows and competitions will be over by then.

Troy has been trying to 'redo' the garage...he has taken down the makeshift cabinets out there and taking apart shelves. He has most of it repainted so that he can start putting up shelves where he wants them and HOW he wants them. There will finally be a big space for the riding lawn mower and the freezer, etc. so that we won't be tripping over things. I'm glad the garage is such a deep one. This should take away a need for an additional storage building.

And here I am with the ice. I try to keep moving to keep up on daily laundry and cleaning. But the flower beds outside have become over run AGAIN because of all the rain and humidity. I guess I know how Bethany will be earning her spending money because I am going to need some serious help with some of this!

Max has been having a great time at the Dog Park with the other dogs. Because of the rain, though, there have been some days when he couldn't go. He gets kind of ornery when he misses his social time. I hate to see what will happen when winter comes! Perhaps some of the owners will still bring their dogs there in the winter as long as there isn't a lot of snow. Then, again, I'm not sure if the park is open in the winter. They may not plow the roads in the park. Since this is the first year for the Dog Park, I guess we will all have to wait and see.

Shhhhhh!

Today is a rainy, dismal day. Even Max is just 'plopping' around. Troy and I did get some time to discuss some projects around the house and make some lists of what to do first and what we need.

Bethany got out of Front Ensemble rehearsal this week. I found the music boosters web site and the blog for the band's drumline. It is an easy way to stay informed on everything.

Tomorrow is the Food Pantry truck drop off. The kids can BOTH get involved in helping with it this time.

There really isn't much of anything to put on here this time. We are all just getting used to school being out. I don't think 'summer break' has sunk in with either one of them, yet.

I am hoping the rest of the summer will go as quietly.

Digging and Pulling and Digging and Pulling

The roses by the Florida room. I got them trimmed and the weeds out from around them...there is still more work to do but at least it looks better.




My mini pink carnation plant. There was grass growing up through it and I had A LOT of thinning out to do...some of the plant had to be sacrificed to get rid of the grass...and all the while big bumble bees were buzzing around me!


Front corner of the house...so many bushes! Notice the LARGE wild geranium! The blooms on the peony tree are gone now...blown off by heavy rains.






Along the front of the house...the other half.


The other side of the house and more rose bushes. This side of the house was in TERRIBLE shape...and I'm still working on clearing it out!






Growing alongside the chimney.


The garden out where the sidewalks come to a corner.

Have Plenty of Flower...but I Need More Flour

Bethany got to experience her first percussion ensemble practice Thursday night. It was 2 1/2 hours long. She will be playing bells. She seemed to really enjoy herself. I'm just glad to hear that this one boy that was a grade ahead of her that she seemed to be smitten with the year before, has dropped out of band. Otherwise she would have been at those percussion practices with him for hours. I wasn't too fond of him...he wore weird clothes and did weird things with his hair. I said something to her about him quitting band. She just shrugged and said, "he was weird anyway." whew.

The church softball team won their game Friday night 21-19. The team they played was the league leader. With this win, our team and that team are tied for first place. TJ only got to be up to bat once. The pitcher walked him becuz he couldn't pitch to him. You know, TJ isn't all that tall and on top of it, he crowded the plate. The pitcher threw his hands up in the air and said, "Just take your base buddy." Troy only got one time up to bat, too, but he struck out. He said he swung at the wrong kinda ball. I think it would have been okay if he had put a wee bit more 'umph' behind it. He played catcher for the last half of the game.

Going into the bottom of the 7th our team was up by 8 points. Then the other team started coming back. I held my breath cuz I thought our team was going to pull a 'Cavs'. But their batters wanted to hit homeruns and hit too many fly balls. We have a pretty good outfield. The guy playing first base for the last couple of innings worried me. I think he greased his glove!

The kids took Max to the dog park this afternoon. I have taken him there a few times this week. When I took him there was only one or two other dogs there. He was a little timid at first but he was learning how to 'socialize'. The kids said that today there was A LOT of dogs there and Max had himself a great time. They played catch with him and he was running and jumping with the other dogs. I think he is probably in doggy heaven when he goes there.

I have been digging and transplanting and getting rid of weeds and excess plants around here. I took all the bleeding hearts from the back of the house and planted them in the front where everyone can see them (they are HUGE!) I also transplanted some butterfly bush to the front. The wild geranium plant is too big for the place where it is so I have another spot to put it out where the sidewalks come together at the corner. Since digging up and getting rid of the yucca plants in that garden, there is a big empty space.

I tell you one thing, when I came in, and after my shower, I was moving very slow. I always do after digging out there. But I felt worse this time than any other. Troy gave me some Advil and that made a HUGE difference! What a relief. He says he takes it everytime he goes golfing. I AM only 48...right? Feel more like 78.

Wait..I can't say that. The guy that coaches our church softball team is 78...and he plays too. He goes golfing with Troy. He golfs at least 3 times a week. When he plays ball, he can RUN! I don't believe I have ever seen a guy his age that moves like he does. Heck, I don't see many guys MY age that moves like he does!

Tomorrow morning, before the heat hits, I will be out there in the back yard with the shovel again. I want to finish getting things cleared out before the next round of thunderstorms descends upon us. It may be a bit late, but hopefully this coming weekend Troy can get the tomato, squash, and cucumber plants in.

There is one really nice thing about all these plants this woman put in...she has 4 rose bushes (of varying pink hues) planted by the side windows of the Florida room. When I slide those windows open that perfume wafts in and it is wonderful! If the wind is blowing good enough, it will blow across the pink carnation plant out by the sidewalk, then through the roses and in through the window. Even Max will stand there with his nose in the air sniffing when the wind blows in. He must like the smells cuz he will close his eyes and keeping sniffing as if to say, "Ahhh, this is better than when the grill is going." LOL

Troy has been grilling. He grilled up some steaks on Friday night. Saturday evening, Amy and Amber were here for dinner. We had grilled hamburgers and hotdogs. They couldn't wait to dig in. I had also baked some cookies and they pigged out on those. I guess all that walking up town and back made them pretty hungry. LOL

This is Bethany's last week of school. TJ is still working on stuff. His English teacher never quits. He also has a few projects he is finishing and has until June 9to get them in. There are also a few final exams. He is trying to finish the year with some really good grades.

I am STILL sending out resumes. I put in for an HR internship with a big company... but they are located at the southern end of Dayton. Not sure if that will work out. I also applied for an administrative job with a large medical equipment company in the next town. Hey...I'm trying for just about anything at this point. Things are tough. I have been out of the work force for quite a while and there are LOTS of experienced ppl out there vying for these openings.

All in God's time...He will give me the right job at the right time. It is up to me to keep trying.

Getting There

Friday night was a pretty good night. Bethany went swimming at Amy's then spent the night at Amber's. They made s'mores. Our church had a softball double-header. TJ and Troy both played. The first game they won 11-2 and the second game they called off early becuz our team was ahead 19-7. I guess the rule is that if one team is 11 points ahead by the bottom of the 5th, the game gets called. TJ and Troy both scored in that one...TJ had a hit but Troy got walked becuz the pitcher didn't know how to pitch to a left handed batter. LOL The boys both had hits in the first game, too, but didn't get the chance to make it around the bases.

Saturday, Amber came and spent the day here. Her family all had places to go and she and Bethany were bored so they took a walk uptown and back. Troy was playing golf with the guys from the church. I was baking and doing laundry and cleaning (I really know how to live it up!). TJ went to the Reds/Indians game with his friend Steven and his family. He had a pretty good time...especially considering he was wearing an Indians shirt in Reds territory and the Indians WON!

Today, there was a big farewell dinner after church for Kirsten and Wes Deskens. They have both grown up in that church. They are my and Troy's ages. Wes had a job for many many years with one of the airlines at the Dayton Airport. The airline made the decision to close down their hub at this airport and in order for Wes to keep his employment with them, he had to be transferred to Austin, TX. They have a daughter that has one more year of school to go. I had gotten to know Kirsten a little but she is rather quiet. Wes is more boisterous and makes himself known. They have given a lot of time and energy to the church.

After the dinner, TJ went off to Ross' house (one of the boys at the church that is also on the softball team) and Bethany is off at Amber's again for a cookout. That leaves me and Troy awaiting the Cavs-Magic game.

Bethany would have been in the parade in the morning but since she is taking percussion lessons, and hasn't had enough, the band director told her she didn't have to play her trumpet either and just skip this parade. I guess I will use her trumpet and play in the church orchestra.

Not sure what all else this week will bring. Hope it brings a sign of a job for TJ and myself. Bethany has 8 more days of school. Technically, TJ has until June 9th BUT half of his teachers are not giving out anymore work or tests after May 29th. So he will have little to do after this coming Friday.

Hope everyone has a good week!

Same

It has been more than a week since I put up a post. Look at it this way...'no news' is 'good news'. I don't have anything to add. The same things are going on.

I am still putting out applications and the kids are still in school. TJ is still playing on the church softball team, Bethany is still taking percussion lessons, Troy is still doing a wee bit of traveling.

This has been a very wonderful week, weather wise. I have been trying to undo all the garden problems. I had been making some great 'headway' with it until we got days and days of rain. Now it is worse than before I even started. "have shovel and hoe, will travel". More and more plants and flowers keep springing up...things I didn't even know were here!

The irrigation system guy came yesterday and moved the sprinklers off the backdoor neighbor's lawn. Hopefully that will make him happy. It SHOULD have been done a decade and a half ago!

Okay...back to my job searching. This is getting tedious and I wonder if it will ever end.

Happy Mother's Day!

A MOTHER’S PRAYER
Father in heaven:
You have given me the privilege of being a mother—
You have entrusted these precious children to my care here on earth -
You feel that I am the best person to love, nurture and teach them—
You have confidently placed this heavenly treasure into my trust—
Thank you, my Father and my God.
Thank you—
For choosing me—
For giving me this opportunity—
For being willing to help me especially -
When I get impatient, angry or disappointed,
When I get frustrated, make mistakes and need forgiveness.
Thank you for your forgiveness and love—
Thank you.
I pray—
Help me to teach my children how special you are,
How much you love them and want them to follow you;
Help me to be able to show them personally how I love you
And how I accept your forgiveness
By how I love and forgive them.
Help my children to become young people and adults
Who will be able to depend on you
As they commit their lives to follow you.
Amen.
Copyright by June Friesen 5/09

**************************************************************************
Our church league softball team played its first game Friday night. Since TJ is a new comer, along with another boy from the church, they didn't play any defense but they got to bat. TJ was 2 for 2 and scored on his first hit. He also did an unintentional slide to first base on this second hit...yikes! I got the mud out of his shirt. LOL But he felt good about it all!

Now that school is winding down for this year, the band is getting busy. Bethany has a concert on Thursday night, contest on Friday night and they will be going to Kings Island on Saturday. She also has her percussion lessons on Wednesday night. Not much down time for her! She is getting excited!

Tomorrow Becky wants me to come over to her house. I promised to bring her some extra plants in the backyard that she wants...let for me to take care of!

Wednesday TJ and I will be on the MySchoolMyChoice chartered bus heading to the State House in Columbus for the rally. He is not happy with having to get up quite so early in the morning to catch the bus but I think he will like the experience. It is a great up close and personal view of democracy in action!

Troy's week is in flux due to some problems that some customers are having with some equipment. He is unable to do a solid schedule for where he is going to be when.

I am still applying to jobs. sigh...someday!

The neighbors behind us finally got a survey done on the land and NOW we can plan our fence project. We might not get it up right away, but it will get there. Just glad not to have to hassle with those ppl anymore. They had to put a new roof on this weekend, too, becuz the big wind storm we had last September (October?) caused some damage.

The Kyles across the road came home this last week. They were the ones that had a tree uprooted in their front yard during the wind storm. Yesterday it was quite windy too. I saw him in the front yard and ran over and said, "you came back just in time for another big wind!" He just laughed and said he wasn't giving up another tree.

It is very sunny today and the winds have died down. Max ate his breakfast with me in the Florida room. Troy made it, we ate it! LOL

This and That

Bethany made it through the Relay for Life. She just didn't make it through the overnight camping! TJ went to the fairgrounds with Steven becuz Steven had to run his part at 1 in the morning! They no sooner got home when the phone rang and it was Bethany. TJ and Steven drove back out to the fairgrounds and picked her and her stuff up and brought her home. It was pretty cold that night!

The garage sale didn't go as well as I wanted. We did not sell the cooktop and oven. I had to put them on Craig's List. Haven't gotten too many inquiries, yet.
Hope I do soon!

TJ is going to get a lesson in 'politics' up close and personal. Next Wednesday he and I are boarding a charter bus and heading into Columbus to the Ohio State House for a rally. I belong to a group called MySchoolMyChoice and they are hosting a large rally of parents and students from charter schools and online education. Governor Strickland is cutting the education dollars to those types of schools so drastically that it will put a lot of them out of business. None of it makes sense becuz if the students can't go to a charter school or an online school then they will HAVE to go to the public schools and it will cost the state just as much. It is just a ploy by the Teacher's Union to get bodies back into the public schools. Teachers from private charters and online schools do not have to belong to the State Teachers Union. The Union wants more students in the public schools so that the public schools will need more teachers...and that means more union dollars. The unions run the government.

Okay...enough of my soapbox. It just aggravates me. Can you tell?

Troy has been in Indiana most of the week. Friday night is TJ's first church softball game...maybe. If the weather cooperates. Friday morning he is going to help (and so am I) unload the truck from Second Harvest that provides canned food for our church food pantry. Troy is supposed to be the one doing it but...he's not here. However, Saturday morning, Troy is going to be over in the church kitchen helping to make lunch for us women for Mother's Day. Even though it is a Mother's Day luncheon, the daughters are allowed to go so Bethany is going with me.

I must go. My across the road neighbor, Becky, is coming over soon. I think this is the first time I've ever had 'coffee' with a neighbor. She just seemed so excited about it. I don't think she gets out much when she isn't working.

I Don't Scare Easily...Most of the Time

We had a little 'scare' today. I had to rush Bethany over to the doctor's office and then the lab for tests. We thought she had appendicitis. Luckily, it wasn't that. No operations but I think she would have rather had that and gotten it over with. The antibiotics she took for a sinus infection coupled with the meds she takes for asthma/allergies inflamed her intestines and caused a section of them to spasm painfully...in the lower right side. So, of course, since the rest of us have had appendicitis and had our appendicts removed, I was kinda worried! So, now she is having to mix stuff in her drinks twice a day to help the spasms stop and get the inflammation out. AND she has to take MOM. LOL It will take a while for it to get all straightened around, unfortunately. At least she is okay.

So, today was disrupted A-GAIN! I have tomorrow to finish getting ready for the community garage sale on Saturday! Friday we will have to get set up in the afternoon becuz I have to help out with the Relay for Life thing Friday morning and Friday night. And, IF it doesn't rain, TJ has a softball game Friday night that I will miss. Troy will have to go.

I really don't have that much to gather for the garage sale. Bethany has some left over stuff from last year we can put out again. TJ says he has his stuff gathered and organized already. He will have to set it out on his own, I guess.

Max is really acting up tonight. Not sure what his problem is! He was good all day. Guess it was too much for him!

Tuxes, Flowers and Rest

This last week was kind of depressing to begin with...cold and rain. Troy had taken the week off thinking he could play golf most of the week. He finally got to play on Thursday and Friday. When the weather cleared I started clearing the flower gardens. There is so much to do! It probably wouldn't have been so bad except the woman that owned this place had health problems the last few years and the gardens and plants were victims of some neglect.

Troy has gone out between the raindrops and done some clearing out also and some edging. We have A LOT of sidewalk to edge since we sit on a corner lot.

I have started potting plants I don't want to sell them in the community garage sale next weekend. There was quite a pile of discarded pots out on the back patio so I am using them to put the plants in that I dig up and want to get rid of. I also am digging up a couple of peony bushes to sell. They aren't in a good place and I just want to get rid of them since I have nowhere else to put them.

TJ went to his prom last night. I told him not to get it built up in his mind too much becuause it was really just a high priced boring dance. He found that to be true. He doubled with his friend Steven and his date. TJ took a girl he was friends with from when he went to JVS. They both wanted the whole prom experience so they got it! LOL







Bethany was wiped out yesterday. She had a couple of friends stay the night on Friday night. They were up quite late. I usually don't mind having her friends spend the night on Friday night because they are usually so tired from a week of school that they pass out early. Not this time! LOL Then the mom's didn't pick them up until way after noon. They just lounged in the livingroom watching TV all morning.

Today TJ is the one that is wiped out. I don't expect to see him most of the day!

This coming Friday is the church softball game (TJ is on the team and they had practice this last Friday night). AND I have to help the adult leader on Bethany's Relay for Life team put up the tents for the overnight at the event. AND this next Saturday is the community garage sale! It is supposed to rain this next weekend, of course. It has rained the last 3 years during these events...and the Relay for Life and Community Garage Sale are always on the first weekend of May.

Other than making dinner and watching the Cavs game this afternoon, I have no plans. It is Sunday and it is supposed to be lazy!

That's All Folks

It has been nothing but cold, dreary, windy and rainy for days. Today we finally got the sunshine. It is slowly warming up. Doing some things indoors this morning until it warms up enough to go outside. I have a lot of plants to dig up and pot for the community garage sale next weekend. I am also going to transplant a few from one area of the yard to another. The woman that lived here before us went nuts with plants. I think she was trying to outdo the jungle gardener behind us!

Took TJ to try on his tux last night. It seemed to fit good so we brought it home. One thing down...flowers tomorrow. The big prom date is this Saturday. It is just so hard for me to believe that my little guy is all grown up and going off to prom. Although, I think it will be worse when Bethany gets to prom age. (let's not go there, yet)

Troy did something that surprised me...he sat down and made himself a LIST of things he needs to do around here. Of course, even though that is kind of out of character for him, it is the easy part. I will have to keep shoving it under his nose as a reminder.

I have been busy filling out applications and sending resumes. The job market is TOUGH! It didn't help to listen to Fox News this morning when they were comparing the number of jobs lost DAILY to the populations of some big cities like Boston.

While this weekend is prom weekend, next weekend is the Relay for Life that Bethany will be in with her team and, weather permitting, it is also the first church softball game and TJ and Troy will be there for that. I don't know how much either one of them will play...I may not be able to see it as I volunteered my help for the relay and the survivor's dinner. The next day, Saturday, is the community garage sale. Know anyone that wants a cooktop? an in the wall oven? or can repair and resell washers? need some plants? Come on down!

Well...so much for my allotted down time! TJ has to get over to the church to do his voluntary cleaning of the youth center and I have to get back to things around here.

Hit the Ground Running

Trying to get on the road Friday was a major feat! As we were getting packed to go out the door, Ms. Divine informed me that she had taken her last puff from her inhaler. So, I had to make a quick call to the pharmacy to get a refill. Jr. was lagging behind, as usual. We FINALLY got packed up and to the Animal Wellness Care facility to board Max. Then I had to stand around and wait about a half hour as they called our vet services to make sure he had all of his shots. Apparently the paperwork wasn't clear enough for them! I kept telling them that our vet said that Max was all up to date! But they got it straightened out to their satisfaction and we got out of there. Next stop was a the city building to pay the utility bills then around the corner to the pharmacy...where I noticed the power steering was going out. I called Troy...who was in Cleveland...and told him. He has our mechanic, Andy's, number on his phone so he called Andy while I picked up Ms. Divine's inhaler. Andy wanted me to bring the van in...it was kinda on the way so I did. And he told me what I had thought...the power steering pump was going. So, he put it up on the rack and within two hours we were back on the road. All in all, we were about 4 hours behind. At least the rest of the weekend went smoothly.

It is always fun when we can all be together and joke around. We had plenty of laughs over the weekend!

Then Monday night, Jr. informs me that he is going to a prom with a girl that he is friends with...someone that his bf Steven has known for years. And that he, this girl and Steven are double dating cuz Steven has a girl he wants to go to prom with. The prom is in less than 2 weeks...so I scramble the next day to find a place for Jr. to get a tux for the event. Tuxes don't look like when I went to prom. No more frilly shirts...which is good...but they wear these tie things instead of the bow ties. Jr. has an all black tux with a textured black vest and a black tie with some pink stripes...his date's dress is mostly black with some pink accents.

Yesterday I ordered the corsage. So the only thing left to do is sit back and wait. He has to clean out his car and give it a good wash...they decided they all want to go in his car becuz his date really likes it. Better than Steven's big ol' truck, I guess. LOL

Ms. Divine had to go to the doctor's again yesterday. She was vomiting night and morning...and it was another nasty sinus infection. They fussed over her breathing...becuz of the inhaler. That seems to be okay for now, still. They emphasized to her about how important it is for her to use her allergy meds right now so she isn't gasping for air later. I hope she gets it!

This is the weekend that we have the girls from the Mount Vernon College Women's Choir spending the night. The next weekend is the prom for Jr....the NEXT weekend is the church's first softball game (Jr. is playing), the Relay for Life (Bethany is on a team), and the annual community garage sale. The weekend after that SEEMS to be unemcumbered but then the following Saturday I am attending the Nazarene Ladies Day out event in Springfield where the guest speaker is Candace Cameron (from "Fullhouse"..sister to Kirk Cameron). I am looking forward to some 'female time'! LOL

Troy is taking next week off from work for vacation. He says he has some golfing he wants to do and some 'work' in the garage.

I guess I have enough to do for a while!

Volunteering

I spent my morning stuffing plastic eggs full of candy. I had volunteered to fill those eggs full of candy so the youngsters at church would be able to run out in the back field of the church and fill their bags and baskets full of them. When Miriam called and asked if I could be there to help at 9 this morning I thought, "That's okay...I'll just go and spend an hour." Then when I walked into the room there was only Miriam and one other lady and TWO VERY LARGE STORAGE TUBS full of those eggs! AND many bags of candy. Miriam said that always in the past they had done it for the community and it would take them all week to get all the eggs stuffed (5 large storage containers full). So, I dug in. Miriam and Ernestine did one container and I started on the other one. Every once in a while I would yap about something and keep them laughing. At one point I was so intent on getting those eggs filled that Miriam looked at me and said, "You are be awfully quiet!" I said, "I'm concentrating on getting these eggs filled!" After I had been there 3 hours, I had made it 2/3 of the way through the crate of eggs. Miriam and Ernestine TOGETHER had made it 2/3 of the way through their crate. I told Miriam I had to get home and check on Max and let him out. He was home alone...Ms. Divine was in school and Jr. was doing some volunteer work elsewhere and Troy had left for his 'customer run' after I had left for the church. I told her I could come back but she said she had a couple of other ladies that could come in the next morning and finish up. NOW she tells me!

After eating lunch with Max, I loaded him in the van. I needed to stop at Wal-mart and buy a little candy for the kids for Easter and a couple of prizes to contribute to the Easter egg hunt. I found a couple of cute things and spent about $12. There was a Bunny Mr. Potato Head (so cute!) and two small tubs of molding sand...which is kinda like 'floam' for kids to make things out of. Easier to work with than Playdoh.
Then I picked up Jr., dropped off the prizes at the church office, picked up Ms. Divine and came home. I didn't sleep much last night and have been on the run since my feet hit the floor. Ms. Divine has a GS meeting tonight and Jr.'s friend Steven is coming over for the night (they both have spring break this week). I was supposed to go exercise with the 'girls' at 6 at the church but I'm just not feeling like it. I have vacuuming that I was going to do today and a couple load of clothes. It has to happen sometime!

I hope Wednesday and Thursday turn out to be basically uninterrupted days. That way I will feel more like going to exercise with the girls on Thursday night. Friday morning I have to get moving becuz the truck is coming in to the food pantry to be unloaded and then I have to pack up Max and take him to the Animal Wellness Center and Boarding Kennel. Jr's friend Steven and his family volunteered to take Max for the weekend BUT they are having a family get together on Saturday at their place and that is just a bit much. They have no idea what they would be volunteering for! Max is quite lively and would be wanting to jump on everyone to greet them...and in the evenings he gets rambunctious. At the Wellness Ctr. he gets puppy playtime, outdoors time and he can have his own bed to take with him along with his toys. He will get lots of attention.

I guess it is time to get to some of that laundry!

Life In a Vacuum

So, it was a really nice day. And I got to get outside and TRY and clear out some of the 'beds' around the house. yikes. SO much work! Considering what it does to my lower back, I think I will have to do it in sections. I want to move the peony 'bush' but I have to figure out where. The location I had originally thought of putting it is not really going to work. drat.

We took Jr.'s car into the mechanic's this morning. He is FULL of vehicles to work on. Hopefully some of them are just oil changes and brake jobs! Troy told Andy the mechanic there wasn't any big hurry if he has other vehicles to work on that need to get done right away. I kinda wish he hadn't done that but then, there really isn't any big hurry.

Ms. Divine's friend Amber came over yesterday afternoon. They went over town (walking) then back for dinner. I invited Amber to spend the night. She has been here all day and they went for another walk and I think she will be here for dinner again tonight. I don't really care. It is spring break, the girls are bored and Amber's parents both work. She is not loud at all and likes Max.

TJ has been plugging away at his school work and filling out job applications online. There is this neat little site for hourly wage jobs for places like Kohl's and Tim Horton's, etc. the you can go to and fill out those applications and attach a resume, if you want. He has a good resume made up. He had to do it for a couple different classes. I hope he hears something out of one of these places.

I have been filling out applications and submitting them also. Takes up a lot of time. They are quite long and involved...and I attach my resume and cover letter.
Now, if someone will just get back to me!

This Saturday is the annual church spring cleaning day. TJ and a friend, Jake, are going to go down to my little sis's house Saturday to help out with yard work but the church spring cleaning starts at 8 a.m. I figure I can get about 2 hours of help in before I take them down there...they are both slow movers and Missy said she didn't figure they would show up until the afternoon.

The weekend after Easter our church is hosting the Women's Choir from MVNU. They needed ppl to take some of them in for the night on Saturday night so we volunteered to take 2 of them. That should be interesting! LOL

Sometime (soon, I hope) we will be getting the backyard fence up. The Max can roam around a bit more. I am not sure that is going to make a big difference with him. He won't be able to be nosey about what is happening out on the streets so he might not like it.

So, that's it for now...nothing surprising or out of the ordinary. Tomorrow it will rain and I will also be getting my new sweeper. YAY! oh...vacuum...um...yay.

A Dull Moment

So, I'm a day late! LOL

Last week was the Career Fair and it was a bust. Hardly any good employers there and most ppl left there like I did...head hanging. Rather dismal and disappointing. I have been connecting with companies online, though. Most of the HR is done over the internet now so you fill out applications and attach a resume and cover letter. So impersonal.

Max got neutered. He was really out of it the first night home but he has been regular Max every since. The vet said it would take 2-3 weeks for the hormones to work out of his system. We'll see.

All's quiet as far as the neighbor and the fence. Troy is waiting for something in the mail from them. Another waiting game.

I have tons (literally) of landscaping 'bolders' around my house and I would dearly love to be rid of them. I have things I want to do with my yard but those things are in the way. Any suggestions?

Ms. Divine is on Spring Break this week. No big plans. Jr. is still in school...his Spring Break is next week and it looks like he may have a full schedule...job hunting, etc.

Nothing really going on right now and I'm glad. Had to buy a new vacuum cleaner but it is on order. The other one finally gave it up. I couldn't fix it. Didn't want to have to spend any money right now but it couldn't be helped. That is life.

Speaking of life...I have a basement that I will be doing some major cleaning up in today! Finally got my computer room cleaned. After the basement I have a large pantry in the kitchen that needs cleaning out and reorganized. And so on and so on...LOL

Packed

I just might have a life after all! There is a 'core' of women at my church that find lots of things to get together for...on Saturday mornings they get together to knit and crochet lap shawls (they call them prayer shawls) for the 'old folks homes'. One woman admitted she just comes and sits and talks...brings baked goods...just to get out of the house, have some female conversation and get away from her husband! LOL They told me to just show up if I wanted to. AND they also told me that the get together in the family center on Tuesday and Thursday nights to exercise. They say it helps them get away from the house. I can understand THAT! And I believe I just might join in!

The reason I was at the Family Center this morning is becuz it was time for the Boy Scout food drive. A few troops bring their collected cans and such to our church food pantry. Pastor Jim asked Troy and I if we would help sort the food and count it and put it away. Troy kinda groaned about having to give up the extra sleep on a Saturday morning but he was the first to volunteer us! LOL It was good and we didn't mind. The shelves got a good fill!

TJ went off to a hockey game tonight with Steven and his family. Bethany is off at our Family/Youth Center with her friends tonight. Max is restless. And Troy made dinner tonight...crab stuffed mushrooms. They were VERY good but they are also deceptively filling! I really have to do more exercise and less eating next week!

I also have to get my hair 'done' Monday...I have a job fair to attend on Wednesday. I really don't want to have to go but I really also want a job. I am sure the place will be PACKED! Not looking forward to THAT!

Troy has to get packed cuz he leaves for the week to go to Florida for training and meetings and he has to do one of the meeting presentations...he's been working on it for 3 weeks!

Once a Week

I guess this is becoming a once-a-week-post blog. Better than to be ignored altogether!

It was a very long week. A family problem was pretty much taken care of, Bethany became very sick again and is still wiped out by it, my van underwent some major 'surgery' (and so did our bank account!), and I have been struggling with a nasty ear infection brought on by sinusitis and allergies. Even Max has been getting into the act by trying his best to eat my tennis shoes. I was going to buy some new ones this weekend anyway but it would have been nice if he would have waited UNTIL I had the new ones! He has had some physical ailment problems as well.

Friday Troy and I went over to the church in the morning and helped Pastor Jim and another older couple stock the Food Pantry. The Second Harvest truck had come a wee bit earlier and dropped A LOT of food. I noticed, though, that there was no longer any toilet paper on the shelves. Pastor Jim said that he had ordered it for the pre-school but there wasn't any left for the pantry (I guess there is a special place they get it from?) and he considered it to be a 'luxury item'. hmpf. I don't. SO...

I went to Aldi's shopping later and bought two very large bundles of TP and dropped off at the church office for the pantry. Pastor Jim wasn't there at the time so I left it with the secretary. I am sure he got a laugh out of it. He always used to seem kinda stoic before but with our family all helping out so much around the church with various things he has started to show his sense of humor. He can be quite jovial!

Pastor Brad's sermon today was something I wrote about in my blog a few weeks ago...using the talents and gifts that God gave you. AND those gifts may be just to lend an ear and some sunshine to someone that needs it. I am happy to see how far Troy has come since he became a Christian. He has really rolled up his sleeves and offered his help wherever he can...of course, sometimes I have to give him little pokes and reminders...we ALL need that from time to time. Everyone needs to know they are appreciated for all they do. It doesn't have to be in any great way. Just a pat on the back and a meaningful 'thank you...I (we) really needed your help and I (we) appreciate all you are willing and able to do'. Some ppl need a more public display of gratitude. I used to think it was becuz they only did things becuz they needed the public show becuz they were kinda false about it all. But, I have come to realize that some ppl are just made that way. They would help out anyway but their personality type craves/needs that recognition from EVERYONE. I prefer the 'thank you for helping' done on the side, without everyone knowing. If EVERYONE knows it ruins it.

I know I write about some of the stuff we do here on my blog but not too many ppl read it. And there aren't any responses so it is okay.

Part of being a Christian, of course, is showing your kindness to others. Appreciate what others do for you. There should never be animosity or nastiness or bickering. If that is what you do to others, what kind of a message are you sending out? As I have been trying to teach my kids...if you are going to let everyone know you are a Christian, then you had better portray that! Everyone will be watching. If you feel anger or hurt or meanness welling up within you then you had better get down on your knees and ask God to help you with that. It seems to take a lot more work to get others to turn to God than it does to be a stumbling block that turns them away.

And that's that for another week!

And the Winner Is....

Ah...another Sunday night. I can't believe a week has gone by already!

The week itself was not so busy. The kids went through it basically okay. Bethany had some after affects of eating take out pizza but she bounced back okay. TJ helped out with his usual volunteer cleaning of the church Youth Center and then he and Brett spent an hour crushing pop cans to take to the recycle place. I told Brett I would have to buy them some can crushers. Right now they have to stomp on them! LOL

Friday afternoon TJ and Troy started their slow cookers full of chili. They each had their own kind of chili they were making to enter in our church's annual chili cook-off. They said they needed at least two days for it to cook. The house was filling up with the smell of tomato and peppers and chili powder.

Friday night we all went to a fish fry that one of the Catholic churches in the next town was having. TJ's friend Steven's family goes to the Nazarene church in the next town and every year they go to the fish fry at the church in that town. TJ was going to go with Steven's family then I suggested to Troy that we ALL go. I've never been to one before. Bethany's friend Amber came home with her after school so she went too. It was interesting. The fish was good and so was the cole slaw and pie. I can't say much for the mac and cheese...never had any that was so dry! We bought some raffle tickets for things they had there but had no luck. TJ was going home with Steven.

We ended up stopping at Amber's house and waiting while she packed a bag, then stopped at our house and Bethany packed a bag...I took them both to Megan's house and they spent the night there.

Saturday Troy went out with Dave and Gordon to play some golf...nine hole course. TJ said the Steve woke him up at 7 a.m. to go to the Y to work out. LOL I opened some windows and did some cleaning. I opened the door to the sunroom and left it open so Max could go out there and enjoy himself. I gave it a good sweeping. Bethany had come home early and went back to bed for a bit. But she had to give Pete a clean cage.

Sunday night and we were off to the chili cook off. Amber and her mom came with us.
It was a packed Youth Center!! There were 16 guys with chili entries...and each one tasted different. There was one with opposum meat, one that was a seafood chili, one with sausage, one with elk meat, one with pasta..then the traditional chilis. The pastor had asked a construction company if they would get a few of their guys to come over and be the judges. So we had 4 impartial judges this year. They were voting for a winner in two categories: traditional and non-traditional. The guy that made the pasta chili won in the non-traditional category. And in the traditional chili category the winner was....TJ!!! He had a mouth full of chili when they announced him as the winner and he just about choked on it!! LOL I am so happy that he got that bit of positivity in his life! He really needed it! And Troy was proud of him too. He gets his name on the trophy that is displayed in the glass case in the foyer of the church. I will have to take his picture with it.

This has been another busy weekend but it didn't seem quite as bad as last weekend for some reason. I'm not complaining...it is good to have things to do.

Work Out

Sunday night and I'm done...stick a fork in me.

Saturday...it started out nice and slow. I TRIED to get some laundry done. TJ's friend Steven came over to spend the night. We all got ready and he went to the church spaghetti dinner fund raiser. One of the women servers saw me and started yelling my name and waving across the Family Center. She says she keeps missing me in church. I do NOT know where she is sitting! I don't recall seeing her but I know she has always gone! I couldn't remember her name...she used to sit next to me at the Women's Ministry meetings and we would pass 'funnies' back and forth under our breath to each other and giggle. But I could NOT remember her name...until it was time to leave. Debbie. Just that simple...Debbie.

Anyway, after the dinner I went over and picked Bethany's friend Amber up to spend the night. We went home and popped three bags of popcorn and EVERYONE gathered in the livingroom to watch a movie. Then the kids went to their rooms and played video games for a bit...then lights out. I got up early and got the ball rolling...everyone up, showered, dressed, out the door to church. Steven attends the Nazarene church in the next town with his family so this was normal for him. Bethany's friend Amber said she really likes our church...better than the one her family SOMETIMES goes to. They go to the big church at the edge of town that has 50 bazillion services to get everyone in. The one where the pastor doesn't even pray with the congregation. The 'social' church. I told Amber she could come anytime! I also gave her a flyer to give to her parents for the chili cook-off next weekend. Troy and TJ are both cooking their own brand of chili for it.

After church, we got home and everyone changed and packed and I took the kids with me to the gym. I worked out for just shy of 2 hours. The kids swam. Troy stayed home and made dinner. Which is good becuz when we got home the kids were starving...and so was I! They filled their faces, I took Amber home and then Steven's brother came and got him...then...peace. aaahhhhh

It was a busy but nice weekend. Nothing bad happening. yay!

The only thing I didn't like was the very very cold cut through you wind. But that should be rectified in a few months...I hope.

Now to gear up for the week. Last week I got the taxes done...this week I have to get my resume out and working for me. It's that time of year! AND I have to make sure to make it to the gym at least 3 times this week. ouch. LOL

Fridays

Friday. I have never understood why ppl get so excited about Friday. I know...the last work day of the week. I would get excited about Saturday! I never had any energy left to celebrate Friday. Although, most ppl grumble about Wednesday and it being 'hump' day. It's all a state of mind. Big deal...it's the middle of the week. Never meant much to me. For some reason, though, Thursdays were hardest for me to get moving. I would go to bed earlier on Thursday nights. Before I became a 'mom', that is. Fridays wouldn't be quite so bad, then.

Today is gray, gloomy, drippy. The temperature has started out in the 50's but is going to drop throughout the day. While Ms. Divine wore a lighter jacket TO school, she carried her winter coat with her.

Happily the allergy meds are working and the coughing has all but stopped and she can breathe again. TJ is suffering the same fate as his sister. So he is using the nasal spray allergy stuff too. And pain reliever. It's all you can do.

I have been contemplating where to put my squirrel feeder. We never took the time to put it up after we moved in last August. I WANTED to put it outside the front windows of the Florida room so I could sit and watch my squirrels eat BUT now we have Max. He would be out there barking at them all the time. So, I may have to settle for putting it out front by the maple tree. We'll see. I still have a couple of months to think that one through.

Today is one of those 'run to the stores' days. ick. I am also sitting here trying to rework my resume so I can get it out to a few places that I found I want to apply to. It is tough trying to get a job in this economy. They are still out there. It's just that you have so much competition for that one job!

okay...back to work...

Achoo!

So...Ms. Divine got sick AGAIN! I get her all well and send her off to school...and she comes home sick. Her throat was killing her and then her head filled up...she started coughing and sneezing....the school nurse said that the throat looked bad BUT at least her tonsils weren't infected! The nurse wanted to send her home BUT the attendance officer didn't want to let her go! (I thanked her later for having my daughter's well being at heart) So, poor thing missed school today.

I was pretty sure it wasn't strep throat...she had JUST finished two rounds of antibiotics back to back. I had a feeling it was her sinuses draining over time...but not sure why. She was on singulaire everyday. She is now on a once daily inhaler to prevent bronchial spasms. But the NP Theresa said that her allergies were working overtime and making her sinuses crazy! I told her, 'But she takes her singulaire everyday!" She said, "That is only to keep the allergies from causing wheezing and breathing problems. She needs another kind of allergy medicine for the head." GEEEEEEEZZZZ!!! So she asked me if I wanted a nasal spray or tablet. Of course I chose the nasal spray. No more pills! She told me that luckily Bethany didn't have a sinus infection becuz she doesn't really know what they would do about that. They couldn't give her any more antibiotics right now (nor would I let them!) She said that if she had anymore then she would end up with the bad bacteria in her body going crazy and REALLY making her sick. I am trying to get her to eat yogurt to help the good bacteria catch up! I really need to find a place to buy some acidopholus tablets...the REAL stuff...the kind that is kept refrigerated.

ANYWAY...Theresa gave me some Nasonex. I said, "We have some Astilen at home." She said, "It would be good to use both." ??????? "Why?" "The Nasonex is for the allergies but the Astilen is for the swelling that is caused by the allergies." Again...GGGEEEEEEZZZZZ!!!

This is what I know...she is getting the vaporub wrap around her throat, she drinks some warm water with airborne in it (which does more the quiet her cough than the Delsym cough syrup) and she took some tylenol before bed. Yes, she used the Nasonex. Tomorrow she will go to school armed with tissues.

She has spent the last 3 months having breathing problems of one kind or another.

I would say she is looking forward to spring but the allergies will continue and that is when MY allergies and TJ's go into overdrive. I am not looking forward to the body aches and head aches and sneezing...blah. I really need to find myself a decent allergy med.

Social Consciousness

12 degrees. 12 DEGREES! This is not right. My goosebumps have goosebumps with pet goosebumps!

With the fall of slush from the sky on Saturday, while on his way to his friend Steven's, out in the middle of, well, not much, TJ hydro-planed in a pile of slush and was thrown off the road into a field. The car with off the road front first and cracked the front bumper and broke part of the underneath shield off. It also has all kinds of 'field' packed underneath. We are hoping that once it warms and we can get it cleaned out that there isn't going to be anymore damage.

I just want it to get warmer. This cold has worn thin with me.

Our pastor's message yesterday was one about making a difference. He said that there are lots of people that attend church that have absolutely no idea what is in the Bible. He said that he is tired of hearing the excuse, "It's too hard to understand." He pointed out that there are lots of various translations of the Bible out there and that there MUST be one that any one person can understand. And it you are too lazy to read, or have a hard time reading, it is all on CD's now.

He also asked, "Is your church experience just social or is it meaningful? Do you make a difference?" Act 2:44-45 says, 'And all believers were together and had everything in comon. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.' He asked what the difference was, then, between socialism and Christianity? God...heart.

Our community has a huge community wide 'garage sale' the first Saturday of May every year. I think this year, whatever stuff we have to sell, we will donate the proceeds to our church food bank.

Our church is having its annual spaghetti dinner/spaghetti sauce competition this coming Saturday. There is not set cost for the meal for anyone...they just ask for donations. Most people are beyond generous. A charity is picked each year to donate the proceeds to. I am not sure, yet, what this year's charity is. I know that a couple of years ago, one of the women of our church, who has always been very active in so many projects, and who had taken in her mother, daughter and her daughter's children, her house had caught fire and burned down. The proceeds went to her and her family. I remember we had a lot of 'extra' things that we had not gotten rid of, yet, so we gave them to her, also. She is a wonderful person who was very grateful for ANY help.

So...are you social...or do you make a difference?

Air Kisses

Ms. Divine had a 'breathing' attack yesterday morning. I plugged in the nebulizer and she had a breathing treatment. It only helped slightly. But, she was managing well enough to get to school. So, I called the doctor's office and reported about her lasted attack. Now she is on asthma medication...for a couple of years, anyway. I guess asthma is one of those things that you just don't know when it is going to start on you.

TJ has had some flu all week. He had a med check up at the doctor's today and the doctor felt that maybe TJ was having an MSg reaction from the Chinese food we ate Monday night...especially when TJ stuffed himself with it at dinner then ate SOME MORE before he went to bed...then threw it all up less than an hour later. The doctor said it takes 3-5 days for it to work out of your system. I am more inclined to believe that Jr. had the flu...since his sister had had it...he never had a reaction to Chinese food before. Then again...he never ATE that much before.

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My house smells like a big orange. I bought some of that orange lysol this time...instead of the lemon kind I usually buy. Then I swept, dusted and scrubbed. Max took a long time trying to figure out if he liked it or not. He walked around with his nose stuck to the dining room and kitchen floors sniffing. Then he had to sniff the woodwork...he finally quit. At least he didn't try to 'eat' anything.

He still gets his van rides. I think I'm going to have to buy one of those 'doggie seats' for him, though. He has gotten so that when no one else is in the front seat, he'll hop up there and sit down just like he belongs there. There is no licking the window or going nuts. He just sits there taking in everything out the front window. This morning, while we waited for Ms. Divine to come out and get in so we could take her to school, I looked at him and gave him an 'air kiss'. He looked at me and licked the air! LOL

So...off I go. Not really anything else to say...life goes on...and on...and on...and if it stops...then you're dead! LOL

So Much for Candy....

Troy had gotten me some Dove dark chocolate candy for Valentine's day...along with a box of chocolate covered mints. I opened up both boxes and dumped it into a basket to set out on the counter. I told him it was nice but he knows what would happen if I ate all that candy...more fat all over me, migraines, and sick to my stomach. I gave it a week before it was gone. SILLY ME! It might have lasted 5 days except Ms. Divine brought her friend Amy home from school with her. Amy stood there in the kitchen and ate all the chocolates in the basket. She said, "I'm sorry but I am starving!"

I have gotten the idea that Amy only comes home with Bethany after school when they are short of food at her house. She said all she had for dinner the other night was 4 fishsticks and a cookie.

Amy's mom works a job and a half. Her 'step-dad' has a job...although I don't know what he does. There are two older step-siblings in the house. I guess when you work your tails off to pay for a house in a neighborhood that you can't really afford, own a boat that you hardly ever use, and buy the kids all expensive cell phones once a year...something has to give. They just don't buy food. So, Amy will come to our place to get something to eat. We feed her well. Yesterday, however, she basically had her head stuck in our refrigerator scarfing whatever she could grab.

I had a migraine from eating chocolate the day before...it isn't the chocolate...it is the drop in sugar level the next day that does it. ANYWAY, Troy was nice enough to 'cook' dinner. We had leftover pizza and spaghetti and Chinese food in the fridge. She picked out all she wanted and he did the nuker thing on it. Everyone ate leftovers last night. From the sounds of it, she stuffed herself well...probably to get her through the next couple of days!

There was one week where she came home with Bethany 3 days out of the week. But now she tries to avoid Max. He likes to jump on her and she has a fit. They have pets at their house but she says she doesn't like other people's animals. Understandable. She doesn't even like Pete the Hamster, either.

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So tonight we are supposed to get the wind, the thunderstorms, then dropping temps and ice. yay. We'll see.

This damp is not good. I am always afraid that Bethany's bronchitis/pneumonia will reappear and TJ is not sounding good. I gave him a dose of Theraflu. It seems to be the only OTC med that works on them. He said it took care of the aches and the running sinuses but he still has a pounding headache.

I do believe he will be putting off his church volunteer work until Friday this week. As long as the Youth Center gets cleaned!

If the ice doesn't get too bad tomorrow, I may be able to haul TJ to the gym with me. There is a stair climber machine that I have to master!

The Dog Pull

Today it was cold but we had some sunshine. A few snow lazy snowflakes, too...but SUNSHINE!

The kids both get back to school tomorrow...although, Ms. Divine is working on some things so that she can be right where everyone else is when she reappears at school tomorrow.

I have been busy trying to get all the dirty clothes done up today (and they don't make that easy around here!). I also scrubbed down our bathroom from top to bottom along with some other sweeping. Our bathroom smells like an orange grove now. Rather have it smell like that! LOL

I also took Max for a 'pull'. I call it that becuz he tries to pull me along. My shoulders ached when we got back becuz I held the leash in tight so he couldn't really go anywhere except by my side. I made him stop and sit a few times, hoping he'd get the hint. But...no. I need to get The Dog Whisperer guy to come to our house and make this dog mind.

One of my friends told me that she didn't use a choke collar on her dog...a dog trainer had suggested a different kind...it is called something like a 'spike' training collar. It has rubber spikes on the inside of the collar that go into them when they pull but the collar loosens right back up when they quit. So, I guess I'll have to find one.

Anyway...everyone seems to be well again. We'll see how long that lasts.

Pammonia

It happened. Ms. Divine has Pneumonia. Theresa (the NP) was making Bethany try and take deep breaths and she complained that it made her dizzy. I said, "and you would know how?" Theresa laughed. Then Theresa said that one of the medications she has to take for a few days will make her ornery. And, again, I said, "And I can tell the difference?" Theresa laughed again. I told Bethany she is my favorite daughter. I got the usual, "thanks. I'm your ONLY daughter." I said, "Not really. I had another one but she was annoying so I sent her away to a special home." Bethany said our home is 'special' enough for her.

As we sat waiting for the xray technician to come and get her, this van pulled up with a mom and her 'son' in it. The 'boy' got out and I said, "What did they do? Put fertilizer in his baby formula?" Bethany said, "So, you think he's a plant?" I said, "Well, he does look a little vacant in the eyes." Her reply was, "mean." What can I say...I'm bored?

The clinic that we went to was brand new...just down the road from her doctor's office...no more driving into Dayton to the Children's Hospital and hour long waits for blood work or xrays. Bethany said, "It smells funny in here." I said, "It's new." She said, "No...it smells like hospital." I said, "Oh..THAT. It is a special disinfectant that all medical offices use. It HAS to be HOSPITAL ODOR scent. Just to make you feel like this is a REAL medical facility."

I think Bethany now wants to go live in that OTHER 'special' home, now.

Over The Hill

The temperatures have warmed up (near 50's..and sometimes actually sneaking INTO the 50's) and the snow is just about all gone. I think Max is happy and sad at the same time...his feet do not get so cold outside BUT he doesn't have anymore snow to eat. I am sure that we will get some more before spring actually arrives.

I have the WORST sinus infection...the kind that hurts in the most amazing way and gives you nose bleeds. When I have that kind of pain in my head I don't have a lot of patience for people. Bethany has been using the nebulizer again as she started complaining about not being able to catch her breath. It is helping.

Troy and TJ went to church by themselves yesterday morning. They came home with a lot of thoughts to share. TJ said it was about the Prodigal Son and Tough Love. Troy said he has some adjustments to make himself.

Last night, instead of the usual Sunday night service, they had something they call 'Souper Sunday'...and yes, I spelled that correctly. Anyone that was interested was to bring a pot of home made soup and a board game. They gathered in the Family Center. Troy made a big pot of butternut squash soup and he and the kids gathered up board games and went. I stayed home. sigh. But this pain is too much for me to stand.

They came home all happy and telling about the soup they ate and the games they played. Bethany met some new girls her age. Troy went up in the youth center with some of the other fellas and showed them how to play pool! LOL TJ played some board game with younger adults...it sounded like a kind of Trivial Pursuit.

There isn't anything much else going on. I am just glad that they are all getting more involved in the church and liking it. At the end of this month they are having their annual spaghetti sauce cook-off dinner. The community is always invited and it is quite the fund raiser for the missionary funds and church improvement, etc.
This year I am just going...I'm not doing spaghetti sauce. I'm kinda being a stick in the mud, huh?

What Makes the World Move

We had a heat wave over the weekend...just enough to start melting some snow, then freeze the slush. It didn't do well for Ms. Divine's health. Actually, I can't blame it all on the weather. Last week they had school 3 out of 5 days and two of those days that they had school were on 2 hour delay. During that week her friend Amber had a nasty flu bug. You would have thought with the amount of school they missed plus the frigid temps that Ms. Divine would have missed all the nasty 'bugs' BUT her friend Amber's mother decided to send her to school on Thursday...she wasn't well enough...she spewed all over one of her classes and her Mom ended up leaving work to come pick her up. Thus...Ms. Divine now has that nasty flu bug and is just not doing well at all. Sunday her face was red but since then she has been a shade of pale that I don't recall ever seeing on her before. For instance, for her lips to be colorless is amazing. The doctor gave her some medicine to help stop the vomiting but it didn't help last night. She is 'emptying out' in two different directions. poor baby!

When we lived in Milford, Ohio, the kids got a 'disease' that I had NEVER heard of before (apparently it is something foreign to Northern Ohio)...their cheeks turned a bright red and their arms ached and the bottoms of their feet hurt to the point that they could not walk on them. I was told by the school nurse that they called it "Slap Cheek".

These two pets here...Max the dog and Pete the Hamster...make me laugh!

Pete doesn't seem to be too afraid of Max even though he is a LOT bigger than he is. Max likes to put his paws up on the sand that Pete's cage sits on and watch Pete in his cage.



Pete will see Max there and go over and put his two front paws up on the wire 'bars' and stick his little whisker twitching nose up there. Max will push his nose closer until they almost touch. Then Pete will go back to his business and Max will get bored and leave.



The other night Pete did something that we still laugh about. He was busy nibbling on a seed log when Max came to watch him. He looked up at Max, reached over into his dish and picked up a corn kernel with his front paws then shoved it through the cage bars and dropped it. He watched while Max 'vacuumed' it up then he went back to eating his seed log. Max left.

Unfortunately with Max, once you do something for him or give him something, if he likes it, he will bug you until eternity to do it or give it to him again. NOW, every time he puts his paws up there to watch Pete, he will start his squeaky whimper because he wants Pete to give him some of his food again!

I have a routine that I do with him on mornings when there is school. I get up, let him out, then he comes in and I give him fresh water and some food. He will go downstairs with me to wake up Ms. Divine. Then he lays in his bed until she is ready to leave. I open the door out into the garage and push the keychain button so the back passenger side door opens, he hops in, I close it, get in the van THEN open the garage door. He likes to watch out the windows at the kids and cars when I take Ms. Divine to school. Then we come home, I pull in, close the garge door THEN open the back door of the van, he hops out and waits for me to let him in the house. He goes straight for the sliding glass doors so he can have one more time to empty himself before he gets back in his bed and snoozes for a couple more hours.

NOW, he wants to go with me EVERY time I go somewhere!

He reminds me of some people that just feel that if you do something nice for them once, you should do it ALL the time. And if you don't...WELL...there is a whole lot of nastiness heaped down upon your head! Suddenly, instead of being a nice person for doing something nice for them when you didn't HAVE to, you are the worst person in the world because you QUIT doing it! They can't be mean enough! I've run across lots of people like that in my life. It ALMOST makes you want to NOT do anything for anyone ever again! I feel sorry for those people. They never seem to get it...that they don't DESERVE to have everyone give to them all the time. That they should be thankful when others are kind enough to WANT to help and be nice.

I've had people reach out and do nice things for my family, or me, once in a while. I am always very thankful to them for putting themselves out and doing something nice. I don't EXPECT it to be done anymore beyond that one time. And sometimes, because I don't EXPECT and because I am truly thankful, they will help more or do something else nice. And if not, that is fine too. They are under no obligation. And I should not be disappointed if they don't keep it up.

Pete did something nice for Max. Pete is a giver. Max is a taker. I love them both equally. And that is what makes the world go around.