Jesus, Sisters, and Laundry

Toot, Toot...

2011-07-06T22:31:00.001-04:00

I'll do it here because I think my mom is the only one left to read and it's become more of an update system for me.
Not counting the first 5 classes I had at Evangel...since 2008 I've finished 25 courses. During 2010 I didn't take a single course. So...2008, 2009, 2011...25 classes. 3.40 GPA. I'm satisfied with that considering everything else those years have entailed.
I pray I can be as content next year at this time when I'm finished.

Critique

2011-05-23T22:22:00.000-04:00

I despise turning in schoolwork, it's like being naked and having my body critiqued.

"Girl" by Jamaica Kincaid

2011-05-18T23:32:00.001-04:00

The following was read allowed this evening in class...I read Jamaica Kincaid last semester and have a deep appreciation of her work.

Wash the white clothes on Monday and put them on the stone heap;wash the color clothes on Tuesday and put them on the clothesline to dry;
don't walk barehead in the hot sun;
cook pumpkin fritters in very hot sweet oil;
soak your little cloths right after you take them off;
when buying cotton to make yourself a nice blouse, be sure that it doesn't have gum on it, because that way it won't hold up well after a wash;
soak salt fish overnight before you cook it;
is it true that you sing benna in Sunday school ?;
always eat your food in such a way that it won't turn someone else's stomach;
on Sundays try to walk like a lady and not like the slut you are so bent on becoming;
don't sing benna in Sunday school;
you mustn't speak to wharf-rat boys, not even to give directions;
don't eat fruits on the street - flies will follow you;
"but I don't sing benna on Sundays at all and never in Sunday school;"
this is how to sew on a button;
this is how to make a buttonhole for the button you have just sewed on;
this is how to hem a dress when you see the hem coming down and to prevent yourself from looking like the slut you are so bent on becoming;
this is how you iron your father's khaki shirt so that it doesn't have a crease;
this is how you iron your father's khaki pants so that they don't have a crease;
this is how you grow okra - far from the house, because okra tree harbors red ants;
when you are growing dasheen, make sure it gets plenty of water or else it makes your throat itch when you are eating it;
this is how you sweep a corner;
this is how you sweep a whole house;
this is how you sweep a yard;
this is how you smile to someone you don't like too much;
this is how you smile at someone you don't like at all;
this is how you smile to someone you like completely;
this is how you set a table for tea;
this is how you set a table for dinner;
this is how you set a table for dinner with an important guest;
this is how you set a table for lunch;
this is how you set a table for breakfast;
this is how to behave in the presence of men who don't know you very well, and this way they won't recognize immediately the slut I have warned you against becoming;
be sure to wash every day, even if it is with your own spit;
don't swat down to play marbles-you are not a boy, you know;
don't pick people's flowers - you might catch something;
don't throw stones at blackbirds, because it might not be a blackbird at all;
this is how to make a bread pudding;
this is how to make doukona;
this is how to make pepper pot;
this is how to make a good medicine for a cold;
this is how to make a good medicine to throw away a child before it even becomes a child;
this is how to catch a fish;
this is how to throw back a fish you don't like and that way something bad won't fall on you;
this is how to bully a man;
this is how a man bullies you;
this is how to love a man, and if this doesn't work there are other ways, and if they don't work don't feel too bad about giving up;
this is how to spit up in the air if you feel like it, and this is how to move quick so that it doesn't fall on you;
this is how to make ends meet;
always squeeze bread to make sure it's fresh;
"but what if the baker won't let me feel the bread?;"
you mean to say that after all you are really going to be the kind of woman who the baker won't let near the bread?

Pizza Party

2011-05-17T23:32:00.001-04:00

Who knew that a pizza party would be the inspiration that caused my eight year old to read 215 minutes over the span of 48 hours? The boy hasn’t picked up a book willingly since he slid out of the womb, but you dangle the thought of enjoying an extra slice of cheesy Dominoes on Friday afternoon and a few games of Dodge Ball in the new school gymnasium and he’s amped up, inspired to read.

I had a car accident three months ago because the siblings were arguing on our way to school and work. I was sitting at a red light, lifted my foot off the break and bumped into the car ahead of me. No damage to her vehicle, but mine spent a week at the body shop. She’s spent three months getting massages and claiming insurance garbage…at any rate. This morning. We experienced peace. Absolute silence as we traveled through Mount Dora, Tangerine, Zellwood, Plymouth, Apopka and Ocoee. It was divine. The boy was reading. A full thirty minutes was added to his reading log and graciously signed by myself. I arrived to work early and needed in a classroom before the siblings were to report to school. The boy sat in the church foyer and read. Silently. Without torment to his sister and brother. I did not experience siblings chasing one another into a classroom, gasping for breath as they each detailed their stories of despair. I only experienced motherhood peace and for a moment I may have forgotten they were still at the church.

This afternoon, same story. I worked, he read. Wonderful peace.

This evening, I came home to a little boy who should’ve had his bedroom light turned off at 9:45 but it was shining bright. His room was my first stop. “Jonnie, tell me about all the stories you read today.”

“Mom, I read the whole Magic Treehouse book!”…and he detailed the entire story…I hid my astonishment. I didn’t just have a phone conversation with his dad and ask if he wondered if the boy was just staring at pages all day?

I listened to him tell me the other two chapter books he had read pages from…and then I asked if I could read to him for a few minutes. He reluctantly agreed…worried about breaking the rules. I told him I thought his eyes needed the rest and the rules would be okay to break this time. I read and he laughed…he chose a funny book. I laughed…grateful for the laughter and for the engagement with my boy.

The sheer joy in all of this is the boy eats pizza everyday for lunch…sandwiches aren’t his thing.

Pizza in this house, is like peanut butter and jelly was in my childhood home. It’s just here. It’s readily available. Pizza Hut, Papa Johns, Dominoes. He gets them all. We’re an on the go family. It’s no surprise.

Are You A Fan?

2011-03-31T21:36:00.001-04:00

This evening Grey's Anatomy is airing it's very own version of High School Musical. Have their ratings dropped so low that they're forced to go to this absurd extreme? Are the actors and screenwriters so bored with the plot that the personal life drama is not enough...now they have to throw in melodramatic tunes?

I watch 2-3 hours of weekly television...it's time to find a new hour.

Shelter

2011-03-30T23:03:00.000-04:00

The first 3 decades of my life have been reality safe in a surreal world. If trauma has occurred, it's because of natural acts, generally not because of the intentions of people. My parents protected me from harm and I've protected myself. I try to make smart decisions and live my life in a way that keeps me from harm.

I enrolled in a liberal college with a broad worldview and was miraculously accepted. I did this because I thought it was safe not because I was up for the challenge. It's the #1 private university in the South, how could it be anything but excellent?
I have never felt more scrutinized. The perception in every class I've sat in this semester is that Christians are the lazy, ignorant scum of the earth. As a Christian, I am at fault for mutilating Aztecs and Spaniards and for taking Africans from their homeland and selling them into slavery.

Sadly, throughout history evil men hid behind the name of Christianity and now the true Christians are left to defend themselves against intellectuals who have questions and want answers. It's daunting.

Words.

2011-03-28T23:20:00.000-04:00

Choices. The phrases we use. The style we communicate to others with. The way we address the world.

My mom used to writes letters to her loved ones. At times, the letters would be 7-8 pages front and back detailing her thoughts and journaling our life. She'd put them in an envelope and off to Edmonton or Elkins they'd go finding there way to one grandmother or another. Now, its daily morning emails. Known as my anonymous commenter, she is far from anon. She just hasn't figured out to name herself on the comment box. I haven't kept up with this blog in ages yet she checks here everyday and asks me every few weeks why I'm not writing anymore. Here you go, Mom.

Friday and Saturday Chris and I trekked down to Tarpon Springs to spend the weekend with my parents in their new little rented condo that's half the size of what their basement used to be...talk about a downsize. While we were there Mom handed me a Bible that I had given to Grammie from the Christmas of 1992. Today, it all seems so presumptuous. Grammie had tried to give that Bible back to me a dozen times before we moved to Florida but I wouldn't take it. She still kept it in the box. The last few times I came to visit before her SJS in 2007 she had it out of the box on the dining room table. I was convinced that it was only because she knew I was coming and she wanted it to seem like the Bible was being used. Obviously, Grammie was reading the Word. She was reading her Word. Her treasured, red Bible that sat on her living room coffee table that was full of papers and notes with the binding bursting. She was in the Word, alright. The school year of 1992-1993 I was sheltered in my little bubble. My parents put all three of us kids back into our little church school and I was the class president of 12 whole students, 9th-12th grades. My husband was in that class. He graduated #1 that year. He was the only senior. Don't dismiss the fact that I have placed his #1 status on resumes. It's helped. It's true. He's a smart guy and can back it up.
My bubble helped in the belief that all Bibles were alike. I held onto a thought that if Grammie had a new Bible, she could put that old one away someplace so it wouldn't be worn out any worse then it already was. I didn't realize that she had a relationship with those pages. Her fingers were imprinted with each line that she scrolled down and every bookmark was placed specifically for a reason valuable to her. I was ignorant.

If the red Bible was stolen, lost, or damaged Grammie would grieve. Definitely. But she would quickly realize the value in creating a new love affair with new Words. She knows what's replaceable and what isn't. Thankfully, in America, a Bible is.

On Saturday I opened the Bible and I found only two notes. One simple birthday card from Great Grandma Addie to Grammie telling her that she'll continue to pray that God will give her compassion, faith, and love....probably one of the last ones she received from her mother. And, another note, from my maternal grandma asking Grammie to pray for her nephew. I know my mom and I know my aunt. They could have very well planted the birthday card and the note from my grandma in Grammie's Bible. But, if they didn't...I've had at least a few days of wondering what if she did it. What if it was her legacy to me. She knew that Bible would be mine. She knew my name was in it and that my parents and aunts would ensure that I'd get it back. She left me words to be encouraged in faith, compassion, and love. She told me to pray by leaving the little hastily scribbled note from my Grandma Sue that was probably written during the middle of church while they were sitting next to each other. And, she put the two legacies together and made them equal because that's what Grammie does. I've scoured the Bible for underlined passages and highlighted texts. There aren't any. There's only those two notes and the more I dwell on it, the more I realize that's the way it's supposed to be. Faith, Compassion, Love, Prayer, and the Word of God.

How's the Weather?

2010-12-14T22:27:00.000-05:00

Cold. Freezing. Literally. Last night we broke a record...last set in 1962. Tonight we're about to do the same, only 4 degrees colder....23 is our low.

I live in FL because of the weather. The summer was hotter than Hades and now the winter feels like Ohio without the snow. It's grey. It's gloomy. I'll put $100 down that we'll snow before the end of January.

2010-11-01T12:37:00.001-04:00

...and we're beat. I'm a heathen...I let the three darlings sleep till 9:00...resulting in a skipped day of school. The attendance record hasn't been too fantastic this year. Jonnie was sick for a few days, Addie was sick...it's all been a wash. They were tired, I was tired and we needed a day to be lazy. It happens about once a year around here and today is the day. We're still in our jammies, except Addie who has on a sweater that she's had since she was 18 months old. Yes, its' the truth. She's wearing jeans that go up to her midcalf. The growing girl doesn't like to part with her favorites. It's okay. We're stuck back behind the gate today and I have no intentions of going through it.

Saturday night we spent a few hours at Macy's house...where the kids only complained 20 times that they were were bored before they decided to find something to do under a kumquat tree. It involved badminton rackets and birdies, climbing neighborhood fences...and for the rest I'll remain ignorant. We joined the annual costume parade around the block. I'm fairly certain that Macy's family was wondering who they hay I was and what in creation had come over their Memaw to invite an outsider to their annual halloween party, but selfishly we had fun. Honestly, it was just nice to sit outside and watch history happen. The granddaughters who are my age told me that they had been having halloween parties at their grandparents house ever since they were born. Mason's clown costume proved it...his momma wore it when she was two.

..................
Random Happenings NOW:
"Mom, what does a fuse do?" "Is it for the light to work in the front of my minibike?"
"Yes, Jon, that's what it's for.......wait a minute....why are you asking me about a fuse?"

And, he popped a fuse out of his pocket.
"Mom, my lights don't work so I took the fuse out and dad will just have to get me a new one."
..................

Last night we had the Fall Festival at the ballpark and the kids ran wild. Seth and Jon were Iron Man...Addie was a purple fairy with wings, Caleb dressed in a cookie monster tshirt, Anna was a lady bug, and Jacob was a transformer...Anthony was Obama...a true character indeed.
.................

I hear Jon on the phone...explaining fuses. I'd better investigate.

Recently

2010-10-26T23:13:00.001-04:00

...received a very anticipated acceptance letter from Rollins. I'm excited and ready to get this show on the road.
...went on a little overnight get a way with my love...and we had fun...and thoroughly needed the break from our extreme kids.
...heard Chris yell that Jonnie put bleach with the navy uniforms.
...told Chris not to say anything to Jonnie because he was actually doing housework and we don't want to discourage that from the lazy child.
...bought 2 halloween books for Addie and Jonnie and the spooky obsession seems to now be passing.
...sarcastically told Chris I was getting a tattoo on my hip and he reminded that he had to handcuff (he was a police officer way back when) me to the stairs in our townhouse when Amy came home with one the first weekend she came back to live us from Ohio when she was 18.
...the tattoo memory made me realize that some things are not as bad as they seem when they happen. Much worse can happen. And it will. And we will survive.
...rediscovered that I make better decisions when I have ample time to myself.
...walked Dolly in the dark and let every mosquito in Mount Dora feed off of my body.
...grinned slightly when my parents told me they had to replace the red carpet in their bedroom because it wasn't neutral. :-)
...spent 20 minutes reading to my Jonnie while he put his fingers in his ears and said, "blah, blah, blah". I stopped after 2 chapters, the normal stopping time.
...wished that Caleb's voice would change already, because I'm so over this screeching thing he does while he's practicing.
...cried for the first 30 minutes of Secretariet. I didn't know there would be Alzheimer's in the movie. If I would have, I wouldn't have watched it. Now, that I have, I am thankful.
...could tell the actor that played the father...that he did too good of a job being an Alzheimer's patient and he could've toned it down a few notches for those of us who deal with it.
...

Sent My Enrollment Application

2010-09-28T12:11:00.000-04:00

to Rollins today...it's a waiting game now...and I'm a little apprehensive. It's taken awhile to make this decision...it's been wandering in my loopy mind for quite awhile. I think the wait has been because of the fear of failure...if I don't get in...I'll be...ugh...

Grrrr...Don't Be Messing With My Babies...

2010-09-14T16:02:00.000-04:00

This momma bear is on a mean prowl and I'm unleashed today.

Lord, help me.

I Have This Cousin of Mine...

2010-09-06T21:57:00.001-04:00

Lisa who is only 6 months apart from me in age and shares the same exact Grammie. 12 or so years ago when we moved into our a house...the first house we lived in, upgraded from apartment living...she walked in after we had been there for 2 weeks or so and declared, "Where's your pictures? When are you gonna get your stuff on the walls?" By the time she left that afternoon every Home Interior item I owned was on the walls...at that time...it was quite a bit. 1995 it was the decorators choice.

Lisa moved 1.3 miles away about 3.5 weeks ago. Since that time, we've found every thrift store in the antique capital of Florida and I've bought some junk. I'm pretty good at buying junk. I'm good at buying books to think about fixing junk. I'm perfect at looking at quilting magazines. 6 years ago I started a Sunbonnet Sue quilt for Adalyn before she was out of the womb. It's been sitting in a basket since she was birthed. I've looked at it several times. I've purchased more fabric for it. I've planned on how I would perfectly piece it together. Tonight, I started randomly sewing it. There's no time like the present, my friends. The girl knows her quilt is in that basket. She asks about it at least once a week and wants to know when I'm going to sew it for her. Now, my girl, I'm sewing it now. The top is half done. It'll be finished by the weekend. The ugly little nightstand I paid $6.99 for Addie's room is also painted...just need to get the knob from Lowe's and we're all set. For $12, I made somebody's ugly 10th grade wood shop project look cute. Oh...and we sewed the curtain for the front door today.
Lisa, gets my fingers moving. She'll say, "You gonna paint that stand today?" "You gonna sew that curtain?" "You know, it won't take too long for that dresser to dry"....
She's good like that.
And, that's why I like having her here.

Picked up Junior's Pictures Yesterday Afternoon

2010-09-06T09:53:00.000-04:00

Lisa and I drove to the school photographer's house yesterday afternoon to pick up Junior's pictures for the services on Tuesday afternoon...and seriously, what a senseless death. I can't even imagine how his dad and sister are coping right now...none of this is coming together in my mind to make any kind of plan. Of course, it wouldn't. Things like this never do. It would be morbid if they did. I do not want to knock on that front door today with those pictures in my hand, but I will.

Struggle With Reality

2010-09-04T12:34:00.001-04:00

While I was having a grand time in Savannah, I received a message that one of my former preschool moms and toddlers had been tragically killed in an accident. As the story has unfolded, it's become more and more challenging for me to digest. Cassie was a mom that was truly an open book with me. Probably the most transparent mother I've had in the five years since we've been open. She struggled with the amount of hours her management position had her working, the unloading of the truck on delivery days at the bakery, the full realities of being a pregnant working mom with a preschooler and then having a newborn. There were tears shed and there were prayers said. A few months ago after years of dealing with her anguish she did leave her well paying position to be home with her little Junior.

I wonder how many other moms feel like Cassie but don't feel the liberty to share?

Legacy Moments Goes Basic

2010-09-01T11:17:00.005-04:00

Great grandmother was terrified when her father died and her mother placed her with the local preacher’s family. The preacher had her marry at age 13 to a 19 year old man. But, her momma raised her trust the Lord and she did, with all 5’2” of her might. Dorsey and Addie Roberts stayed married for over 65 years until he died. They raised nine children together while he worked in the Coal Mines in Coalton, West Virginia and she worked in the local elementary school cafeteria. They attended Sunday School and none of their children ever smoked a cigarette.

Grammie was nine months pregnant, had four children at home, and nursed her cancerous husband to his death in 1958. Instead of remarrying like most young women would have at that time, she remained a widow and dedicated herself to her children. In 1968, she buried an 18-year-old son. Trusting the Lord has been her life’s endeavor. When we watched her body be consumed of Stephens Johnson Disease and her skin was burned from head to toe we trusted that she was going to rest in peace either on this side of Heaven or in eternity and she has.

My parents, siblings, and I had no idea what to expect when my dad was laid off as a maintenance supervisor from the plant he had worked at for 17 years. I was seven months pregnant with my first child, Caleb, and Chris was just finishing police academy. Within a few weeks we watched as a plan began to unfold before our eyes and we all sat around the dining room table in my parents little house in Jefferson, Ohio with a United States map. We stared at the distance between Northeast Ohio and Orlando, Florida. We knew it was far. We knew Orlando was a big scary city. And, we knew it was God’s plan for my parents and siblings. As daunting as it was, we trusted it. When Caleb was six weeks old, they left Ohio. Eleven years laster, initially trusting in the Lord and following the roadmap that He placed before us, has turned out well for our family.

As I was thinking about my reflections of getting back to the basics and questioning just exactly what my basics are, I could only come up with Jesus, my family, and trust. Trust is not an easy process; it’s the ride of our lives. There are many times that our Father is taking me on a Trust Walk and I have no idea that’s what it is. I think it’s a diversion from the enemy or something that’s come along my path that I have to fix. For Fixers, trust lessons don’t come by choice or naturally. Trust is usually the last thing that comes to mind when we have gone through a life experience. It takes me a few days or weeks to realize that learning to trust God more was the primary purpose in the situation. Just recently I’ve had a few smack me in the face lessons.

I spent the summer looking at schools for my middle boy, my Jonnie, who’s a classic Jonnie that’s full of mischievous schemes. The school scavenger hunt was sparked from our recent family move and a new school zone that wasn’t suitable for his basic special needs combined with the glaring reality that his older brother and younger sister had been accepted at a charter school on a lottery system and he hadn’t. It simply was not fair. So, nearly every Friday afternoon the boy and I went out on a search. School #1 had small “offices” for each student and the kids emailed the teacher when they had questions. This was an immediate “NO” for Jonnie. Now, I’m not knocking their system, for a Type A like Caleb it would’ve worked well. School #2 wanted so much testing on him that I was going bankrupt just thinking about it. School #3 was starting at the beginning of August and he cried at the thought of going to school a full month before his siblings. Again, just not fair. During this whole process, I questioned God repeatedly. I cried. I pouted. I was angry. I wanted to know why in the world my boy, my little Jonnie, wouldn’t be in the same school as his siblings. The final day before I had to enroll him at the one we had settled on, I received a call from his siblings’ school. They had a spot for Jonnie. It was literally the final hour. I was reminded once again, in a colossal way, that trusting our Heavenly Father with the children He has given to us is essential.

Just a few days ago, we received a call that the air conditioner unit had gone out on our rental home where my sister and her husband now live. The estimate was $1965 to repair it cheaply, $6600 to do it correctly. My brother in law made a few phone calls and within three hours the central air was replaced for less than what our weekly grocery budget is. Trusting the Lord with our daily finances and being committed to our financial responsibilities is sometimes a walk of faith, but He always provides in the time of need.

My friends, simply living life is a basic walk of trust. He cares for our children, our parents, and our spouse. He knows whether or not we have the money to buy enough groceries this week or to pay Progress Energy. He can heal our wounds and give us strength to endure through the seasons of despair. ‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, And to take Him at His Word; Just to rest upon His promise, And to know, “Thus says the Lord!”.

Sometimes the Basics are

2010-08-31T08:33:00.000-04:00

getting out of bed in the morning

I Went Home.

2010-08-30T23:22:00.000-04:00

I had a nasty fight with my husband and I ran home. I unlocked what used to be my front door. Walked in to what used to be my daughter's room, now is my niece's room...crawled into what used to be my parents bed, now is my niece's...pulled the pillow over my head...that had the pillow case on it that my mom made, complete with "Annabelle Mae". And, I cried. I waited until my sister got home so I could sob my story. Then, I pulled my boot straps up, not really because I don't have boots, and came home. To the new house. That's all ivory. Without color. Kissed my three sleeping babes. Did a few things for work. Sent a few parents (for work) emails and decided to blog my sorrows away.

And, I'm still trying to figure out what in creation the basics are.

Back to the Basics

2010-08-29T01:21:00.001-04:00

It's after 1 AM and my internal time clock has me awake once again. It's like Satan's playground in my mind on Saturday nights...really.

I went to bed, after two hours I got up and popped two melatonins...waiting for the effects. We shall see.

During the two hours I started rehearsing the Legacy Moments article in my mind again. It's been a pretty hefty thought over the past month. When Suz first told me the topic, I thought, "Easy Breezy". I told her that I discuss, I moving venture and getting back to a normal meal plan, etc.

But as the past month or so has gone by my thoughts have totally been a whirlwind on the topic. I'm not so sure that there is a single thing Basic in my life.

I have habits. I have principles. Basic=Nope. Then, I tell myself that I'm too cynical and I'm making a basic thing too complicated...Again. Because, I do do that. It's what I do. I tear things apart and put them back together. I'm a fixer. A little bit like Jonnie and his airsoft guns and his mini bike. Most times I wish I could be instinctively basic. But, I'm not. The only Basic thing I know in life is to Love Jesus and stay married. Those are the Basics. Do or Die those are the two outcomes of who I'll be when I leave this earth. I'll have loved Jesus and I'll have died as Chris Fobes' wife. Everything else...I've learned...isn't basic.

So, I'm really not sure what Legacy Moments will be about but I'll figure it out with the help of Jesus and Chris' raised eyebrow as he critiques my writing.

New Beginnings

2010-06-30T00:31:00.000-04:00

We've had many of them over the past few years and today I'm at the height of my melancholy personality. I don't know whether to be happy and excited to be finally getting what we've all wanted or to feel guilty to be getting what we've all wanted while my sister is in an itty bitty house and still can't find another place to go. I keep telling myself that's not my concern...easier said then done. She's my sister. It is my concern. I want the best for her. Not second or third best. She needs more space more than I do, at least her kids do.
And then I started thinking about all the big changes in life that I've had and there's not one that I've been absolutely excited about. Not a single one. All have come with worry and anxiety. Imagine that. Marriage=Terrified. Caleb's Pregnancy=Terrified. Jonnie's Pregnancy=Worry. Addie's Pregnancy=Ill. Buying this house=Scared to death. Move to FL=What in creation were we thinking?

See...nothing has come with joy. It's me. It's like, if I allow myself to experience the joy in the moment, then I'm a bad person. I have to agonize over the new change before I ease into it and let it take root. Why is that? I think it comes down to nature vs. nuture. It's not a natural tendency. I believe it's a nurturing, protective tendency that has just been passed down. I definitely know that Grammie was this way. She would give God glory for each and everything, but she would also hem and haw about it all.

Last week a few friends from church suggested a house warming party...one even said something about registering for gifts. Now...that I simply wouldn't do. It didn't even occur to me do that. But, I'm game for a party with everyone. Then...I started having all of these thoughts..."well, why would you have one now when you haven't had one before" "people will just think you're being snooty and showing off, etc"...I don't want to be that way. That's not who I am. Ugh. Ugh. Ugh. Then I start thinking about the old furniture that will be back in the family room and it's torn up and nasty...so I am vain.

And...really. Here's the truth. I am going to be 30 minutes from work. Our house 1 mile from the gate. That means, I'll have to wake up an hour earlier then I have been. The kids are excited to have the neighborhood pool. Addie learned to swim last night. Jon's ready to explore the woods. There is a fitness room that Chris and I can go to in the AM and leave the kids at the house...or they can come and play in the kids room. There is plenty to do and we're all happy about that aspect. Right now we're surrounded with grumpy old neighbors.

Here's another truth. We're closing at 11:00 tomorrow. Still don't have the final $ amount for the cashiers check. Still haven't packed the kitchen. I'm taking it in stride and thankful that I have the weekend to take things slow. I hate full piled up boxes. They make me nervous. I'd rather fill, go, unpack and come back for more. I do not have time to unpack for the next month. I've cleared out the junk and clutter. What's left is essential. It'll be simple. That's my claim.

Stupidity

2010-06-28T22:26:00.000-04:00

...that's what a packing strike is. It's ignorant. We're closing Wednesday. I don't have the electric bill changed over to our name yet. Don't have the water in our name. Haven't packed the kitchen. Still have the drawers full in the bathrooms. Yep. I'm a winner.
It'll be okay. That's my mantra. I'm going with the flow. Right now I'm more concerned about sealing that white grout then I am about moving a single box or bed into that house. The grout is bright white. It has to be sealed. It's something we'll be doing for the first time on a brand new floor...and before we track our mess in...it's getting done.

Packing Strike

2010-06-27T20:53:00.000-04:00

I'm on one. I haven't packed a thing all weekend. It isn't the most effective plan I've ever had. I still feel like something is going to fall through. We've had to provide the same paperwork 2-3 times to the people working on the mortgage and I'm just not overly thrilled with them. Not feeling the confidence right now.

When I get the closing time, I'll pack. I told them on Saturday afternoon that they weren't getting anything else from us. They had everything they needed and if they couldn't do it with what they had then we weren't getting the house. I'm over dealing with them.

So. I'm on strike.

mom, mom, mom, mom

2010-06-26T19:15:00.001-04:00

My little mom, mom, mom, mom, mom child has some adhd tendancies...
I read an article yesterday that states there is new conclusive evidence that links dust and mold allergies to adhd. My boy is highly allergic to dust and mold. His skin swelled up like softballs when they pricked him on his back last year...the only thing the boy isn't allergic to is dogs. If it blooms, he's allergic to it. He's supposed to sleep with a plastic cover on his mattress and pillow but he can't stand it.

I'm wondering now if an air purifier in his bedroom would give us all some peace of mind. He's currently in the bedroom with the amp turned up just about all the way, the foot peddle on, making funky noises on his little electric guitar. I think he's left Uncle Glen, Uncle Josh, and Nana alone today...but I'm not sure. He sneaks off quite a bit with the telephone and nags them, too. His new kick is a turtle. He wants one. What in creation is going to do with a turtle? He'll loose interest in about a half second.

I take it back. He's no longer playing guitar. He came out and destroyed Addie's box tower.

Had the Walk Through At the House This Afternoon

2010-06-25T23:49:00.000-04:00

Here's a few tips I thought I'd share...we didn't know them...so maybe some others don't know them either.

Once a year empty the hot water tank.
Seal the granite, it holds bacteria. I knew this, but it was reconfirmed.
Redo the caulking in the bathtubs once a year.
Seal the floor tile grout with the sealant that you paint on with a small brush, not the stuff that you spray on easily. It works better.
Only clean the tile floors with vinegar and water.
Flush the a/c with vinegar once every few months.
Sherwin Williams now sells a product to fill in the cracks on cement walls that you paint on and you don't see the seam that you typically would see from caulking.
Do not use the discs that stick in the toilet to keep it clean. It eats away the rubber seals and you have to replace the unit faster. This was an epiphany moment for me. We've had toilet issues and Chris likes blue water. No more blue water.
Jon Daniel pointed out the cracks in the baseboard corners where the house is settling....so they are fixing them. He also found more ants...so they are taking care of that. He's an observant, speak your mind kind of little 8 year old guy. Most of the time it's not to our benefit. Today, it was.

We're 5 days away. I can't wait to get into that kitchen. It's divine. All of the lower cabinets have pullout shelves. I'll have space. Actual space. I won't have to leave dishes in the dishwasher because there is no place to put them.

True Story.

I'm off to bed...we have a funeral early in the AM for a lady at church...she passed away in a tragic accident last Saturday while traveling to Miami with her family. Very Sad. It'll be a busy day. Jonnie is supposed to be a bday party at 11:00 and I'm to be at work at 9. We have major packing to do.

The garage is filled to the brim...Mom, I've got your table and 7 chairs. Is that all you had? Why not 8? Chris said that's all that Amy had. I'm just happy to not have an empty dining room. I found a hand embroidered berry table cloth at the Hospice Resale Shop at Mount Dora last weekend for $8...steal! It'll fit the table perfectly when the leaves are all out of it. It matches the living room set from Aunt Bonnie.

'Night.

It's Midnight....

2010-06-25T00:03:00.000-04:00

and my boys are still awake. Well, not the biggest one...he's been asleep since 8:30. Cabe and Jon bright eyed and bushy tailed. Summer Vacation is in full swing at this house. Definitely. Everyday something different has been going on and they'll end this summer knowing full well that they've enjoyed it...they will not say that they were bored or that they were stuck in a classroom all day. That is for sure.

Mom, go see Toy Story 3 tomorrow. Take Mary's boys. It's hilarious. You'll love it.

Went to the pool today for 3 hours with summer camp and I'm burnt...I can't wait for the complaints tomorrow from the parents that their kids are fried. I know their coming. I can feel it. I certainly can. I came home to shower and my head was hurting. I fell asleep and woke up 2 hours later with a migraine...nice. Did not make it back to work. Obviously. Aleeve and Treximet are my friends tonight. Don't know where I'd be without them. The kids all behaved at the pool...and it was nice to play and know that we have a good group of kids this year. We are blessed, we are truly are. Our Father rewards the Faithful.

At this time next week, we should be in the new house...doesn't seem possible. Doesn't seem real. We have two people who are supposed to come look at this house on Saturday. Praying for the right family to come along.