Blessings

Our family has experienced a number of changes since this time last year--some good and some not so good. I've had shingles . . . again! Actually, the medical term for what I have is "post-herpetic neuralgia" which is leftover pain caused by previous shingles experiences. Thankfully, this one wasn't as painful as past outbreaks. Secondly, Meredith has been involved in two car accidents in the past six months--in one accident she was driving, in the other she was a passenger. We're so thankful that she wasn't seriously hurt in either accident--nor was anyone else! Joey moved to Florida this past March, but we're glad to say that he's just moved back to the Bluegrass state. A few months ago Mike was told by his doctor that he needed to quit work and apply for disability. The bad part of that is obvious. The good part is that he and I have much more time together AND he cooks dinner for me most nights during the week! Might I say, I'm really enjoying both! When Rachel came to visit for her cousin's wedding during the summer, she unexpectedly had to have her gallbladder removed. She made it through the surgery with no complications, however, and after the surgery, we brought Rachel to our house where she stayed for about a week (time together that we enjoyed). When she returned home she was still able to go with Ben on their scheduled trip to Hawaii. Although she had to wear support hose on the plane, she was even able to go snorkeling, and they had a great time with their friends! In the spring I was invited quite suddenly and unexpectedly to accompany my aunt on a trip to the British Isles. This was a trip I had always dreamed of taking! I was able to see so much of what I have read, studied, and taught about. My aunt did have a bout of food poisoning, and it was while we were in England that I received news of Meredith's first car accident! Thankfully (again), the food poisoning effects were resolved in approximately 24 hours, and the greatest loss in the accident was the loss our our vehicle. As I said before, our year has had its ups and downs, but that makes us pretty typical. I realize that the negative events in life make us appreciate the positive ones so much more. All things considered, we have truly been blessed.

Test Grade -- F!

You might wonder from the title of my last posting (in September) what the "test" was. It refers to my ability to post a picture from my trip to the British Isles. The picture that was posted was a success--not my success, however, but Rachel's! I tried for a couple of hours on two different evenings to insert some pictures from my trip, but to no avail. Frustrated, I simply gave up. I guess that makes my grade a double F! Anyway, I've decided to try again. If it doesn't work, there's always the Microsoft site which works for me (sometimes).

This is a test!

Little Things

Over the years I've realized that it's the little things of life that I find most satisfying--a clean refrigerator, a mopped floor, a straightened closet, clean sheets....the accomplishment of almost any task, regardless of how small or seemingly insignificant. I've been known to open a straightened knife drawer a number of times just to enjoy another moment of satisfaction! Well, during the last of the winter months, I became aware of how faded our shutters had become. What had been a nice country blue 10 years ago had become a very faded, washed out water-at-the-shore blue. Yes, I know, you can barely see the color--that's what I thought, too. As a matter of fact, while I was approaching the house about a week ago, I was thinking about how faded the shutters were and that I really had to get them painted. Boy, were they ever faded! Then I realized that the shutters weren't on the house--Mike had taken them down. Sadly, there was very little difference between the appearance of the house with or without the shutters. Since I had already purchased the new paint ("celestial blue") , I made it a point to get the shutters painted week before last. Those at HGTV might say that the new coat of color has given our house something called "POP"; personally, I think the new color is rather "heavenly."

The Best Day!

Today I've had to remind myself of (one) of my mottos: "Today is the best day of my life!" I try to remind myself of this each day because I realize that today is all that I have. Yesterday is gone, and I don't know if I'll be allowed to see tomorrow, and since I don't have control over either of those two days, there's no point in my worrying too much about either one. (I may make this sound easy, but applying this attitude to my life isn't always as easy as it may sounds.) I must admit that I don't feel that I have many "bad" days at my job. I enjoy my job, the work that I do. I like the people with whom I work. I even like the kids that I deal with on a regular basis (most, most of the time, anyway). Today was apparently an aberation! First off...well, I'd better not give details, but suffice it to say, politics abound in the workplace! I was so upset by something that happened that I was almost in tears. Since I knew that I would probably cry if I talked to the person that I believed could take care of the problem, I did the most logical thing I could think of--I sent an e-mail to that person along with a copy to my immediate superior. I was satisfied to see that both individuals opened their e-mails right away, but not so satisfied when I heard very quickly from my superior and was informed that I had committed an apparent faux pas by involving a higher-up in a domain over which she was not to be involved. Apologies abounded--mine, of course! I guess I've been having it too easy, because the first upsetting event was soon followed by a second. Last week I asked for guidance in dealing with a particular situation involving students. I was told (adamantly) what could and could not be done. Today I found out that what we are saying and what we are doing are two different things. This really goes against my grain! Finally, to top off the day, when I encouraged a student to get busy, he came back with an extremely vulgar, disrespectful comment. In 30 years of teaching, it was the first time anyone had said something like this to me! Oh, well. Today, the best day of my life, is almost over, and if I'm blessed, I'll wake up tomorrow morning to face the best day of my life!

Spring Break...and the EB

Spring break started for me this past Thursday. Yes, I'm actually getting a head start on everyone else in our county. Since I had a doctor's appointment on Thursday (used a sick day) and took my last personal day on Friday, I was able to leave early to visit with Meredith at school. After arriving, Meredith and I had dinner together, went shopping at Walmart (of course), hung out in the dorm, etc. Meredith "casually" mentioned that Easter was coming up next weekend and also "casually" mentioned her Easter basket. Yes, the Easter Bunny has continued to visit my children (ages 28, 26+, and 21) into their adulthood. I told Meredith that the EB ceases to visit individuals who have reached the age of 21. She was shocked and in total disagreement with that concept. After a bit of discussion regarding her age, obligations of the Easter Bunny to younger children, the subject was dropped.
I convinced Meredith to get up early the next morning so we could have breakfast together before her 8:30 class. After Mere. left for class, I made my required visit to the school bookstore and then on to the Dollar Store. After deciding to help out the EB, I managed to find an FHU t-shirt Meredith had described to me, some sugar-free candy, and two-small stuffed animals (a baa-ing lamb and a piglet for her collection) for her Easter basket (really a gift bag). It's no wonder my children still expect visits from the EB (and SC), but I just can't help myself...I guess I'm an enabler. When I delivered the "bag-sket" I let my youngest know that the Easter Bunny had extended his contract with her for one year...this year...but that after this year she, and her siblings, were off the list so he could devote his efforts to younger "kids." Although she wasn't too thrilled about her name being taken off the list, she was very excited about this year's Easter gifts. We had a great visit; I really enjoyed our time together. After I left Meredith, I drove about three and one half hours to see Rachel, my oldest child, and my son-in-law, Ben, with whom I'm looking forward to spending several relaxing days during my break. I called along the way to update Rachel on where I was on my journey and that everything was going fine--much like I did with my parents when I was growing up! During one of my calls to Rachel (who is 28), she mentioned that her Easter basked was on the dining room table waiting for the Easter Bunny's arrival! All I've got to say at this point is that this bunny is tired and looking forward to a rest....and that I'm really looking forward to helping out the EB when I have grandchildren!

Wedding Bells

This weekend was a particularly special one since our girls came home to attend the wedding of a dear friend of our family. She's a wonderful young woman, and although I don't know her new husband very well, I feel sure that he's a fine young man--otherwise I know she wouldn't have chosen him to be her husband! I'm so pleased for them both and for their families. A wedding is such a special time but particularly when both the bride and groom are Christians and seem quite right for each other. In addition to the feeling of happiness I felt for the bridal couple, I also experienced feelings of nostalgia as I listened to them while they exchanged their vows--and remembered a similar time in my own life over 32 years ago. I know their marriage will be a happy one as long as they keep God at the center of their life together. I wish them well.

Excuses and More

Obviously, it's been too long since my last blog....Rachel told me (at least 3-4 times) that I needed to update, Meredith told me (at least twice) to update; even Paul said that I needed to update. When I heard that Daniel, the blog police, was giving out citations (and fines!) I knew that I needed to get with it because I can't afford a fine! And I do realize that November 16 was quite some time ago. It is, however, one of the busiest times of the year. Thanksgiving dinner for several members of our family at our house, the day-after-Thanksgiving-Christmas shopping, my family at our house for the Powers' family Christmas, the end of the first school semester, nursing Rachel during her tooth extraction, Christmas at Ben and Rachel's, Christmas at our house, Christmas with my parents in Tennessee, a huge New Year's celebration--oh, wait a minute. . . .we didn't receive an invitation to that one! Sorry. . .I got carried away. At any rate, we were busy enough without another holiday event.
Even though it's a hectic time, I have always loved the holidays (as I mentioned in an earlier blog) and the time with family and friends. When I was growing up, Christmas was always a special time in our home. I don't know that it was any different than Christmas in anyone else's home, and to be quite honest, there were probably many families who were involved in many more activities during the holidays than ours was. My father's job kept us on the move and away from our extended family during most holiday seasons, so our immediate family (Dad, Mom, my twin sisters, and myself) were usually the only participants in our celebrations. That was always enough for us, however. We always had a tree. . . tabletop, live (green or flocked), plastic, or aluminum--we've had them all. And oh, the presents! There were so many! We always had all that we needed plus much more, but my parents didn't buy us something every time we went to the store or just because we asked. Christmas was a different story. I don't remember being asked what I wanted, but whether it was Santa Claus or Mom and Dad, the perfect gifts always seemed to make their way under the tree. I knew that it really wasn't the presents that were important, but the time we spent together. There was such a magical quality to the time and the traditions of each and every holiday season.
When I married and had children, I tried to instill in them my appreciation for the holidays. I think they all know how much the holidays mean to me, and I hope they'll share those feelings with their own families. It has always meant so much to me for us to be together as often as possible and especially some time during the holiday season. When our children marry, however, we have to show that we've learned another lesson--that of sharing. We don't just share gifts and food, but we also have to share our time--time with those we love. Although I've never thought of myself as a particularly selfish person, I must say that there's a part of me that would like for my children to be at our home all the way from Thanksgiving through New Year's. Now that Rachel is married, I realize the importance of her spending time with her husband's family as well as with ours. I also know, however, that as our children grow up, move away, and as way leads to way, there's always the possibility that we won't all be together. I do hope my children will carry with them many joyous Christmas memories that will bring a smile to their hearts and that will create in them the desire to return to their first home.