Tuesday, December 19, 2006
"Grace"
At least I looked like a mom trying to stay fashionable. I was wearing a cute jean skirt, a trendy jacket and my tall brown boots. I had dropped off some things at the school office and was visiting with the principal at the bottom of the stairs. We were standing beside the two lines of junior high students waiting to go outside after finishing lunch.
Upon completing my conversation, I excused myself through the line and headed toward the doors - only a few feet away. As I am walking forward I notice several of my son's friends at the front of the lines. One greets me, I smile and return the greeting . . . . . .
Have I ever told you about me taking dance lessons? I took them for several years. The family joke is that my mom enrolled me in classes because I never could quite negotiate the turn around the kitchen table and down the hall to my bedroom without bouncing off the refrigerator - in other words, I was not very good at walking.
When I say several, I really do mean several. I probably took lessons for five or six years. Ballet, jazz, tap - yes, that was me. Somehow I never did master the art of gracefulness.
Growing up it was not uncommon for me to trip over the "imaginary lines" in the carpet or on the floor. My mom would often quip, "Grace" when this occured. If either of my boys had been girls, their middle names would have been Grace. It would have covered several bases - an old family name AND if my daughter ever tripped and her Grandmother quipped, "Grace" she would have simply answered, "What?"!
. . . and somewhere in the midst of turning my head back toward the doors, one of the door mats jumps up and trips me. Unfortunately, it was not a small trip. No, it was one of those take a couple of very awkward giant steps forward and pray that something stops you before you fall flat on your face type trips.
Good news, the doors did allow me to catch my balance before I went face first to the ground with my skirt up around my head. Bad news, I did scuff up my boots.
After regaining my balance I go back and fix the 3X5 door mat which has literally folded in half with my antics. I manage to laugh and mumble something like, "Wow".
One thing about growing up ungraceful, it has allowed me to learn how to gracefully be ungraceful.
simple faith
At least I looked like a mom trying to stay fashionable. I was wearing a cute jean skirt, a trendy jacket and my tall brown boots. I had dropped off some things at the school office and was visiting with the principal at the bottom of the stairs. We were standing beside the two lines of junior high students waiting to go outside after finishing lunch.
Upon completing my conversation, I excused myself through the line and headed toward the doors - only a few feet away. As I am walking forward I notice several of my son's friends at the front of the lines. One greets me, I smile and return the greeting . . . . . .
Have I ever told you about me taking dance lessons? I took them for several years. The family joke is that my mom enrolled me in classes because I never could quite negotiate the turn around the kitchen table and down the hall to my bedroom without bouncing off the refrigerator - in other words, I was not very good at walking.
When I say several, I really do mean several. I probably took lessons for five or six years. Ballet, jazz, tap - yes, that was me. Somehow I never did master the art of gracefulness.
Growing up it was not uncommon for me to trip over the "imaginary lines" in the carpet or on the floor. My mom would often quip, "Grace" when this occured. If either of my boys had been girls, their middle names would have been Grace. It would have covered several bases - an old family name AND if my daughter ever tripped and her Grandmother quipped, "Grace" she would have simply answered, "What?"!
. . . and somewhere in the midst of turning my head back toward the doors, one of the door mats jumps up and trips me. Unfortunately, it was not a small trip. No, it was one of those take a couple of very awkward giant steps forward and pray that something stops you before you fall flat on your face type trips.
Good news, the doors did allow me to catch my balance before I went face first to the ground with my skirt up around my head. Bad news, I did scuff up my boots.
After regaining my balance I go back and fix the 3X5 door mat which has literally folded in half with my antics. I manage to laugh and mumble something like, "Wow".
One thing about growing up ungraceful, it has allowed me to learn how to gracefully be ungraceful.
simple faith
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Sweet Memories
The holidays are always filled with thoughts of loved ones and friends - it just seems inevitable. Some years bring incredible tragedies to those you know. Other years see the passing of time as loved ones who have journeyed long on this earth begin their eternal journey. This year has brought both to my life.
As my holiday preparations and daily life have been underway in recent days, I have come face to face with reality and sweet memories.
An old friend's eight year old son tragically dies. My breathe is taken away. My own children seem even more precious - the gift is cherished even more.
My Aunt's handwriting is found in a cookbook. My Grandmother's candy recipes are highlighted with a pink highlighter. The memories are sweet - the sorrow still remains.
My husband's Grandma passes away yesterday. Today my laundry includes a crocheted doily she made - the grief is new, but the memories are sweet.
I am purposeful about surrounding myself with memories. This week, I think I will be more mindful of how precious and sweet they truly are.
simple faith
The holidays are always filled with thoughts of loved ones and friends - it just seems inevitable. Some years bring incredible tragedies to those you know. Other years see the passing of time as loved ones who have journeyed long on this earth begin their eternal journey. This year has brought both to my life.
As my holiday preparations and daily life have been underway in recent days, I have come face to face with reality and sweet memories.
An old friend's eight year old son tragically dies. My breathe is taken away. My own children seem even more precious - the gift is cherished even more.
My Aunt's handwriting is found in a cookbook. My Grandmother's candy recipes are highlighted with a pink highlighter. The memories are sweet - the sorrow still remains.
My husband's Grandma passes away yesterday. Today my laundry includes a crocheted doily she made - the grief is new, but the memories are sweet.
I am purposeful about surrounding myself with memories. This week, I think I will be more mindful of how precious and sweet they truly are.
simple faith
Labels: Ponderings
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Simply Great Day
Truth be known, I have been in need of a day filled with simple pleasures for some time now. Today was the closest day to that I have experienced, well, for some time now.
At work I was able to clean, organize, and throw away (hallelujah) things in a couple of cabinets. That made me happy, happy, happy. And at home, I attacked a few stacks and also cleaned, organized, and threw away some things. Yea!!!
Then this afternoon, we traveled to God's Country to watch my oldest son play basketball. The entire team played well (and my son played well - sinking four 3 pointers and scoring 16 points) and they won what was a really close game. And . . my oldest son fouled out for the first time in his life! Not good that he fouled out in a close game, but he showed great aggressiveness on defense - we like that. These boys really needed this boost - basketball has been way too complicated to even write about.
Then, with my youngest son being cheerful because we were going to one of his favorite places to eat, we trekked to Eskimo Joe's. A Christmas tree decorated with orange and black, and topped with an orange cowboy hat, decorated the restaurant. Not my traditional decorating colors, but I really liked it!
Cheese fries with bacon and a Fowl Thing - a little slice of heaven smothered with sin. And to really make my day - I was the only one who received the new Centennial Celebration Joe's cup - AND it was pink. Woo hoo - life is good!!
Such simple pleasures for a simple kinda' girl.
simply faith
Truth be known, I have been in need of a day filled with simple pleasures for some time now. Today was the closest day to that I have experienced, well, for some time now.
At work I was able to clean, organize, and throw away (hallelujah) things in a couple of cabinets. That made me happy, happy, happy. And at home, I attacked a few stacks and also cleaned, organized, and threw away some things. Yea!!!
Then this afternoon, we traveled to God's Country to watch my oldest son play basketball. The entire team played well (and my son played well - sinking four 3 pointers and scoring 16 points) and they won what was a really close game. And . . my oldest son fouled out for the first time in his life! Not good that he fouled out in a close game, but he showed great aggressiveness on defense - we like that. These boys really needed this boost - basketball has been way too complicated to even write about.
Then, with my youngest son being cheerful because we were going to one of his favorite places to eat, we trekked to Eskimo Joe's. A Christmas tree decorated with orange and black, and topped with an orange cowboy hat, decorated the restaurant. Not my traditional decorating colors, but I really liked it!
Cheese fries with bacon and a Fowl Thing - a little slice of heaven smothered with sin. And to really make my day - I was the only one who received the new Centennial Celebration Joe's cup - AND it was pink. Woo hoo - life is good!!
Such simple pleasures for a simple kinda' girl.
simply faith
Labels: fun times
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Trimming the Tree
There are no hard and fast rules about trimming the tree at our house. It is usually done in stages and with various attitudes in tow.
This year it began last night. Well, actually, it began Thursday night. My husband and I sat up the tree and put on the lights.
This was after a trip earlier this week to find a new tree. We ventured out, youngest son along, to at the minimum of 4 stores looking for a new artificial tree - preferably one that is pre-lit and skinnier than our current one. The trip was futile. The skinny trees in town were pathetic. We decided (once again) to keep our current tree.
As I was saying, Thursday night my husband and I set up the tree, stringing lights as we went. With approximately one half of the tree left to assemble, we remembered that we had tossed several sets of lights last year. Our tree barely survived the season last year sporting several strands of lights that worked when it was put up - well, they worked for about 2 days. The tree came down quickly last year. I could not stand it!!!
The lack of lights sent my husband out - in the snow storm - in search of more strands to finish the project. Eventually, the tree was assembled and lit. We were done for the night, settling in for a family movie night. (Coach Carter - I would recommend it.)
Last night we went to watch "Miracle on 34th Street" at our community theater. Being a completely impartial person, I would say that all my friends stole the scenes they were in! Especially M who spoke Dutch to Santa!!! After the show we ventured to Starbuck's (only because DaVinci's was closed) and back home. It seemed like the perfect time for a little tree trimming.
Everyone was on board, except for my oldest son. We did get him to at least read the nail ornament poem as my youngest son hung the ornament. We decided to set his ornaments aside - I was sure he would want to hang them in the morning.
I was mistaken. This morning he still wanted absolutely nothing to do with trimming the tree. His ornaments were patiently waiting on the table, along with several others that did not make it to the tree last night.
I prayed for him/cursed him, "May you so be blessed," and began finishing the tree myself.
It was a walk through his life for me. I hung all the baby ornaments and the ages one through five ornaments. I hung the firefighter panda ornament - the fire truck had visited his school that year. . . and he had called 911 soon afterwards. The baseball playing bear ornament from the first year he had played t-ball. Then there was Kobe Bryant, Jason Kidd, and Tim Duncan. Harry Potter and ornaments made in school. And then there was that stinkin' OU ornament he insisted on one year - I hung it in the back.
As I finished off the tree with the satin balls I was taken back to my childhood. My mom would spray our satin balls with hairspray to keep them looking smooth. I trim mine when necessary, but on occasion I do think of spraying them.
Trimming our tree is always a walk down memory lane. I hope your memories are sweet and that the ones you are making with your loved ones will be also.
simple faith
There are no hard and fast rules about trimming the tree at our house. It is usually done in stages and with various attitudes in tow.
This year it began last night. Well, actually, it began Thursday night. My husband and I sat up the tree and put on the lights.
This was after a trip earlier this week to find a new tree. We ventured out, youngest son along, to at the minimum of 4 stores looking for a new artificial tree - preferably one that is pre-lit and skinnier than our current one. The trip was futile. The skinny trees in town were pathetic. We decided (once again) to keep our current tree.
As I was saying, Thursday night my husband and I set up the tree, stringing lights as we went. With approximately one half of the tree left to assemble, we remembered that we had tossed several sets of lights last year. Our tree barely survived the season last year sporting several strands of lights that worked when it was put up - well, they worked for about 2 days. The tree came down quickly last year. I could not stand it!!!
The lack of lights sent my husband out - in the snow storm - in search of more strands to finish the project. Eventually, the tree was assembled and lit. We were done for the night, settling in for a family movie night. (Coach Carter - I would recommend it.)
Last night we went to watch "Miracle on 34th Street" at our community theater. Being a completely impartial person, I would say that all my friends stole the scenes they were in! Especially M who spoke Dutch to Santa!!! After the show we ventured to Starbuck's (only because DaVinci's was closed) and back home. It seemed like the perfect time for a little tree trimming.
Everyone was on board, except for my oldest son. We did get him to at least read the nail ornament poem as my youngest son hung the ornament. We decided to set his ornaments aside - I was sure he would want to hang them in the morning.
I was mistaken. This morning he still wanted absolutely nothing to do with trimming the tree. His ornaments were patiently waiting on the table, along with several others that did not make it to the tree last night.
I prayed for him/cursed him, "May you so be blessed," and began finishing the tree myself.
It was a walk through his life for me. I hung all the baby ornaments and the ages one through five ornaments. I hung the firefighter panda ornament - the fire truck had visited his school that year. . . and he had called 911 soon afterwards. The baseball playing bear ornament from the first year he had played t-ball. Then there was Kobe Bryant, Jason Kidd, and Tim Duncan. Harry Potter and ornaments made in school. And then there was that stinkin' OU ornament he insisted on one year - I hung it in the back.
As I finished off the tree with the satin balls I was taken back to my childhood. My mom would spray our satin balls with hairspray to keep them looking smooth. I trim mine when necessary, but on occasion I do think of spraying them.
Trimming our tree is always a walk down memory lane. I hope your memories are sweet and that the ones you are making with your loved ones will be also.
simple faith
Friday, December 01, 2006
Snow Days
Our small city in a panhandle state fell prey to the massive winter storm this week. What fun!!! Snow, snow, and more snow.
We awoke Thursday morning with absolutely nothing on the ground and school cancelled because of the impending storm. My husband was skeptical to say the least. Of course, by the time I am leaving for work the snow has begun to fall and it continued into the night.
Yes, I said "leaving for work". Although my boys were out of school, I was (dutifully) at the office for four hours. The best phone call comes a little before noon.....
"Mom, I just wanted to tell you that we came to our house."
Previous phone call has told them that they cannot host the 'hood in our house. They need to go to Red's house - where there is an adult present.
"Red stuck his face in the snow and he is numb. We came to thaw out. There is a big mess, but we will clean it up."
"You are outside? Are you bundled up?" (Wind chill about zero!!)
"Yes, we have on the ski clothes and we are sledding. Bye!" Click.
Let's see - ski clothes, sledding - yes, they've been in the attic. I wonder if they brought the Christmas decorations down for me?
I come home to find the mess as cleaned up as it will be for days and the 'hood hanging at Red's house. Are my guys great or what?
Well, I did have to bring the Christmas decorations out of the attic myself.
Today we took them sledding. I love snow days.
simple faith
Our small city in a panhandle state fell prey to the massive winter storm this week. What fun!!! Snow, snow, and more snow.
We awoke Thursday morning with absolutely nothing on the ground and school cancelled because of the impending storm. My husband was skeptical to say the least. Of course, by the time I am leaving for work the snow has begun to fall and it continued into the night.
Yes, I said "leaving for work". Although my boys were out of school, I was (dutifully) at the office for four hours. The best phone call comes a little before noon.....
"Mom, I just wanted to tell you that we came to our house."
Previous phone call has told them that they cannot host the 'hood in our house. They need to go to Red's house - where there is an adult present.
"Red stuck his face in the snow and he is numb. We came to thaw out. There is a big mess, but we will clean it up."
"You are outside? Are you bundled up?" (Wind chill about zero!!)
"Yes, we have on the ski clothes and we are sledding. Bye!" Click.
Let's see - ski clothes, sledding - yes, they've been in the attic. I wonder if they brought the Christmas decorations down for me?
I come home to find the mess as cleaned up as it will be for days and the 'hood hanging at Red's house. Are my guys great or what?
Well, I did have to bring the Christmas decorations out of the attic myself.
Today we took them sledding. I love snow days.
simple faith
Labels: Winter Weather
