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Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Mommy-Alone Time

I'm off work this week for some Mommy-Alone Time. So far it's been a beautiful thing. (except for the laundry that I needed to catch up on) I spent yesterday reading a book outside on the patio. I watched Rowdy chase butterflies around the yard. It was divine. No one looking for me, or asking me anything for SIX whole hours.
Today is Granny's 70th birthday, so I do have to run to the store this morning. For her birthday dinner we're having lasagna, salad, garlic bread and she wanted Paula Deen's Is It Really Better Than Sex Cake.

I do have to go to Open House over at the middle school tonight.

The sun is shining, the birds are singing and the children are on their merry way to school.

Yay !

Monday, September 29, 2008

Visit from One of My First Foster Kids

This evening I got a surprise visit from my first foster daughter. She is now a lovely eighteen year old young lady.

I was so completely speechless as I looked at her. My mind drifted back to the first time I laid eyes on her. Seven years old, being moved from a foster home she had been in since birth. Her hair was matted in thick braids and she was so lost and forlorn looking. A tiny wisp of a child. She came with all her belongings, seven years of stuff tossed into two trash bags. Clothes that clearly were not hers and toys that looked like they were scavenged from a dumpster.

I took her shopping our first evening together. We went to Sears. I bought toys and clothes and shoes for her. On the bus ride back home she laid her head against my arm and sighed contently.

She was with me two and a half years. I gave her her first birthday party, her first pair of glasses, sat with her while she had minor surgery. I read to her, bought her her first bicycle. I loved her as if she were my own.
She brought me so much joy.

I looked at her today and it was hard to look at her.
It made my heart hurt.

Someone made a decision that caused her to have to leave my home, so she could be with a sibling.
It seems like it was so long ago and yet it feels like it happened yesterday.

I cannot change the past, but it's days like this that I wish I could.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Pickles and the Cellphone

Last weekend we were at Sam's Club doing our mid-month shopping when a row of cell phones caught Pickles' eye. All aglow he steered me to the kiosk to look at them. I've been needing a new phone for quite a while now, so I was interested.

Saleslady: "We're having a sale on our smartphones, they're free with a two year contract!"
Mommy:" Swwwweeet."
Pickles: *drool*

So I looked over all the smartphones and I chose a cute little red BlackBerry Pearl. The saleslady then asked Pickles if he had a phone, (he didn't) and then she asked me if I wanted him to have a free smartphone.

So I looked at Pickles and then I looked at the phones. Then I looked at Pickles again....then I looked at the phones again. This went on for a few minutes. Pickles was trying to look as sad and pathetic as a 13 year old boy could possibly look.

But see...I know my son. He has no sense of responsibility. He doesn't take care of things. But.....he is a good boy. He is respectful and kind. Helpful and polite.

So after reviewing the House Rules Regarding Teens and Cellphones with him.....

I bought him a phone.

Jump to today....
Today I was on my way home from work (almost to the house) when guess who runs down the street to meet me ??

Pickles:"Hey, mommy how was your day today ??"
Mommy:" Great, as always."
Pickles: " Probably didn't have a busy day today...right?"
Mommy (Suspiciously): "Well, I did have a class this afternoon, so no I wasn't that busy."
Pickles:" Hey, we had an incident at school today."
Mommy (even more suspiciously):"Oh...?"
Pickles:" Yeah, somebody broke into my locker and ...."

For the past three years Pickles' lockers have been broken into EVERY. SINGLE. YEAR. MULTIPLE. TIMES.
Why would you put the phone in a locker ?? You might as well drop the phone in the middle of the cafeteria during lunch time and yell "Free Phone !".


You already know what he's going to say. I know you do.
The phone is history after ONE week. Just ONE Week.

I'm just glad it was free.

He thought he could get NEW phone immediately. Sorry kid, too bad, so sad.
Pickles is out of the phone business, until it's time for an equipment upgrade....in about two years.

We had a long heart-to-heart talk about how sometimes people will covet what you have and will do anything to get it. That's why you don't go around bragging and showing off your nice things. Enjoy the blessings you've been given, without being boastful. Hopefully he learned something.

Thank goodness it was free.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Things Kids Say (September)

Granny: Daisy, what is on your face ?? Go put some soap and water on a washcloth and wash your face.

Daisy: I can't wash my face with soap and water.

Granny: Why not ?

Daisy: If I use soap and water, I'll have to close my eyes....then I won't be able to find my face.


LOL

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Broken Bone

Pickles was playing football today, in a field near our house. Somehow during a tackle he was slammed down hard and broke his collarbone.

He did really well at the hospital. I thought the x-rays were going to kill him, because he was in so much pain.

But he's ok. He's ok.

I guess we'll see how he feels in the morning and then I'll decide if he should stay home or go to school.

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Home Alone

I got to spend a Saturday morning home....ALONE ! Granny went to pick apples with one of her friends and the kids all went to the library.

I watched a little tv, did a little dusting, started a pot roast in the slow cooker, vacuumed the livingroom and relaxed.

It was heavenly. Everyone should try it.

Monday, September 1, 2008

My Fall Fix Up List (AKA the list of stuff that probably won't get done)

My house is a mess. Not a messy mess, but a need-to-fix-some-stuff mess.
There are so many projects that are swirling around in my head, I feel like I'm going...um....bananas most days. I'm just so bogged down in the day-to-day stuff I just feel like I'll never get ahead. So I plan on making a conscious effort to beat down my to-do list.

Kathy's To-Do List
Paint bathroom
Install new tile floors in bathroom
Re-paint walls in stairwell
Replace front screen door
Get new hot water tank installed
Replace living room carpet
Paint kitchen

I'm getting tired just looking at the list.