An Angel Attachment

Had some running around to do today. The pneumonia is receding, but due to some unsightly stuff I am still coughing up occasionally, the doctor wanted me to tack 5 days onto my antibiotic regimen. They had the good stuff in the office so all I had to do is run in and pick it up. Thank God for doctors who care...

While I was down that way I planned to stop in and do our monthly Costco shopping. Which was an exhausting ordeal, and not really my best idea ever... when you're healthy and you have normal energy levels, you don't really give any thought to how much "work" is involved in buying bulk foods. By the time I pushed the 576lb cart thru the warehouse, loaded it all into the van, got it home and made a dozen trips between the van and the house...then put it all away, which included at least half a dozen trips to the basement pantry and freezer I fell onto the couch in a near coma. 

The entirety of this post thus far, was to tell you that while I was right in the area, I stopped into Hobby Lobby. I do dearly love Hobby Lobby. My goal was twofold...I wanted to check out their Valentine's Day decorations, and I wanted to see just how clearanced they have their Christmas decorations. Because, God knows, I NEED more Christmas decorations. (Rolling my eyes). It's an illness I think, because this year I actually decided to weed through the decorations I already have. Nearly 10 rubbermaid tubs full of garlands and santa's and I don't even know what all. Half of which I didn't pick out, some of which I display out of habit and NOT because I lovingly chose it...or even like it. Every year there are things I do not display...things I just never get out. 2012 is the year of the purge in the Garrett house...if I don't use it, it's GONE. So, I have been assessing each decoration as I pack it away...Do I love it? Is it tradition? Will my kids fight over it when I'm dead? And if I don't love it...it goes in a box for goodwill. So, despite the fact that the last damn thing I need is more Christmas decorations I went in and headed straight for the clearance. And was immediately drawn to the angels...80% off...lovely elaborate angels. Angels with white puffy gowns and boa feathers... our angel, is old. Old and broken. Her lights quit working a couple years ago and last year, in an effort to make do, I cut all the light cords off. She was holding two gold lights in her hands, and after I cut off the lights she held her hands out to us...imploring...as if to say...stop, take in the glory of this tree. Or, perhaps, Please help me. help me find my lights. She's kind of small, not really proportionate to our tree. And she has blue eyeshadow. But somehow, in Hobby Lobby, I just couldn't replace her. 

She has always been there, on the tree Jon and I share...and she has watched over our Christmas seasons faithfully. And when it came right down to it, I got all sentimental and couldn't replace her. So, she stays, with her blue eyeshadow. Because I love her... 

Pneumonia Sucks!

the energy right out of you. I am finally, really on the mend. Avelox is a wondrous drug. It could, possibly, make you poop your pants. BUT, it will kick out any infection in your bod post haste. Thank God!!

January approaches and we all know what that means…

January is get healthy month. We all know it’s supposed to be a new beginning and it is. But, never long term. I told Jon last night we need to go to the grocery to get all of our fruits and veggies and lean meats. Because January is coming and we have to pretend we are going to change. We can eat healthy for a month then go back to normal in February. Just being a realist here…

Lord Help Me…

What on God’s Green Earth have I gotten myself into now?? Yesterday, I agreed to head up the 4th-6th grade youth group at church. Which is a new group…traditionally youth group is for teenagers. At our church we have a LARGE crop of 10-12 year olds that are extremely interested in participating. In an effort to NOT turn away kids who want to go to church for a couple hours on Sunday night we are expanding. Accommodating. Experiencing growing pains even. It’s going to be a challenge. To say the least. Of course, more than half these kids used to attend childrens church with me every Sunday morning, years ago…which actually is how I know that burn out can happen quickly.

Last night was the Christmas party and the first time I attended a youth group. It made me proud. Sam is turning into a fine young man. Crazy, but true. He had one shining moment…when he yelled at them all to “SHUT UP” but other than that really, he was a leader. Impressive. And to be fair, he told them to listen several times before he turned ugly. He and Austin, at 14, are the 2 oldest…and they will be good influences for the younger set.

I look forward to watching it unfold and would appreciate any and all prayers for patience…

Love you all!

My Maggie Dilemma

The short form of the back story:

1. Maggie has been “friends” with Maura since first grade. In first grade, they were quite close.

2. Since first grade other girls have joined their “friendship”.

3. Last year, much to Maggie’s dismay, Maura started pulling away from Maggie somewhat and connecting more with the other 2 girls.

4. And this little tidbit should have been #1 ~ Maggie is a MAJOR people pleaser of the highest level. It is positively dismaying to me how eager to please and needy she is…it’s pathetic really. I try hard to understand…I know once upon a time I too was a people pleaser…but it was so long ago I can’t remember. I don’t know how she FEELS. I can’t relate to or respect her approach.

So, cut to this week. She asked me if Maura could spend the night. This Saturday we have Blake’s birthday party and this Sunday is Jon and I’s anniversary. So, I told her Maura COULD spend the night, NEXT weekend. She promptly went to school and asked Maura if she’d like to spend the night next weekend, to which Maura replied that she would and she had to ask her mom. The next day Maura told Maggie that yes, indeed, she could spend the night next weekend.

Then yesterday, she came to school and told Mags that she didn’t know if she could because she was going to ask her mom if Hannah and Darcy (the other two) could spend the night at her house. Which naturally broke Maggie’s heart and pissed me off BIG TIME!!
I have tried without success over the past year to convince Maggie that she should just cut those ties. Those 3 girls don’t do anything positive for Maggie or her self-esteem. Over and over they have shown themselves to be inconsiderate and thoughtless…Maggie just doesn’t rate with them…and she expends FAR too much energy trying to.
Sadly, Maggie and I spent most of yesterday evening at odds over this situation. Maggie is scheming, trying to figure out how she can convince Maura to choose her next Friday night. I am appalled that she doesn’t in 4th grade words tell her to go to hell. I have tried and tried to convince Maggie that she is a good friend and she in turn deserves good friends. I really am at a loss right now. I told her last night that I would prefer she have a different friend over, because Maura isn’t very nice. And still this morning she came out and told me what she plans to say to Maura today…which is basically a beggar pitch, please pick me. Then she asked me if she can convince Maura to choose her, and she does indeed spend the night, will I be nice to her. I quite honestly answered, “I won’t be mean, but I won’t be nice by my usual standard Mags. That’s the best I can do.”
Why? What do I do? Dammit, why won’t she listen to me? 38 years I’ve spent learning all these hard lessons and the people I love most refuse to let me help them learn from them. It’s cruel really. Meanwhile, my heart breaks for her. Any advice???

BEST. SUMMER. EVER!

The kids only have 6 days left…the first day of school is looming. School supplies have all been bought. Schedules have been received and double checked. And I, while ready, have been reminiscing. We have been blessed with an INCREDIBLE summer!

We kicked our summer off with a family trip to the beach…

We had a wonderful time, with family, extended family and friends. There was no drama. Just fun, sun, sand, surf and harmony…except for that one minor night…but hey, no hard feelings, right?

When we returned home, it was time for Vacation Bible School. I had not volunteered to help this year, but when I took the Maggie and Liam on Monday, Sam and I were drafted to help out. That too, was a great week.

After VBS, we rested for a few weeks, our only quiet weeks of the summer. Well, rested as much as is possible with 2 boys playing baseball. Liam kicked arse individually this year, but his team did not achieve anything wonderful. Which was a shame, they had a lot of talent. But not such a great coach, so the season amounted to not much. Sam, on the other hand, went ALL THE WAY!

They were the BEST Pony League team in two counties! It was stressful, exciting, exhilarating even!

Two days after Sam’s baseball season was over, we were on our way to spend a week in Buffalo with Jon. After 7 months, we finally had a free enough schedule to spend some time there with him and go to Niagara Falls.

Why on earth we had never gone before, I cannot say. Ignorance, plain and simple…I did not know what I was missing.

It was WOW!!! I was so impressed, in fact…

that we decided we were going back the next week. Then I called Dad and told him that given the fact that he and Anne were coming the following weekend anyway, it would really be to their benefit to come a couple days early and go with us. And what do you know? They did!

Then, we came back and met up the next day with the rest of the clan at The Ohio State Fair!

I’m sure I’ve missed a few things…but all in all, I think you can see that we were blessed with many memories, much family…could not have asked for a better summer.

Now, Jon has started a new contract at Chase, here in Columbus, the kids are headed back to school on Monday next and I am looking forward to some normalcy. Just for a little while.

I love you all!