True Confessions...

I sat down to do my Thursday Thirteen post tonight and this is what happened:

I am working through the "ABC's of Me". This week should be "N" week. So, I started with my regular TT ritual of brainstorming the weekly letter in my head. These are the first "N" words that came to mind: nappy, nosey, noisy, nil.

Then I sat up and started analyzing THAT brainstorm....

Nappy? I don't think so unless we are talking about taking a little siesta "nappy"...and that is simply not how I talk. In fact, I hate it when grown adults add "y's" on the end of words that simply don't normally have them. You know like "Would you like a little huggy?" Or "Do you want to take a walky with your wifey?" You get the picture.

Nosey? OK I admit sometimes this is a good description of me. BUT, and this is a big BUT, I am really not as nosey as I once was. I never was "Gladys Cravitz" kind of nosey (I'm dating myself now, so maybe I should use "nostalgia" when I actually DO this thing). But, I am way too busy to be nosey much anymore.

Noisy? I think I'm pretty quiet most of the time. Although it's possible that those in my family might disagree and think this is a viable "N" word for my Thursday Thirteen list.

And "Nil"? That's just not right. I am not sure WHAT that means or WHERE that came from...but it's going back into the brainstorm file for another time when I feel like really figuring it all out.

Soooooo I decided to forgo the list this week.

While I'm confessing, though, I want to go ahead and get something else off my chest:

I'm a comment addict. There. I said it.

At one time I was a site meter addict. I stopped looking at it and now hardly even give it a second thought. Just before I left on my cruise, however, there was a day when I got several comments followed by a day of very few comments. And the day I got so few was one I wanted to hear from people. So, I decided to check the meter once again.

When I got there, I kept seeing this "visitor" from a little town about an hour and a half north of where I live. A few hits on the "back button" and the history was clear that this person had been visiting me for several weeks. Multiple times each day. I was absolutely furious that this person kept visiting and never commented. I mean how can you be a "neighbor" and not say "hello"? Not even one little eensy weensy comment.

Then I clicked out of my blog and checked back about 15 minutes later---a good sign that you're a comment addict. Nothing. I clicked over to site meter to see my "northern neighbor" was on at the SAME TIME. Then, reminding myself that I lack true computer savvy, and possibly being hit by a blogging lightbulb, I asked my 13 yo..."can you tell when our own computer logs in on this thing?" And he said, yes. Then he proceeded to show me how to match the number on my laptop with the one in my site meter.

Lo and behold, I am the one who has been visiting my OWN blog and not leaving comments! Rest assured that my site meter addiction is quite under control. I haven't been back since that revelation.

But the comment addiction is a whole other story. I like to hear from those in bloggy world. It's part of my "social side". I enjoy visiting blogs and leaving comments too. Truly I believe if you want comments, you have to give them. My Mama DID teach me the Golden Rule. I want to remember, though, that there are all kinds of people in the world and thus bloggers in the "sphere". I know that not everyone is a commenter and that's got to be OK. It's what makes this such a unique medium.

So this confession is the first part of my "treatment". The second part took place when I really thought about WHY I blog.

It's really for me anyway. It's a place to record my thoughts, my feelings, my faith journey, my family stories, the lessons I learn, and the everyday happenings that make up my life. It's a place to get and be real. It's a place to laugh and cry and simply be. And none of that requires an audience. Although, I'll be honest, an audience is nice sometimes. It's not so much wanting attention as it is wanting true reflection. It's that opportunity to push my thinking a bit...share experiences...and learn together. But, if it's really for "me", then those days when it's "comment lite" should not bother me. So I'm letting go here and now.

Whew! Now I feel better.

If you're reading this, though, could you please tell me how you feel about comments on your blogs? Oops...that may have just set me back to square one of my treatment...but go ahead. Tell me anyway. Cause, tomorrow's another day!

Book Review: Flies on the Butter

A few weeks ago, I went to the Christian bookstore and found several books on sale for $5. I picked up a couple that I thought would be good "summer reading". I have two other books I am reading, but wanted to read something "light" on the cruise.

Denise Hildreth is a new author for me. I found her book, Flies on the Butter a wonderful read that was light yet thought-provoking.

This book is about Washington D.C. child advocate Rose Fletcher. When Rose left her hometown of Mullins, South Carolina, she intended to never look back. But this story centers around an event that finds Rose in her car heading South.

Rose is forced to deal with her past and the present chaos that defines her life as she makes her way to visit the family that she left behind. This book is filled with southern charm as Rose relives many chapters of her childhood during the drive.

I found Hildreth's writing charming and oh so refreshing. I also found myself challenged to once again make sure that there are no "flies on the butter". I love the picture that Hildreth paints of swatting those flies. Rose is reliving the childhood memory of her Mamaw shooing the flies from the butter when we find out the deeper meaning:

"Why do you keep swatting at those flies, Mamaw? They ain't going
nowhere. They just keep landing when you're not looking."

"You got to stay on them, Red," her granddaddy said. "Let those
flies have the butter, and the next thing you know, they'll want your biscuits
too. You've got to be vigilant about some things in life. Ain't that
right, Mama?"

"That's right," Rosey's Mamaw said with another swat.

Hildreth notes in her acknowledgements that Flies on the Butter is a song that she first heard sung by Wynona Judd. One line in the song says, "You can dream about it every now and then. But you can't go home again." Hildreth shares that when she first heard the song, she was moved to tears. It caused her to remember a time when life was less complicated.

And while I think the "time travel" is fun in this book, it is also quite necessary for even the reader. For it's in going back that we can see the places where we forgot to swat the flies and let them "have the bisuits too"!

I hit "publish" on this post then noticed the Bible verse that showed up on my blog today. I simply think it's neat how related it is to this whole lesson:

I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun. Ecclesiastes 2:10-11

I'm glad I took the time to read this book. Now, somebody pass me that fly swatter!

I'm HOME!!

Once again, I feel July has gone by in a whirlwind! It's usually the month that we travel. This year has been no different except we're all traveling differently!

I have just returned from our seven day cruise in the Caribbean. We visited Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas, St. Thomas, San Juan Puerto Rico, and Grand Turk in Turks and Caicos. The weather simply couldn't have been more perfect. Unusually mild days accompanied by extremely calm seas made it a wonderful trip!

I know it may seem strange to go on two cruises in one Summer. Believe me, it's kind of weird for me to think about!

Here's the thing...our first cruise to Alaska was a "free cruise" that DH won last year on our anniversary cruise to Panama. The second one is one that my cousin invited me to attend with other people from her school. It kind of grew and my Mom and Brother and my friend Debra tagged along. Both were blessings to me and did the very thing John Tesh wrote about in his book----they helped me and my family and friends make some fantastic memories! And those are endorphins that last a lifetime.

I've already highlighted Alaska here pretty much. Let me highlight this cruise that just finished:

Of course, no cruise is complete without the exciting LIFEBOAT DRILL! Here are Lynn and my Mom preparing for it. I am so proud! Actually, I'd have been right there in the picture with them, but SOMEBODY had to be sane and take the darn thing!

Of course there was plenty to do each and every day. We took advantage of many of the ship's activities including my favorite, the Piano Bar. I could sit around a piano and sing "old favorites" forever! In fact, I'm listening to the music of the pianist right now. His name is Eric Fischer. If you get the chance, head over to his website and listen to a few of his original pieces. He's really a very talented young man.

There were plenty of "off ship" adventures as well. Here are Mom, Dan and Me looking a little "touristy" wouldn't you say? We were on our way to the beach.
And, the nature...OH the nature! In many ways, it pales in comparison to Alaska, but I think it is no less grand to see such gorgeous sunsets:

And look at this photo taken from one of the mountains in St. Thomas looking down over the sea port:

The water is such an incredible blue. It's really like no other place I've seen. When we were swimming, it was almost as clear as swimming in a backyard swimming pool. So very refreshing!And this year, the sky matched the sea. It was a beautiful clear blue about 90% of the time. This picture was taken in the Puerto Rican Rainforest.

In addition to the nature was the wonderful crew. Our waiter made it a delight to go to dinner each night. I enjoyed a full body massage one day...and although I felt a little like I'd been run through a car wash (another blog for another day), it was a blessing. We had wonderful service and entertainment in so many places aboard the ship. I am so thankful that I've had the chance to make some lasting memories this week.

It was relaxing, refreshing, and rejuvinating! And for that, I'm REJOICING!

Bon Voyage!!

I am leaving this morning for a week long trip to the Caribbean. My Mom, Brother, friend Debra, and my cousin Lynn are tagging along with several staff members from Lynn's school. I'm excited! I'll update when I can...but won't have a chance to visit until I return.

Have a great week!

A Book Meme...

My SIL, Heather, tagged me for this one.


1. Do you remember how you developed a love of reading?
My Mother was a reader. We read many children's books together when I was small. I also remember being in the first grade and having a contest to see who could read the most Dr. Seuss books. And I won! I still have the little porcelain mouse that I got as a result. So, I think it was a combination of my teachers as well.

2. What are some books you loved as a child?
Without a doubt, The Story of Helen Keller was one of my favorites that I read more than once. I also read The Bobbsey Twins, The Story of Eleanor Roosevelt, From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankenweiler, Where the Red Fern Grows, Old Yeller, and Island of the Blue Dolphins. (Just to name a few)

3. Do you have a favorite genre?
Yep. I love to read biographies. I guess second to that would be historical fiction.

4. Do you have a favorite novel?
Hmm....so hard to choose. I loved Secret Life of Bees. I also loved To Kill a Mockingbird. I just don't know if I can narrow down to a favorite "all time" book.

5. Where do you usually read?
I can usually be found reading on the couch in our living room. But I'll read anywhere I can. I usually have a book with me when I go out so I can steal a few minutes in it while waiting in places. I, like Heather, read at the soccer field and in the car waiting for soccer practice to end.

And, I confess, when I was reading The Kite Runner last year, I even went to a small closet in the back of our cafeteria at school to steal a few minutes to finish the last chapter. I NEEDED to
finish and promised I'd stay extra that day!!!

6. When do you usually read?
Whenever I can find time. My problem during the school year is finding (or is it making) the time. I read quite a bit over the summer. Although this summer hasn't been quite as full of books because it's been filled with other stuff.

7. Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?
Yes I do. Right now, I have four books started. I am close to finishing one that my DS 2 read. I also hit the point where I have none started and then I have to "get moving".

8. Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction? Sometimes. It depends how "deep" the nonfiction is. I tend to read professional books at work for my job. So I read at my desk. I also read to study at home. When I read nonfiction, I usually mark and highlight the book.

9. Do you buy most of the books you read, or borrow them, or check them out of the library?
I buy 'em. I simply like having my own copy. But, this is not always a good thing. My kids didn't really use the public library as a result. They know how...they use the school library...but most of the books they've read, we've also bought.

10. Do you keep most of the books you buy? No. I tend to pass them on so they don't crowd us out. I do keep my most favorite, though.

11. If you have children, what are some of the favorite books you have shared with them?
Too many picture books to name...I love to read poetry with them. We also loved Charlotte's Web, Where the Red Fern Grows, Stone Fox, a couple of Jean Craighead George's novels, and Because of Winn Dixie. I haven't done as well making sure to read chapter books aloud to them! Their "read together" attention span wasn't quite as long. DS 1 loved the Hemmingway books and To Kill a Mockingbird. Anyone who knows DS 2 knows he "hates books"...until this summer when he red Rob Bell's Sex God (which I am currently reading). DS 3 loves to read his flying manuals and books about aviation. DS 4 loves to read animal stories.

12. What are you reading now?
Sex God by Rob Bell, Healing Promises by Amy Wallace, Flies in the Butter (don't know the author right now) and The Shack by William Young.

13. Do you keep a To Be Read list?
Yes, somewhat. I have a "to be read pile" next to my bed. It is ever-growing. It doesn't mean some book won't come along and pre-empt the pile, however.

14. What’s next?
The next "Sisters, Ink" novel and another one that I bought in Alaska called, "The Children from Nowhere"...and I have a TON of professional reading to do!

15. What books would you like to reread?
I don't really reread because I have so many in my "to be read" pile. I would like to revisit Intelligence for Your Life by John Tesh and Secret Life of Bees.

16. Who are your favorite authors?
That's hard to narrow down. For fiction, I love Nicholas Sparks, James Patterson, Khaled Hosseini, Karen Kingsbury, Beverly Lewis, and so many others. For nonfiction, there's no one who sticks out as a favorite.

I'm not tagging anyone, however I'd love to read some of your answers. If you want to play along, let me know and I'll come visit.

Book Review: Intelligence for Your Life

Often while driving on the weeknights, I find myself flipping through several radio stations. Many times I end up stopping on the John Tesh radio show where he shares "Intelligence for Your Life". It's a good mix of music and tid bits about living and learning. And that's right up my alley!

I was excited when I was browsing books for summer reading and found that John Tesh has rolled his life story (including his faith testimony) and his radio show into one book. I actually found myself thinking about reviewing this book chapter by chapter for the blogging world. It's got that many "gold nuggets" in it!

Here are just a few of my favorite pieces of "Intelligence for MY Life"...

He explores the importance of having (and living with) purpose in our lives. And, he explains, that this begins by finding your passion. Here's something to think about: "If someone asks you to state the deepest desire of your heart and you don't have an answer, there's a good chance you are living your life merely as a REACTION to what happens to you." We uncover our passions by asking ourselves four key questions:

* What makes me feel most energized and excited?

* What do I want to be known as?

* What could I talk about nonstop?

* Which activities do I get so caught up in that time just flies?

Money "cannot buy happiness"...but actually, it CAN. The thing is, the dopamine (happiness hormone) that is released when we purchase things is short-lived. At the most, big purchases (house, car) can last about 3 months. Then it's GONE. But, Tesh reveals, scientists and therapists have found that money can buy sustained happiness when it's used to purchase "experiences". He writes: "it's the experiences--the memories--that give lasting happiness, not the fanciness of the experiences." I love that.

Throughout the rest of the book, Tesh helps the reader explore how to put our passion into action, focus and simplify, take care of relationships, and take care of business. Then, he leaves us with the best intelligence of all: TRUST GOD!

I read this book very quickly, but it's one that I don't think is meant to be read alone. It's more of a read, let the words marinate in your heart and mind, and then discuss with someone else type of book. If you like books that challenge your thinking, add to your knowledge, and tell a good life story, then this book is an excellent read!! And I promise you'll want to reference it again and again.

Thursday Thirteen: FINALLY!

I haven't been able to taken the time to complete my ABC's of me...and feeling a bit guilty about it...I decided it was time to plunge back in:

Thirteen M words that describe Susan:

1. Musical - Now, I don't play an instrument and I really don't sing in front of too many people, BUT I am quite musical. I often find myself "thinking in music". I will be in a situation and suddenly a song will pop into my head that either describes it or, at least, fits it.

2. Muscles - I have been working with the trainer for almost 11 months and for the first time the other day I could really see the muscles in my arms when I was doing my curls. I felt like a guy there watching it.

3. Meatloaf - This is one of my favorite dishes when it's well-made. I used to love my Mom's when I was growing up. And I love the meatloaf dinner at Cracker Barrel.

4. Math - NOT! I really don't like having to do Math. On more than one occasion, while covering classes at school, I've had to say "Forget that I said THAT...do it THIS way!"

5. Meander - I distinctly remember learning this word in the 7th grade. I don't know why. It's one I liked when I heard it and it "stuck"!

6. Metacognitive - This is the act of "thinking about your thinking". In the past few years people in the reading world have realized that they have to teach kids to be "metacognitive" when they read....therefore, I have to spend a lot of time helping adults be metacognitive when THEY read to be able to really "flesh out" what good readers do.

7. Mono - I had this horrible illness during the summer just prior to my senior year of high school. I realized it on July 4th and spent the next six weeks in bed pretty much. My Mom actually sent me away to my Grandparents so that my friends would stop coming by and calling. It was at Grandma's that summer that I watched Princess Di wed Prince Charles AND that's when I learned to cross stitch.

8. Missions - I have not been on an "official" mission trip, but I have a heart for missions. I love supporting long term and short term projects. And right now, I am learning about all the things that we can do (even things that are "unorganized") right in our own backyards.

9. Methodist - I was raised in the UM church. I still remember accepting Christ there during a Good Friday service. I left for a while when I was in college because I felt like some of our churches were way too liberal. But then DH ended up pastoring there for 21 years! It's interesting how things come back around, isn't it?

10. Mountains - I LOVE the mountains and dream of living in them someday! When I was growing up, I wanted to live on Walton's Mountain. I just love everything about them. It wasn't until a few years ago that I really realized that we each have our own "landscape loves". I live right near the beach...and while it's pretty...it doesn't do for me what the mountains do. I learned this when someone said, "I can leave the mountains...give me a beach." I was honestly shocked to think that someone might not love them like I do. I suppose that's what makes the world go round and keeps us from being "lopsided"...I mean if we ALL wanted to live in the mountains....

11. Maps - I am pretty good at navigating with a map. I love having an atlas in my car and figuring out new places to go visit when we travel. Although, for loving maps, I don't "map" out things in my own life. I like the spontaneous too

12. Meaning - I love to look for meaning in the every day events that define me. I think that's why my blog is called Learning for Lifetime. I always look for those little meaningful lessons that I can take away from a situation.

13. Mammoth Cave - I have been in Mammoth Cave several times. Although I am a bit claustrophobic, it's not something I'd miss. I am constantly amazed at the enormity and wonder of it all.

If you're going to try on clothes alone....

YOU'VE GOTTA know the "Zipper Dance"!

I love to shop! But unlike my blogging friend, Linda, I only have BOYS. And my boys, while they like to shop when Mom's buying them stuff, are power shoppers. You know, in and out. No lingering. No wandering in and out of dressing rooms, and dreaming of what you "might buy". Nope. It's simply not the same as shopping with the female set.

I also fessed up here not long ago just how much I love shopping at our local thrift stores. We often have very high end clothing for a fraction of the original cost in there. For example, I got this cute little green jacket at Goodwill only hours before we left for Alaska. I wanted one more "jacket option" and found it for $6!!

This Sunday I leave for another 7-day cruise. This time, I'm going to the Carribean with my Mom, Brother, Cousin Lynn, Friend Debra, and several teachers from Lynn's school. While I have clothes for this sort of cruising, I thought I'd just take a peek at our Goodwill yesterday and see if they had anything cute and new.

And they did!

They had a darling little pair of crop pants in a tropical motif from Talbots in my size!! And when they look brand new, I really feel like it's a steal. So I went into the dressing room to try them on. They zipped on the side.

The zipper went right up and the pants looked so cute. After posing a couple different ways in the mirror, I went to take them off and that zipper started down it's track and stopped just an inch or so from the top. I said they fit. They were NOT in any way baggy. Nope. That zipper would have to go down further to get them off my body.

I twisted. I turned. I tugged. Then I started jumping a bit to try and get it to go back up. Nothing. It wasn't going UP or DOWN. I stuck my head out the door in hopes that I'd catch a nice little lady to help me. But there were none near and I simply couldn't allow myself to holler across the store. I tried again, to no avail.

I remembered that Sandy was out and about and looked for my cell phone. It was in my car.
I wondered for a moment if I called home (which is not too far away) and asked my DH or my DSs to come...would they? Perhaps, but I'd rather call another female. Because I'm pretty sure they'd "get it".

I leaned against the wall and thought, "I'll just break the zipper and pay for them." Remember though, these are well-made pants. They were not going to just rip! I tugged and tried the zipper dance again.

Suddenly, I could feel that familiar twinge of anxiety creeping up on me. I leaned against the wall and I prayed. No, Lord, I don't want to panic and melt down right here! Especially over a zipper!!

And suddenly, as if the zipper angels themselves had entered that room, I took "one last tug" and the zipper came down easily!

I rehung those pants right back on the rack, made a mental note to never try on clothes without a cell phone again, and left the store. I called Sandy and she assured me that if I'd called, she'd have come to my rescue.

So, dear friends, don't forget to hone your zipper dance before you go trying on anything. Cause you never know when you just might need it!!

Random Thoughts...

Here are some random thoughts from my weekend and today:

** Sandy and I finished writing our next book for teachers. Text is done and ready to be sent to the publisher. Now for the fun editing process!!

** I got the edits back on the book I just finished with Suzi and Kristin for K/1 teachers....I hate the pictures...and am absolutely ready to CRY about it. It's so hard to have a vision and let someone else try to bring it to fruition for you!!

** We had a VERY cool service at church yesterday. We call it "Interact". We set up several stations around the room. At one we wrote letters to our local fire stations to say thank you for all of their hard work. We made 350 thank you bags for a local assisted living facility. We also made 400 bags of goodies for our local kids beach run. And we tagged toys for the hospital to be given to kids who are sick or in need.

** My job is to oversee this committee which is easy cause they're all hard workers. But I had to come up with the items for the thank you bags.

** Thanks to my awesome family, and a marathon trip to all of the dollar bins at our local JoAnn's stores, I acquired 350 corkboard coasters in the shape of teapots. This included my brother in Texas who brought my teapots to me on Saturday! We decorated them with "thank you" and a ribbon and put them in a baggie with cookies, tea, and mints.

**Today I took my niece, nephew, DS 4, and his friend to the waterpark for two hours. We had a grand time.

** My niece and nephew came home with us and will go back to Grandma and Grandpa's after dinner tonight.

** DS 3 and I went with the team to distribute the thank you bags at the ALF today. It was wonderful to see the look of surprise on the faces of these employees when we simply took the time to say "thank you for all that you do"!!

** DH is preparing our dinner. He's so good!!

** I'm catching up on some much-needed "down time" thanks to my DSs who are playing with their cousins.

And they're home...

There was great rejoicing in my home this evening as DSs 1 and 2 came home. If you haven't read the texts they sent me below this post, you may not get the announcement DS 2 made to all of us:

DS 2 with SWEATY t-shirt and shorts, said: "I am glad I was born when I was, because I NEVER could have been a pioneer...like on the Oregon Trail."

DH: You wouldn't have known any different.

DS 2: OK, well, if they ever create time travel, I'll only be going forward! Cause I can't travel without air conditioning!

DS 1 concurred.

Oh the joys of text....

The Three Muskateers I mean my DSs 1 and 2 and their friend Z are on their way home from Oklahoma City. D and M flew there last week to meet Z and his Dad. They spent a couple of days visiting then began their trek home yesterday morning.

Here's a summary of the texts and calls I have received. Each ** represents another time in the day.

** From DS 2: "We're going to go to Toby Keith's restaurant." From Me: "Do you both know how to manage your money?" DS 2: "We're fine, Mom!"

**From Me: "Do you even know how to drive from Oklahoma to Florida?" From DS 1: We mapquested it.

**From DS 2: "We were going to leave tonight (Friday), but D is being a bit cranky and so we're leaving in the morning." From Me: "Oh THAT ought to be a fun ride home!" From DS 2: "Yeah tell me about it."

**From Me (on Saturday) to DS 1: "Are you guys getting along?" From DS 1: "No, we can't stand each other."

**From Me to DS 2 (later in the day): "Are you guys getting along?" From DS 2: "Yeah, surprisingly well." In my head: "That's a boy thing...they can be duking it out one moment and best friends the next. I don't get it, but it's one of the things I wish I could do better."

** From DS 1: "I think I just saw Old Dan and Little Ann. We're in the Ozarks!" {Mother note...he LOVED Where the Red Fern Grows}

** From One of them (can't remember which): "We just passed the national headquarters for Sonic! Thought you'd want to know. {Mother note...they know which Diet Coke their Mother loves best.}

** From DS 2: "Can you look on the Internet and see if you can find a Fazoli's in Memphis?" I did, but it was nowhere near where they were. From Me: "Boys, you'll just have to keep driving. And is that a CAT I hear in the background?" DS 2: "Yes, we have two cats that Z had to bring back, too. And by the way, did you know the car doesn't have air conditioning?" In my head only: "Oh to be young again!"

**From DS 1: "Mom the Smoky Mountains are really smoky tonight." From Mom: "That's cool." In my head: "At least they're living up to their names."

**From DS 1: "We just passed a lake with an island and the mountains in the background." From Mom: "cool"...In my head: "Calgon...take me away there.

** From DS 1: "Driving through the Smoky's tonight I thought about you. I said, "My Mom loves the Smokies!" From Mom: "Did you sing Rocky Top for me?" DS 1: "Good Ol' Rocky Top..." In My Head: "I've raised good boys!!"

This afternoon:

**From Me: "What's your status?" DS 1: We're stopping at Wendy's for lunch. We drove through rain this morning and a cat pooped in the car, so we've been having to push through. In my head: "Oh yeah, they're driving with no A/C and aroma de cat..." To my DS: "Oh my gosh, I can NOT imagine driving with two cats in the car!" DS 1: "Yeah, we didn't know about them until we got out there." In my head: "My boys are really good friends to others..."cause I might have just hopped a flight back and wished my friend the best...OK maybe not.

Still they are good and seem to be making their way through Georgia relatively well. And, if their text messages are any indication, they DO occasionally think about home.

Photo Hunt: Support

It's been forever since I've done a Saturday Photo Hunt, but I figure with so many travel pics, I can play again. Today's theme is "Support"...This is a house we saw while whale watching in Alaska.

A Pleasant Surprise

As I've mentioned this week, my niece and nephew are in town staying at their Grandparents. Earlier in the week, it was suggested that I consider taking my niece to see the new movie Kit Kittredge: An American Girl.

My FIL and I discussed timing and we agreed that he would take the boys to see one movie while I took her to this movie.

Remember that I am a "Boy-Mom" who WANTS (but doesn't really have yet) a "pink room". My life is pretty well filled with all things "male". BUT, I have been to Chicago. I have visited The American Girl Store on more than one occasion. I even showed the one to my DH when we were in NYC and tried to explain why it was surrounded by young girls with their precious dolls for almost an entire city block. I explained it was a good thing we had boys, but if we have Grandaughters, we will DEFINITELY spend more time there. I even hosted American Girl author, Valerie Tripp, when she visited my school several years ago.

This does not, however, make me an American Girl aficionado. I actually didn't even know this movie existed until this whole conversation came up. In fact, I really didn't know much about the doll, Kit, or her character, either. I did, of course, agree to go...especially since I found out that my niece IS not only an American Girl expert, but a Kit specialist (she's read all the books). I think she was surprised that my DS 4 wanted to go with us, but she didn't seem to mind.

The three of us armed ourselves with popcorn, skittles, water, soda, and sour patch candy (even though we'd just eaten lunch) and went to our theater leaving Grandpa and M to go to the other one. When we walked into the theater, I immediately wondered if I read the sign on the door right. I was certain the sign said this was our movie, but the theater was filled with several older couples, a few "single" movie watchers, and perhaps 2 other kids. Just 2. For a KIDS' movie. We sat down and I prepared to tell the kids I had taken us into the wrong theater.

But I had not.

Once I figured that out, I decided it'd be fun to see just how long the men in the room (and even some of the women) lasted for the movie. In fact, I was fairly certain THEY had gone into the wrong theater. But they did not budge.

It wasn't long into the movie before I realized the appeal for this crowd. The movie takes place in 1934. It definitely sheds some light on The Great Depression Era from this young girl's perspective. The music delightfully transports you to that time. The storyline kept me engaged the entire time and even had me shedding a few tears.

When Kit was faced with her Father leaving town to go find work, she notes something like, "It's not right if we're not together." And I heard my DS 4 respond, "Yeah, that's the truth!" It was a sweet Mom-moment for me. And a couple of times my niece even helped me know what was about to happen and/or why it was happening--which was a special Aunt-moment.

Steeped in the "good things happen to people who don't give up" storyline are the important messages of loving and serving one another regardless of socio-economic background and/or skin color. For me it was a pleasant surprise. In fact, I even found myself thinking that perhaps I should read the books in order to share them with some of "my girls" at school next year.

Whether you have an "American Girl" in your life or not, this movie is a good clean summer choice with a happy ending. Add a sweet niece and DS 4, and it was a great way to spend a hot summer afternoon!

It's true...

I'm aging and I know it....

Last night I found myself talking about bodily functions with my brother that I used to cringe about when I heard "older people" discussing. I mean I always wondered why it makes national news when the President of the US goes and sees his Urologist. And now here I am having an ailment conversation that made my DS 3 blush! Oy!!

Today, my DSs 1 and 2 left for Oklahoma on a plane. They will meet their friend, Z, there and drive with him back to Florida.

Now DSs 1 and 2 are 20 and 18 respectively. I found myself wondering if DH should walk them inside the airport and help them navigate. He didn't.

I shudder a bit at them driving alone from Oklahoma to Florida...even though they are three young men who collectively know more about automobiles than I do. I mean when did they get old enough to do THAT???

I took my niece and DSs 3 and 4 to a bounce house last night. I found myself fretting if I didn't know where they were at all times...even though we were in a closed-in room with only one exit.

Yep, my feet are firmly planted in my forties for sure!

Be Still and Know...

I'm always learning. In fact, I'd consider myself quite introspective. I think deeper than I should on occasion. I analyze things, people, situations and I sometimes make assumptions about them. My friends tease me about the "people that live in my head". This is because I am always thinking and planning and dreaming. Even when I am quiet, and perhaps especially when I am quiet, my mind is quite a busy place.

My trip to Alaska taught me something about this.

It happened for me in this place:

This is Prince William Sound near Anchorage, Alaska. We floated in there the final night of our cruise. While standing out on the deck, all you could hear was peace and quiet. This was amazing because there were literally hundreds of people out on the decks taking in the glorious sights. In fact, it was so quiet that you could hear the ice bergs melting in the water.

And my mind stilled. More still than I can ever remember it being. All I could hear in my head was the words of the Psalmist: "Be still, and KNOW that I am God." (Ps. 46:10). DH leaned over and asked softly, "What are you thinking?" And I replied, "It is just so beautiful." I'm pretty sure those were the only words we spoke for about an hour.
I breathed deeply. The air is, without a doubt, the freshest I've ever been around. It was an amazing feeling simply being and breathing with so many other people and yet, alone. As we reached the largest glaciers and the ship stopped completely, I simply wanted to shout: "MAJESTY!" For that is what I know I was seeing. And there, in that place, it became ever so clear to me. I don't have to be in Alaska to see it. His majesty and beauty is all around me. All I have to do is be willing to STOP and SEE IT and BREATHE it IN! It's in my children's faces. It's in the nature that surrounds me each and every day. It's in the way my DH loves me. It's when I drive in the car. It's at my job. For He is in all of those places. I just have to BE STILL and KNOW it. The lesson I learned in the silence and beauty of this place is perhaps best summed up in the words of Zephaniah: "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." (Zeph. 3:17)

Now I just have to remember it when the "busy-ness" tries to set in and take over! I believe when this happens, though, that God, in his infinite wisdom can say to the storm: "Peace! Be still!"

And there's nothing better than that!

I'm Back!!!

I've been home from Alaska for one week today. But, I had to head out less than 18 hours after arriving home to our state's Reading Coach Conference. After three days there, I spent the next three days at the "River" scalloping with my family...our "4th of July tradition" according to my DS 4.

At last, I am ready to start sharing some of the beauty of our Alaskan trip and will post more when I can. Below you will find my picks from more than 1000 photos from days 1 - 3 alone!! Don't worry, I narrowed it down to about twenty.

I PROMISE I will check in on all my blogging friends very soon.