Book Review: Shelter Me

(Note: For those of you who choose to read Christian fiction, this book is a secular fiction book.)

I picked "shelter me" by Juliette Fay up while browsing for some light "end-of-summer" reading a few weeks ago. I think the cover is what first attracted me. It just screamed "warmth" and "read me" right at me! When I read the back cover blurb, I was further attracted by these words:
Four months after her husband's death, Janie LaMarche remains undone by grief and anger. Her mourning is disrupted, however, by the unexpected arrival of a builder with a contract to add a porch onto her house. Stunned, Janie realizes the porch was meant to be a surprise from her husband—now his last gift to her. ... As the porch takes shape, Janie discovers that the unknowable terrain of the future is best navigated with the help of others—even those we least expect to call on, much less learn to love.

The entire story is woven around this porch being built right in the middle of Janie's struggle to put her life back together. It is a beautiful story with raw emotion woven throughout. Janie seems to go through the steps that most grieving people do. She is at times angry and other times completely down. But she continues to try to make her way back to some sense of normalcy for herself and her children.

Little does she know that the porch, and the porch builder, are going to be so pivotal to her restoration. She also receives help from some other unlikely places: her priest befriends her and helps her start to get in touch with her response to her circumstances, her busy-body Aunt Jude forces her to come work in a homeless shelter/soup kitchen and Janie finds herself receiving when she's giving to these needy people, and the person that drove the car that hit her husband also contributes to Janie's road to healing.

At one point, she ends up alone with Tug (the porch builder) and she's quite miffed that her family was part of the plot to send them out alone after Thanksgiving dinner. I love the way the author describes the moment they leave the family gathering:

Out on Route 27, Tug inhaled and heaved a great sigh. The sound of his relief pulled her out of herself and away from stewing about the humiliation she'd suffered. Or might have suffered. Maybe. "Anger is so easy," she realized. "It's being scared that's hard." And if she were to heave her own great big sigh of relief, she knew it would be fear she exhaled, not rage.

Another picture I love is when Janie finds herself talking with Malcolm, a homeless man from the shelter. He is withdrawn and despondent one day and Janie goes to speak with him. She finds out that he has lost his sister. Here's a snippet of their exchange:

"Oh Malcolm," said Janie. "I am so sorry."
He handed her the cigarette and she took another puff. "Yeah," he said, "All's I keep thinking is, 'Now what?' Isn't that stupidest thing? I can't figure out what to do next. Like there is something, but I just don't know what."

Janie nodded. She stared out across the parking lot. He smelled like booze and pee and smoke and the most incredibly rancid body odor. But she didn't even care. "Now what?" she thought. "What other question is there?"

Janie's character is real and raw. The author captures this emotion again and again throughout the story. Janie is also forced to deal with the concept of forgiveness. While journaling one night she notes:

The more I think about it....the more I'm not even sure I really know what forgiveness is. Is it some big cosmic do-over? Like no harm, no foul? But there was harm--big hairy, serious harm. Robby doesn't get a do-over, and neither do I or the kids. Things are broken now that can't be fixed. How come the other guy gets a Get Out of Jail Free card?

As I said, this book primarily shows a very human response to a horrible tragedy. While there are snippets of faith throughout the book, it's not central. Janie has quite the language sometimes. The love story also gets somewhat graphic at points--but no more so than a PG-13 movie might. I kind of like that.

Of course, the faith side of me is saddened that this element is mostly missing from Janie's life. Hers is more an obligatory attendance at her family's Catholic church. But that's real life for so many people.

I like the fact that Fay is able to tell a story that is warm and inviting and emotion-packed without going too far or too explicity for my reading enjoyment. I appreciate the way she seems to use the character to figure out her own thoughts and beliefs on love, justice, mercy, and forgiveness. I found the book enjoyable and one I'd pass along.

Labor Day's Looming...

The weekend has arrived. It's a good thing to get this weekend so close to the beginning of school. It used to be that we kind of eased our way into the new school year, but now we hit the ground running. It has been non-stop and the break will be welcome!

DH flew DS 2 and my FIL to another city today where DS 2's friend S lives. She's wanted to ride in DH's plane for a while. So, FIL and DH took S up in the plane while DS 2 waited on the ground for them. DS 2 stayed down there so that he can play in an Ultimate Frisbee tournament tomorrow.

DH came home from the flight and took DS 4 and his friend, T to the Rays baseball game.

DS 3 left to go hang out with some friends in the neighborhood.

DS 1 is coming home tonight, but is stopping in to see some friends first.

Soooo...what does that mean? That means that I'm sitting here having a QUIET evening. Now you'd think I'd take the opportunity to turn on a "chick flick". Or maybe read a "chick lit". But no. I'm sitting here watching football. Sometimes I think something's really wrong with me!

I don't know how much longer I'll watch the game. I may take advantage of this time to finish the book I'm reading...or I may turn on that chick flick I've been wanting to see...or I may keep watching the muted football game. No matter what I decide to do, one thing's for sure...it'll be MY CHOICE. Once in a while that's a good thing.

The rest of the weekend holds a meeting tomorrow, church on Sunday, family picnic Sunday afternoon, and Monday REST.

I guess Labor Day's not really looming...the weekend is here. Now I just need to make the most of it. Happy Friday everyone!

Thursday Thoughts

DH is home after an 18-day work trip. We're glad he's here.

I read this quote today and I thought it was what I needed:

"Don't waste your life in doubts and fears: spend yourself on the work before you, well assured that the right performance of this hour's duties will be the best preparation for the hours or ages that follow it." Ralph Waldo Emerson

I wonder how much of my life HAS been wasted while I've sat in doubt or coward in fear? It's true that step by step and inch by inch we have to move forward and do the "right thing" in the moment. I would add, though, when we mess up--that's when we have to accept the grace that is extended to us.

Why whine when we're blessed?

I have to tell you, I can be a whiner sometimes. I try not to do it. I try to keep my chin up and not complain. But occasionally the whine slips through my filter and right out into the open.

If you read my last post, then you know that I've been a little stressed at work. I know that ultimately my moving is the "right thing"...but it DOES NOT make it easy. And it doesn't mean that I am not a bit emotional over the whole thing. It would be easy to get stuck in the muck and the mire, but I am making the choice to make the best of it and muddle through my emotions to take the next step in location.

I have to say, though, in the last 24 hours I have been the recipient of MORE blessings than I can count. Right in the midst of my whining!

It started with the food delivery and box top pile. Last night, I came home later than usual. My wonderful in-laws had dropped off "Grandma's Kitchen" for us...complete with new foods to taste-test. On the fridge was a note telling us what had been delivered. The thing that really got me was the P.S. from my MIL. She saw a mountain of General Mills Box Tops on my counter that needed to be cut. The P.S. asked if I wanted her to do that for me. I gotta' tell you this simple offer made me cry on the spot! Even though it seemed like a small "mountain"...I had been trying to finish the task admist everything else for a couple of days.

Today, my sweet DS 2 offered to come help me move stuff to my new room. Now please understand that this is the same son who helped move from my old office to my "new old" office just a few months ago. He got his grandfather, my FIL, to come with him. Right when they arrived, it started raining and it did not stop for the rest of the afternoon. Yet, those two did NOT stop! Thanks to them there is only a small bit left to do tomorrow and then I can concentrate on getting stuff put away and organized.

At home I had been preparing to host a Tastefully Simple party for my neighbor who is a consultant. I'd been promising her for months that I would do this. I had several people RSVP and ready to come this evening. DS 3 totally made sure things were ready to "Mom's specifications" around the house before I came home.

At five o'clock, I got a call from my neighbor (the consultant) who told me that she'd been running a fever and was getting worse. She had already had the food ready to go with the help of her family. My party was at 6:30. She said she was going to send it over and let us enjoy it.

I immediately called my friend Sandy who loves to cook. She said not to worry she'd be here to help. And she was....we just faked our way right through the party and had a blast sampling and tasting the stuff. My friends are simply the best as they didn't care either way...they are so flexible and helpful and just all around super people.

After they left, I sat with my boys and once again reflected on all my blessings. I think I'll count them tonight as my head hits the pillow...as I sing "You'll fall asleep counting your blessings!"

Night!

I think I can...I think I can...I think I can...

If you know any teachers, or you are one yourself, then you know that sometimes we accumulate "stuff". This is especially true for elementary teachers who are always looking for concrete ways to make a lesson meaningful for kids. I am no different. I have more than 3000 books in my classroom library alone. I also have many many other resource materials for kids and teachers.

This summer I moved it all to a new portable. My "old one" was being taken away by the district to be used in other places. So, DSs 2 and 3 helped me move over the course of two days. I spent several days this summer fixing it up and preparing it for both kids I would teach and teachers I would train. My boss even commented the first week of school how nice it looked.

Last week we found out that we are gaining two teaching units. One of them is at the grade level that is surrounding my current "home away from home". I do not teach in the regular classroom, I do a lot of support work. There really is no other "logical" place for the new teacher to go.

So, here I move again!

I am undoing what has been freshly done. I'd like to tell you that my attitude has been positive and willing the entire time. And, certainly for the most part I know that you do what it takes to make the entire thing work. I'm still sad, though.

Today I will be schlepping stuff once again. This time without boxes--because I had already disposed of them all.

Hence the title of this post. I need that kind of step-by-step "eating the elephant" thinking right now. It's how I plan to get through the next few days and accomplish the task set before me. The thing is, I know that the task is much bigger than moving stuff. I know that it's also about being an example with my attitude, my talk and my actions.

I think I can...I think I can...I think I can....

I know...

I know Trace Adkins sings, "You're gonna' miss this". I love that song, really I do. But you know what? I am NOT going to miss the morning cry of "I don't feeeeel goooooodddd!" everytime someone wakes up and doesn't want to go to school.

I really MUST get my son to understand "The Boy Who Cried Wolf".

Nope. I won't miss it AT ALL!

Roller Coaster Thinking

I swear sometimes my "thought-life" has more twists and turns than the world's best roller coaster! I ponder. A lot. It's not all doom and gloom...but simply me thinking about life, my family, my job, my faith, my decisions and circumstances.

This week I have been thinking. I don't know what about exactly...lots of stuff.

Although it's not all bad, my thoughts can go from the highest peak down the largest drop in just seconds. For sometimes my thinking turns to worry. I don't know if I'd call it anxiety. But some days it's close.

Yet, when I look at the ride that is my life--the twists and turns that would paralell most normal women my age--again and again I can see God's hand there to guide and protect me.

I need to remember when I'm plunging down the hill that, like any good roller coaster, the ride can change at a moment's notice. And, that the person at the control is not ME! For it's HIS hand...HIS word....HIS love that will guide me safely into the loading dock each and every time. And it's HIM who will be with me when I jump in for the next ride and the next and the next.

I also need to remember that it's not the individual twist, turn, climb, or drop that makes the ride good. It's the culmination of all of those things. If I "lose my stomach" on the drop, I can catch it again on the climb.

So, like any good roller coaster rider, I'm putting my hands up in surrender to each and every twist and turn. And with joy, I will shout and be thankful for the entire ride!

Kids say the cutest things!

School started back on Monday. I love this time of year! It's the time when we get to usher new "little people" into their "home away from home" for the next few years. Kindergarteners are often wide-eyed and eager. Would that we could all get a spark of that once-in-a-while.

This morning, I was walking through the halls to do my "rounds"...making sure everyone was where they needed to go. This darling little girl with pigtails and beads all over her head was "late". So, I told her to come with me to get a late slip in the office.

She said, "Is we going to play games?" I said, "No, we're just going to go tell the office you're here and then you get to go to class to play." She said, "OK."

I asked her name and she replied, "T____ B____." Because her name sounded familiar to me, I said, "Do you have a sister?" She asked, "A bigger one?" I said, "Yes." She replied, "Yeah." I said, "What's your sister's name?"

She hesitated. She stopped. She put her finger on her head like she was thinking hard.

I was thinking, "Good night, SURELY she knows her sister's name!?!?!" She finally said, "I can't remember her name, but she sits next to me every Sunday in church!"

I finally figured it out...she doesn't have a "sister" as in a human relative, but in her church they call all the ladies, "Sister so-and-so". I have to say it gave me a chuckle!

After we got her late slip, she said, "Are we all done?" I said, "Yes, we're done." She said, "Whew! I thought I was going to get a SHOT!"

I really wanted to reply, "No way, Sister!"

Bunny Blog

He came to us in January of DS 4's preK year. The teacher had been talking to us about getting a class pet. DH and I talked about it and decided that we'd do our "parent support" duty and donate the pet and supplies. The teacher said she'd like a bunny.

One Saturday morning, I took my four-year-old DS 4 to purchase the pet. He proudly brought this little furry rabbit to school on Monday. By Monday afternoon the teacher called and let us know that the preK director had informed her that they are NOT allowed to have "permanent pets" in the classroom. We were told the bunny could visit, but could not stay.

So, we brought the bunny home.

That was SEVEN years ago! The bunny is STILL here.

I am no animal hater. I love them. I even had a bunny as a classroom pet when I taught Kindergarten one year. But they are messy. Really messy! Their cages smell when not cleaned regularly. Heck they smell when they ARE cleaned regularly! To say I was not thrilled about bringing this little furry critter home is an understatement. A HUGE understatement!

DS 4 is definitely an animal LOVER to the nth degree! Even as a young toddler, he would sit for hours in the babysitter's house helping care for young kittens, an abandoned baby squirrel, and a pet monkey. He loves them. He was thrilled that the bunny was going to be HIS to love, and hold, and care for....everyday. (I'm sure you know the drill.)

As a side note: I have a friend at work who's MIL gave her son a bunny---without consulting the parent. I'm sure there's a whole lot to be interpreted there. Anyway, she brought a book to school about bunnies and told me that their lifespan is about 10 years.

Fast forward to last week. DS 4 came to my DH and me and said, "Button's not eating or drinking. We need to get him to a vet." I have to say that taking these critters to the vet is not always my first thought. I mean they are little cage animals. They are not supposed to have huge lifespans. And, quite honestly, I think 7 bunny years is a pretty good run. (Please, if you are a PETA person just save the tongue lashing...) I mean somebody's gotta be at the lower end of the lifespan average, right!?!

My wonderful FIL and MIL are helping out with DS 4 this week. I urged my son to wait until the weekday for a vet visit cause I don't want this little visit to cost any more than it has to. He wasn't happy at all. And, yes, secretly I was wishing it just "might" be Button's time to go. By Sunday night I knew it wasn't. I also knew that I had to do my best to get this pet...this "family member"....to the vet for my DS 4's sake.

So, my FIL and DS 4 made the trip on Monday. When my FIL called me the night before and asked me just how much money I wanted to pay to extend the bunny's life, I laughed. Extend it? No, I just want him to be without pain and happy for however many hours days he has left on this earth. And I wanted my DS 4 to be told by the vet that the life cycle is natural for all God's creatures. When you come right down to it, THAT'S what I wanted to pay the vet to do. Give the LIFE lesson!

FIL and DS 4 returned Monday evening with meds for the bunny. The vet isn't quite sure what's "wrong" with him. In fact, he may be just fine, as he perked back up quite a bit during the day on Monday and in . And it only cost us $57 for the visit and the meds. The pill we are able to give him. It's the sawdust looking stuff that is more difficult. Still, we'll give it our best...even if my teeth are gritted while we're doing it!

DS 4 is happy that his pet is going to make it. The bunny is satisfied and happy by all outward appearances.

The Mother? She needs a little work! Especially if this bunny is going to be around another three years!

An Update

If you've read this blog for any time at all, then you know that cooking is NOT my favorite thing to do. I have never hidden it. DH is really the cook in our house. He likes it. When he started traveling a few years back, the temptation was there to just order in or eat out more often.

Honestly, I know exactly why my Mother (who worked full time before the microwave could thaw stuff quickly) would often say, "Let's go get something to eat." It was easier. I suppose the fact that my brother and I were both rather picky eaters also made this easier on her.

Still, I've been working on cooking when DH is away. I have been scouring new recipes and looking to widen our eating horizons a bit. Recently we have eaten Asian BBQ Pork w/smoked gouda sandwiches, Citrus Soy Scallops with lo-mein and sugar snap peas, and Watercress Chicken Salad with a honey-mustard glaze. It's been fun seeing the boys' faces as they wonder "what are we making tonight?" And, all in all, they have been really good sports about it.

School started back yesterday for teachers. I LOVE this time of year. I have to say that it really annoys me when teachers say they "dread going back" and treat it like a drudgery. Other than the plethora of meetings, I really love everything about it.

Tonight, our bosses are taking us to the beach for a back to school party. It should be fun.

That's pretty much it for me...oh yeah, there IS a little "bunny update" that I need to give...but I think that's an entire blogpost. I'll save it for later. There you go, have I hooked you to keep checking back?

Happy Tuesday!

Another Time and Another Place

It's 7:58am on my clock. I've been up for about 30 minutes. Although I know where I am and what time it is, my head is in another time and another place.

Twenty-two years apart from this time and place.

It was 22 years ago today that my DH and I said "I do." It was 22 years ago that we vowed to love each other forever and always. It was 22 years ago that my life changed forever.

I was thinking earlier this year, that DH and I have been together now longer than I lived without him if you count our friendship/dating years. That's a weird tipping point in life, in my opinion.

Many people thought we would not make it and should not get married. The counselor that did our premarital told us politely: "I've never seen two more opposite people want to get married. It won't always be easy for you." And he was right.

You know, though, I wonder what marriage is "easy" all the time. Not one that I know. It's work. It's a commitment. It's a choice.

And it's worth it!

After 22 years I can honestly say I know we did the right thing. We balance each other. We have each learned to live with those things that are so polar opposite. We have grown together. We have accomplished much together. It has been a blessing beyond what I could have ever imagined.

While I'm reflecting and thinking back today...I'm looking forward to the NEXT 22 years with this man that I know God planned for me!

Happy Anniversary, hon, I LOVE YOU!

Wordless Wednesday: Summer's Almost Done

Book Review: Best Friends Forever

( Important Note: I know that many of you solely read Christian fiction. If that is the case for you, this book may not be appropriate for you to read.)

I wanted a "new read" when I was at the store last week. I don't know why.

I have PLENTY on my night stand to keep me busy for a while, but nothing there was calling my name. So, while browsing the book aisles at Target, this book jumped out at me. I don't know if it was the crisp clean cover. The fact that it's about a subject that I care about deeply. Or maybe it was some other hidden force that put the book in my hands.

Still, I'm glad it ended up in my cart and moved its way to the top of my "to be read" pile!

The book tells the story of Addie Downs and Valerie Adler. They were best friends from the time Valerie moved across the street from the Downs at the age of nine. As it is with life, however, they are swept apart as they age.

On the eve of their fifteen year class reunion, things change.

Valerie, a successful weather reporter from the local news station, shows up on Addie's doorstep. Valerie announces to Addie (who did not attend the class reunion), "Something horrible has happened and you're the only one who can help."

And the adventure begins. The book is a modern day fairy tale complete with a "Thelma and Louise" flavor! It is funny. It is raw at times. It deals with such real-life themes as: betrayal, loyalty, family history, and small-town life.

If it were a movie, it would definitely be PG-13. There are, at times, mature themes and situations in the pages. Typical high school issues like bullying, jealousy, cliques, and popularity are addressed. But so is date rape. I found it a fun read, though, as it primarily draws the rediscovery of a very special friendship that has never really died.

On a side note: I went to author Jennifer Weiner's website and LOVED her FAQ's as well as her hints for people who want to be writers. (Again, no faith-base here. Just raw real glimpses into a very cut-throat world.) It made me laugh out loud as I read it. In fact, I thought to myself: "I'd like to meet this woman." Lo and behold at the bottom of her very long list of FAQ's she responds to this very question in this way:

I haven’t written a novel, and I don’t have an idea
for one, but you seem really cool, so maybe we could get together and have coffee! I am not really cool. I am not cool at all. In person, I am incredibly boring. My conversational topics are almost entirely limited to reality television, and how I don’t like old people. I rarely manage to look even a tenth as good as I do in my author photo. My table manners are iffy. Many days I don’t even comb my hair, and when I’m not writing I’m usually pushing a stroller and have applesauce smeared somewhere on my person, so in the interests of not having you be disappointed by the real deal, I am going to respectfully decline. But thanks! And please come to one of my readings, where nine times out of ten my hair is combed

Tuesday Tid-bits

So I am starting to settle in to my new room at school. Moving is not a bad thing. It DOES make you go through your stuff and really get rid of things. However, every box I unpack I think about the fact that I'm moving into an "older portable" and our district is currently demolishing "older portables". So, in my opinion, the writing is on the wall and I could very well be doing this at the end of this year as well!

Still, room set up is one of my favorite things to do! It is looking more cozy and ready for kids/adults every day.

While I was at the Air Force Museum in Ohio with my boys, I spent quite a bit of time reading the walls of the "Aviation Hall of Fame." (I'm sure I got the 'wall-reading' gene from my Dad--he loves reading the walls of historical places.) This museum is literally covered with a timeline of aviators from the beginning of flight to present day. Each aviator's plaque includes a story. I was amused at so many of these and took photos of the more "memorable" ones.

DS 3 and I talked about it and he said, "Next time you don't know what to put on your blog, you can use one of those."

So, here's installment #s 1 and 2 in some aviator stories:

I chose this first one because it's funny and I can SO PICTURE IT happening in my own world! If you cannot read his story in the picture, I'll rewrite below...

"Lawrence was a chip off the old block, a real-life Tom Swift just like his father. As a youngster, he and his brother Elmer Jr.turn the house into an airplane facotry, building part of an aircraft in the attic while the rest of the family is on vacation. To remove the aircraft from teh house the boys rip out a bay window in their parents' bedroom and float safely to the yard below."

At least MY DS 3 only wants to build an aircraft in our garage AND we don't have a second story!

Now on to an inspirational story:

"Born in Norway, Balchen, a naturalized citizen in 1931, never forgot his roots. During World War II, Balchen evacuated refugees from Sweden and ferried food and equipment to the underground resistance in Norway and Denmark. When Balchen was first approached concerning the feasibility of the mission he simply stated "Ve can do it." General Carl "Tooey" Spaatz snapped, "Dammit. Every time I ask if you can do something, you say 'Ve do it". I'm going to call you "Ve Do It" because no matter what we tell you, you say you can do it...and so far you've carried it out."

I'd say that's a pretty darn good legacy!

Book Review: Scrapping Plans

This is the third book in the Sisters, Ink series by Rebecca Seitz. Seitz writes about four sisters who enjoy scrapbooking together. I won the first book back in March 2008. I was immediately drawn to the Sinclair sisters on many levels. Their Daddy is a preacher who lost his wife to cancer. They live in a small town in Tennessee (one of my favorite places). They are all adopted to the Sinclairs and are from four different ethnic backgrounds...yet they are bound to each other as only siblings can be.

Each of the first three books has centered around one of the sisters. In book one, Tandy deals with her past as she is forced to reconnect with Clay Kelner (her high school sweetheart). The second book centers around Kendra who also deals with the past and betrayal in very real and powerful ways.

This book, Scrapping Plans, centers around Joy, the youngest and quietest of the Sinclair sisters. She is a perfectionist by all accounts. A woman who strives for and achieves Martha Stewart status in so many ways. However, Joy, who was adopted from China, has one burning desire: to be a mother.

This is the story of the very real struggle of infertility for a young couple. Joy feels overshadowed in many ways as the family plans for Kendra's wedding and deals with their father's new romance with Zelda. As with so many women, the struggle, does present itself in other ways. The sisters, as always, come together and support their sister--often through "scrapping nights" in their Mother's old scrapbooking studio (which sounds like a DREAM to me).

As with the other two books, there is a "faith thread" throughout the story. I love that it is not overbearing and so heavy that these ladies don't appear "real". The books are good little "escape reads" targeted toward women.

I'll be honest, though, I know people who struggled with infertility for YEARS. So, if that's a woman's struggle, I am not sure this is the book for her as it almost seems to resolve too easily. I can see where someone in those shoes might resent that. Seitz does remind the reader that most people DO struggle for years before (and even IF) they have a viable pregnancy.

Still, I enjoy this family! My understanding is that book 4 in this series will be published this month. I'll be watching for it!

Update from My World

My gosh, I went and posted about 1000 posts and committed to the next thousand, then dropped off the face of the earth! Well, sort of.

I've been on vacation and finishing out the last days of summer. Really, though, that's only an excuse, cause summer or vacation have never kept me from blogging before. Sooo....here's my little catch up:

DSs 3 and 4 and I left with my Dad, Stepmom, Brother and his family on Thursday, July 23rd to drive to Ohio to see our family. We had an amazing weekend of family picnics, reunions, and such. Here's a picture of the whole gang:While this only represents a small portion of this side of the family, it was a great event with lots of fun for all. DSs 3, 4, and I took a side trip over to Indiana to visit my friend Suzi and her family. We had a great time enjoying their sweet small town! While there, we enjoyed the county fair and the weather. Wow, the weather! It was so nice to be able to actually BREATHE the cool evening air...minus humidity.

We returned a week ago and had a somewhat busy week.

DS 3 turned 15 on Wednesday. Now, he's part of the reason I needed to blog. He reminds me when I'm "falling behind". But yesterday he said, "You have never missed one of our birthdays." OUCH!

While we were in Ohio, we took a trip to one of his favorite places: Wright-Patterson Airforce Base to see the National Air Museum. He studied his driver's manual all the way to Ohio and all the way home. In fact, I didn't realize how many things I didn't know about the road signs and rules. Wednesday morning, we added one more student driver to the roadways here in FL. He's doing GREAT.

As he grows older, it's so evident that he's a rock. He is stable and consistent. He is someone that everyone in our family goes to for his reliability. If I want to know something about what someone else is doing in our little family, I can often ask DS 3 and he knows. He is keenly observant and often keeps us all in motion, or at least keeps track of our motion. I'm so thankful for the young man he is becoming. He is a blessing to be sure. I'm excited to see him continue his journey through the teen years and into his young adult life.

In other news, DS 1 will leave for school this week. He really doesn't want us to go help him move. Instead, it will be his brother (DS 2) and his friends. I guess when you've been to boot camp already, and it's not your "freshman year"....it's not "cool" to have your family help out for this event. He and I made a trip to Ikea to get him set up, however. I know he's excited to get going on this new chapter of his life.

Hard to believe but school starts for me next week. I am glad. I have always said that I am a better working Mother. It's true. I like everyone to have places to be and things to do. Including me! I'm looking forward to another school year.

So, that pretty much sums up our last few weeks. I do have a book review to post...stay tuned for that.

It Came and Went, Virtually Unnoticed!

This is my 1013th post. That means that my 1000th post, the one I wanted to celebrate, came and has gone without me even noticing! It could be cause I hit a blogging slump. It could be because I've been focusing on other things. It could be a simple little oversight on my part. Still it passed and I missed it. One thing I know, though, is that just BECAUSE it passed doesn't mean I cannot celebrate it! So, here are some thoughts about hitting this blogging milestone:

* When I started this blog, it never dawned on me that I'd still be writing it four years later.

* Certainly it never dawned on me that SOMEONE or ANYONE would want to read it!

* Mainly I did it to reconnect myself with the thought of journaling and thinking via my words.

* I remember my Dad asking, "WHY would anyone ever want to read the blog of a total stranger?" And I didn't know the answer. But I am HAPPY to say that several of the "strangers" I read are now FRIENDS! I've even met SEVERAL of them in real life.

* It has been a unique way to communicate with my children. Most, if not all, of them read my blog. I think it's given them a glimpse into who their mother is and the thoughts that often fill my head.

* Still it holds the therapeutic benefits of a journal. It has made me consider my writing and my thinking and the ways I should (and sometimes should not) communicate a message.

* Although I've hit a few lulls in posting over the years, this has been something that has remained pretty constant for me.

To sum it up, I think blogging has been quite good for me in so many ways. I'm thankful for the amazing avenues it has opened up and for the many ways it has helped me to grow. Soooo....here's to the NEXT 1000 posts!!

When the Songbird's Annoying!

Like most people, I love the sounds of the outdoors. I like the rain when it falls gently outside my window. I like the chirp of the crickets and croaking of frogs at night when I'm going to sleep. It is relaxing and makes me feel like I'm being lulled to sleep by nature.

We have a pond in our backyard, so we get to hear many of these noises during most nights. Summertime is especially busy as we go to sleep. This year, we have a new sound, though.

It's a songbird. Well, I don't know if it's REALLY a "songbird"...but it's a bird that is singing. LOUD!

The problem is, it doesn't happen as the night creeps in. It doesn't even happen softly as I lay my head on the pillow. No. She "sings" starting around 4am and goes for at least an hour and a half! This morning, while laying awake again and listening to her song, a thought occured to me. At any other time of the day, and even some of the night, I might find her song enjoyable. For me, at that hour, it's not. It's the right song at a very wrong time.

There's a lesson in there for all of us. We have all been giving a "song to sing"--a life to live. We have to make sure that our song is not annoying and/or delivered at the wrong time, however. So today rather than thinking of ways that I could go outside and shoo the songbird away, I whispered a prayer. "God, thank you for the lesson of the songbird. Help me know when to "sing my life's song" and when to be quiet. I'm sorry for those times it's just noise to those around me. Help me be in tune to you and your timing more often." And, then I thanked Him for using his wonderful creation to teach me yet another lesson. Unfortunately, though, I did "think" the P.S.: "P.S. God, could you PLEASE help this little songbird move on to someone else's tree tomorrow morning??"

Yep, I still have more to learn.

What's a Little Rain??

If you've read my blog for any time at all, then you know that our church is all about getting out into the community and "being, doing, and giving" through random acts of kindness. Sometimes these are simple little projects and other times they are larger scale. Today was one we've been preparing for a while. It was a hot dog cookout and giveaway on the beach.


We bought 300 hot dogs, chips, and drinks to give away this afternoon. We assembled a team of seventeen people and planned to meet at the beach around 3:00pm today.

DH told me the weather was going to "go bad" as there were storms moving in. I told him I didn't want to hear it. On my way into the parking lot, I prayed for a "weather miracle". Literally as I unloaded my car, the sky was getting dark and black. Still we unloaded.
It wasn't long after DH started cooking the hotdogs that the storm rolled in with wind, driving rain, lightning and thunder. And there we were huddled under this little "gazebo"/tent like a bunch of sardines. And I'm telling you, all I could do was LAUGH!

Here's the funny thing though. Many people huddled under there with us. It almost felt like the United Nations as we really had several different languages represented inside that tent! Though we were getting wet, people were happy to have a hot dog and water while they waited out the storm.

As with most Florida rains, the storm passed quickly. It wasn't long until the rain stopped and people SLOWLY started trickling back out to the beach. And the hot dogs were going like HOTCAKES!

We even had a team hit the beach and take food/water out there where people were sitting. And, as usually happens with our servant evangelism outreaches, people ask the BIG QUESTION: "WHY?" They want to know WHY on earth people would be giving them something for FREE. I mean NOTHING is free in this world!

And that's when we are able to answer, "It's our way of saying 'God loves you'." His love is always free for everyone. Most of the time people are simply left speechless by that. There are no strings. There's no pressure. There's no more conversation than that--unless it's initiated by the recipient. It's a perfect way to make an impression that will last. Besides that, it's plain old FUN!

Book Review: My Sister's Keeper

A few weeks ago, some friends from work were commenting that they'd read this book, My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Piccoult. Then I found out that it was a movie. I decided to add it to my summer reading list. For those of you who read primarily Christian fiction, this is not that kind of book. It is, however, a book that left me pondering the choices I would make, and reactions I would have, given the same situation.

I have never read any of Piccoult's work, but I've heard good things about it. She is quite a writer! Her use of simile and metaphor caused me to stop and think on more than one occasion.

This is the story of the Fitzgerald family. Brian and Sara have three children: Jesse, Kate, and Anna. Kate, who has leukemia, was diagnosed at the age of two. Anna was genetically conceived to be a donor match for her sister.

Now, at the age of 13, Anna has hired attorney Campbell Alexander to medically emancipate herself from her family. Campbell, though reluctant, takes on this case pro bono.

I love this description from the back cover: A provocative novel that raises some important ethical issues, My Sister's Keeper is the story of one family's struggle for survival at all human costs and a stunning moral parable for all time. It's true.

This book has an ending that will shock the reader! In fact, in an interview with Piccoult recorded in the back of my copy, she admits that her own twelve-year-old read the book. When he finished it, he was weeping on the couch. She said he wouldn't even talk to her for a while! When they finally did sit down to discuss it, he asked "Why? Why did it have to end like that?" Piccoult tells him this is not an easy book and has no easy answers.

Piccoult does an amazing job of getting inside each character's thoughts and feelings while facing a very difficult and grueling situation. Each one is faced with some serious soul-searching. And each one emerges different at the end of the book.

Very rarely do I say a book is a "must read"...and this is no different. I will say, though, that for me, this book just may be a "read it again" book!

Routine or Not?

I don't think you could hardly consider three blog posts in a row, routine. But the fact is I am making the attempt to come back and get to the writing again. Of course, though, life sometimes gets in the way of that. My DSs 3, 4, and me are heading out to go scalloping this week.

For those of you who have no idea what that is...I am going to leave you with a recap post (with a few updates) from a couple of years ago:

OK, I've had a couple of people ask, "Just HOW do you scallop?" Sooooo...for anyone who is not from the Gulf Coast of Florida, here's how:

1. You must have the proper "equipment". This includes a snorkel, mask, fins, and mesh net or bag. You must also have a red "dive flag". Water shoes are helpful for the "ewwww" factor when you step into underwater grassbeds--if you don't wear fins. We like to use "noodles" to float on as well occasionally. I also use a small net for "scooping"...but the rest of my family just grabs them by hand (I'm getting ahead of myself.).


The photo on the left is my Dad and DS 3 showing off their "scalloping gear". DS 3 was four or five years old at the time. He's now 6'2" and almost 15! Aren't they a fine looking pair?

2. In the Gulf, you cannot start scalloping until July 1st. The season ends Sept. 10th, but let me just say the waters are CRAWLING with people scalloping during the first week of July. The picture to the right shows my DSs 1, 2, and 4 in 2000 going out to the Scallop grounds in Steinhatchee which is Northern Florida.


3. We go about a mile or two out into the Gulf where the seagrass beds are in about 4 - 8 feet of water. The trick to catching them is to FIND them! On sunny days, the sun seems to shine on their eyes which are all along the inside of their shells. Otherwise, they can blend in with the grass pretty well. Once you see one, you scoop it up and put it in your bag. The bag allows you to stay under water for quite a while so you can collect several.

4. When you catch them, you put them on ice so they will open up. Some are more"stubborn" than others and open very little if at all. The limit in Florida for whole scallops is 2 gallons per day per person---or 10 gallons per boat. The limit for shelled scallops is 1 pint of meat per day...think about that...2 gallons with the shells is roughly equal to two small "school size" milk cartons! The photo on the left shows DS 4 "dumping" our catch into the cooler when he was probably 2 or 3 years old.


5. Now the "FUN" part is CLEANING the darn things! DS 4 loved exploring them as a child.

6. You can open the scallop by sticking a spoon or a knife at the back part near the hinges. You kind of slide the knife around the opening carefully and it will "lift away" the shell. If you hold the dark side up, you won't ruin the meat inside.


7. The "innards" look like this:


This is the "tricky" part. If you take your knife and gently pull the "gross" stuff ...that's the dark brownish/yellowish "junk"... away from the muscle that's in the middle of the shell...it's possible to pull it off in one fell swoop (as Grandma would say). And speaking of Grandma, the photo just above is my Grandma and me scooping the GUTS out of the scallops while DS 4 looks on. Doesn't she look THRILLED??


8. When you get the "goop" out, there is a nice white muscle left. It looks like this:



You just scoop it out and you're ready to COOK them and EAT THEM!



It's a lot of work, but it's a lot of fun, too. If you want to skip steps 5 - 8, and just do the "eating", then you can pay for someone at a dock to do them for you. They are FAST and sometimes it's worth it.



So, if any of you are in or near the Gulf Coast of Florida from Homosassa up to Steinhatchee from July 1st though Sept. 10th, you can go "get yourself some supper"!



{Note: I borrowed the close-up scallop pictures from this website. I just thought I'd go ahead and paste them here to preserve my directions for years to come! Plus that, I thought I'd send my extended family into total shock that I would post this little "how-to" manual!}

Until I return...

In my yard...In my life...

Things have been crazy (as usual) around my house this Spring/Summer! The kids are all busy with different things and I DO want to give an update. I just had to share these other pictures first.

We have been watching these little baby sandhill cranes for a few months now. In the photo below you can see how much they have GROWN! It's been fun to watch them change. Each time the four of them "drop by" for some food, I am amazed!

OK to update you on the family:

DS 1 finished his Basic/AIT training for Army National Guard. He is home now and will start school at University of Florida in the fall. He looks great and I LOVE having him here! I'll tell ya' though, he came home a different young man. Not that there was a lot to change, but it's a pleasure to know he's on a path that he is enjoying.

DS 2 just finished a very intense week of acting/modeling/talent competition. He got six call-backs and may be doing some local work for advertisers here in the area. It was a fabulous experience for him! DH and DS 3 accompanied him for the week-long event. Their day started at 7:30am and they were rarely done before 10:30 or 11:00 at night. It was an amazing event for all of them. DH and DS 3 went to classes and served as an extra set of eyes and ears for all the learning that took place. It will be neat to see where this takes him.

DS 3 is doing quite well. I don't know if I blogged it or not, but he was selected the sophomore class president for next year. Hard to believe that the first high school year passed so quickly. He flew with DH out to DS 1's graduation in Texas and had a great time.

DS 4 is doing quite well also. He was selected as a news anchor for our school's morning news next year. It's amazing to me that this little man (who was just a baby when I started working there) only has one more year of elementary school. He won a fishing charter at our end of the year carnival. DH, DS 1 and he went today. He caught a redfish and was so happy to be out on the water.

I wish I had photos of all of them to stick in here, but I don't. I'm between computers and I'll need to dig up some from other computers. Soo...the cranes and DS 4 will have to do. I'll add more as I can.