Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Two Things

ONE thing:  I already posted this on my other blog, but I am also adding it here because not everyone HERE reads that one THERE.  


I have many friends who wonder what they can do in their busy busy lives to support things that are good and true for their families.  Here is a possible way.  Check it out.  Join.  Stay connected.


I repeat AGAIN that these are times when it doesn't matter who you voted for in the last Presidential election.  What matters now is the future and your children and mine, and our grandchildren.  Maybe you don't think anything wrong is going on.  Maybe you never watch the news.  Maybe you like socialism.  Maybe you really aren't sure right now.  The point is that you love your family and want what is best for them.  So, don't get caught up in who says what about whom - just unite with others who want this to be a wonderful and free country again.  Period.



Here is the link:  




SECOND thing:


I bought a Blackberry recently.  I KNOW!  Shocking.  I never thought I would be using one.   NEVER.  I am starting to like it.  I like it even more now since I found a cool site and downloaded the Blue Daisy App.  Love it.  So fun and girly-ish.  AND, it matches my blue SKIN - I know, I am so hip and happenin'.  I thought the font was quite small ( you know, my 50 year old hip and happenin' eyes and all....)  so I emailed the business owner to see if maybe I just didn't know how to make it bigger.  Well, SHE fixed the problem over night - for free.  I told her I would spread the word about her website, so I am!


Check her out here.  Love her. 

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Something about September


I love September.  Fall is my favorite – too bad it is not my body’s favorite.  In the last few years the seasonal changes are toxic to me.  I can’t breathe well, therefore, I can’t really enjoy much of anything inside or outside.  At least I can see the Fall colors through the windows when they start to change.

The last three Septembers have not been the best for me.  Three years ago, my son left for college – that was SOO tough, and I was soo sick (almost hospitalized, not just sick in the head)!  Two years ago, having a missionary away was still new and difficult.  One year ago, Les was far away before it was her time to be far away. 

Okay, so now I am wondering why I still say that Fall is my Favorite!!

This one is different.  While my son is off to college after a brief stay at home after the mission, I am okay with him being where he is. It is his time.  His whole life is before him.  What a wonderful thing!  No one in our family is far away from home before his/her time. Things are good – if my asthmatic lungs will let me catch a breath, before it all changes, then that will be great.

Beyond that, I am trying to figure out:

~Who is there to hire to help with a good bit of water damage in the basement, which I just recently discovered.  Mold, mildew, smell.  Good times. I am not sure how that snuck by me unnoticed, and frankly, it is embarrassing.  And, it is certainly not helping my asthmatic airways.

~How do I parent a R.M. college son?  I have no idea. 

~I love technology – I bought the new Outlook 2007 so I could sync calendars with family, with myself on my Blackberry (NEVER ever thought I would have one of those, and I am not sure I love it yet – and what I really want is an Iphone…ha).  It is time-consuming to learn and today it keeps CRASHING on me.   I am thinking a paper calendar is much simpler.   Why can I not choose simple??

~There is so much work to be done to this 16-year-old home.  I don’t know where to start.  Hubby works too many long hours to be much help.  I am cheap and don’t want to spend money on it.  We should have done more sooner – thus the water damage.  That feels pretty stupid, too. 

~I am thinking of ending this blog.  My purposes in starting it have changed.  I have my new one, but not too many are reading  it yet…..WHAT?  No one wants to read about political thoughts and news stories?  Tsk Tsk.  Can’t sit around and watch it go on anymore. 

~And, what do I now do with Brian’s missionary blog?  I have already been downloading it for a Blurb Book.  Do I just make it private now or delete it?

I’d love ideas on any of the above.  I have now exposed myself to my insecurities, obsessions, and lack of motivation.  Don’t sue me.  I’m too cheap to pay for it.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Unexpected Blessings from Unwelcomed Chaos

Brian left for Ydaho this morning.  Barely.  Barely made it.  NOT his fault.  I dutifully printed off his boarding pass yesterday, being the organized mom that I claim to be (notice I didn't say that I AM).   I have had it in my head for weeks that his flight was at 9:50.  However, it was not.  It was at 9 O' CLOCK!!! Unbelievable.

I decided to check the flight status this morning -you know, to make sure it was leaving on time.  I went into shock as I read the correct time over and over and over.  And OVER.   Richard left very early for work - he was not here to add to the craziness help.   Les was getting ready for school - she goes on auto-pilot and does a great job with that.  However - two concerns haunted me. 1 - with her Aspergers, she often does not adapt well to sudden chaos and can become very "disregulated" emotionally.  And 2 - one of her learning challenges causes her to have difficulty paying attention to the clock.  Realizing that she would have to do all that without my grand leadership, would she be ready for the bus and get to it on time?  Sound like excuses?  Nope - it's the reality of our lives.  
We sped through all the roundabouts (annoying), farm roads and freeways.   I swore under my breath at the people in my way.  Did I say "Swore"?  I called Rich at work and cried to asked him if he could leave work and go ahead of us to the airport - maybe see if he could pave the way with Southwest.  I had this grand illusion that if they were expecting Brian to be late, they might be ready to help us.  Brian had a lot of luggage - it would be tough for him to make it alone, and I wouldn't have time to park the care to assist him.  I felt SOOOO horrible.  

Richard made it.  He worked magic.   Martha at Southwest was a Queen.  I love you, Martha.  Leslie rose to the occasion, no feathers ruffled.   Brian made it through security without a hitch.  They boarded the flight a little late so he still had time.  Now if his luggage makes it on that flight....

My grown up son never got nasty with at me - he was frustrated, as he should be. He had every right to be yelling and screaming.  He never spoke in anger or got ruffled.  He offered encouraging words (and a little back-seat driving) all along the way.  

My 17 year old daughter proved me wrong yet again.  She did what needed to be done and showed me that she has grown in leaps and bounds. 

My husband dropped everything and came to our rescue.  He never got mad at me - only showed compassion for my frustration and my embarrassment, and for my tears.  I love him.
 
Blessings, blessings, blessings.  Heavenly Father is good.  I learned from this.

And now I need to take a nap and maybe eat a little chocolate - whew.