BOO!!!

I have the chills, body aches, and a sore throat. I'm not happy about it at all.

Teenage Queen

It is so difficult to raise a teenage daughter these days. I have three. There's image issues, friendship issues, responsibility issues, overdramatization issues, and much, much more. Of course, anyone with teenage daughters knows this. I'm not telling anyone anything they didn't already know. But sometimes, just sometimes, it gets to a mom. Enter, me.
I have a full time job with one of my girls just making sure to remind her to get her homework, her coat, her shoes, her dance shoes, her practice uniform, brush her teeth, put on deo, and take a shower. (not in that order) This wears me out! Seriously. Then, to top it off, she acts like I should never prompt her to do anything. Like she wouldn't "forget" if I didn't remind her. Ugh.
And this, too, shall pass as they say. Boy, it sure doesn't feel like it sometimes.
I guess I just need to remind myself that they'll all be out of the house soon enough and then I'll be complaining that it's too quiet or something. Right? Right. Consider me reminded.

What it means

"We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties." Oswald Chambers

Amen to that.

Toothfairy blues

I had to go to the dentist this morning. I HATE the dentist, needless to say. I went because back in the beginning of the summer, when I went for my checkup and cleaning, the dentist told me that a filling of mine had a slight crack in it, and that I would probably want to get it fixed relatively soon as to avoid a painful, emergency situation appointment if and when it decided to split completely. So, they said they had time in their schedule right then, did I want to get it done and overwith? Of course, because of the fact that I knew I'd put it off as long as possible if I didn't stay and get it done, I said yes. Boy, do I wish I hadn't have said that. Since then, my tooth has HURT. And I mean hurt. But, being the chicken that I am, I didn't call them back. I let it go until now.
I have a good friend who is a dental hygenist. I finally broke down and told her when she was over about a week ago. She told me that on Monday, this was Saturday, she would call and get me an appointment. I just needed to pick up my x-rays from my current dentist (she works for different dentist than the one I saw in June), and bring them with me to the appt. So, I broke down, telling her just how much of a dentist wimp I am. She assured me I'd be taken care of. Well, I went today. I knew it was going to be bad because she looked at my x-ray this weekend. I was pre-warned. I have to have a root canal and a crown put on the tooth. HOLY CRAP!! Given my dental track record of not getting numb and being so very afraid, the dentist I went to today is giving me some heavy duty drugs to put me in a favorable position to get treatment. The night before and the day of my root canal (next Friday the 12th), I am to take this medicine to "calm me". It better do the trick. I mean, it's so bad my mom has to take me to the appointment. I won't be able to drive. So, there it is. My hellish nightmare of a dental situation. Don't you only wish you were in my shoes?? right.

novel

In my 8th grade classes, we are reading the novel Tuck Everlasting. One of the subjects of the book is immortality. I've thought about it and decided that I would not want to live forever. When I asked the students this, I was surprised to learn that many of them said the same. I figured most of them would say they wanted to live forever, but that wasn't the case.
Perhaps they realize what bad shape this world is in. Perhaps they know and understand that society is only getting worse as time passes. Maybe I don't give them enough credit in their thinking.
One of my colleagues who teaches next door to me just had a baby about eight or nine weeks ago. I have often thought to myself how I'm pretty sure I would NOT be able to bring a baby into this fallen world we live in at the present. Not only because of my age, but because I don't believe this is a world to raise an infant in well into adulthood. Call me a cynic. Call me Debbie Downer. I'm just being realistic. I know, our parents probably said the very same thing, but I'm convinced. Today's world is where many thought it never would be. I know how tough it is to raise three teenagers right now, let alone a nine week old. Ah, alas, who doesn't love that newborn baby smell and touch? I do. But there would never be a baby on my radar if my baby factory wasn't shut down. Not to worry. It is shut down. Thank you, God.
So, would you want to live forever if given the chance? Why or why not?

Just Wright

The girls and I were watching a movie last night titled Just Wright. In the opening of the movie, about the first four minutes, the camera panned all over New York City. It was gorgeous! It showed views from the Hudson River, Brooklyn Bridge, and the choice condominiums. The couple in the movie went to a jazz club which reminded me of a jazz club I had been to in NYC. I enjoyed the movie. A little cliche at times, but worth the redbox rental.

Bake it and they will come...

I'm feeling that I'm in a baking mood. I want to try new recipes today. Maybe it's the fall break fever. Pumpkin recipes sound grand. Right now, in the oven, are some pumpkin pie muffins. They smell scrumptious. It fills the house with aromas of freshly toasted nuts and brown sugar. I hope they turn out well. I have started a grocery list to make Nick Hill's White Chili also. It's a great crockpot recipe that I love. It has a spicy kick to it that is unmatched. I'll make that later today. I also have in my arsenal a pumpkin crunch recipe that I will be attempting probably later on tonight. Hungry? Come on over and celebrate the month of October with me! It is filled with my birthday, fall break, and beautiful leaves covering the ground. The crisp air fills my lungs and makes me feel alive. I love October!
Speaking of October happenings, I didn't get a chance to post yesterday. Yesterday was National Day of Writing. In honor, send your significant other a love letter or two. Do something nice like that. Or write down your innermost thoughts in a journal or on a blog. You'll feel better after you do! Trust me. Been there, done that.
Take care and happy fall!

A year older

So Wednesday was my thirty-seventh birthday. I'm at the age where I do not want to have birthdays anymore. I don't really like the fact that I'm getting older. I want to avoid "olderness". I'm not sure why this is. Sure, I don't like wrinkles; I don't like my face looking aged. I don't like the flab that jiggles in places I didn't think it could. But it's more than that. It's a nostalgic notion that I want to still live vicariously, and having birthdays makes me think my vicarious living might be limited. Hmph. Crazy rollings of my mind. . .
My best friend surprised me on my birthday by coming down to see me. That was nice. And I was taken to the Mexican restaurant that I like. Good.
Now another year of focus. Sometimes my eyes get crossed.

Ah, the smell of home...

Last Saturday night I got surprised by my cousin, Krea. She had an extra (free) ticket to the IU football game and asked me if I wanted to go. I agreed wholeheartedly with a very enthusiastic, "Yes!" Who could pass up a trip to good ol' B-Town? Not me! As I drive up Third Street onto the edge of campus, I get butterflies in my stomach. They are a good kind of butterflies. They are the kind that tell you you are in a heartfelt place. They are the kind that tell you you love where you are. That, my friend, is surely the case between me and IU. Of course those of you who know me might be questioning this rant. "Oh, if you loved it so much, why did you have to move home after just one semester? Why didn't you stay the whole four years in the dorms or on campus?" I hear you. I hear you. Legitimate questions. My reply is sure, I came home after one semester, but I went back as soon as my heart told me I couldn't stay away. I may have commuted to the campus for three years later on down the road, but I loved every minute of it, and I loved being in Bloomington. The feel of the city and the campus makes my blood run swiftly. It has its own pulse, its own beat. And I like it. I could be a lifelong student for sure. I love sitting in the classes soaking up all the information I can about the subjects I love. I want to interact with other learners. I want to bounce my ideas off other intelligent people. I miss that setting.
So, back to my original thoughts...I loved going to B-town, sitting in a sea of cream and crimson rooting on my Hoosiers. I was proud to be one of them even if only for a little while again. IU, I miss you terribly.

Beth Moore study

I am doing a study at church. A Beth Moore study. This is my second Moore study, and I love them! This one is When Godly people do UnGodly Things. It has opened my eyes to many things, above all the fact that we must protect ourselves at all times from the enemy. He works in mysterious ways and we are always under attack. There are times when I definitely FEEL under attack, and other times when I'm not so aware of the enemy at work.

Everything's pointing to the end in sight

There is an end in sight! This weekend will be the culmination of a romance set up by me. Yes, a marriage ceremony is taking place this Saturday between two people whom I set up last summer. Best of all, this marriage is between my cousin and Goddaughter, Krea, and her boyfriend, Nick. And the kicker?? I am the matron of honor. What that means is that I have been preparing for this wedding for an intense seven weeks or so. You see, the couple moved their wedding date up because of Nick's sick mother. Unfortunately, she did not make it to the wedding date, so the even will be bittersweet. It also means that I must give a toast at the wedding reception. I have just worked on it for about twenty minutes now. It was harder than I thought it would be. There is so much I want to say, but I don't want to be longwinded or too sentimental. I must admit, I did have a little mushy part there in the middle. I can't cut it out, though. Just can't. I only pray that I can speak well, harboring my intense emotions. I want the audience to feel my love for the couple, but hopefully not see me break into a tearful mess. I want to be able to keep it together long enough to make the toast. I'm hoping I make it through the ceremony rather unscathed, but I highly doubt it. I'm an emotional wreck already. I've been tearing up every time I really sit and think about the wedding. Krea is my baby. She's more like my firstborn than a cousin or goddaughter. I hope I make her proud.

the Biggest Loser

At work we are having a healthy lifestyle challenge. Staff can enter one of two categories, or both. They are percentage of weight loss and exercise minutes logged. I am entering the exercise minutes lost, since I know I won't be able to lose much more weight. I'm at a size now where I really can't lose any more. I'm peaked. Last week I weighed 140! I'd love to dip down in those 130's, but I'm not really looking for that to happen. So, instead, I'm going to count my exercise minutes and hope to win the prize! I'm thinking this week and next might hurt me a little because of the things going on like getting ready for the wedding. This weekend I have to help Krea finish things up since she'll be gone most of the weekend to Michigan for her mother in law's funeral. Then next week and next weekend are spoken for all around. Rehearsal Friday night and the wedding Saturday. Whew! I'm busy, busy, busy. When will I find time to log some exercise minutes?? Gotta do it, though. Got to.

Sad

Some things are so sad. My cousin is getting married in a week and a half. The groom's mother just passed away last night. Some people are asking me if they will postpone the wedding. (The couple moved the wedding up from next summer to this Sept. in hopes that the mother of the groom would make it to the wedding. You see, just about six weeks ago doctors told her she had three to six months to live.) She didn't make it. I don't think they should postpone the wedding now. That's just my opinion. Should they? It's just all so very sad. Makes me think about my own mortality. Odd thoughts running through my mind right now. Very odd.
Just pray for her, the groom, the upcoming wedding. Please.

Zumba

So there's this latest craze around here in the fitness world - it's called Zumba dancing. Now I'm sure there are those of you out there saying, "Wow. Where's she been? This is old news!" Okay, maybe you're right, however, I'm new to the circuit. Cammi and I went to a Zumba class here at our local Anytime Fitness. It was rather hot in the room we danced in. I was sweating enough to need a towel to dab my face off. So, it was a great workout. We had fun trying to keep up with the steps and laughed several times at ourselves. We were entertained. And we worked out pretty hard. So, it was a success. Try Zumba in your area soon - you'll enjoy it.

Intervention

I watched an episode of A&E's Intervention today out of the blue. I must admit I got teary-eyed when the family did their speeches for the man's intervention. It really hit home for me. I can remember all of those emotions just a little over a year ago with my mom's own recovery process. It's a long road to travel, but well worth every moment. My mom's sobriety means the world to me. I'm thankful to have her back.

Back to school, back to school...

It's that time. Again. Time to break out the sharpened pencils, fold back the pages of the textbooks you've been given, and scribble on that pad of paper with the wire on the spine. Unfortunately, I have been laxed. I have not worked in my room one minute yet. And school starts next Tuesday for me. I won't have two full days to work in my room, either, though we technically have two teacher work days before students arrive. I will have mere hours. Precious hours. A few hours to get a mound of decorating, organizing, and planning completed. I'm feeling the crunch. Despite that feeling, I'm dragging my feet. The procrastinator in me is fighting hard. She's bearing down and pushing until I feel sick to my stomach. I need to just do it and get it over with. But when? My planning organizer looks like a lead bomb went off inside it, writing all over every square inch of it. Something is going on each day. No down time to just take a few hours and go do what I need to do.
Today I registered my two high schoolers. Yes, now we have two. Cam is a freshman, and Mak is a junior. Hard to believe she has just two years left and then will leave the nest. Wow! It's now hitting her, too. She commented on that the other day. Of course she says she wants to go to college far, far away. We'll see. Doubt it.
Fees just keep increasing as the years go by. Book rental alone for the three girls is well over $300. Wow! That's not including lunch accounts to build up, P.E. uniforms, or school supplies. Book rental only! I'm gonna be overdrawn!
Well, I'm cooking a pork loin on the grill, so duty calls. . .

Myrtle Beach, SC

Beach Baby

I'm in Westport packing up my mom and dad's truck to be beach bound at 3am! We are excited and looking forward to some sun and surf. Pictures will be forthcoming...Say a little prayer for our safe travel.

Busy Week

I have a jam-packed week ahead. My dad is coming from Florida. Syd has dance camp. I have to work Monday. I must organize and pack, keeping the laundry caught up all week so that there are clothes to pack. I have to wait on a Comcast guy to come to the house one day. I am supposed to get Syd a pedicure one day (Friday). I must take things to mom and dad's house to put in the truck. I might be taking my friend to the airport on Tues. I need to purchase snacks and take alongs for the trip at Wal-Mart sometime this week and organize all those. Pack a cooler. Pack the car. AGGGHHHH!

outage

Our internet has been out for almost two weeks. YIKES! I'm at a friend's house using her internet as we speak. You never know how much you use the internet until it's gone. Amazing!
Less than two weeks and we're off on our excursion! I can't wait!!