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| 1992 |
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| 2012 |
Mark and I did reflect on how much has changed since 1992.
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| Only 2 shows left from 1992 that are still on TV. |
Thursday, July 19, 2012
1992
As I reflected on my post from a few days ago, I realized that I casually mentioned that I celebrated my 20th anniversary in June. It was almost like: "oh yeah, my 20th wedding anniversary". It is a big deal! 1992 really doesn't seem that long ago. To make it even more confusing, Mark and I celebrated the anniversary in April. He had to go on a business trip and I tagged along. We made it our get-away weekend before he went to work on the following Monday. So, I didn't mean to be so blithe about June~ we really did recognize the date!
Mark and I did reflect on how much has changed since 1992.
Mark and I did reflect on how much has changed since 1992.
Monday, July 16, 2012
June ran away, so I will try to catch July 2012
Well, I can procrastinate and keep thinking of the perfect entry or I can just go with it! I apologize if it rambles and rambles.
I thought summer would provide lots of extra time to catch up on things, but I was wrong. As May transitions into summer, it is just a different kind of busy. I'm not complaining, but often fantasize of catching up on my things to do list. Here it is the middle of July and I didn't get one post for June. So, let's move on!
R1 and R2 have either been going 90 mph or 0 mph. It is one or the other. They are too old for Bible school and day camps. But, they are too young for summer jobs. I keep telling them to enjoy the down time while they can. This is the first summer where they have had separate activities. It has been nice to spend one on one time with each of them.
This is called a rambling autobiography that I used in one of my writing classes. You write what comes to mind:
Or, did Ann get dismissed in July? June and July can run together sometimes!
And, then Tom and Katie not only split up but finalized their divorce in two weeks.
I've been trying to be better about my devotional time. Through other blogs, I found:
#SheReadsTruth
It is an online Bible study through the You Version app. I'm really enjoying it so far. I seem to be more focused in my spiritual journey.
I like to think that God is giving signs all the time.
R/R were confirmed in the church in July 2010. We bought them crepe myrtles as a gift in summer 2010 to remind them that God will grow with them. I have babied those trees all year. It didn't look like it was going to bloom this summer. Sure enough, the exact day of the confirmation, the flower bloomed!
Another example:
Last week, I had multiple conversations with different things which involved all kinds of things. What does the movie/book The Help, Michael Jordan, and birthday parties have in common? It was all part of the sermon by a guest priest at our church last Sunday.
My sister and I were talking about the book in a conversation last week. Sure enough, it was part of the sermon concerning the unfair judgement of people.
My youngest son asked me if I had ever been cut from a team in high school. I told him the story about the time I was cut from the softball team (that will have to be for another post). The preacher talked about Michael Jordan getting cut from jv basketball even though Sports Illustrated later disputed it. Nonetheless, it teaches perseverance.
Then, the Gospel that day was about King Herod having John the Baptist beheaded. The request was made during a party. Mark and I had previously discussed the week before how different denominations view things (ie birthday parties, dancing, etc.)
The sermon seemed to tie multiple conversations together.
Lastly, I was the lay reader for the service. My youngest said I looked like Claire Dunphy from Modern Family while I read...
Have a great week!
I thought summer would provide lots of extra time to catch up on things, but I was wrong. As May transitions into summer, it is just a different kind of busy. I'm not complaining, but often fantasize of catching up on my things to do list. Here it is the middle of July and I didn't get one post for June. So, let's move on!
R1 and R2 have either been going 90 mph or 0 mph. It is one or the other. They are too old for Bible school and day camps. But, they are too young for summer jobs. I keep telling them to enjoy the down time while they can. This is the first summer where they have had separate activities. It has been nice to spend one on one time with each of them.
This is called a rambling autobiography that I used in one of my writing classes. You write what comes to mind:
June 2012
finished school-went to Atlanta to visit brother and family- watched nephew's lacrosse tournament- thought lacrosse is a neat sport- started walking 5 miles a day with friends-get up early to walk-cleaned out linen closet- cleaned out boys' old books/clothes- worked in yard- cooked nice dinners- hosted friends for 70th watermelon festival- ran and walked in 2 5k's- saw Snow White and the Huntsman- started part-time job-updated my Ipod-celebrated my 20th wedding anniversary-Mark's grandmother passed away-had friends over for lunch-celebrated Father's day- learned Subway makes a great sandwich platter for entertaining- our priest resigned due to family illness- our church is without a priest right now- sent my oldest to Europe for 10 days- sent my youngest to camp- spent a lot of time in the car- summer storms are scary- did The Today show really kick Ann Curry off the couch?Or, did Ann get dismissed in July? June and July can run together sometimes!
And, then Tom and Katie not only split up but finalized their divorce in two weeks.
I've been trying to be better about my devotional time. Through other blogs, I found:
#SheReadsTruth
It is an online Bible study through the You Version app. I'm really enjoying it so far. I seem to be more focused in my spiritual journey.
I like to think that God is giving signs all the time.
R/R were confirmed in the church in July 2010. We bought them crepe myrtles as a gift in summer 2010 to remind them that God will grow with them. I have babied those trees all year. It didn't look like it was going to bloom this summer. Sure enough, the exact day of the confirmation, the flower bloomed!
Another example:
Last week, I had multiple conversations with different things which involved all kinds of things. What does the movie/book The Help, Michael Jordan, and birthday parties have in common? It was all part of the sermon by a guest priest at our church last Sunday.
My sister and I were talking about the book in a conversation last week. Sure enough, it was part of the sermon concerning the unfair judgement of people.
My youngest son asked me if I had ever been cut from a team in high school. I told him the story about the time I was cut from the softball team (that will have to be for another post). The preacher talked about Michael Jordan getting cut from jv basketball even though Sports Illustrated later disputed it. Nonetheless, it teaches perseverance.
Then, the Gospel that day was about King Herod having John the Baptist beheaded. The request was made during a party. Mark and I had previously discussed the week before how different denominations view things (ie birthday parties, dancing, etc.)
The sermon seemed to tie multiple conversations together.
Lastly, I was the lay reader for the service. My youngest said I looked like Claire Dunphy from Modern Family while I read...
Have a great week!
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Another school year in the books
I'm not one to count days, hours, minutes until the end of a school year. I really try to embrace each day as it comes. It did dawn on me today that the end is nearing ready or not. There is nothing like the first month of a school year and certainly nothing like the last month. No matter how I try to prepare for the onslaught of May, it just takes me by storm. Before the school year slipped away from me, I wanted to capture a few things. R1 will be graduating from middle school and entering high school in the fall. REALLY? I remember taking him to Mother's Morning Out and now he's getting ready for high school. His kindergarten teacher said he was part of the dream team and I agree.
6am- R2 joins me for breakfast. We joke that it is silent breakfast because neither one of us is too talkative. I have the Hampton radio station on to keep us abreast on the latest happenings in the county. The music leaves a lot to be desired, but it is usually the news.
6:30- wake up R1 and Mark usually wakes up. I start the beautification process by getting a shower.
7:00- tell Mark goodbye, see what Natalie, Matt, Ann and Al are wearing on the Today Show and catch a few headlines.
7:05- in the car heading out with R/R to the middle school. Traffic can be interesting. I vary the route because there isn't an easy way to get there. Music selections vary. We did rock out to Def Leppard's Pour Some Sugar the other morning. They were shocked I knew the words.
7:15- arrive at my school and the day begins
3:05- bell rings. R/R are brought to the high school via bus. Mrs. Shands is their bus driver. She is the best of the best! R/R get a snack out of my secret snack drawer. I get a brief synopsis of the day. Depending on the sport season, one or both with change clothes and head to their respective sport practice. Me-- it could be a meeting or working on stuff in my room.
5 to 5:30- head home. Start the "what's for dinner" game. Some days I do a better job of planning. In May, it is whatever can be put on the table. The boys get their showers and start homework.
6 to 6:30- dinner- we had grilled squash
7:00- guilty pleasure: television. We usually watch Jeopardy, Big Bang Theory, Top Gear, How I Met Your Mother, Community, and Everyone Hates Chris on regular TV or the DVR. Rochelle from Everyone Hates Chris is my favorite TV mom. I often tell the boys: "see, Rochelle made her kids do (fill in the blank)".
8:00- laundry, play catch up around the house
10:00- bedtime. I usually read and watch the 10 pm news on the Fox station.
It is not an incredibly exciting day- but that is what I love so much. I love routine. I know these days are precious and I don't take them for granted. When R2 was born, he spent a few weeks in the NICU. Those were sad, sad, sad days of the unknown. I promised myself that when we got out of there, all that mattered was that the four of us would be together under one roof. I haven't forgotten it!
Here is a typical school day in Shell blog a lot's life:
5:30 to 5:50- the Iphone xylophone alarm blasts me to life each morning. The time varies depending on if I have to wash my hair or if I just want to catch more zzzzzz's. Mark continues to sleep. I've spoiled my boys and usually 3 out of 5 mornings, I make muffins for breakfast. They are in unison that the banana nut are their favorite. If I have fresh blueberries, I like to add it to the jiffy blueberry mix. Tomorrow I am going to try orange cranberry muffins.6am- R2 joins me for breakfast. We joke that it is silent breakfast because neither one of us is too talkative. I have the Hampton radio station on to keep us abreast on the latest happenings in the county. The music leaves a lot to be desired, but it is usually the news.
6:30- wake up R1 and Mark usually wakes up. I start the beautification process by getting a shower.
7:00- tell Mark goodbye, see what Natalie, Matt, Ann and Al are wearing on the Today Show and catch a few headlines.
7:05- in the car heading out with R/R to the middle school. Traffic can be interesting. I vary the route because there isn't an easy way to get there. Music selections vary. We did rock out to Def Leppard's Pour Some Sugar the other morning. They were shocked I knew the words.
7:15- arrive at my school and the day begins
3:05- bell rings. R/R are brought to the high school via bus. Mrs. Shands is their bus driver. She is the best of the best! R/R get a snack out of my secret snack drawer. I get a brief synopsis of the day. Depending on the sport season, one or both with change clothes and head to their respective sport practice. Me-- it could be a meeting or working on stuff in my room.
5 to 5:30- head home. Start the "what's for dinner" game. Some days I do a better job of planning. In May, it is whatever can be put on the table. The boys get their showers and start homework.
6 to 6:30- dinner- we had grilled squash
7:00- guilty pleasure: television. We usually watch Jeopardy, Big Bang Theory, Top Gear, How I Met Your Mother, Community, and Everyone Hates Chris on regular TV or the DVR. Rochelle from Everyone Hates Chris is my favorite TV mom. I often tell the boys: "see, Rochelle made her kids do (fill in the blank)".
8:00- laundry, play catch up around the house
10:00- bedtime. I usually read and watch the 10 pm news on the Fox station.
It is not an incredibly exciting day- but that is what I love so much. I love routine. I know these days are precious and I don't take them for granted. When R2 was born, he spent a few weeks in the NICU. Those were sad, sad, sad days of the unknown. I promised myself that when we got out of there, all that mattered was that the four of us would be together under one roof. I haven't forgotten it!
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Writer's Notebook
Whew! Today was a major day at work and I'm so thankful to have it behind me. As each task is completed, I'm starting to see the end of this physical year.
I've started writing in my "writer's notebook" again. I learned about these notebooks in graduate school. It is not a journal. You just write down things that "speak" to you. It may be a Bible verse, or a famous quote. I like to write down quotes from books or magazines that I am reading or even TV shows. With all of these threads of the notebook~ it really does come together in one pretty package. I've completed one notebook and I'm starting on my second. If I don't have my notebook, I will engage in technology and put it in my phone until I can transfer it to my notebook. I had to give a speech last August to a over a hundred people last year. Nerves aside, the notebook provided lots of inspirational quotes that assisted me with my speech.
I've started writing in my "writer's notebook" again. I learned about these notebooks in graduate school. It is not a journal. You just write down things that "speak" to you. It may be a Bible verse, or a famous quote. I like to write down quotes from books or magazines that I am reading or even TV shows. With all of these threads of the notebook~ it really does come together in one pretty package. I've completed one notebook and I'm starting on my second. If I don't have my notebook, I will engage in technology and put it in my phone until I can transfer it to my notebook. I had to give a speech last August to a over a hundred people last year. Nerves aside, the notebook provided lots of inspirational quotes that assisted me with my speech.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Happy Mothers Day
Happy Mothers Day
I have enjoyed my day. It started with church followed by a meal created by the men. My gift was that I wasn't going to plan, cook, or clean up a meal. It was wonderful. I was able to read my Oprah magazine and relax. Not that planning and cooking a meal is a burden~ I just enjoyed the break in routine. I then took a two hour nap which was also a gift. Mark and the boys gave a gift certificate to a local spa that is greatly appreciated. I'm ready to use it this week.
Being a mom requires a lot of on the job training. At times, I wish that there was a training manual that I could refer to. Am I too strict? Am I too soft? Do they know how much I love them? As a friend once told me, I want them to feel: "warm, safe, and dry". I don't know how to stop time from traveling like a cheetah. I remember them being born as if it were yesterday. Their personalities have been evident from the day they were born. I'm enjoying the journey of motherhood and pray that they know how much I honor being their mom.
I miss my mom like crazy. She died 18 years ago- way before her time. I would love to ask her questions about my childhood and typical mother questions. She did not suffer fools lightly. She was highly opinionated. She had a sense of humor that would double me over in laughter. It is so sad that my boys missed out on her unconditional love. Yes, the boys have their paternal grandmother, but they need a maternal one, too.
I have enjoyed my day. It started with church followed by a meal created by the men. My gift was that I wasn't going to plan, cook, or clean up a meal. It was wonderful. I was able to read my Oprah magazine and relax. Not that planning and cooking a meal is a burden~ I just enjoyed the break in routine. I then took a two hour nap which was also a gift. Mark and the boys gave a gift certificate to a local spa that is greatly appreciated. I'm ready to use it this week.
Being a mom requires a lot of on the job training. At times, I wish that there was a training manual that I could refer to. Am I too strict? Am I too soft? Do they know how much I love them? As a friend once told me, I want them to feel: "warm, safe, and dry". I don't know how to stop time from traveling like a cheetah. I remember them being born as if it were yesterday. Their personalities have been evident from the day they were born. I'm enjoying the journey of motherhood and pray that they know how much I honor being their mom.
I miss my mom like crazy. She died 18 years ago- way before her time. I would love to ask her questions about my childhood and typical mother questions. She did not suffer fools lightly. She was highly opinionated. She had a sense of humor that would double me over in laughter. It is so sad that my boys missed out on her unconditional love. Yes, the boys have their paternal grandmother, but they need a maternal one, too.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Contagion
Greetings from the quarantine at the Hampton Inn in Charleston. It is a long story. Let me back up... I like to type the blog from the desktop vs the IPad. The Ipad doesn't allow me to insert pictures or go through spellcheck. Nonetheless, I haven't posted in a long time and have lots to catch up on. Fortunately, being in a motel room all by yourself gives you plenty of time to reflect.
How did I end up here? May 5th was going to be one of those busy spring days. I was really worried how I was going to be everywhere. I was supposed (note suppose) to attend my Godson's first communion, host a family friend's daughters bridesmaid's luncheon, attend said wedding at the beach, attend a lower state track meet,attend a family reunion, and tend to the Mt kilamanjaro mountain of paperwork from work. Wife and mom are in there somewhere. As a family, we had figured out a plan.
Tuesday evening, my beloved came down with a bug. He never gets sick, so I should have known this was a herculain strain. It had been a tough week at work, but May is always tough. Wednesday evening, I came home and went straight to bed because I was so "tired". In retrospect, that was weird. Thursday, I fumbled through in a fog. Friday was a disaster. I should have called in sick. I will spare you the icky details. I'm just thankful for my doctor that will take last minute appointments and a prescription for Phenergan.
I emerged from the fog of illness late Saturday morning. We decided to head for the wedding with me in absentia. The motel room was in my name because I had redeemed my Hilton Honor points. I didn't want the men to be stranded. So, my nice looking men took off for the wedding and I'm watching tv and playing on the iPad. I really am thankful to even play on the iPad, because I sure didn't feel like it 24 hours ago. I feel like Cinderella not even making it to the ball. I can't wait to hear all about it. The moon is supposed to be especially bright this evening.
I hope everyone is doing well. Learn from me, get plenty of rest and take your vitamins. Getting sick is no fun.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Palm Sunday/April Fools Day
Today was a beautiful day. We went to church for Palm Sunday. R2 read the part of Jesus in the sermon. After church, we grabbed a quick bite and headed over to GSU for a baseball game. The weather was perfect. After watching several baseball games in the rain and cold, this was a treat.
On the way home, I pulled out my Kindle. I had downloaded a couple of books in December. I'm the type of reader that when I start, everything else must wait. This particular download all started with:
When seeing this cover, R/R dubbed me the nickname "Tiger Mom". When R/R are pushing my buttons, they call me Tiger Mom. I had also seen the interview with the author on the Today Show.
Here is the book:
It is by Amy Chua. I started reading it this afternoon. Amy's parents immigrated from China. Amy was brought up in a strict Asian home. She went to Harvard against her father's wishes and then on to Harvard Law School. She met her Jewish husband, Jed, in school. They have 2 daughters.
So far, I am enjoying the book. Amy (I act like I know her) explains the thought process of rearing children in an Asian and Western way. She explains that neither way is right or wrong. I find Amy to be a humorous writer. I will keep you posted.
This week is spring break and I'm so thankful. I'm more than ready to get off of the hamster wheel for a few days. This is the first spring break in two years that I've not had demands of graduate school breathing down my neck. I'm looking forward to enjoying the outdoors and other fun activities.
I promised R1 that I would take him to see:
I really want to read it before I go to the movie, so I better get to it! I don't know what I was thinking, but I didn't order the other two books. After R1 read it, I ordered them, but they have not arrived yet. I told him I could download them, but he wants the real deal.
Welcome to April. Have a nice week.
On the way home, I pulled out my Kindle. I had downloaded a couple of books in December. I'm the type of reader that when I start, everything else must wait. This particular download all started with:
When seeing this cover, R/R dubbed me the nickname "Tiger Mom". When R/R are pushing my buttons, they call me Tiger Mom. I had also seen the interview with the author on the Today Show.
Here is the book:
It is by Amy Chua. I started reading it this afternoon. Amy's parents immigrated from China. Amy was brought up in a strict Asian home. She went to Harvard against her father's wishes and then on to Harvard Law School. She met her Jewish husband, Jed, in school. They have 2 daughters.
So far, I am enjoying the book. Amy (I act like I know her) explains the thought process of rearing children in an Asian and Western way. She explains that neither way is right or wrong. I find Amy to be a humorous writer. I will keep you posted.
This week is spring break and I'm so thankful. I'm more than ready to get off of the hamster wheel for a few days. This is the first spring break in two years that I've not had demands of graduate school breathing down my neck. I'm looking forward to enjoying the outdoors and other fun activities.
I promised R1 that I would take him to see:
I really want to read it before I go to the movie, so I better get to it! I don't know what I was thinking, but I didn't order the other two books. After R1 read it, I ordered them, but they have not arrived yet. I told him I could download them, but he wants the real deal.
Welcome to April. Have a nice week.
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