I Guess This Means I Have the Day Off!

I was 16 years old when I filled out my first job application.   And I got that job with my very first interview.  It was at a store called Cotton Salsa at the mall where they sold alpaca fur rugs, ponchos and embroidered T-shirts. My duties were essentially hanging up T-shirts, rearranging clothing racks and shelves and running the cash register.  Those were the days when you still had to put someone's credit card in that silly thing with a carbon-copy receipt and run the top of the silly thing over all of it to make an impression of the card on the receipt.  Remember those?  

I don't remember how long I worked there.  What I do remember is that, shortly after I started that job, the store was sold to a new owner.  This guy didn't give me a paycheck; he usually paid me cash from the register.  One day I went to work and the lights were out, the gate still locked up tight and almost all of the merchandise was gone!  He had just up and left without informing anyone that he was shutting down the store.  How strange is that?  But when you're 16 years old you're not exactly concerned about losing a job.  There were obviously no bills to pay, no rent was due and the money I made was only earned so I could go to the movies.  

I can't say that job was life-changing or that I learned anything from it except this:

Easy Come. Easy Go!

Linking up to Flashback Friday at Mylestones where the prompt this week was First Job.

Icky

I woke up not feeling too swift this morning.  Queasy.  Unsettled.  Of course, the first thought to run through my mind was, "Dear, Lord, don't let me be pregnant."    I'm completely unequipped to handle the four children we already have; I know I couldn't handle any more.

It seems I'm just run down from all of the Mom kind of activities lately.  

• Being a nurse for Anna who has had a cold and ear infection for the last week.  She was sick the entire week of Winter Break and we had planned on doing a lot of fun things but instead spent 7 days cooped up in the house.  Oh well.

• Hosting a birthday party here at the house to celebrate Landon and my mom's birthdays.

• Playing referee in the wrestling arena that our living room has turned into since the boys were bored. And trying to soothe and not to scold or scream but not being very successful.

• Teaching Sunday School.
• Volunteering in Preschool in a room full of 24 three year olds.
• Going up to the Tennessee Aquarium Sunday afternoon. 

• Painting at a friend's new house.
• Saying goodbye to my brother who will be gone for another year teaching in S. Korea.
• And wondering what happened to my sweet little boy who seems to be 8 going on 13 lately.  Oh my!  What an attitude.  Don't let that sweet smile fool you; he's holding an ice cream cone, after all.

So, today I'm feeling icky.  Time for a break.  Need a nap.  Or a nanny and a cook and a chauffeur.  But I've gotten quite a bit of quilting done and finished reading Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott.  So that's good, right?  It'll have to do.

Curiosity Gets Your Whiskers Wet

Our morning routine now includes helping Landon go potty.  

This morning he was sitting on "the little potty" while the cat was wandering around looking for mischief.   She just had to see what was going on in the bathroom but when you're only  9 inches tall this means that your whiskered face is about level with the edge of "the little potty."  She's watching Landon pee and clearly is getting splashed because those ears are twitching as if she were standing outside in a light rainstorm.  HELLLOOOOO?!!  Don't you think you should back up a bit and give that boy some room?   

Landon insists on removing pants and underwear completely before doing his business which requires me to sit on the floor to help him strip.  Once he is finished peeing in "the little potty", Which, by-the-way, took almost 2 minutes!...Really? Come on! Did he have a beer before bed?  Anyhow, I am in charge of emptying "the little potty" once he's done.   I came within inches of spilling 2 minutes of pee all over the floor because, ...ahem!..., I am 34 years old and in awful shape and don't get off the floor easily anymore and nearly tripped over the feline who was so interested in the potty process this a.m.. 

Whew!  That would have been an ugly start to my week. 

But....I said all that just to say this...

Landon's been dry even at night for over a week!  We are down to only a half dozen pull-ups.  The last half dozen pull-ups I will ever have to buy!

Well,... at least until we have grandkids.  But that's a very, very, very long way away!!!  And maybe by then they will have potty training camps you can send your kids to.   They'll go off to camp for a few days and come home as civilized human beings who use the restroom with ease.  

HA!  Yeah right.

Awkward

Petrified.

That is precisely how I felt about going to that big high school.  So I chickened out.  I thought it would be safer at the little private Christian school run by my church.

Safer.  HA!

After the first miserable year I came to the conclusion, via a Pros and Cons list, that I would rather take my chances at that big public high school.  It was a good decision.  

It was just too obvious in a class of 32 that I didn't fit in - as opposed to a class of 300. There my odds of finding at least a handful of people I could connect with were much greater.  Within the first hour I had reconnected with friends from my 8th grade year and felt immediately at ease.  At home.

 

(I miss you lots, Linda!  Where did you go?  I can't find you anywhere.)

High school.  It wasn't awful and it wasn't heavenly, either.  I'm just so glad it's over.  

Being an adult is so much better.

P.S.  Just for the record, it still gets on my nerves that seniors from the class of '91 messed with our yearbook so badly.  I still don't know which way is up in it.  Our class was much more responsible.  ; )

A Question

I haven't had much to say lately.  Have you noticed?   Hmmmm.... Probably not.

And that's okay because that is kind of what I  want to talk about today.

I've been unsettled and unmotivated lately.  I feel like I haven't had much to contribute lately.  I think it stems from wanting to be something or someone else.  A desire to be attention grabbing, head turning. To be heard and people say, "Ah-Ha!  Exactly what I was thinking/what needed to be said."   To be seen and they say, "Oooo..Lovely!"   To be known... even the ugly stuff... and to be loved and admired.

But "I am what I am." - Popeye

Andy Andrews says in The Noticer,
****
        "You are not receiving opportunities and encouragement that people have to share for a very simple reason.  No one wants to be around you."
....
         "Young man, you must become a person that others want to be around!  This is far and away the greatest success secret in existence."
....
         "I believe you should ask yourself every day, 'What is it about me that other people would change if they could?'"
****

I respectfully disagree.   I'm not saying that the opposite is true either.   That you should just be who you are without any concern for what people think:  to be obstinate, unchanging and cantankerous.  

There is a healthy balance in there somewhere.   Loving yourself, quirks and all, as God made you and yet being moldable - discerning what you could and should change in order to be more like Him.   

So, I want to contribute more.  To give more.  To be more than I am.  But I don't want to lose myself in order to be what everyone else wants.   Especially since they don't all want the same thing. ; )

- Do you agree or disagree with Mr. Andrews?


I know this isn't normally the kind of thing I post here but by now you know I'm just a goofball and have come to expect it. ; )

Sugar Babies and Dr. Pepper are NOT Part of a Balanced Diet.

 

When we met I was very thin (too thin really). *sigh*  Those were the days (just kidding):  eating Sugar Babies and Dr. Pepper for "dinner" on class nights and Taco Bell and McDonald's with nary a thought to what damage that may have on my thighs.   ; )  That beautiful, simple wedding dress was a size 4!  AND, I had to have it taken in and altered quite a bit before it actually fit my frame.  

Now?   I don't think it would make it past my hips and the two sides of the zipper would have to write each other some type of correspondence since there would be no hope of them ever meeting again. "Dear Right Side, I miss you terribly!  Remember when we were once locked in a passionate embrace?  How I long to hold you once again. Sincerely, Left Side."

 

That's alright;  that dress may not fit me the way it once did but his arms are still just the right size.

I've  already written a synopsis of our love story here.  Linking up today to Jumping Tandem's Your Love Story.  Go read a few others and add yours to the list!  I love reading a good love story, don't you?

A heart that is just as full as this day has been

Love.

It's a subject too broad.  Too deep.

The goal in today's post:  Narrow it down.  Focus.

My flashbacks today have been mostly from three years ago.

We wanted another baby; our family of five didn't feel quite complete.  Someone was missing.   

Anna was only 6 months old when we started talking about having "the last one."   We knew if we put it off for too long then we would get comfortable.  We had two boys and a girl.  We didn't really want to be changing diapers for a lot longer.  We weren't looking forward to more sleepless nights.

But we knew it would be worth it.

And he is.  He is so worth it.

Labor started early that morning - maybe around 6 a.m..   We knew that this baby was coming today so Brian went to the office to quickly cancel his appointments.  I waited patiently for him to get back.  But if I was standing up the contractions were so painful that I would immediately have to sit down again and then they would be gone.  Based on this, I thought it might be a while before things got "hot and heavy".  So, we did as suggested, and made an appointment to be seen in my doctor's office before heading to the hospital.

During the 20 minute drive to the office and 10/15 minutes in the waiting room things had started to "progress".  Dr. Dyar checked me that morning around 9 a.m..

"Rebekah, you're 8 centimeters already.  I'll meet you across the street!"

And then my water broke right there in his office.

Yeah. We were definitely in a hurry then.

And, within the hour, I heard the announcement that I already knew in my mama heart:

"It's a boy!"

 Of course it was.  I knew very early on with that pregnancy that Landon Robert was next on God's agenda for our lives.  And I like His Plan.  He's been right all along.  I know He knows what He's doing.  And I trust Him.

What I don't understand is:

Why is this child up at 11:00 p.m. to tell me, "Mommy, I got the booger out.  It's in my bed." ?

Happy Birthday, Sweet Buddy!

Love,
Mommy

Linking this post up - very late- to Mylestone's Flashback Friday where this week's prompt was: Love.

Monkey Polka

It's been a day.

Have you been introduced to my brain?  You know,... the monkey in my skull playing an accordion?  Yeah.  That's the one.

Well, that monkey?  He's tired.   He's been playing a quick-step polka for about a week straight now and he's ready to "Take Five."

Here is the monkey's playlist lately:

• Should I Stay or Should I Go? by The Clash - Since I'm not certain I should be spending $400 to go to lunch with friends in New Hampshire, 1,000 miles away; no matter how badly I want to go.    ; )
• Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow - Because everyone is so excited about the possible 2 inches we may or may not get tomorrow.
• My Funny Valentine by Chet Baker - This one is obvious.   Three kids in school.  One of the three in preschool who had a difficult time writing down "all those letters", same child has a Valentine's party at school tomorrow that I am helping to coordinate and I can't find the class list for Parker's class and am still waiting on an e-mail from his teacher so we can finish those up.
•  Crazy by Seal - Because  Brian's mom showed up here today (Surprise!) and, with her not dealing with her bi-polar disorder and alcohol addiction and going through a divorce from her husband of 48 years, I wasn't sure how I felt about having her around unexpectedly.  Her state of mind is ...well,... um... sketchy at best lately.  Thank goodness the visit was actually much more pleasant than I anticipated.
• And, last but not least, Birthday by The Beatles - Because tomorrow is my baby's 3rd birthday!!!  

So, as you can plainly see, it's time to shut my brain down and let that monkey get some sleep.  Love y'all so much!

Have Fun Gals! Wish I Could Be There With You!

I need some time off.  Not just a 2 hour trip to the mall.   Not even just coffee with a friend.   Going to dinner and a movie isn't gonna cut it.  

I didn't realize just how badly I need some time away until Corinne suggested getting New England bloggers together and I started to plan on going.   And I'm NO WHERE NEAR New England!    I'm in the Dirty South, y'all.  But I was totally willing and ready to buy a plane ticket and haul my tushie to Maine next month.

MAINE!  In MARCH!  

As in... WINTER!  BRRRR.....

That's pretty desperate, folks, considering I'm chilly sitting by the fire in my 72 degree house in Georgia where the high was 41 degrees today.   Desperate.

Desperate to get away.  But I don't feel like being alone.  That would be way too depressing.  I need some girl time.  Time with girls like me.  Girls who aren't afraid.  Maybe some girls who are a little overwhelmed and won't feel guilty for saying they're overwhelmed.   Girls who don't have it all together.   Girls who will listen and not offer advice.   Girls who don't have all the answers.   Girls who don't need anything from me.  Because right now I'm feeling kind of sucked dry.

That's why I wanted to be with those girls who are going.  These are some pretty cool chicks.  Or at least they seem that way from here. A thousand miles away and yet here in my lap on the computer screen and yet also in my heart.

My Brain Needs a Break

I've been feeling a bit distracted or something, lately, with all the stuff going on at home (in-laws, brother in town, kids' school stuff, etc., etc.) and I've kind of set this here blog off to the side for a moment.   In an effort not to neglect it too horribly I think I'll just participate in other blogs' linking up parties (for lack of a better phrase).  That way I don't have to use my brain too much.  ; )

I haven't done Linda's Random Dozen in a while but I always love  reading Joyce's answers and so here I am again.

1. Are you pleasant when you're ill, or are you a grumpy, fussy patient?

I think, if I'm being honest, that I lean way to the side of grumpy and fussy.  Unless we're talking about pain.  Then I think I handle it mostly well.

2. When you find out that school is canceled (due to inclement weather) what is your gut reaction?
WOOPEE!  Where's my camera?

3. What is one domestic skill you wish you could improve?
Daily cleaning up.

4. Do you decorate your home for Valentine's Day?
Nah

5. What song is on your mind today?
Ray Lamontagne's  "You Are the Best Thing".  Hopefully, you'll find out why in a couple days. *wink*

• You Are The Best Thing by Ray LaMontagne

 

More Ray LaMontagne music on iLike

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6. Do you prefer contemporary movies or classic?
I love both.  I like the classic story-lines/plots but I also like the more contemporary camera techniques and film editing.

7. How well do you "compartmentalize" your feelings? For example, how well can you put aside a really trying moment to deal with the immediate situation which is not related to the trying moment, e.g., putting aside a tiff with your spouse in order to finish wallpapering a room.

Ummm... This would not be something I would write down as a strength of mine.  ; )

8. What is the first thing that attracted you to your spouse? (Or if you're single, to your best friend.)
His reputation.   He was cute and funny but when I first told people I was dating him EVERYONE said, "He is SUCH a nice guy!" 

9. When was the last time your heart raced?
Last night when I saw that Corinne is going to try and get some bloggers together and I REALLY REALLY want to go!!!

10. What are your memories of Valentine's Day at school?
Shoebox mailboxes and cutting out hearts and gluing paper doilies to them to make valentines.

11. If you were going to receive candy for Valentine's Day, which would you prefer?
Of course, chocolate comes to mind first but then those chewy, sugar-coated hearts.

12. Red or Pink?
Red!  Absolutely!  It's my favorite!

Kissy Face

This picture isn't winning any awards but it will always be one of my favorites...

Because it's us. 
At the Beach.
And I'm wearing my favorite hat.
And I love Us.
And I love the beach.
And I love that hat.  ; )

Hi, I'm Larry and this is my brother Darryl and this is my other brother Darryl.

I have no memories of life before siblings.   Of course this is because I was only14 months old when Paul arrived and just 16 months later Stephen showed up!  My parents were the ripe old ages of 22 and 23 when they were DONE having kids.

 Poor kid.  Am I pinching his nose shut?

 Poor kid!  Why did he go along with this crazy idea of mine?

I like to tease and say that they are the hillbillies because I was born on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor but we had moved to Virginia just before they were born when my dad was in the Army for a few years.

Cousins, parents, sometimes grandparents may fill a large majority of the memories of some people.  My growing up memories are mostly of my brothers.   Hide and seek - favorite hiding places were in the closets in their room.  "Crash Derby" - riding our bikes down the sidewalk and then throwing ourselves off the bikes into the grass just before you got to the curb at the end of the street.  Playing on the swing set in our yard - Singing out: "One for the money, two for the show, three to get ready and four to go!" and then jumping out of the swing at just about the highest point possible!  Amazingly only one bone was ever broken during this activity!  

 That's quite the ensemble there, Stephen!  You're rockin' those plaid pants, baby!

We may not have always gotten along and sometimes we still don't even though we're all thirty-somethings now but I know that they've "got my back" and they know they can count on me as well.   They're great guys and I can not imagine my life without them.

Check out more Flashback Friday at Mylestones where the prompt this week was obviously - Siblings.  ; )