While I was in college, I was a regular at the weekly swing dance. I had been dancing about 3 years when I met Carrie. We had a mutual acquaintance...a guy who foolishly tried to date both of us simultaneously and then had the great idea of introducing us to each other. Yeah, he was a sharp one. Anyway, we hung out a lot and she knew a bunch of people who also went Salsa dancing (I was too young to get into that club, as I was 20 at the time.) As I'm sure you can imagine, there was a bit of overlap between the two. So she saw this guy...
She thought he was kinda cute, but she was a little more interested in his friend, but she wanted me to meet him. I guess a few people in the group had been trying to convince him to come swing dancing and that's how we met.
He was tall, skinny as a rail, and he was all cowboy-ed out...boots, hat, belt buckle. My thought was Who does this guy think he is? Doesn't he know this is a SWING dance? Not only that, but he actually had the audacity to bring along his flask!?! (it was a non-drinking establishment where we held the dances.) So...we're standing outside on the steps, Carrie, another regular who was our buddy, me, and this new guy. (The establishment where we danced then was STIFILING hot and muggy in the spring/summer.) And our buddy and the new guy are smoking (GROSS!!) when Carrie introduces us. Apparently, his name is Johnny. So Johnny starts talking about randomly finding things his ex-wife has left behind, and while he's griping about her making off with the breadmaker, I'm giving Carrie this look that says Really? THIS is the guy you wanted me to meet?
Throughout the following week, she and I chatted quite a bit and I entered the dance with an open mind. I danced with him a bit and when we stepped outside that evening he told the most hilarious camping story I'd ever heard! It was then I decided that it'd be alright to break my dating fast and go out with him...he just didn't know it yet.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
A Day of Rest
Ahhh...what a lovely day! Despite the fact that it rained and was overcast today, I found myself relieved that I didn't have to leave the house (except to take the boy to the bus stop). Dreary days usually make me depressed, but today wasn't so. I had a very busy week last week with Johnny being home (!!) and hosting a Mardi Gras party for my girlfriends. Monday and Tuesday was spent in preparation for the party...a luncheon. Complete with decorations (a good deal at Party City) and Cajun cuisine. The menu:
Of course, I spent the next two days cleaning up from the party and then Friday had to be Tackle Mt. Washmore day, which I'm coming to loathe. I think I go through phases...sometimes I hate laundry (now), sometimes I hate dishes. It's usually an either/or thing, so that's good, I suppose. I am grateful that we all have plenty of clothes to last us through 2 weeks, so that when I forget to do the washing or I accidentally leave the clothes in the washer for a couple days we're not running around naked. AND I'm thankful that God has blessed us with children (who create more laundry) and especially that we have our own washer and dryer so I don't have to schlep everyone to the laundromat to accomplish the chore. So, yes, I have much for which to be thankful, but sometimes I still grumble about it.
Dishes...ah, well, dishes are currently another story. Me and dishes are actually on good terms right now. I think it's because of the long-handled scrubby brush and my recent foresight that rinsing immediately after use is a good idea. So now things have been easier...I hope they stay that way.
In so far as other housekeeping duties are concerned, I'm really pretty lax. Thanks to FlyLady, I swish and swipe almost daily and sweep my kitchen floor more often than not. Vacuuming is something the boy and I trade, as he now enjoys it since he can actually handle the vacuum. (I LOVE my Dyson dc24!) He's also good about keeping his toys corralled to his room and picked up off the floor therein. He swishes his toilet (I keep the brush in a bleach-water solution) and swipes (with a Clorox wipe) his counter at least twice a week. He also clears his dishes from the table and puts away his clothing (and sometimes the babe's, too). All-in-all, I feel pretty good about what he's doing as a 5-year-0ld. (I'm praying his helpfulness continues throughout his tenure at home...yes, I know it's a long-shot.) Dusting...hmm, well...I am a fan of the Swiffer Duster, as it does what it's supposed to do and I don't have to do it very often. I miss my ceiling fans, even though they created more of this dreaded chore.
So after the busy-ness of last week plus Saturday being a bit harried...basketball game, buying stuff for soccer, church, and Bible study. Yesterday, we took a day trip up to Boone, where there is still plenty of snow, so that was most of the day. Today was a very welcome day of rest!
I read most of a Karen Kingsbury novel (which was rather disappointing as literature) and took care of the kiddos. I think the babe appreciated the laziness a bit, too, as she was quite agreeable today. She contentedly played in her pen for over an hour! Tomorrow's plan is price research on groceries...I'm determined to get this bill down!
I've also decided it's high time I read The Price of Vigilance by Larry Tart. (Maybe I'll make it past page 5 this time.) After the silly novel I just read, some non-fiction is in order.
Dear Lord,
I pray that you would keep my beloved safe in his travels, that you would bless him with fulfillment in his work, or bless him with a new job that he would bring glory and honor to you by fulfilling the purpose for which you put him here.
I lift up my dear children, and I pray that you would protect them and help us, as parents, to guide them in you ways. Help us especially to lead by example. Prepare our children to walk with you, O Lord.
I pray that you would watch over Mom and KJ, especially that you would bring him healing in the days and weeks to come.
I thank you for all you have given, especially the freedoms I tend to take for granted. Help me to share your abounding love, grace and mercy with all whom I meet. May your will be done in our lives.
In Jesus' precious name,
Amen.
Louisiana Red Beans & Rice
Shrimp Etouffee
Baked Sweet Potatoes
Fried Okra
King Cake
The gals all said they had a good time, and I got to introduce my church friends to my neighbors. Hooray for good food and friends with whom to share it!Of course, I spent the next two days cleaning up from the party and then Friday had to be Tackle Mt. Washmore day, which I'm coming to loathe. I think I go through phases...sometimes I hate laundry (now), sometimes I hate dishes. It's usually an either/or thing, so that's good, I suppose. I am grateful that we all have plenty of clothes to last us through 2 weeks, so that when I forget to do the washing or I accidentally leave the clothes in the washer for a couple days we're not running around naked. AND I'm thankful that God has blessed us with children (who create more laundry) and especially that we have our own washer and dryer so I don't have to schlep everyone to the laundromat to accomplish the chore. So, yes, I have much for which to be thankful, but sometimes I still grumble about it.
Dishes...ah, well, dishes are currently another story. Me and dishes are actually on good terms right now. I think it's because of the long-handled scrubby brush and my recent foresight that rinsing immediately after use is a good idea. So now things have been easier...I hope they stay that way.
In so far as other housekeeping duties are concerned, I'm really pretty lax. Thanks to FlyLady, I swish and swipe almost daily and sweep my kitchen floor more often than not. Vacuuming is something the boy and I trade, as he now enjoys it since he can actually handle the vacuum. (I LOVE my Dyson dc24!) He's also good about keeping his toys corralled to his room and picked up off the floor therein. He swishes his toilet (I keep the brush in a bleach-water solution) and swipes (with a Clorox wipe) his counter at least twice a week. He also clears his dishes from the table and puts away his clothing (and sometimes the babe's, too). All-in-all, I feel pretty good about what he's doing as a 5-year-0ld. (I'm praying his helpfulness continues throughout his tenure at home...yes, I know it's a long-shot.) Dusting...hmm, well...I am a fan of the Swiffer Duster, as it does what it's supposed to do and I don't have to do it very often. I miss my ceiling fans, even though they created more of this dreaded chore.
So after the busy-ness of last week plus Saturday being a bit harried...basketball game, buying stuff for soccer, church, and Bible study. Yesterday, we took a day trip up to Boone, where there is still plenty of snow, so that was most of the day. Today was a very welcome day of rest!
I read most of a Karen Kingsbury novel (which was rather disappointing as literature) and took care of the kiddos. I think the babe appreciated the laziness a bit, too, as she was quite agreeable today. She contentedly played in her pen for over an hour! Tomorrow's plan is price research on groceries...I'm determined to get this bill down!
I've also decided it's high time I read The Price of Vigilance by Larry Tart. (Maybe I'll make it past page 5 this time.) After the silly novel I just read, some non-fiction is in order.
Dear Lord,
I pray that you would keep my beloved safe in his travels, that you would bless him with fulfillment in his work, or bless him with a new job that he would bring glory and honor to you by fulfilling the purpose for which you put him here.
I lift up my dear children, and I pray that you would protect them and help us, as parents, to guide them in you ways. Help us especially to lead by example. Prepare our children to walk with you, O Lord.
I pray that you would watch over Mom and KJ, especially that you would bring him healing in the days and weeks to come.
I thank you for all you have given, especially the freedoms I tend to take for granted. Help me to share your abounding love, grace and mercy with all whom I meet. May your will be done in our lives.
In Jesus' precious name,
Amen.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
How nice to see you, Mr. Sun!
It's so nice to see the sunshine again after so many cloudy days. Even though it was still pretty chilly out this morning, the cloudless sky brought a smile to my face as I drove Bubba to school. Of course, I don't usually drive him, but yesterday I forgot to stop at the store and get cheeze balls for his 100th day of school party today (even though the party was supposed to be last week, but we only had school one day last week because of all the truly wintry weather). So we had to rush a bit this morning. I really hate rushing him, and I especially hate taking Anna out in the morning BECAUSE of the cold. Sometimes, we just have to do what we have to do.
The good news is...I DID manage to feed him a relatively nutritious breakfast (whole wheat bagels & schmear) AND get him to school ON TIME with the aforementioned party goods. Because I was out, I also FINALLY stopped by the post office to mail Greg the chocolates Mom bought from Bubba for a school fundraiser (last month). It's good that it's winter, otherwise I would be worried about it melting.
I managed to abstain from grabbing delicious coffee from Human Bean. This is a win, because our budget currently only allows for once-a-week coffee. Incidently, their dark roast is superb!
By the time we got to church at 9am, I felt like I had actually accomplished something! It was a difficult day for Anna. I think her teeth may be bothering her, perhaps she's frustrated with her lack of ability to stand by herself, or maybe it was just an "I need my mama" kind of day. Whatever the reason, she spent most of the 1 1/2 hours we were at church whining and sitting in my lap, so I was relatively unproductive today. Certainly, it was nice to talk with the gals and have a bit of "grown up" time, but I'm a little annoyed I didn't get more done.
I'm slowly learning to accept that some days I don't get much done. Sometimes because I'm lazy (usually), sometimes because I'm being a mom, sometimes because I'm helping someone...but I think it all works out in the end. The really productive days make-up for the lazy ones, and the semi-productive days (i.e. the days I actually follow my "Flight Plan") help keep things in balance--whatever that is.
The good news is...I DID manage to feed him a relatively nutritious breakfast (whole wheat bagels & schmear) AND get him to school ON TIME with the aforementioned party goods. Because I was out, I also FINALLY stopped by the post office to mail Greg the chocolates Mom bought from Bubba for a school fundraiser (last month). It's good that it's winter, otherwise I would be worried about it melting.
I managed to abstain from grabbing delicious coffee from Human Bean. This is a win, because our budget currently only allows for once-a-week coffee. Incidently, their dark roast is superb!
By the time we got to church at 9am, I felt like I had actually accomplished something! It was a difficult day for Anna. I think her teeth may be bothering her, perhaps she's frustrated with her lack of ability to stand by herself, or maybe it was just an "I need my mama" kind of day. Whatever the reason, she spent most of the 1 1/2 hours we were at church whining and sitting in my lap, so I was relatively unproductive today. Certainly, it was nice to talk with the gals and have a bit of "grown up" time, but I'm a little annoyed I didn't get more done.
I'm slowly learning to accept that some days I don't get much done. Sometimes because I'm lazy (usually), sometimes because I'm being a mom, sometimes because I'm helping someone...but I think it all works out in the end. The really productive days make-up for the lazy ones, and the semi-productive days (i.e. the days I actually follow my "Flight Plan") help keep things in balance--whatever that is.
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