Meeting the Governor

It's not every day you get to meet the governor, but last week I did. I listened to him speak to a smallish group, wishing my daughter could be in the room. This is an important man.

He was very personable. I enjoyed his talk immensely and told him so. I got to shake his hand and have my picture taken with him. Right before the picture was snapped I wished I had worn something else, but was pleased just the same thinking about how I could say to my friends, "Guess what? I met the Governor!"

Here it is week later and I didn't mention it to a soul. It's been a hectic week. We are trying to get ready for a trip my daughter is taking. Performances are involved, so there are practices, costumes to get ready, hotel reservations to make, the list goes on. One of the boys is sick with some sort of virus again. It has been raining quite a bit lately and my car sprung a leak. A good six inches of water collected in the bottom of the trunk before we noticed it. There has been some upheaval in other areas of life as well. I think the most disrupting thing has been the addition of a new puppy to our family.

He is an eight week old mixed darling who came to us needing medical care and grooming. Now that he is feeling better we have discovered he obviously has some ADHD heritage. While our new pup Thunder is a joy, like some of the human boys in this family who also have ADHD heritage, he is an exhausting joy. He is going to be l a r g e. It is imperative that he learn commands like 'down' as soon as possible. Anyone who has ever had a pup knows there is a massive time investment in the cleaning and scooping areas as well. So I've been busy. Too busy to think about name dropping at all.

Yesterday my hands were in a sink of dirty dishes and I was day dreaming about being a famous novelist someday. Perhaps people would line up just to shake my hand and smile at me. That's when I remembered meeting the Governor. If I ever do get famous I will certainly not be as important or vital as he is, and I had forgotten all about my big moment of meeting the governor.

Should my day in the spotlight ever come and my head start to swell, I will remind myself that people might have other things on their minds besides thinking about how great I am. Like getting on back to the house in hopes there won't be extra puppy messes to clean up.

At my last writer's group meeting the flash writing prompt I chose was 'Hot Pink'. This is what I came up with. I rather like it.

Hot Pink
Blusher Brush
Toes Done
Bubble Gum
Flip Flops
Tu Tu
Going on Thirteen

Super Heroes

People find it hard to recognize them without their capes. Always unassuming and quiet, never do they seek attention. Shadow people, going about the business of fighting for justice, they move quietly among us.

The best super hero stories are the ones in which the hero is suddenly thrust into battle already underway. Not fainting in the face of responsibility, he takes up the sword. The villain is twenty or one hundred times his match but the fight is on. Quitting is not an option.

A hero uses his own body to shield those weaker than himself. He fights for the side of right and helps the fallen. Hero work costs. Everything he has is given. Muscle, might, and mind strain against the adversary bearing down. Super heroes suffer. Super heroes don't whine.

Isn't it amazing how slipping on a pair of glasses fools the world? I wonder why no one sees the super heroes standing right beside them.

Sustainability

My second son was reading a newsletter article titled "Sustainability."

"Hey Mom!" he said, "We're energy efficient. We always fill the washer to capacity when we do laundry."

Point A to Point B

Recently, I attended a lecture about writing by Allison Pittman. It was morning. There came a time when we were asked to pick up a pen and write. I had my notebook. I had two pens. But it was morning. Besides, flash writing is not something I usually do well at. And it was still morning . . . or at least it wasn't lunch time yet.

I gathered my thoughts and was about to make a mark on my paper when, at that exact moment, she said, "Your three minutes are up."

Discussion followed. I did not contribute. When she resumed her speech I was struck by her statement, "to get your writing from point A to point R . . ."

I thought to myself, "I'd be happy to get from point A to point B."

Extravagant Love

Both days and nights are filled with medical demands. And the costs! Tremendous. People wonder, in their lesser moments, why someone would seek out such a child. Eyes that see nothing, hands that only grasp. Doctors tell her he will not live long, tell her how defective he is.

She holds him in her arms, draws the small head to her face, and kisses his tender cheek. This is the child she moved mountains for. He is not of her womb, but was chosen because of his great need.

When I look at her face, I see Jesus.

And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them. Mark 10:16 NIV
　
　
　
Please pray for families that choose to adopt those with special needs.

Boys Are Strange Creatures

We were sitting at the pizza place and I told my friend Baby Girl's most recent observation. My friend agreed that boys were, indeed, very strange creatures. She lamented the fact that she could not understand some of the things her son did (or did not) do.

Being blessed with an over abundance of boys, I thought of my vast knowledge of all things Star Trek, how I listen to different music than my peers, and the way I sometimes blurt out, "Cool, Dude!"

I sipped my water. "You shouldn't try to understand them," I said, "It's like going over to the dark side."

How to go Fishing with Jesus

1. Get in the boat.
2. Row.
3. Cast your net.
4. Pull the net in.
5. Keep all the fish.

Sweet Tea and Petit Fours

Snow-white hair,
                   soft eyes.
It wasn't what they said,
                   but how they said it.
When they spoke I thought of doves.

Perhaps the years have taught them to recognize a mother's broken heart.

Captured

 

verse one

I don't understand Your faithfulness

What do You see in me?

I'm no one of significance

Your love's a mystery

I don't know why You chose me

But I'm glad You did

Just because You love me

You died

So I might live

 

chorus

I am covered by Your holiness

Adorned with purity

I am a new creation

Your love has captured me

 

verse two

You tell me I'm accepted

Completely reconciled

Though I've nothing but myself to give

With me You're satisfied

I don't know why You chose me

But I'm glad You did

Just because You love me

You died

So I could live

 

chorus

I am covered by Your holiness

Adorned with purity

I am a new creation

Your love has captured me

 

verse three

Your devotion is amazing

My own sweet faithful friend

Why did You want to bless me

With love that never ends

I don't know why You chose me

But I'm glad You did

Just because You love me

You died

So now I live

 

end

I am covered by Your holiness

Adorned with purity

I am a new creation

Your love has captured me

 

When You look my way

Your beloved

Is who You see

 

Amazing Love

You've captured me

A "Whipped Cream on Top" List

1. Cotton Sheets
2. Watching my little girl paint her nails
3. The smell of coffee
4. Carousels
5. The smile I get when I greet my teen son by flinging my arms out and parroting Mrs. Doubtfire's "Helloooo!"
6. Hugs from friend I haven't seen in a while
7. Baking bread
8. Holding hands with my husband
9. Giving a gift to someone for no reason at all
10. Kittens

Red Shoes

First, there was the bad news about my husband's wrist injury. It wasn't healing as fast as it should. That meant at least a few more weeks of light duty which equals less pay. The same day we received this notification, my son got a letter in the mail about his tuition. No financial aid. A few more unexpected medical bills rounded out the week. I have been, as I posted on facebook, "So stressed my toes are tense." My solution? Retail Therapy.

After I had pursued the offerings of purses and jewelry at one of my favorite stores, I turned my attentions toward creating at least one ensemble around black pants I recently acquired via the Target Daily Deal. I found a couple of tops that would work, but still was not satisfied. I headed to the shoe department. I tried on many pairs of shoes but when my poor little tense toes slipped into some unbelievably comfortable slides, I knew I had found my match. The only thing is, they were red. Then it hit me. I have never owned a pair of red shoes. So, of course, I immediately took them to the register and bought them.

Me and my toes feel much better now.

Shades of Grace

sunday morning
sunday evening
and
wednesday night

a small Bible
with
a picture of Jesus
holding a lamb

a flowered easter dress
with
a square neck
trimmed in lace

hands washing dishes
and
folding stacks of clean clothes
while she sang

verses one
two
and
four

Cosmetology School

Yesterday my daughter was playing with her doll's hair. She combed and fiddled, then decided doll's hair was simply unmanageable. Out came the scissors. At first, she was doing just fine. The doll's hair did look much better on the side she had cut. It even curled under like a bob is supposed too. Unfortunately, the other side turned out bit too short, which meant the first side must be trimmed some more.

If you have ever cut hair, you know what happened next.

When the 'do' was finally even, my daughter held the doll at arm's length and examined her creation with a wry pinch of the lips.

"Well," she sighed, "at least now I know I'm not going into the hair cutting business."

Books I Might Write Someday

1. Confessions of a Craft Addict
2. Steak Ain't the Same Once It's Been Through the Babyfood Grinder
3. Bringing Up Boys, and Rabbits, and Cats, and Dogs
4. Camo is a Color
5. It Only Takes One Princess to Hold the Majority Vote
6. Waiting for the Paint to Dry
7. All Dogs Go to My House
8. Bangs or Botox?
9. Just Eat the Cheesecake
10. The Mad Red Hatter's Real Life Adventures

Today my little girl asks, "How's your book coming, Momma?"

"Not so good today."

She leans over the keyboard, squints at my monitor. "Chapter Five! That's very good, Momma."

"But I've been working on this chapter for almost two weeks," I whine.

"Well, " she pats my arm, "I usually take a month to finish a chapter when I write a book."

I Follow This Path

I follow this path
because I am His

I do not choose
how or
when or
who

I choose yes or no
stay or go

I do not choose to
sing or dance
walk
run or crawl
pray
on my knees or
scrub the floor

I only choose yes or no

When I hear Him singing my name
it's easy
to say yes

He is the air I breathe

I follow this path
Because He is mine.

John 10

My husband is on a low fat diet, so for the last several months I have been experimenting with recipes. Last night my son came in after a long day of classes and grabbed a piece of freshly baked cake. "This is good!" he said. He was confident when he stated, "This is not fat free."

My Week

Monday came. I did not feel so good but got moving anyway. Then my son checked the balance due for tuition and it was more than double the amount it should have been. This required a trip to the college. I had an appointment in the same area I didn't want to put off anyway. After being fortified with caffeine, I donned an oversized pink sweatshirt and my softest comfy jeans and forged ahead.

It turned out to be a pretty good day. I had an excellent time conversing with one of our church staff. The tuition problem was rectified. "Someone wrote it wrong," the lady at the college said. I'll say. An extra one in the thousands' place makes a huge difference. And then, someone wanted to talk with my son about a job that pays money. This was a very good Monday. Then the rest of the days came after.

During the week we prepared for a performance scheduled for Friday, practicing and making costume adjustments. My son was to do some sign language. He had been suffering a pinched nerve for a week. It was still bothering him, so I spent a lot of time telling him to lie down on the heating pad.

Other things happened. My dog somehow pulled the outside water pipe up out of the ground and disconnected the water from the house. We had to turn off the water for a while. It was making a small lake in the backyard. The toilet overflowed. This was after we got the water fixed. It had nothing to do with the other water problem. Neither did the deal with the washer. My laundry appliances are just temperamental. The washer will sometimes stop working. It makes a horrible squealing noise that my husband is trying hard to ignore. Now the dryer, which he did recently fix, likes to randomly come on all by itself.

Tuesday was ok, as far as I remember. We had some minor bumps, projects delayed by missing tools, and things of that nature, but no major disasters that I recall. There may have been a small kitchen fire.

Wednesday we had a fun day out planned and enjoyed ourselves even though my head still hurt a bit. When we came home, the neighbor's rottweiler was chewing on my puppy dog. My dog, Thunder, is not a tiny thing, unless you compare him to a buffalo. Or a rottweiler. We jumped out of the car to rescue the pup. (Thunder was not hurt, just a little damp.) Someone forgot to close the car door. Rottie decided he wanted to go for a ride. In my car. He would not get out. All I could think about is how much rotties drool. And chew. I tempted the nice doggie out with ham placed strategically down my drive back to his house. This took time . . . and approximately half a ham. I did not make it to Ladie's Bible Study that night.

Thursday my little dancer began the day by saying, "I think I yelled too much yesterday. My throat is sore." Ginger Ale and jello was the menu for lunch. Around 1:00 I sent a message to my oldest to bring home more ginger ale and nausea medicine. I cleaned the bathroom several times Thursday. I spent the evening cleaning carpet and washing towels. When my poor little girl developed a fever I sent a message of apologies and regrets about the performance. Maybe the dress will still fit this Easter.

Friday I cut my own hair.

Enhanced Vision

My daughter got her first pair of eye glasses yesterday. When she put them on she said, "Cool! Now everything is Hi-Def!"

Dancing on Carpet

It's easy to smile in the beginning. Step, step, turn. Leap. Grace and power flow. Arms reach out and float in the air. Your fingers turn red as blood rushes through your veins. Up onto toes. Drawing air, your chest expands and nostrils flare. Everyone in the room can hear labored breathing, but your smile never falters.

Little girls in make believe tutus, young mothers, tweens, and silver haired ladies all watch you move across the floor. Keep your face soft, soft. Make them blind to holes in your shoes and tattered ribbons. Move smoothly against the resistance. It looks easy even as beads of moisture trickle along your hairline, wetting the sprigs of hair that have escaped. Finish.

They clap, ignoring the sweat running down your neck. The sparkle of sequins distracts attention from the frayed seams. You smile and smile, sinking gracefully into a bow.

The slippers are removed. You stretch and stretch. Rub your calves, ankles, feet. Sometimes you cry, but it's ok because no one can see you now. You pray for smoother floors tomorrow. Point and flex, point and flex. Stretch some more, because tomorrow you may have to dance on carpet again.