Forever basket

Yeah, I had one, it was nice.  I think that is what they are called, Forever Baskets.  I asked for one several years ago and Jay surprised me one birthday with a nice big basket.  They are made out recycled milk cartons or something so they can be out in the elements and survive...well, I guess it depends on the elements.

The demise of my Forever Basket started with Hank the Tank I.  He gnawed the handles off when he was just a puppy...oh, yeah, he was only a puppy (R.I.P. Hank the Tank I) not even reaching his first birthday.  (Sniff, sniff.)

Even without the handles, the Forever Basket stood strong.  The basket (which should last forever) had been encompassing a batch of Siberian Iris for a few years, keeping them from falling over every Spring.   It did the job. It was better not to look too close though, it was rather dinged up.The goats worked around the area of the Forever Basket many times, but plastic just isn't their thing.  They would knock it around some, but never ate or chewed on it.

Today when I arrived home from work at the Wilhoit Ranch, there were several pieces of recycled milk carton material across the yard in front of the landscaping.  The Forever Basket is no more.  In fact, while I was taking this picture, the idiots (Abby and Hank the Tank II) were playing tug-o-war with a piece of the Forever Basket.  I tried to take their picture, but they get distracted so easy and lose focus...the piece kept dropping.

Just yesterday I was driving past someone's house admiring their shapely, unblemished Forever Baskets.  Obviously, they don't have a dog as precious as ours.

Life, precious life

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.  Genesis 1:27 (NIV)

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  James 1:17  (NIV)

Last night I heard about a middle-aged man committing suicide from a town I used to work in.  I didn't know him, but knew who he was.  It's shocking.  Sunday someone at church mentioned a middle-aged man, a father, committing suicide also.  Don't know him or his circumstances either, but he was a father and someone's son.

A few weeks ago a couple we know gave birth to their third baby girl.  They knew for a very long time that she was special, and special she is.  She has serious health concerns and will be a resident at their hospital's NICU for quite a while.  Thankfully, she is in good hands there.  She has two healthy siblings at home waiting to be her big sis.  Her parents love her the way she is, of course;, wish she were healthier but are taking everything in as it has been given to them.  They are thankful to God for their baby girl's life, regardless. 

Last week, one morning I was reading a Facebook status from someone excited to meet the newest member of her extended family who was going to be born that day, and then later that evening I read that that precious baby girl was born and quickly whisked away to another hospital to die hours later.  They had no idea that her heart was not healthy.  She had two fellas waiting at home to be big brothers.  Her parents came home empty-handed with heavy hearts.  Fortunately, the family has a strong faith base and know that their baby girl is now in the arms of the Heavenly Father.  But still the grief...

Someone I went to school with for just a few years in grade school also lost a son last week.  His seven-year-old boy was playing kickball at school in the morning and passed away later that night.  He had been in and out of the hospital in the past, but his condition remained a mystery.  He had trouble breathing, had a fever and was gone.  Just like that those parents are attending their young son's funeral.

When I heard about the suicide last night, I was baffled.  I've never considered suicide, haven't been to that point or even close.  So I know that I cannot understand how someone could get  to that point, but wow, it just seems so unbelievable that ending a life is better than living one.  As a believer, I know there is hope, a future, grace and mercy, undeserving love and forgiveness.  I cannot imagine deciding life is not worth living.  How very sad.

When I think of those suicides and then our friends' baby in the NICU with serious health concerns and the families that lost children last week, I don't even know what to think.  The main thing that comes to mind is that life is so precious.  Why is someone choosing to end their life while others are fighting so hard to live or grieving the loss of a child? 

I don't have an answer.  I'm at a loss.  I pray that you, my friends and family, will never feel your life is not worth living...because God believes it is.  He created us in his image, and we are perfect in his sight. 

And now the moment we've all been waiting for...

our first junior high basketball game.  Wahoo!!  I can't recall if I've told you that my friend and I are the junior high cheerleading sponsors...or coaches.  (Back in my day, we had cheerleading sponsors.)  Last spring I was approached by one of the athletic directors and asked if I would consider being the junior high cheer sponsor.  Without a second's hesitation I said yes.  I was a cheerleader from 5th through 12th grade and loved every minute (or at least that's how I remember it:).  I figured that if Madolyn was cheering, I would be going to the games anyway, so why not.

My friend Beth was standing nearby and said that if I would do it, she would help me.  Great, she is a teacher and at the school, where I am not.  It would be very, very handy if there was an insider involved.  Beth can keep track of the grades, discipline problems (of course, we won't have any) and there is someone at the school to be in the know.  I think we make a good team.

There was a slight scare for a while...Madolyn didn't want to try out for cheerleading.  A thought that had never entered my mind.  I begged and pleaded with her, as I had already been approved by the board, that she try it just this year and if she hated it, I wouldn't make her go out next year.  Thankfully, she obliged me and tried out and made it.  I'm not sure I would be as willing to commit to this task if I wasn't already going to all these ballgames.  Secretly I hope she loves it as much as I did, but I promised I would not push if she decides it's not her thing.   (Hold me to that, okay?)

Of course, you know how it is when you envision how things are going to be...and then realize they're not exactly like you thought.  Uh-huh, that's kind of how we felt at first.  Overwhelmed maybe.  Bewildered.  Baffled.  Frustrated.  Those are some of the emotions I had during the first few weeks of practice.

We have eleven girls (four-6th grade, four-7th grade & three-8th grade).  Do you know how hard it is to keep 11 girls focused on one task?  We started out with two-hour practices and have cut it down to 90 minutes. We've been practicing at least two, sometimes three, times a week since mid-September. I must say after practice last Thursday, we are ready.  The girls are as tired of practicing as I am, I think.  The real fun will be cheering at games, not at Beth and I.

I think what amazed us the most was the lack of drive to make up any cheers of their own.  Back in my day, I remember we would be assigned/or pick a cheer and it was our job to make up the motions and then teach it to the rest of the squad.  I could not wait to make up my cheer and teach it to everyone else because, of course, mine was the best.  And I believe that all the others felt that way about their cheers too.  If you made it up and it worked, you got to be where you wanted to be, do the stunt you wanted to do, etc.  It's not that way anymore.  I suppose it's like many other things, it just not the same as it used to be...and boy, don't I sound old?!

But we got through it and have met all of the goals we had set for ourselves before our first game.  That was quite an accomplishment and the girls look pretty good.  I'm excited for them to see how it will be.  By the time I was in 7th grade, I had already cheered two years of basketball games.  For many, this will be the first time cheering in the gym.  Thankfully, several of the girls have been football cheerleaders, which made our job much easier, with learning sideline cheers. 

So Thursday is the big day and it's a home game, then an away game on Friday...(Hands on hips) Ready, Okay!

Nine...crazy

A little more on my paid-employment as a court reporter for the judicial system.  It doesn't seem possible, but I have been involved with at least nine murder cases.  Out of those nine cases, I reported all or a portion of the seven that went to trial.  One didn't go to a jury and the other one went to a jury but I didn't report it.  It seems crazy to think that in our little area, there have been that many murders, doesn't it?  I will say, that number covers five counties.

Some are much more memorable than others.  The first murder in my 'home' county occurred about six months after I started as an official and immediately after that there was another one.  I remember everyone blaming them on me because they hadn't had a murder in so many years and I came along and they had two back-to-back.

The very first murder trial I did involved a jealous husband. He was sure his wife was having an affair and he shot and killed her. It wasn't really a whodunit, it was more about motive and premeditation. Pretty cut and dried. The guy wasn't a horrible person, but his jealousy got the best of him. He is in prison.
 
I was sitting in the dentist chair having my teeth cleaned on Columbus Day in 1997 when it came across the radio.  A young boy had been murdered in town.  Suspect was on the loose.  How horrifying.  Little did I know how long that case would go on and all the twists and turns that would come along with it.  This case went on for many years.  It is a case I have a lot of difficulty discussing to this day because I get so worked up about the final outcome.  No one is serving time for it and never will.  This particular case even made it to 20/20 with Barbara Walters.

The next case was the weirdest, most sickening cases of all of them.  I honestly can't believe it never hit the news media or Dateline or something.  A teenage boy killed a mom, boyfriend and her children with a hammer.  There are many gruesome details I will not go into, but I recall vividly watching that boy (he was just a boy being tried as an adult) looking at his fingers during the testimony of a crime lab technician who was explaining the fingerprints they found, how each person has their own unique print, etc.  It was as if he was in a daze or something.  The motive was so pitiful too, just made it that much worse.

One evening after I had worked the trial in that case, I was sitting at home and Jay asked me what was wrong, I seemed quiet.  I was quiet.  I could not get the images of the photos and everything with that trial out of my mind.  It was absolutely awful.  Thankfully, that young man is also in prison.

There are a couple cases that were somewhat unmemorable or maybe unexciting (if that is even a word).  Three involved drugs.  In two of those three, people are serving time.  In the other one, the alleged defendant was audio recorded 11 times admitting to the murder.  A jury found him not guilty.  I really didn't understand what more they wanted.  Some believe they were upset because two co-defendants got deals, didn't feel like it was fair.  Great thinking...no one is serving time for taking that guy's life...out of fairness.

We had one involving a single mother of a young boy.  An older lady friend took them in because they needed a place to stay.  Mom got upset with friend over food and maybe even a TV program or something and killed her.  As if that wasn't enough, she engaged her son to help her with things afterwards.  I have no idea how that young boy is now.  He was in my prayers for quite a few years.  Sad to say, until now I hadn't thought about him in quite a while.  Mom is in prison.

I'm not a very emotional person, but the next case nearly brought me to my knees in the courtroom.  Defendant was charged (and convicted) of shooting ex-girlfriend, her husband, their daughter and granddaughter in a jealous rage.  He permanently injured the adults and daughter.  He killed the two-year-old granddaughter.  At the first appearance, which is when the judge reads the charges or counts and possible penalties, we had extra security, there were more spectators than usual, lots of family.  Defendant was placed up close to the bench because he was supposedly very hard of hearing.  Deputies were on either side of him.  A deputy stood directly in front of me also. 

When the judge got to the charge about causing the death of the two-year-old, the child's father jumped out of his seat in the gallery and ran towards the defendant.  Fortunately, we had very attentive officers and the deputy in front of me tackled the father.  And then I fell apart.  Really.  As the scene unfolded, I kept on typing.  I took down the exact quote of the father as he lurched forward and then I wrote a note to myself...even threw in parenthesis so I knew it was only to me and not actually said in open court.  With tears streaming down my face and shaky hands, I kept on typing. 

An attorney had been in the law library which sits directly behind the courtroom, behind the judge's bench and where I sit.  He comes running out upon hearing the commotion, takes one look at me and has never let me live that down.  To this day, when I see him, he will bring up that time Sarah just kept her fingers glued to the machine, taking down every word, bodily trembling, with tears running down her face amidst the chaos in the courtroom. 

I was terrified for a moment and the whole scenario was emotionally charged all around.  It was a sad case to begin with, and then adding that kind of outburst that happened in a matter of seconds with people scattering, ugh.  Everyone had been searched upon entering the courtroom, but you just never know.  And when you're talking about someone's child, well, it's understandable to some degree.  That happened around the time of the shootings of a judge and court reporter in an Alabama courthouse.  It happens.  Thankfully, no one was hurt that day.  The defendant is serving life in prison.  He qualified for the death penalty but the jury found he should serve life instead.  The man had had an absolutely horrific childhood, unimaginable actually, I think they felt some pity for him.

There are a couple other murder trials I have been involved with that I haven't mentioned here, but the one thing that seems to be a reoccurring theme...senseless motives.  I suppose murdering another human is never truly justified because we're all God's children, but on the human side of it, some motives make sense and some just don't.  Most of the ones I have worked are purely senseless when looked at in the big scheme of things. 

I am intrigued by crime and mystery.  It's no secret.  I love watching 48 Hours, Dateline, 20/20, etc.  I love reading crime novels.  Maybe that was my drawl to this career.  But to this day, I am still amazed that I have taken part in so many murder cases.  And hopefully, there won't be anymore.

Bored dog = Bad dog

A bored dog is not a good thing.  The precious Hank the Tank is often bored during the daytime when no one is home, although Abby is there with him, and he is a dog.  Below are just the latest escapades of our bored dog.

Yesterday while everyone was away from home, the Precious must have gotten very, very thirsty because he helped himself to a case of water bottles that were sitting next to the refrigerator in the garage.  As soon as I pulled up to the house, I could see something glistening all over...water bottles, about 20 of them.  I will say that because Hank is such a delicate flower, he only destroyed and pierced one water bottle.  I picked the rest up and put them inside the refrigerator.  In fact, I am drinking one right now, I'm pretty sure...because there was mud on the bottom of the bottle.

A couple weeks ago after our booster club homecoming tailgate, I was cleaning out the "trunk" of my truck.  I had lots to unload and I was piling things on the steps into the house inside the garage.  Once everything was unloaded, I then made trips with it inside to put it away.  In a matter of minutes, minutes, I tell you, the precious found something he could not resist...foil squares (about 400 of them) and Ziplock baggies (around 30). 

I stepped outside and noticed things missing, walked outside the garage and found lots and lots of silvery foil pieces all over the yard.  The plastic bags were still in a pile.  They weren't as yummy, I guess.  (I suppose I should be thanking Hank for at least keeping them together.)  But I wanted to kill the precious. Really, what could possibly be so enticing about aluminum foil?
 
Remember Hank "decorated" his pumpkins a while back...so grandma bought the kids new pumpkins.  And the kids carved the new pumpkins, we put candles in them and set them outside on the front steps.  We lit them one night and then Jay put them up on a bench on the porch so the Precious would not be tempted to touch them.  Last week, about two days after they had been set up on the porch bench, we came home and the pumpkins were right outside the garage door in approximately 200 pieces.  Again, he could not resist the pumpkins.

Saturday night we came home and caught some vandals in the act of TP'ing our house.  (How awful!)  We crept up the driveway looking everywhere for them.  Never did see them.  We drove through our yard, circled the house, back through the drive.  No one in sight.  And where are the guard dogs?  They finally did come out and bark at us, but they had been cozy and snug in the garage on the steps.  I later asked the villains what the dogs did when they showed up.  I was told they think they heard them bark a little, but never saw them again.    Wow, they're bored and worthless.

A bored dog equals a bad dog.  It's not Hank's fault though, right?   He is just bored and gets anxious, nervous and upset when we're not around.  He misses us.  Really it's our fault because we allow that to happen...oh yes, it is definitely our fault....that we continue to put up with it.

Time on the toilet

I know right now Jay is freaking out, wondering what in the world this one is going to be about...haha, gotcha.  I just have to tell you about my toilet clock.  Ah yes, interesting...

A while back, grandma was passing things out, cleaning her house and I think she may have been trying to give everyone a clock, although I am not sure, because there are so many.  You see, my grandpa loved clocks and watches.  There were clocks, at least one, in every room...at least one...which means some may have had two or three clocks.  For instance, in their spare bedroom, there was one on the wall and two radio/alarm clocks at each bedside.  There was even a clock in their bathroom...a toilet clock.

The toilet clock now hangs in my bathroom reminding me of how late I am when I'm getting ready to go somewhere.  And now that it's been hanging on the wall a couple of months, I'm realizing something peculiar...it is fast...which makes me laugh because my grandpa had this thing about time and being late.  My grandma likes to say "we got to places before we were invited," and it was true.  My grandma was a Bennett, and we all know that Bennett's like to run a little on the late side...obviously grandpa figured that out somewhere along the line too. 

My grandparent's house is a basic ground floor house with a full basement.  Growing up, most of the day was spent in the basement.  The bedrooms and bathroom were upstairs, but all the activity was downstairs.  Grandma's house had two full kitchens so she could complete meals up or down without having to carry too much stuff from one place to another.

The main clock hung on the south wall of the basement, which was an open floor plan so-to-speak.  It was right where you could see it from about every angle.  That clock was always set at least 15 minutes fast on purpose.  Always.  It cracked me up because us grandkids had to look at the clock and subtract 15 minutes to know what time it "really" was.  Grandpa did this to keep from being late...although I don't really get it...if you know the clock is fast, but anyway...

Although I have tried on two occasions to correct the toilet clock, it returns to its old ways (even with new batteries).  So each morning when I look at the pot on the wall (ha) and it shows that I'm way behind, I have to laugh.  It's like my grandpa is controlling that clock from above.  He knows how I am...

Over-committed?

It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.  Ecclesiastes 5:5 (NIV)

 

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.  Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)

Lately I have been bombarded with devotionals and readings about over-commitment.  In the past, I would read them and think oh, yes, yes, but that's not for me.  Now, I'm thinking maybe they are meant for me.

I have tried, especially in the past few years, to narrow down my commitments to areas that I truly love and believe are important.  The areas I try to keep my commitments limited to are:  church, fair and school.

I feel like the things I commit to should be important to not only myself, but also to my family.  One point I factor into every decision is whether my family can be included.  Such as, whether or not my kids can come with me, will being a part of this commitment keep me from one of my children's activities, will it keep me away from time with Jay and the kids?  If the answer to any of those is yes, then I have to seriously consider whether or not it is worth it.

Second, and I know this should come first but it doesn't always, is prayer.  I feel like any commitment I make needs to be prayed about.  If God wants me to do it, he will somehow let me know it's okay.  The reason I said this doesn't always happen first is that I'm a trigger-happy kind of person, so I will usually spew out a YES, if I don't have any hesitation, without praying...only after quickly contemplating whether it will mess with my family time.  If I have already said yes, I then pray that my yes will be yes and that I will honor that commitment and do my part to follow through with it.  Sometimes Sarah and her procrastination gets in the way and we struggle, but I try to follow through...eventually.   Lately I have been praying ahead of time that I will make the right decisions concerning commitments.  I'm working the pro-active plan...ha.  As Proverbs 16:3 says, I need to let Him show me opportunities he wants me to venture into and then I can yes...instead of the other way around.

A consideration I take into account, especially if I have the time, is whether or not someone else can do it.  Sometimes just because I can do something doesn't mean I should.  Are there others out there who might love the chance to do this?  Am I robbing another of the opportunity to become involved or share their gifts? 

There are times I take on things out of obligation and that is the worst.  Because what happens is that I resent whatever it is and don't put forth my best effort.  I usually end up having a negative attitude, which translates to a "I don't care" attitude.  And as a result, whatever it is, is done part-way or just enough so I can wipe it off my to-do list.  I know that sounds terrible, but it happens.  I taught Sunday School one year several years ago out of obligation and I tell you, it was the longest, most miserable year of church I can remember.  I dreaded going to church because I had to teach that class.  (And I am ashamed to admit it.)  I learned a valuable lesson that year, and teaching only out of obligation hasn't happened again. 

I know it seems I run non-stop and I suppose I do a little, but a lot of that is by choice.  I like to be on the go and be active, which isn't always good for everyone else.  I just have to remember that although I may like running around constantly, my family may not.  Sometimes I need to relax (ugh, it's so hard) and hang out at home and I have been trying to do that a little lately.   (Wonder if they have noticed?)

I'm a work in progress and so thankful that God doesn't quit on me.  I'm thankful that he bombarded me with those devotionals and readings about commitments because I am thinking about it more and taking them seriously. 

Just last week someone told me I might be asked to join a committee that was needing some new members. It is actually something I think I would really enjoy helping with and I believe it is a good cause, but I am just not sure it works for me at this time in my life. I told that person that I just didn't feel like I could right now and she understood.   (It actually felt good saying no and being okay with it.)  I wasn't attacked viciously or cursed out.  Nothing bad happened to me on the way home that night.  I said no and I survived.  So maybe I can do this...

Good Family Fun Part II

And now for the rest of the story...My coworker lives in the neighboring town out in the middle of nowhere, had mentioned they never get TP'd and her kids would love it. So we set up a little 'signal' whereby I would call and let it ring twice and hang up. She would give us 10 or 15 minutes and then come out for the bust. This was way funny because they have a long driveway, and after we dropped the kids off at the end with their arms full, we backed halfway up the driveway and parked. Our lights were off, but we were so visible. The kids never even questioned it. We knew we were going to be 'caught' but they didn't.

After about ten minutes, Madolyn came to the van and said she needed to potty. We told her to squat in front of the van in the shadow...and about that time, "Kathy" comes out with guns blazin'...well, maybe not guns, but we could hear her yelling. Too bad for Madolyn!! Ha. Funny thing, the boys kept doing their business with the TP for a couple minutes before returning to the van. As we were chatting with "Kathy" her girls finally made their way outside to scare us...ha. Little late ;)

Our last and final stop, much to the dismay of our posse, was perhaps the funniest. We literally pull up into this driveway and park right up by the house, which made us laugh...we're so sneaky.   Again, with the light fiasco, which had been causing us fits all night, continued. More laughing. I was thinking it was the operator, but was told by another van owner, there is just no good way to turn off the lights without first turning them on or something. I'll give "Beth" a break on that one. 

The clan retreats to do their business. (Oh yeah, our smallest warrior fell asleep a few houses back and was sawing logs in her car seat at this point.) The kids decorate the trees, run around crazy-like, come back for more TP, etc. The kids kept coming over to the van to tell us stuff, which we can't even remember except that the comments made us laugh.  Near the end, the oldest of the boys comes to us and asks if we can turn the van around to shine the lights on another part of the yard. TOO FUNNY. That made Beth and I giggle even more because these kids were cracking us up, they were such chickens and didn't realize we shouldn't actually be shining lights anywhere!

One of our mighty soldiers came right from football practice, and while the others were decked out in dark clothing, this poor guy was white, head-to-toe.  I called him the "white knight" and it was funny to see him streak across a yard as bright white as the TP he carried.   As we loaded up to head out, there was something unidentified on a football cleat that we had to bag up with the plastic toilet paper wrapper. I am told it had to be removed with a wire brush. That is just one of the risks you take when you venture out to TP.

It was a fun night. We were exhausted. When we got home, both our houses had been TP'd by our first victims and my kids were thrilled.   And I got home just in time to watch the amazing win by the St. Louis Cardinals...which made it an even better night.  Some may think TP'ing is wrong, but I feel like it's pretty harmless. As long as we're not tearing up anything or damaging something, it's all in good fun. (Maybe I'm just justifying it for myself because I love it so much...what am I going to do when my kids are too old for mom and dad to take them?)

My mom came over the next morning and taught my kids how to burn the TP out of the trees for an easy clean-up.   See it's harmless, all you need are matches, a blow-torch or a lighter, some TP and some green landscape and it's gone. Oh yes, now that is some good family fun.

Good family fun

'Tis the season and we love it.  It is so short, we have to squeeze in as many outings as possible.  I'm talking about the fall tradition of TP'ing (a/k/a toilet papering)!  Wahoo!!  I loved it when I was young and I love it now.  Is that pitiful?  As soon as our kids were old enough to go (to make us not look so bad, you know) we started in teaching them the trade.  Now they are hooked.  Every Wal-Mart list includes extra cheap toilet paper.  We must not be caught empty-handed on a perfect fall night...because we live so far from a store!

This past weekend, my friend "Beth" and I took our kiddos out for supper and then started our mission.  Our first stop was an epic failure.  As we approached the first victim, we tried lights off, too dark; lights on, too bright; parking lights only, not bad...so we creep past house.  I look to the right and see "Becky" standing in the window, I'm not sure if she notices a vehicle moving ever so slowly past her house with only parking lights on, but I say to my partner in crime, "There's Becky!"  And my partner's response was to flip the lights on and take off...Apparently she took my comment to mean that "Becky" was out in the yard and had busted us. 

We go down the road and turn around.  We sneak back up to the house from the opposite side and turn headlights off.  Open van door, interior lights blaze.  Shut lights off.  Ahh.  Kids are on the prowl.  Here comes "Becky" creeping around their shed to attack.  BUSTED.  So we pulled up in the drive.  It seems she did notice the SMV.  Ha.  Now onto victim number two.

We move onto the next house.  We park the bat-mobile nearby in an empty lot and the kids are released.  Kids come back for more paper.  Next, half of the children come back because the residents are vacating the premises.  Nothing happens, same half of the children return back for the finale.  Success.  We head out.

The next stop only the little fellas got out and watching them do their stuff was comical.  We still aren't sure exactly what they were doing, but this was our view:  Unload with weaponry, run up to house, drop, creep along front of house, run around back out of sight, come back out front, drop, run over to other side of house out of sight, reappear, drop, creep along front and stop at front step, leave a sliver of TP on step.  We didn't see them touch the only tree in the front yard or the bush.  We were told they actually did use some of their TP, but we're not exactly sure where.  They were thrilled though because "they got 'em good."  Okay, whatever, they had fun.  Moving on...

We stop along the street near our next victim and see a familiar car drive by...hhm, they are out TP'ing too which means they aren't at home.  Off we go to their house.  We drive by, they're obviously not home.  We let the kids work their magic.  We literally park right in front of their driveway off the side of the road.  Kids go do their thing, come back for more repeatedly.  The yard is looking pretty good.  I make a comment about the fact that no one has driven by yet.  Shame on me.  Here come headlights.  They are slowing down....they are facing us with their lights beaming...they are turning into their driveway.  RUN! 

Three kids hop into the car, two still remain.  Car pulls up to garage honking, dad comes out screaming and waving his hands.  We then hear our two little guys screaming like girls (mine especially) making a dash for the bat-mobile.  We speed off.  That was fun.  Our two slow-pokes thought we were honking that it was time to go...until they saw the dad.  Ha.  We go out to a house along the highway and run through the whole light disaster again.  Kids TP until a dog barks...we take off.

The night is not over...stay tuned tomorrow for Part II of Good Family Fun.

Precious Pumpkins

I love it when fall comes around.  I love pumpkins and like to have a few of them sitting around.   A couple weeks ago, Jay and I visited our local apple orchard for some apples, apple cider and pumpkins.  We picked out two big pumpkins for the kids to carve.  When we got home, we unloaded them and put them in the garage on top of the deep freeze for safekeeping.

Last weekend, when Jay was sprucing up the yard, he decided to sit those nice, plump pumpkins out at the end of our front sidewalk until the kids got around to carving them.  They looked cute out front, but I was somewhat skeptical about their safety.  Then decided I was overreacting.  What could happen?

I always get after Jay and the kids to not pick up the pumpkins by the stem because they break easily.    And, to me at least, a pumpkin without a stem is just not right.  When I got home from work earlier this week, it was obvious that someone or something had carved on the pumpkins.  I immediately noted that the nice sturdy stems were missing.

Upon closer observation, I discovered that the pumpkins had, in fact, been carved so-to-speak by none other than...the Precious.  As I look at the picture now, it sort of looks neat.  Can you see the symmetry there?  I'm not sure that could ever be recreated.  The stem has been carefully removed, leaving only the base.  Amazing. 

Lane thought Hank's 'smart bump' was getting bigger...and maybe, just maybe it is!

On this one, it appears he must have gotten tired, poor thing.  Or he got bored (yep, that's my guess).   It isn't nearly as impressive. 

Oh, how I wish I had a video camera on Hank during these creative moments.  His mouth is only so big.  The pumpkins were not in their original spot.  Did he use the handles to move the pumpkins?  Was he rolling them around the driveway?  Do I have it all wrong and it was really the six-year-old black Lab, Abby?

You know how people save their child's first "art" project...we won't be saving the pumpkins, but we will treasure the pictures of Hank the Tank II's first pumpkin carving.  Isn't he so precious?

Going on Strike

Oh, I love it.  This morning on the Today Show they had a story about a mom and dad with three daughters who went on strike one day.  Mom decided she was tired of running the kids everywhere and then picking up after them, keeping the house, doing the laundry, making supper, etc.  Mom and dad secretly quit doing anything around the house and just watched the mayhem unfold.

Mom has a blog and she said that is the only thing that kept her going.  She couldn't say anything around the house because she didn't want the girls to catch on, so she used her blog to spill her frustrations.  Mom and dad let this go on for six days.  Mom said she treated it like it was a real strike, took it seriously, refused to give in and stood her ground.  I can't remember if they said on what day one of the girls finally got it, but here are some funnies from the piece:

Daughter thought cereal bowl with leftover milk was oatmeal.  Daughter pushed aside dirty dishes on counter to sit down and eat.  Dog was licking the dishes in the open dishwasher.  Since mom quit cleaning out girls' lunch bags as soon as they came home from school, they were disgusting and lunch was sent in plastic grocery bags...until they didn't have anymore...so dad used the doggie doodoo pickup sacks.  No clean clothes.  You get the picture.

I loved the interview with mom.  I echo many of  the points she made.  She said if she didn't teach her kids how to do these things, then she is setting them up for failure.  Amen.   If we (yes, I am guilty) continue to do everything for our children, how will they know how to load the dishwasher, unload the dishwasher, do laundry, fix a simple meal, clean a bathroom, take out the trash...and you get my drift.

I take many things for granted.  There are lots of things I do not how to do, but the things I do know how to do, I expect everyone else to know also...minus the machine shorthand maybe...ha.  I'm beginning to realize that just because I know how to do something, others may not.  For example:  Using a weed-eater, yes, I know that when you tap the end on the ground, string pops out.  (Jay learned this summer that not everyone knows that.)  Run a log-splitter, check.  Drive a tractor or grain truck, check.  Saddle a horse, check.  Operate a stick shift, check.  Hitch up a trailer to the truck and set up camper, check (six months ago, I had no clue).   Paint without making a huge mess (thanks to lots of 'advice' and experience), check.   Whip up a batch of homemade laundry soap, check. 

But don't ask me to can tomatoes or make salsa from garden veggies.   Save-A-Lot canned tomatoes are pretty cheap and there's no mess.  I can sew on a button if necessary, but hemming pants with needle and thread, no way.  I use hem tape...oh yeah, all you need is a hot iron...or send them to the local seamstress uptown for a small fee.  Bake a pie?  With a ready-made-crust, you betcha.  Why bother making it from scratch...Pilsbury does it for you. 

My point is that I don't know how to do the things above for two reasons:  I don't want to learn or I never had to.  If there are things I think are important for my children to do, then I/we must teach them and let them figure things out every now and then on their own. 

I am thinking that Jay and I need to try this strike thing out.  Take a little va-cay from the household chores.  Force the kiddos to pick up and do stuff on their own.  We can sit back and relax.  Ahh, who am I kidding?  Have you seen my house?  I'm guessing no one will even notice...

Ahhh...internet

I am having computer/internet issues that are frustrating the daylights out of me.  And it's crazy because when the internet is down, I feel completely lost and think the day will be a waste.  However, I have found plenty to do today with very little internet access.  I actually did some of those not-fun tasks that needed done, but I had put off for another day. 

Isn't is amazing how the internet has such a hold on us/me?  When it shuts off at work, everyone is in a frenzy.  We are so dependent upon that access.  I think, what if so and so is trying to e-mail me?  I forget that I do have a phone and a cell phone so it's not as if I'm completely shut out from the world, right?  How about, I didn't pay that bill via snail-mail because I knew that I could use online bill pay and get the payment there quicker...but the internet is down so now...I will owe a late charge if it doesn't come back on.  Ahhh.

My coworker and I use a program at work called AIM to instant message throughout the day.  It is a fabulous tool because 'buzzing' each other on the phone is so, I don't know, difficult?  It is crazy to think that that little inconvenience of AIM being down sets my day in motion because now I have to pick up the phone and 'buzz' her.  Too funny.  When you stop and think about it, the fact that I can 'buzz' her is fantastic compared to having to get up and actually walk all the way to her office.  Oh my goodness, that would be exercise.

My day feels freak-ish, wasted and unproductive because I didn't have my toys at my fingertips.  I would try to do a few things here and there and then think, "Oh I need to check that first," only to be reminded of the fact I can't check it first because my 'checker' has checked out.  Although I did manage to shred about 400 papers, get our 2013 calendars here ready, type an Order, return phone calls, do claims, etc., and all without the internet!  But as you can see now, somehow I am blogging...thanks to a back-up internet connection and my little-bitty laptop.  Yes, backup internet.  Again, oh my goodness.

There are many times I wish for a simpler life, but realize I am no where near ready to give up my internet, my instant messenger, my cell phone, my landline phone, my computer, my DVR, microwave, Nook...I could go on and on.  And we wonder why our kids never sit still...

Neon Dreams

It is that time of year again.  It is Homecoming week at our high school, and this year's theme is Neon Dreams.  Coronation kicked off the week of festivities last Saturday night.  It was held, for the first time, in the new gym, utilizing the stage, and it was much like it used to be.  I'm excited and hopeful that it will continue to be held in there, with decorations and such on the stage, a little more formal.  With all the changes around our high school, coronation has been on the football field the last year or two and it just didn't seem to have the same amount of excitement to it. 

After the king and queen were crowned and all photos were taken, the celebration continued to the football field where the cheerleaders held their pep rally, making the football team do various relays in front of the crowd.  The finale was the bonfire.  All the kids and onlookers crossed the field to the practice area where the firefighters were lying in wait and the fire was set to blaze.  I think I even heard a few firecrackers once the dummy was lit (wonder who did that..hhhm?). 

This week at the high school, there are dress-up days and other activities going on to keep the momentum going.  Kids will be decorating their floats in the evenings, I'm sure.  My class reunion is this weekend and we'll be working on our float too.  I'm excited for that.  The last reunion we had, we went in with the class above us so we would have more people, and it was a lot of fun.  This year we will celebrate our 19th reunion!  It seems crazy that we've been out that long.

Thursday afternoon, there will be an all-school assembly with fun stuff planned by the student council.   Friday the kids are out of school, which is kind of a bummer, but that's the way it works.  That afternoon at 3:00 the parade will set sail.  That has to be one of my most favorite parts of the whole package.  The Quackdaddy was chosen to be the grand marshall of the parade and we are honored.  Madolyn is a 7th grade attendant so she'll be somewhere along the line in the parade too.  Word on the street is the parade will revert to the 'old route' which begins behind the school and ends in the front.

The Booster Club will host their annual tailgate at the football game with Tenderloin sandwiches & hotdogs beginning at 5:30.  The Booster Club will also have BRAND NEW, hot off the press, royal blue t-shirts and hoodie's for sale!   Several classes will meet in the north end zone for their reunions (including mine, I can't wait).  I saw a poster up in town that mentioned there would be a little Alumni gathering, open to all Alumni, at the Community Center following the parade as well.  Because a game two weeks ago was forfeited, the Spirit Sparklers will be performing their routine during the game too.  It is a busy, but fun-filled evening of events. 

The Bluestreaks won their football game last week against East Central, so hopefully they're on a winning streak and will be ready to fight the Arcola Purple Riders.  Following the game, my daughter will attend her first dance!  Ahhhh.  Which means we have to stay up until 11:30 to come to town to get her.  Ahhhh.

Saturday morning there is an Alumni football game and an Alumni volleyball tournament.  I have a team and we're called the Neon Nightingales.  I know that is totally lame, but it was the best I could come up with...and speaking of lame, that's what I'll be by Saturday night.  Good thing, Monday is Columbus Day and the courthouse is closed!

If you're a Bluestreak and you've got the spirit...join us for Homecoming this week!!  Thank you to the Student Council for working so hard on all the festivities!

My crisis par-tay attendees

Have you ever thought who you would want to be stranded on an island with or where you would want to be if a disaster struck?  I was thinking about this a while back and here are just a few people I came up with that I would want with me in the event of a crisis:

First of all, I would definitely want to be at or near my friend's house (can you guess who) because she has a dozen of everything.  Literally.  I'm not joking.  When I helped her move to the house she's in now, I spent most of the day cracking up.  Unpacking her bathroom and laundry supplies was like stocking shelves at the local CVS or Wal-Mart.  I remember distinctly that my kids had never seen so much toothpaste or that many bars of soap in one place before.  (Heck, I'm not sure my kids had ever seen a bar of soap.) 

I wish she lived closer to me because I live seven miles from town and she would be a handy neighbor to have.  I could just stop by her house on the way home instead of the local grocery store because she is the same way with food supplies.  I have heard her say if she doesn't have five jars of spaghetti sauce, as an example, she feels like she's out of it completely.  (I can understand that a little...I have that problem with a few things in my cabinet too.)  I am confident that in a crisis, we would find food in her cabinet.

My friend Beth and I have actually played our own little version of "What Not to Wear" with this gal and it was so fun.  She had multiple pairs of the same clothes because she liked them.  All her shoes are kept in their original boxes.  The best part was that she had a great sense of humor about it so she didn't get offended when we attacked her for having five of something or for keeping a "PASTA" sweatshirt from high school (yeah, it's been a while).  I am fairly sure that in a disaster, there would be enough clothing for everyone.

I love this gal like a sister, and seriously, I do want to be near her in the event of a catastrophe.  She is a one-stop shop.

Also, I think that another friend's seven-year-old son, nicknamed "Bo" by his little sister, would be excellent to have along because of his MacGuyer-like thinking.  Now, he is seven so some of his creations/inventions don't really work, but the thought process is good.  He is a thinker.  I'm certain if I were stranded somewhere, he would come up with something useful.  I have said before in the event of a disaster, "I'm taking that kid with me."

I have this court reporter friend from down south, we'll call her B, that would be a great addition to my little crisis par-tay.  She has been through some pretty crappy stuff and she has such a good spirit.  I would love to hear her southern drawl as she told stories.  She would keep the mood light, for the most part, and make me laugh.  (Actually if I could have the "inner sanctum" from the south, that would be perfect.)

Of course, I would want my family members along.  Jay would help keep me calm, he's pretty good at fixing stuff and he could kill something for us to eat (we are pretty good at that).  Lane could suggest the safest ways to do things and then list all the things that could happen in the event someone didn't follow his safety plan.  Madolyn, with her nail polish collection in tow, would keep our nails and toes looking creative and beautiful.  Hank, he's warm and snugly so he's a no-brainer.  The rest of the farm can stay back home. 

I'm hoping I won't have to implement this crisis par-tay anytime soon, but you're all on notice.  These folks are going with me.