Twenty-Three Years Ago...

 

This sweet girl was born on May 1st, 1990 at 6:38 AM.  I was 23 years old.  Now she is married and living in another state.  I was so very blessed to be able to stay home while we raised our family!  Now it seems as though the time just flew by.  How many times did people tell me that... and how often do I say the same to those with small children?

 

Working full-time really gives me a different perspective on some things and makes me even more grateful for the gift of those years that I was home.  I am so amazed by those mothers that work while raising their families and all that they are able to accomplish.  It is just my husband and I and I'm having a hard time just getting laundry done and the house clean (and the house is NOT clean).

 

We ran into someone at the gym this weekend that we hadn't seen in a long time.  It was great to get caught up a bit.  He asked about this blog and said some pretty nice things.  Made me want to start writing again.  LOL!

 

And now my husband is home with a DVD.  I suppose I should watch it with him.  We'll just snuggle up here on the couch amidst all the laundry...  It's folded.  We did that last night.  I just haven't carried it all upstairs.  We'll probably both be down here in towels tomorrow morning digging around for something to wear to work.  That's how we roll these days. 

 

Oh, The Things I Say...

Open Mouth TEXT, Insert Foot.

Me:  Do you have any Christmas sweaters that have stuff on them... like appliques?

Friend:  Yes, I have a huge one that would be too big for you.  What do you need it for?

Me:  My boss wants us to wear ugly Christmas sweaters to our thing on Friday.  She said, "You know the ones with appliqued snowmen and Christmas trees."

Thank goodness my friend has a sense of humor!

The world might end with me in that sweater.

Catching Up

I've been sitting here for ten minutes wondering what to write.  How do I step back into this world after having been gone so long?  I suppose I just start writing.

Another five minutes have gone by.

Honestly, I should be doing laundry and cleaning.  I have to laugh at myself for deciding to write a blog post when my home is in its current state.  That is just... so... "ME". 

Our girls live in other states with their husbands now.  My mother-in-law moved in with my sister-in-law in Washington State in May (she lived with us almost 2 years...21 months).  Christmas this year will be just my husband and our son.  Definitely something different for us! 

I'm going to have to get back into calling my family by their blog names.  It feels strange.

Double Shot is a sophomore in college.  He is still playing football but switched colleges this fall.  He is also working.  We see him every week at some point.  After all, his girlfriend, Sweet Tea, lives in our neighborhood.  They've been dating a year and a half now.

Mr. Macchiato has climbed 30 14'ers now.  For you Flat Landers that means he has hiked to the top of 30 mountains with an elevation of 14,000 feet or more above sea level.  I feel like I should change his name to Mountain Man on the blog, LOL!

I've been at my current job almost seven months.  I really like the people I work with.  I have a great office with windows and a view of Pike's Peak.  I like my title, Director of Education and Events, LOL!  I schedule classes, find instructors, keep track of registrations, give out certificates, as well as other duties.  We do a lot of different events throughout the year including after hours networking,  quarterly luncheons, a silent auction, a golf tournament, an awards banquet and an Expo.  The Expo is in February and the biggest event by far.  We are bringing in nationally recognized speakers for seminars, will have a luncheon for 500 and have 90 booths.

I need to get back into the habit of writing daily.  It is so much easier to write when you do it on a consistent basis.  I've met some people that have managed to write books while working full-time so I know it is possible.  Every one of them told me that you have to write every day even if it is only for 15 minutes.

Now I am staring again...

I am also out of the habit of seeing the humor in situations.  That is something I miss.  I know it is there.  I just stopped looking for it... 

I'm looking now.

I Miss Blogging!

My how life has changed...

Being a working girl really makes it hard for me to find the time to do things I enjoy, like blogging.  I am out of the practice of writing as well, which is something I would like to change.

I have to laugh.  This is my post.  A couple sentences.  Sort of like starting an exercise program and just walking to the mailbox that first day.  It's a start.

Wedding Pictures

I'm Not Sure I Remember How to Blog...

It has been so long and everything looks different!  Why do they change things?

Well, Colorado has certainly been in the news lately!  The Waldo Canyon Fire affected us in that the Flying W Ranch burned to the ground four days before our daughter was supposed to get married there.  Thankfully, we were still able to have the wedding at another location and it was beautiful.

Back in January of 2010 I posted this... this hike was actually through Waldo Canyon.

The shooting spree at the new Batman movie premiere... my goodness.  We just can't even grasp it all.

Personally, I started a new job the first of May and have been trying to adjust to this new schedule in the midst of absolute craziness...

I hope those that still check back here from time to time are all well.  I would like to get back into blogging at some point but I don't know how to juggle everything.

Stranger on a Plane

Last Thursday I had plans to fly to Seattle to see my family over the weekend. It was a surprise for my little brother who lives in California and was visiting with his new wife and 13 year old daughter. There had only been a chance of snow in the forecast... we drove from Colorado Springs to Denver in blizzard conditions. And I missed my flight.

Fortunately, if you arrive within two hours of your departure time the airline will put you on another flight. My flight was for 8 am with the following flights being at noon, 6 pm and 9 pm. All of the flights were fully booked until 9 pm so I was booked on that flight and then went to the gate for the noon flight on standby. It was not looking good. After most of the people had boarded I went up to the desk to see what my chances were. There was a man there before me also trying to get on standby and when the airline employee came back saying there was one seat he graciously gave it to me.

I was not really paying attention to the seat numbers when I was asked by an attendant what my seat assignment was. I knew I was seated in an exit aisle and she was standing where the one open seat was so I told her I was there. We laughed and I sat down. A couple minutes later the man that was also waiting came by and sat in the seat behind me. I was so glad to see that he made it on board and told him so. Then another person came along and said that he was in their seat... the nice man's ticket had my seat number on it and it turned out that I was in the next row forward in the window seat (the exit seats were two aisles on that large plane). So, I got my things and moved.

As I always do, when the plane began to taxi down the runway, I pulled out my chewing gum and offered some to my seatmates. The man next to me declined but we struck up a conversation. And we talked the entire flight.

He was a young man. A Canadian originally from Jamaica. He was a missionary that has been to many places throughout the world and lived the last two years in Australia. I did not ask his age but I am guessing he's in his mid twenties.

Have you ever met someone and instantly connected with them?

We talked about so many things... His mother works with special needs kids. We talked about missions. I told him about my voice. Then... he told me why he was in Colorado. He was at an alternative clinic... he has cancer and was given 8 months to live.

It was as if we were in a very private bubble and he opened his heart. His family and friends are struggling with why God would allow this in his life and he feels pressure to make them all feel better about what is happening to him. He trusts God but there are days when he struggles but doesn't feel he can let others see that. There has been some success with the treatment he's had but his doctor is only "cautiously optimistic". He told me he put everything on hold when he got the diagnosis (which interestingly came about through a toothache) but that now he wants to return to Australia to finish up some things... but that his family doesn't want him to. They are worried about him and want him close. A friend, who happens to be a girl, had flown from Ontario, Canada to British Columbia where he lives to see him and he'd be seeing her later that night. He obviously has feelings for her. He talked about his wanting to get married and have children...

Oh the heartache.

The eye contact we maintained throughout our conversation was quite unusual and made it all that much more intimate. The sincerity and pain that I saw in his eyes moved me.

I told him that none of us know when our life here on earth will end and to LIVE while God gives him breath. You can't hold yourself back from love and life... and just wait to die. He then asked if that was fair. I told him yes.

And I think about him every day.

Poking My Head In...

To say HELLO!!! If anyone even checks to see if I've posted anymore! I'd like to say I'm going to start blogging again but... I don't know. Life is just so crazy!

I am not working right now but I am looking for another job and still trying to keep up with the job I lost (non-profit, lost funding). Oy.

Our little Frappy and Cuppa Joe are engaged and getting married in June. We are in excellent shape with the planning and have all the big things done which is really nice.

So, we'll see if I post again soon or not. LOL!

WOOT WOOT!!!

Double Shot got...

SCOUT PLAYER OF THE WEEK!!!!

November already... Oy.

Today is Veteran's Day. I grew up an Army Brat. My son-in-law is in the Air Force. But, when I think of Veterans I think of my Grandpa. He was a Chief Petty officer in the Navy during WWII. He went to be with the Lord on July 4, 2002... Independence Day. He suffered horribly at the end. Cancer.

I am so grateful that I was born an American and for all those that came before that fought for our freedom in this country.

11/11/11... I wonder how many people are getting married today. LOL!

It's funny... well, sad really. But, all that time I couldn't talk I wanted to write a book. I didn't think I was ever going to get my voice back and put it off time and time again. Now, I really want to write it. But I need a job.

I went to Nevada to be with my Dad after he had surgery last week. It was good to get to spend some time with him alone. Unfortunately, I had another attack of optic neuritis and had to fly home like that. It is unbelievable how painful that can be! This week I had 3 doctors appointments. I can't get in to see a Neuro-Opthomologist until December. Ugh! I haven't had eye pain all week but last night I did when I went to bed. It is not hurting now but my vision in my left eye is blurred more than it was earlier this week. Double Ugh.

My mother-in-law continues to recover from her knee replacement surgery. She thinks that this surgery was the worst and complains a lot. I have to laugh. This is the best surgery yet and she's recovering pretty quickly.

The other day I read a blog I hadn't in a long time. The author is now divorced. I went back through her posts to try to figure out what happened. I felt sick about it. At the same time... I wasn't terribly surprised. So sad.

I wonder about those of us that write blogs sometimes. Many times throughout my life I've felt that I think about things other people don't... like I'm somehow different. However, through writing this blog all these years I've learned that others think about the things I do too. I think our differences are in how we express ourselves. I wonder about blogging, facebook and twitter. There are definitely pros and cons to social media. I suppose it is, like with all things, about achieving a balance.

And... procrastination. I may not watch TV but I can't spend some serious time on the computer. LOL! You can quickly connect with some people which gives you the feeling of being engaged in others' lives. Update your status, comment on a few others, maybe chat a for a bit with other people that are online. Makes me think of fast food. You can survive on it but is it healthy?

Balance... what is the balance?

Parenting via Text

Double Shot is a Red Shirt on his college football team. For those unfamiliar with the college football world that means that he is part of the team but can only practice this year which will make him eligible to play the next four years... which also means he has 5 years to complete his bachelors degree. Colleges do this so that they can hold on to those kids that they see potential in but want more time to develop in skill and size.

Double Shot is on the Scout Team which is used each week to prepare the starters for games. Every Sunday night they have a meeting and one kid is named Scout Player of the Week. This is the only formal type of recognition Scouts can get and Double Shot has been wanting to be named Scout Player of the Week... BAD. He has been doing really well in practices playing several different positions. There have been a couple weeks where he was sure he was getting it... and didn't.

By the way, Double Shot is getting EXCELLENT grades!!! In fact, he got 101 on one of his midterms.

Anyway, we usually get a call from him on Sunday night to tell us he didn't get Scout Player of the Week. Tonight that call did not come. So I texted him.

Me: Victories that come easy never compare to those truly fought for. Keep doing your best. You are in God's weight training program and the muscle you are building is in your character. It hurts but in the end you will be stronger. You are a great football player but that is just a gift... How does God want you to use it?

Double Shot: Is that a quote?

Me: LOL! No it isn't a quote. It's straight from your Mama's heart. But you can quote me!

Double Shot: haha okay. :) and of course i didn't get it again. and i deserved it again

Me: You are always my Scout Player of the Week!

Double Shot: geee thanks :p haha

Me: And you are the most handsome boy ever!

Double Shot: i have *friend who is playing football for another college* thinking about coming here. i always help my football team and get no glory. i might as well play o line. haha

Me: Sometimes we have to be content just knowing what our place really is. Also, it is often those overlooked that have the most influence. Glory can be a twisted thing that can destroy a person. Don't wish for it.

Me: Let the recognition you seek be your place on the team. Remember you have not been overlooked entirely.

Double Shot: my place is on the field. i know im not full of it. i have been playing really good

Me: Dang. I should like totally write these texts down. I am rockin' the sage Mom advice tonight! You should like totally listen to me!

Double Shot: haha. do it! make a blog of wise mom quotes or something

Me: Double Shot... You are a football player. From even before we let you start playing at ten. YOU WILL TAKE THAT FIELD. Just don't know when...

Double Shot: better be next year. haha i am good enough. it is freaking d2. i could play now.

Me: Oy. Battery dying. LOVE YOU TONS!!

Double Shot: where you at?

Me: Home

Double Shot: plug it in then! haha

Me: Gotta go clean the kitchen. Booper says he misses you and that he hates that Fat Beast Browny that gets to go wherever he wants and gets ginormo blobs of peanut butter.

Double Shot: hahahahahahaha

Jobless...

Well... I really LOVED my job. I could see myself doing that job until I couldn't work any more. Unfortunately, my contract ended early. I always knew that my job could end at the end of December but it was a bit of a shock to have it end 2 months early and just days after a huge and very successful event (it was not a fundraiser... just a neat outreach to the disability community). One of the sad facts of working for a non-profit ministry is that funding can dry up pretty quick. I am so grateful for the experience, all the wonderful people I met, the really cool relationships that were built with some, and the financial provision over the last ten months.

My mother-in-law's knee replacement surgery went well yesterday.

Oy... there's actually quite a bit going on. But... you know what? God is on His Throne and I am going to put my trust in Him.

Checking In...

How do people that work maintain blogs? I obviously have not figured that out.

These pictures are from my Mountain Man and are from a hike he did last week... Mt. Massive.

I have "crepitus" in my knees and need to have them looked at but am waiting until after a big event I've got this week.

My sweet little Frappy is in Spain for the semester and has a blog if you are interested in learning about the area she is in.

Fly Boy and Chai Tea are living in Florida... very close to Destin. Yes, I am jEaLoUs.

We got snow yesterday but it melted later in the afternoon.

Double Shot is doing well in college. He's on the Scout team which scrimmages with the starters before games. He cracks us up talking about the upper class men that are on the football team with full beards and kids. Being a red shirt is frustrating and he's hoping to take the field on special teams next year.

And he has a girl friend. She's actually here and lives down the street. We've known her family for years and often spend holidays together. Her name on this blog is Sweet Tea. LOL!

Cuppa Joe, Frappy's boyfriend of 3 years, graduated from college in May and has been working in Denver. Now... he's being transferred to Texas for two years and has to leave before Frappy gets back from Spain.

Pumpkin Spice, my mother-in-law who lives with us, left for a couple months to visit relatives in Washington and to take a trip to Hawaii. She got back on Friday and has her best friend from high school coming for a week before she has her other knee replaced on October 24th. She had the first one done in January and then had spinal fusion in April. Her dog, Browny, who is now 13, is still alive and still smelly.

It has been the craziest year!!! We kept thinking things would slow way down in September but they didn't... Whew!

Did I kill my blog? Is anyone out there any more?

LOL!

Booper makes me Laugh!

A Tuesday...

Mr.Macchiato took this picture last month when he hiked Mt. Huron. I had to stay home and read a bunch of material for the class I took in L.A. later that week.

There is a guy with spina bifida that comes into the office to help me once or twice a month. He came to my open house when I first started the job because he wanted to volunteer. He just turned 20 last week and I really enjoy spending time with him.

This last Sunday I went to a church to observe their special needs section. The people used to go to another church where I had gone before and helped out a few times. It was wonderful to see many of the same faces again.

Afterwards we all went to Culver's for lunch. I took three people with me in my car and my sandal broke as we were leaving the sanctuary. It was so sweet how one of the guy's was very concerned that I was burning my foot on the pavement as we walked to the car. As we walked into the restaurant he held my arm. He likes to dress in combat gear and is pretty high functioning. In fact, he works as a custodian and lives on his own. He told me that no one is allowed to touch his combat boots which he keeps very nice. As he was leaving the restaurant with his ride home he came up to me and told me I could touch one of his boots.

I took the other man that rode with me to the restaurant home. He has Down Syndrome, is high functioning and also lives alone. He informed me that he will be turning 42 later this month and told me about the places he's worked. He was let go from Del Taco because they didn't have enough work for him. He is now trying to get a job at Taco Bell. He told me about his "Honey" and how after 13 years he wants to "break the ice" with her so he went to the mall and bought her a necklace. He very politely shook my hand and thanked me for the ride home and then told me how much he loves to go to church and is glad that he has somewhere to go again.

There were about 35-40 of us in the restaurant. I sat back and observed how others in the restaurant reacted toward our group. It was interesting to me that there were some that were openly annoyed by our presence. There was a family with small children that the parents even appeared to be angry. Most people just looked quickly at the group and then averted their eyes as they found tables for themselves. Some people would look over curiously but then also quickly look away if anyone looked toward them. Then there were some people that were friendly and acknowledged our presence as they walked past.

I think most of us have been raised not to stare at people that are different. I even taught my children that. I don't know though... in a way that training can foster an environment of invisibility. In Africa there is a group of people that greet one another this way, "I see you," and the reply is, "I am here." I think most of us want to be acknowledged on some level. I've been told many times by those with intellectual disabilities that they like me because I am nice to them. So often they move about their lives on the fringe... in the shadows.