Today is a federal holiday. No school for the girls, no work for me. And, yet, our house is humming with activity.
Today was going to be all fourth part. I was going to write. I was going to go through pictures. I was going to run a couple of errands all about me. I was going to watch something on either Netflix or Amazon Prime Video or just good ol' cable TV. Again, all about me. My fourth part.
Guess who the joke is on? That's right, moi. (We have a family resolution -- OK, the girls and I -- to learn French). Oui, moi. (Those don't rhyme even though they appear to. Since I have a real grasp on French -- because I am French -- I know those two don't rhyme. But, please don't ask me to translate these sentences. Don't know that much. Non, I don't! I've a long way to go.)
So far today, and it isn't even lunch, I've taken Caroline to pick up an American Girl car we bought off a Facebook trading site (she used her Christmas money) and I've helped load up the attic with Christmas. I've answered countless questions on this, that and the other to include 'where is the breaker box' -- which I think was hypothetical because, really?! -- and 'am I taking this ironing board to school' -- seriously? We don't need it.
(I realize all the sentences above are horribly structured and my English, Journalism and Editing professors would have a fit, but I think they accurately represent the state of my non-existent fourth part and my brain).
I also set up my son's electricity account for his apartment. It's LPL, Lubbock Power and Light. Boy, I need some power and light right now, but not for $135. Yeah, that's the connection fee. I think I read we can get it waived if we prove we've been clients at another power company and been in good standing. Does 20 years count? Oh, but detail, the new account is in his name. Maybe we can make this work.
I also am reviewing, writing and assigning the items needed for an apartment with Chris' roommate's mom. She's great. A list maker like me and on top of it.
I also am hunting for a mattress. Trying to find the best deal of a mattress that comes all boxed up and can be unfolded upon apartment arrival or one that can be delivered to the new apartment next week at move in.
I also am coordinating the family schedule for the next two days. With the girls out of school until Thursday, G having basketball and football practice and Chris working, it's interesting how we figure out who is on first -- more importantly, who is at the house to watch the girls and transport them to activities. An aside, I can lay this schedule out, talk about it, write it down in 14 different places and there will still be questions. Power and light, please. Power and light.
Maybe that LPL should read Lots of Patience, Lady. Or Lots of Peace, Lady. Or Lots of Prayer, Lady. Or Let's Pretend Like (fill in the blank).
All that and hold on, wait. The guy is here installing fans outside. It's January, but this is a task that must be done now. I mean fans? Now? Winter?
Yeah, it's about 80 degrees here so I guess we need fans for when we sit outside enjoying cocktails and a fourth part. When? Let's Pretend Like (it's happening now).
These fans are an example of things I wish I could control but really can't. I have no answers to the questions -- breaker box or how low they should hang -- but I get asked. I know it is out of courtesy and kindness from my husband, but really, I don't know and I don't care. OK, I guess I do because Let's Pretend Like (I'm not a control freak).
I guess on day number two of this 2017, I'm plain out of room for questions because I really don't have the answers. I can make things up, but with the form filling out for so many things for Chris and the lists that require searching and hunting, I just can't answer questions about breaker boxes. Let's Pretend Like (I'm needing a fourth part day).
Remember I was going to be fixing this year. First, fixing my eyes on that which is greater than I. Second, fixing tangible items. Third, fixing stuff that can't be seen.
And, so far, I've added to the list, not subtracted. I had no idea we had so much to fix. The fans? The forms? The lists?
Let's Pretend Like (fixing is a one-time thing).
Let's Pretend Like (I know it all).
Let's Pretend Like (a federal holiday is a holiday).
Lots of Patience, Lady. Lots of Peace, Lady. Lots of Prayer, Lady.
And, a couple of new fans that I can control with a wireless remote that give us Power and Light.
Monday, January 2, 2017
Saturday, December 31, 2016
Fixing and Bible Journaling
I received some clever Christmas gifts this year. Some were inspiring -- gym bag, workout pants and a French word-a-day calendar. Some were helpful -- a foam roller mat, jewelry organizer and magnetic note pads. Some were meaningfully (is that a word) unique -- a Texas Tech James Avery charm, Trader Joe's pomegranate body butter and Bloody Mary mix.
One was seemingly so simple, but perfectly suited for me -- a box of pale blue, Southern phrase pencils. Pencils with dark lead waiting to be sharpened. Phrases on point (like the pencils will soon be) such as just darling, goodness gracious and oh my stars. Straight from Nashville and Reese Witherspoon's store, Draper James, these pencils are waiting for big things in 2017. And, I can't wait to use them to write in this upcoming year.
It's a year of change for us. I've potentially a new role at work that I found out about the last work day of 2016. Chris moves to Lubbock for school. Camille starts on a gymnastics journey that isn't unusual, according to many, but new to us. Caroline aspires to run barrels (after she trots them, of course). G and I have big birthdays this year. (I can't write the number yet, but it is out there, staring me down, greeting me and waiting.)
It's also a year of fixing. In the past, our family has had a phrase or word for the new year and we apply it to the resolutions to which we aspire. This year, it's 'fixing.' No more putting off projects, moving broken things to the side or stacking up to dos. We've got screens to replace, ceilings to paint, clothes to be mended, necklaces to repair and laptops to clean. Lots of fixing that has been put off too many times, too many days, too many weeks . . . you get it. We've procrastinated and now 2017 is for fixing.
(I wonder if a Draper James pencil from sweet Reese would read fixin' to?)
(Not only did I receive clever Christmas gifts, I am clever.)
(Maybe I should sharpen one of those new pencils and get to writing. Or writin'.)
There are other things to fix that aren't so visible. We need to fix our church going (or goin') and find a place that matches who we are and where we are. I need to fix my sleep patterns without relying on sleep aids and medication. We need to fix our schedules to include more family and downtime -- how that will fit in, I'm not sure. But I don't want it too broken before we fix it. We need to fix our finances and be better savers -- the 529 we have will only last so long.
These fixes are not hard, not impossible, but they do require thought and planning. I'm thinking future fourth parts will be writing down (with the pencils) how to best fix things. A way to do that is to write in my new Bible. I've not had a new Bible in years. And, because of meeting a very inspiring, clever woman this year, I've discovered Bible journaling. With some Christmas money, I bought the Inspire Bible. To say I'm intimidated as to how to start -- I mean, I can draw a cross and a vine and maybe a heart -- is an understatement. But, I can't wait to start. I've got those new pencils, some flair pens and will be buying some official Bible journaling pencils (remember my affinity for Amazon Prime?!) so I can get going. Fixing that walk with Jesus, right?
And, this fixing business isn't new as my Bible or my pencils are . . .there are a few references in the Bible to fixing. Maybe they aren't technically repairing something as I'm hoping to do in the new year, but these verses really do help us fix our ways.
Hebrews 12:2 'Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.'
2 Corinthians 4:18 'So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.'
Deuteronomy 11:18 'Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.'
Proverbs 4:25 'Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.'
In this new Bible, I can journal and maybe I'll try and start with these fix verses -- a good place to start for 2017. But, I'll use my special new pencils so I can get it right -- or at least be able to erase in case I need to fix my work.
Happy New Year.
One was seemingly so simple, but perfectly suited for me -- a box of pale blue, Southern phrase pencils. Pencils with dark lead waiting to be sharpened. Phrases on point (like the pencils will soon be) such as just darling, goodness gracious and oh my stars. Straight from Nashville and Reese Witherspoon's store, Draper James, these pencils are waiting for big things in 2017. And, I can't wait to use them to write in this upcoming year.
It's a year of change for us. I've potentially a new role at work that I found out about the last work day of 2016. Chris moves to Lubbock for school. Camille starts on a gymnastics journey that isn't unusual, according to many, but new to us. Caroline aspires to run barrels (after she trots them, of course). G and I have big birthdays this year. (I can't write the number yet, but it is out there, staring me down, greeting me and waiting.)
It's also a year of fixing. In the past, our family has had a phrase or word for the new year and we apply it to the resolutions to which we aspire. This year, it's 'fixing.' No more putting off projects, moving broken things to the side or stacking up to dos. We've got screens to replace, ceilings to paint, clothes to be mended, necklaces to repair and laptops to clean. Lots of fixing that has been put off too many times, too many days, too many weeks . . . you get it. We've procrastinated and now 2017 is for fixing.
(I wonder if a Draper James pencil from sweet Reese would read fixin' to?)
(Not only did I receive clever Christmas gifts, I am clever.)
(Maybe I should sharpen one of those new pencils and get to writing. Or writin'.)
There are other things to fix that aren't so visible. We need to fix our church going (or goin') and find a place that matches who we are and where we are. I need to fix my sleep patterns without relying on sleep aids and medication. We need to fix our schedules to include more family and downtime -- how that will fit in, I'm not sure. But I don't want it too broken before we fix it. We need to fix our finances and be better savers -- the 529 we have will only last so long.
These fixes are not hard, not impossible, but they do require thought and planning. I'm thinking future fourth parts will be writing down (with the pencils) how to best fix things. A way to do that is to write in my new Bible. I've not had a new Bible in years. And, because of meeting a very inspiring, clever woman this year, I've discovered Bible journaling. With some Christmas money, I bought the Inspire Bible. To say I'm intimidated as to how to start -- I mean, I can draw a cross and a vine and maybe a heart -- is an understatement. But, I can't wait to start. I've got those new pencils, some flair pens and will be buying some official Bible journaling pencils (remember my affinity for Amazon Prime?!) so I can get going. Fixing that walk with Jesus, right?
And, this fixing business isn't new as my Bible or my pencils are . . .there are a few references in the Bible to fixing. Maybe they aren't technically repairing something as I'm hoping to do in the new year, but these verses really do help us fix our ways.
Hebrews 12:2 'Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.'
2 Corinthians 4:18 'So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.'
Deuteronomy 11:18 'Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.'
Proverbs 4:25 'Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.'
In this new Bible, I can journal and maybe I'll try and start with these fix verses -- a good place to start for 2017. But, I'll use my special new pencils so I can get it right -- or at least be able to erase in case I need to fix my work.
Happy New Year.
Sunday, December 25, 2016
Amazon Boxes and James Avery Charms
Merry Christmas. Yes, let's celebrate the birth of Jesus and acknowledge Him as our Savior. Truly, the greatest gift from God. Sharing that story is paramount to any other activity on which we spend our time. Go tell it on the mountain. Talk about it over the dinner table. Shine that light.
Now, we can transition to another great gift this holiday season. The gift of Amazon Prime. How did we do Christmas before the joy and pure beauty of two-day free shipping? For this Christmas, I received at least 15 Amazon boxes. Some had one gift enclosed, others had several.
I began my Christmas-gift planning in November. I knew most of the gifts I needed to buy. And, I started ordering. Most every other day, there was a box on my porch. Either it was waiting for me at day's end or I would hear the 'ding dong' of the doorbell announcing an arrival.
When, Christmas lists were written and other requests made, I could pop on no matter the time of day or night and put in another order.
Easy, breezy, lemon squeezy ordering, receiving and then, oh yeah, organizing and wrapping. OK, those last two aren't so easy or breezy, but the first two, yep. Easy. Breezy.
It's $99 for the year. That's it and you can order as much or as little as you want (need?!). What. A. Bargain. What. A. Gift.
Christmas morning at our house starts around 7:30 a.m. The girls are not the earliest risers, but they do get up and go when it comes to greeting the gifts. This year, the girls were really into the Elf on the Shelf, Santa and decorating. Before anyone worries, we started off the day with a conversation and Bible study on why we celebrate Christmas. Both girls nailed it and are available for quizzing.
The gifts ranged this year from favorites of a hot glue gun and Julie the American Girl doll to Season One Shopkins (it's a miracle was the exclamation) and gymnastics mats. A Whataburger Yeti, a Fitbit Blaze and a gym bag were other favorites from the non-little ones.
We have so much and the gifts are really just icing to the blessing we have already received.
This year involved quite a few transitions. Best friends moving. Changing colleges. After-school activities. All required major planning and scheduling. Fourth parts still took place but some days there seemed to be little time for the joy of nothing (remember, watching Bravo is my nothing). With the transitions, there were some anxious moments, some tears and some serious praying.
While we do have our Savior and are encouraged (no asked) to cast our anxieties on Him, as a mom, there are days, times, moments where it is much easier to sit in the anxieties than trust in something greater. Melatonin, Tylenol PM and Unisom always help, but so do friends who care and the word of God.
In a few weeks, we have another transition. Chris is moving to Lubbock to attend Texas Tech. He's thrilled and so confident in this decision. He's a different kid. Not the same one who went off to school last year. And, this isn't the same situation. No more football and no more weekly visits to watch games. He'll be six hours away. He'll be living in an apartment. He'll be starting to 'adult.'
I've wondered if this was the right move and if it was at the right time. Things are falling into place so I know it's right. Plus, we continue to receive confirmation from God that it is the right move and right time.
And, then, I open a gift from Chris this morning. It's a Texas Tech James Avery charm. He bought it. He wants me to put it on my charm bracelet right away. He's proud. He's ready.
So, we pray for our hearts to be ready to accept Jesus and his blessings. We pray that we can proudly (without boasting) share the story of Jesus' birth, death and resurrection. We pray that things are done at the right time and according to God's path for us (rather than ours).
Then, you get a simple gift. A simple charm. Something bought with pride. Something paid for after a lot of hours at a retail job. Something he wants his mom to wear.
That's way better than Amazon Prime.
Merry Christmas.
Now, we can transition to another great gift this holiday season. The gift of Amazon Prime. How did we do Christmas before the joy and pure beauty of two-day free shipping? For this Christmas, I received at least 15 Amazon boxes. Some had one gift enclosed, others had several.
I began my Christmas-gift planning in November. I knew most of the gifts I needed to buy. And, I started ordering. Most every other day, there was a box on my porch. Either it was waiting for me at day's end or I would hear the 'ding dong' of the doorbell announcing an arrival.
When, Christmas lists were written and other requests made, I could pop on no matter the time of day or night and put in another order.
Easy, breezy, lemon squeezy ordering, receiving and then, oh yeah, organizing and wrapping. OK, those last two aren't so easy or breezy, but the first two, yep. Easy. Breezy.
It's $99 for the year. That's it and you can order as much or as little as you want (need?!). What. A. Bargain. What. A. Gift.
Christmas morning at our house starts around 7:30 a.m. The girls are not the earliest risers, but they do get up and go when it comes to greeting the gifts. This year, the girls were really into the Elf on the Shelf, Santa and decorating. Before anyone worries, we started off the day with a conversation and Bible study on why we celebrate Christmas. Both girls nailed it and are available for quizzing.
The gifts ranged this year from favorites of a hot glue gun and Julie the American Girl doll to Season One Shopkins (it's a miracle was the exclamation) and gymnastics mats. A Whataburger Yeti, a Fitbit Blaze and a gym bag were other favorites from the non-little ones.
We have so much and the gifts are really just icing to the blessing we have already received.
This year involved quite a few transitions. Best friends moving. Changing colleges. After-school activities. All required major planning and scheduling. Fourth parts still took place but some days there seemed to be little time for the joy of nothing (remember, watching Bravo is my nothing). With the transitions, there were some anxious moments, some tears and some serious praying.
While we do have our Savior and are encouraged (no asked) to cast our anxieties on Him, as a mom, there are days, times, moments where it is much easier to sit in the anxieties than trust in something greater. Melatonin, Tylenol PM and Unisom always help, but so do friends who care and the word of God.
In a few weeks, we have another transition. Chris is moving to Lubbock to attend Texas Tech. He's thrilled and so confident in this decision. He's a different kid. Not the same one who went off to school last year. And, this isn't the same situation. No more football and no more weekly visits to watch games. He'll be six hours away. He'll be living in an apartment. He'll be starting to 'adult.'
I've wondered if this was the right move and if it was at the right time. Things are falling into place so I know it's right. Plus, we continue to receive confirmation from God that it is the right move and right time.
And, then, I open a gift from Chris this morning. It's a Texas Tech James Avery charm. He bought it. He wants me to put it on my charm bracelet right away. He's proud. He's ready.
So, we pray for our hearts to be ready to accept Jesus and his blessings. We pray that we can proudly (without boasting) share the story of Jesus' birth, death and resurrection. We pray that things are done at the right time and according to God's path for us (rather than ours).
Then, you get a simple gift. A simple charm. Something bought with pride. Something paid for after a lot of hours at a retail job. Something he wants his mom to wear.
That's way better than Amazon Prime.
Merry Christmas.
Thursday, December 1, 2016
6:10 a.m. Flight and Work Friends (who are friend friends)
Nothing like a mid-week wake-up at 4 a.m. for a 6:10 a.m. flight. Ahh, work travel. Yes, I earn points and yes, I get peanuts and a free drink every once in a while, but waking up in the 4s ain't making it fun.
This week is one of those plum ol' busy weeks. With the usual activities of school, work, tumbling, horse riding, gymnastics, laundry and making dinner, we had a couple of new entrants on the schedule. The familiar bounce of high school basketball made it's way back. With that, we get an out-of-town tournament. Not for me, but for G. (Hey, that rhymes). Also, Chris and I head to Lubbock for his Red Raider orientation. Guns Up? Wreck 'em? New slogans to learn and a new drive to learn.
Easy to solve those traveling parent issues because I have and a sister in town and some amazing babysitters. Someone to get the Camille to gymnastics with Caroline in tow, check (thanks Jessica). Someplace for the girls to spend the night Thursday, check (thanks Julie and Andy). Someone to watch the girls Friday p.m. until Chris and I arrive home, check (thanks Avery and Natalie). Joy that my children are being taken care of and tended to. Whew.
But, wow. That's a lot of planning to put into play. Finding the people to help is almost the easiest step. Again, I'm super blessed because I have a sister, a bevy of babysitters and my parents in town. I can usually, almost pretty much always, find someone to help drive, go, watch, etc. Now, I'm jinxed, right?!
It's the other stuff which ranges from the letter with the insurance card lining out the attendees to my children can help with medical decisions in my absence to packing an overnight bag. Oh, but wait, there's school and activities. That means lunch stuff needs to make its' way to my sister's house and the clothes and the hair bobs. Oh, and the Advent calendars because that started today and my girls are not missing a piece of chocolate on day 2 (in the morning, don't judge).
It also means leaving notes and checks and keys and lists for the sitters. And, it means texts galore. Yeah, I over prepare. Have you read this blog?
Oh, and the packing and planning for Chris and I to get out of here -- hoping I have the latest shot record for this orientation and really know how to make this drive to a new place.
Can you understand why the 6:10 a.m. flight really didn't come at the ideal time?
I'm going on an OK amount of sleep from last night but know a six-hour drive will sap some of that energy. But I've planned a stop along the way where Chris and I can eat.
In a Christmas miracle-like fashion, I did get a fourth part yesterday and each day this week. I watched a little TV most nights, read and the best fourth part was last night on the return flight home (delayed until 8:05 p.m. -- it was a loooong work day).
I traveled with two work friends who are also my friend friends. We haven't sat on the same row on a flight in a while and it was pure joy. We had good gossip to cover (I prayed for forgiveness last night) and work stuff to discuss. So productive, so fun. We laughed hard. Like I had tears rolling down my cheeks at one point. We even dressed a like yesterday - black and white. Dresses and skirts and we usually are the pants' travel crowd -- which would have been black by the way.
Earlier in the work day, I did have lunch with a work friend who is a friend friend. Man, if she would have been on that flight home, we would have truly been in hysterics -- but she would have had to sat on our laps or across the aisle and we would have shared our crazy all over the place. She was wearing black and white, too, by the way. And, a dress. Wow, that's nuts.
With all the planning for this busy week and the work trip, my perfect fourth part was at a work lunch and a work flight home. No cocktails were involved but because we were all a wee bit tired, the laughs and the stories flowed instead. To let you in on how trusting these friendships are, one of my travel mates grabbed my phone to go through my Facebook to find something (maybe someone!?). No worries.
Please know, all four of us have had tough times with each other. Strained relationships and difficult conversations have played out between us. And, we still are friends. I trust the three of them on any and all projects at work. I trust them with confidential information about my work life.
I also trust them enough to ask them to watch my girls and hold the letter of medical decision making. I could easily add them to my bevy of babysitters. They would do it. Planning would be required as they all go in many directions themselves with their families and their home lives. It could be done.
Those are some good friends. Even at 6:10 a.m. (which by the way, all of them took later flights -- one even the night before -- thanks for that solo flight at the crack of dawn?!) and at a work lunch and at a delayed night flight home.
Guess what? They all encouraged me for this six-hour drive I make today and are praying me safely through it. And, most importantly, praying me through this chapter and latest change in my life.
Good friends. Friend friends,
This week is one of those plum ol' busy weeks. With the usual activities of school, work, tumbling, horse riding, gymnastics, laundry and making dinner, we had a couple of new entrants on the schedule. The familiar bounce of high school basketball made it's way back. With that, we get an out-of-town tournament. Not for me, but for G. (Hey, that rhymes). Also, Chris and I head to Lubbock for his Red Raider orientation. Guns Up? Wreck 'em? New slogans to learn and a new drive to learn.
Easy to solve those traveling parent issues because I have and a sister in town and some amazing babysitters. Someone to get the Camille to gymnastics with Caroline in tow, check (thanks Jessica). Someplace for the girls to spend the night Thursday, check (thanks Julie and Andy). Someone to watch the girls Friday p.m. until Chris and I arrive home, check (thanks Avery and Natalie). Joy that my children are being taken care of and tended to. Whew.
But, wow. That's a lot of planning to put into play. Finding the people to help is almost the easiest step. Again, I'm super blessed because I have a sister, a bevy of babysitters and my parents in town. I can usually, almost pretty much always, find someone to help drive, go, watch, etc. Now, I'm jinxed, right?!
It's the other stuff which ranges from the letter with the insurance card lining out the attendees to my children can help with medical decisions in my absence to packing an overnight bag. Oh, but wait, there's school and activities. That means lunch stuff needs to make its' way to my sister's house and the clothes and the hair bobs. Oh, and the Advent calendars because that started today and my girls are not missing a piece of chocolate on day 2 (in the morning, don't judge).
It also means leaving notes and checks and keys and lists for the sitters. And, it means texts galore. Yeah, I over prepare. Have you read this blog?
Oh, and the packing and planning for Chris and I to get out of here -- hoping I have the latest shot record for this orientation and really know how to make this drive to a new place.
Can you understand why the 6:10 a.m. flight really didn't come at the ideal time?
I'm going on an OK amount of sleep from last night but know a six-hour drive will sap some of that energy. But I've planned a stop along the way where Chris and I can eat.
In a Christmas miracle-like fashion, I did get a fourth part yesterday and each day this week. I watched a little TV most nights, read and the best fourth part was last night on the return flight home (delayed until 8:05 p.m. -- it was a loooong work day).
I traveled with two work friends who are also my friend friends. We haven't sat on the same row on a flight in a while and it was pure joy. We had good gossip to cover (I prayed for forgiveness last night) and work stuff to discuss. So productive, so fun. We laughed hard. Like I had tears rolling down my cheeks at one point. We even dressed a like yesterday - black and white. Dresses and skirts and we usually are the pants' travel crowd -- which would have been black by the way.
Earlier in the work day, I did have lunch with a work friend who is a friend friend. Man, if she would have been on that flight home, we would have truly been in hysterics -- but she would have had to sat on our laps or across the aisle and we would have shared our crazy all over the place. She was wearing black and white, too, by the way. And, a dress. Wow, that's nuts.
With all the planning for this busy week and the work trip, my perfect fourth part was at a work lunch and a work flight home. No cocktails were involved but because we were all a wee bit tired, the laughs and the stories flowed instead. To let you in on how trusting these friendships are, one of my travel mates grabbed my phone to go through my Facebook to find something (maybe someone!?). No worries.
Please know, all four of us have had tough times with each other. Strained relationships and difficult conversations have played out between us. And, we still are friends. I trust the three of them on any and all projects at work. I trust them with confidential information about my work life.
I also trust them enough to ask them to watch my girls and hold the letter of medical decision making. I could easily add them to my bevy of babysitters. They would do it. Planning would be required as they all go in many directions themselves with their families and their home lives. It could be done.
Those are some good friends. Even at 6:10 a.m. (which by the way, all of them took later flights -- one even the night before -- thanks for that solo flight at the crack of dawn?!) and at a work lunch and at a delayed night flight home.
Guess what? They all encouraged me for this six-hour drive I make today and are praying me safely through it. And, most importantly, praying me through this chapter and latest change in my life.
Good friends. Friend friends,
Sunday, November 27, 2016
FAFSA and Christmas Lights
What do you do the weekend after Thanksgiving? Those last days before school starts up again, before life and after school activities kick in? Those days that are the front end of the four weeks or so before Christmas -- a whole other set of requirements of shopping, wrapping, partying, decorating and coordinating schedules. Feels like a lot of hoping and praying for fourth parts. Sounds like a lot of organizing.
First things first, a FAFSA for the current school year (yeah, 2016-2017). Don't judge. Yes, I'm just filling this thing out today. Filling out this form which shows me we get $0 from the federal government -- must be Trump's fault, right? (Had to do it -- no political responses necessary. Go with the joke, people.)
For about, let's see, eight months, completing the FAFSA has been on my to-do lists. On the chalkboard cabinet above the cookbooks and on the pantry calendar and on the paper to-do list I carry around with me. Such motivation. Such reminder. And, yet, it's November 27, 2016. The school year is halfway over. And, my college student managed to attend a local community college without the FAFSA. Oh, but wait, he can't officially apply for scholarships for his new college which he will attend in the spring without this FAFSA for the half-way completed school year.
So much for planning. I mean, how did this slip by me? I know. I do. His community college cost was so, so low, we didn't need financial aid. Sweet mercy. I mean, if your child does not have a college affiliation, nor a scholarship to a certain college, nor any sort of idea what they want to do -- go to a community college. I'm oversharing here, but we paid $1010 for 15 hours. Yes, you read that right -- $1010. That's it. There were book costs, but that's not significant when you take some online courses and can rent through amazon.com.
Now, reality is setting in and we have to pay quite a bit more (maybe add a zero to the end of the aforementioned dollar amount -- God keeps us humble) -- so we need the FAFSA. By the way, the FAFSA will officially get us $0, but we need the info for scholarships -- which maybe we will receive? (Read that in a tone of confusion, plus contemplation with a touch of sarcasm.)
While I'm enjoying digging around for our 2015 tax return, my son's social security number and the FSA ID (Which why isn't it FAFSA!? Why another acronym? Details.), my family is decorating the front yard and hanging the outdoor Christmas lights. I believe I heard them singing a Christmas carol (prompted by my brother-in-law's exuberance and a playlist).
Great planning resulted in our trees going up yesterday and our outside being decorated today. G willingly (or maybe just did) pulled down Christmas from the attic Friday morning with Chris (great planning because Chris had to be at work and that kid sleeps until the last minute). And, I took care of a meeting early yesterday morning so I could get home and work on the decorations. And, we got up going this morning (OK, around 10 a.m.) so the girls and G could take care of the outside.
This all amounts to some serious fourth part very early in the day today. It's a Christmas miracle.
Yes, we have to take care of grocery shopping, some ironing and some meal prep for the week. But, we got it done.
Yes, the early bird gets the worm. But, the late bird doesn't get anything from FAFSA forms.
First things first, a FAFSA for the current school year (yeah, 2016-2017). Don't judge. Yes, I'm just filling this thing out today. Filling out this form which shows me we get $0 from the federal government -- must be Trump's fault, right? (Had to do it -- no political responses necessary. Go with the joke, people.)
For about, let's see, eight months, completing the FAFSA has been on my to-do lists. On the chalkboard cabinet above the cookbooks and on the pantry calendar and on the paper to-do list I carry around with me. Such motivation. Such reminder. And, yet, it's November 27, 2016. The school year is halfway over. And, my college student managed to attend a local community college without the FAFSA. Oh, but wait, he can't officially apply for scholarships for his new college which he will attend in the spring without this FAFSA for the half-way completed school year.
So much for planning. I mean, how did this slip by me? I know. I do. His community college cost was so, so low, we didn't need financial aid. Sweet mercy. I mean, if your child does not have a college affiliation, nor a scholarship to a certain college, nor any sort of idea what they want to do -- go to a community college. I'm oversharing here, but we paid $1010 for 15 hours. Yes, you read that right -- $1010. That's it. There were book costs, but that's not significant when you take some online courses and can rent through amazon.com.
Now, reality is setting in and we have to pay quite a bit more (maybe add a zero to the end of the aforementioned dollar amount -- God keeps us humble) -- so we need the FAFSA. By the way, the FAFSA will officially get us $0, but we need the info for scholarships -- which maybe we will receive? (Read that in a tone of confusion, plus contemplation with a touch of sarcasm.)
While I'm enjoying digging around for our 2015 tax return, my son's social security number and the FSA ID (Which why isn't it FAFSA!? Why another acronym? Details.), my family is decorating the front yard and hanging the outdoor Christmas lights. I believe I heard them singing a Christmas carol (prompted by my brother-in-law's exuberance and a playlist).
Great planning resulted in our trees going up yesterday and our outside being decorated today. G willingly (or maybe just did) pulled down Christmas from the attic Friday morning with Chris (great planning because Chris had to be at work and that kid sleeps until the last minute). And, I took care of a meeting early yesterday morning so I could get home and work on the decorations. And, we got up going this morning (OK, around 10 a.m.) so the girls and G could take care of the outside.
This all amounts to some serious fourth part very early in the day today. It's a Christmas miracle.
Yes, we have to take care of grocery shopping, some ironing and some meal prep for the week. But, we got it done.
Yes, the early bird gets the worm. But, the late bird doesn't get anything from FAFSA forms.
Saturday, November 19, 2016
Kombucha and One Suitcase
Today is finally here. When we started the countdown, it was over 150 days away. Now, it is a few hours. Lots of planning took place to get here.
You see, today, the girls get to visit their best little friend who moved this summer. We are headed to Kansas City. Oh, and I get to see one of the best mom friends I've ever had! (Yay, me!)
Details that it is around 40 degrees there. Grateful that our friends up there have plenty of scarves, gloves, hats and coats to go around.
So, we decided to take this trip way back in the summer. Flights are really cheap when you buy way ahead of time (hmmm, that's a concept). I knew eventually I would have to think through the packing situation. Since I'm going solo with the girls, I also knew I only would want to take one suitcase. G pulled down the big one and everything fit (including four American Girl dolls). I think it is under 50 pounds -- praying, crossing my fingers, hoping, really praying. There is no way I could have two suitcases, two backpacks, a carry on for me, my purse and two seven-year-old girls all in tow. Again, praying, crossing my fingers, hoping, really praying that this suitcase weighs less than 50 pounds.
Kudos to me for booking a flight that leaves mid-afternoon. Typically, the non-stop flights are either at 6 a.m. or 9 p.m. This go-round, we got a 2:30 p.m. No rushing around. No waking up in the middle of the night to get ready to leave. No making sure every single thing is absolutely packed the night before.
Now, let's get to the fourth part planning.
I have lists for packing. I have, by day and potential activity, a list for me and for the girls. I started this ages ago when G, Chris and I traveled. OK, I didn't do a list for G. Chris now does packing lists for himself. Rest in that for a minute. I'm so proud.
Another important component in our packing, readying for trips approach is the suitcase review. This requires allocation of time. After fully packing, based on the aforementioned packing lists, I pull everything out for a review. This is when I whittle down, add to or refold. As a result, we rarely forget things (boy, I hope this doesn't jinx me) and we only pack what we need.
In preparation for today, I did every bit of laundry I could last night. I waited until last night because I wanted to make sure every stitch of everything was clean and I needed to match back to the packing lists.
And, viola, we've packed and reviewed with time to spare because fourth part today is not only getting to go on this trip, but also catching a bit of the Baylor football game which begins at 11 a.m. Please dear Jesus, find favor on this team and grant us a win. I mean three losses in a row. And, it's senior day. And, poor Seth is hurt and out for the season (and he's a senior). Please, let us be winning when I get on the plane (and off).
Thanks for sharing in that prayer with me.
All this planning, organizing, packing, reviewing, laundry-ing, has resulted in a bit of an imbalance in my gastrointestinal system. I promise I won't go into detail, but will simply share my solution. Delicious kombucha. Those lovely probiotics and live cultures are working magic. The flavor I prefer is sparkling ginger. It is refreshing to the palate and truly refreshes the gut. Here's hoping kombucha does the trick to put me back on track.
This trip is a true fourth part. We won't have many scheduled activities except play and catch up. I think we're visiting a museum and a park or two, plus trying Kansas City BBQ. Other than that, my packed laptop will provide me opportunity to work on photo books. Yeah, that's relaxing and something I like to do in the fourth part.
Along with catching up with a friend, drinking cocktails (or beer!) and watching three little friends reunite -- those are some great fourth part activities for which I am grateful for this Thanksgiving season.
You see, today, the girls get to visit their best little friend who moved this summer. We are headed to Kansas City. Oh, and I get to see one of the best mom friends I've ever had! (Yay, me!)
Details that it is around 40 degrees there. Grateful that our friends up there have plenty of scarves, gloves, hats and coats to go around.
So, we decided to take this trip way back in the summer. Flights are really cheap when you buy way ahead of time (hmmm, that's a concept). I knew eventually I would have to think through the packing situation. Since I'm going solo with the girls, I also knew I only would want to take one suitcase. G pulled down the big one and everything fit (including four American Girl dolls). I think it is under 50 pounds -- praying, crossing my fingers, hoping, really praying. There is no way I could have two suitcases, two backpacks, a carry on for me, my purse and two seven-year-old girls all in tow. Again, praying, crossing my fingers, hoping, really praying that this suitcase weighs less than 50 pounds.
Kudos to me for booking a flight that leaves mid-afternoon. Typically, the non-stop flights are either at 6 a.m. or 9 p.m. This go-round, we got a 2:30 p.m. No rushing around. No waking up in the middle of the night to get ready to leave. No making sure every single thing is absolutely packed the night before.
Now, let's get to the fourth part planning.
I have lists for packing. I have, by day and potential activity, a list for me and for the girls. I started this ages ago when G, Chris and I traveled. OK, I didn't do a list for G. Chris now does packing lists for himself. Rest in that for a minute. I'm so proud.
Another important component in our packing, readying for trips approach is the suitcase review. This requires allocation of time. After fully packing, based on the aforementioned packing lists, I pull everything out for a review. This is when I whittle down, add to or refold. As a result, we rarely forget things (boy, I hope this doesn't jinx me) and we only pack what we need.
In preparation for today, I did every bit of laundry I could last night. I waited until last night because I wanted to make sure every stitch of everything was clean and I needed to match back to the packing lists.
And, viola, we've packed and reviewed with time to spare because fourth part today is not only getting to go on this trip, but also catching a bit of the Baylor football game which begins at 11 a.m. Please dear Jesus, find favor on this team and grant us a win. I mean three losses in a row. And, it's senior day. And, poor Seth is hurt and out for the season (and he's a senior). Please, let us be winning when I get on the plane (and off).
Thanks for sharing in that prayer with me.
All this planning, organizing, packing, reviewing, laundry-ing, has resulted in a bit of an imbalance in my gastrointestinal system. I promise I won't go into detail, but will simply share my solution. Delicious kombucha. Those lovely probiotics and live cultures are working magic. The flavor I prefer is sparkling ginger. It is refreshing to the palate and truly refreshes the gut. Here's hoping kombucha does the trick to put me back on track.
This trip is a true fourth part. We won't have many scheduled activities except play and catch up. I think we're visiting a museum and a park or two, plus trying Kansas City BBQ. Other than that, my packed laptop will provide me opportunity to work on photo books. Yeah, that's relaxing and something I like to do in the fourth part.
Along with catching up with a friend, drinking cocktails (or beer!) and watching three little friends reunite -- those are some great fourth part activities for which I am grateful for this Thanksgiving season.
Sunday, October 16, 2016
Photo Books and Homecoming
When you take pictures on six devices on summer vacation and then you try to put together a photo book on a Sunday afternoon, it doesn't go as quickly as you would hope. And, when you went on vacation almost three months ago, memory of restaurant names and activities don't come back as quickly as you would hope.
Aaahhh, hope. That should be in the title of today's post -- Hope and Quickly (the two shall ne'er meet).
The plan for today was rest, recovery and be at home with family. Since it is Sunday, a trip to the grocery store and meal planning are also a part of the day. Oh, and some cleaning and laundry are in order. Because Halloween is around the corner, G climbed up into the attic to pull out the bag of spooky decor and the girls spider-webbed and hung ghoul-y characters on the trees.
The Sunday was full of first, second and third part activities. Included in my second part was knocking out the San Diego summer vacation photo book. Now that the pictures from the old laptop were moved on to the new laptop and new pictures were downloaded on to the new laptop (prior activities for third parts), I was ready to make a book.
Oh, yeah, I've only downloaded pictures from the DSLR. I've five other devices to grab pics from . . . and two of those devices are not at home right now. They are off with their owners -- getting a car washed and working. Downloading pictures is not hard, but it is time consuming and I just don't want to take up time today downloading pictures. Ugh.
That means, I can't complete the book. I've put together over 20 pages in the photo book -- clever commentary along with stunning photos of one of the best family vacations ever taken. And, I'm, Not. Done. I have about 30 more pages of pictures already downloaded with some blanks along the way waiting for those future-downloaded pictures. (How many times have I written the word 'download' in its various tenses?)
I had such hopes. Hopes that would have been handled quickly. No and no. Crushed hopes. Nothing quickly. Just 20 simple pages of a vacation gone by.
But, man, it was a great vacation. Looking at the pictures and the notes from the trip are really making me smile. Yes, I'm catching myself smiling and laughing as I put the book together. I'm calling the girls to come in and look at the pictures. I'm telling G 'remember this' stories. (If Chris were here, I would show him pictures of his hair -- oh, that hair. He said he was cutting it this week. One can dream. One can . . . hope. And, that cut cannot come quickly enough,)
We had not taken a full-family summer vacation that didn't involve a basketball tournament since the girls were a year old and we went to Cabo. That's too many years for the Adams not to be out of Texas where there is water and beaches and potentially fishing. That's too much time between planning a day's activities and researching restaurants. That's too long for our family to be our family. Eating together, shopping together and really having fun together -- just us. The five of us. No separate cars to take us to separate places. No friends calling to hang out and meet for a drink. No schedules other than the carefully planned itinerary (I've used the same format for years).
San Diego was beautiful. The weather amazing. The meals delicious. The activities fun.
A fantastically, wonderful vacation.
Something about being together either in a new place or a familiar place. We go to Port Aransas a few times every year, we go out to eat together at least once a month, we attend events together as they present. Our time together is limited, yes, but we do find time to be a family together.
I visited a familiar place this weekend. It was Baylor homecoming. While seeing the bonfire, watching the parade and tailgating would have rounded out a weekend in Waco, I could only get to the football game (and, really, that's all I need for my Baylor fix). We rolled into town right before kick-off, poured a 'walkie' -- actually it could be a 'roadie' as we take it on the bus that drives us to the stadium from our parking spot -- and strolled into the stadium. Baylor had scored by the time we sat.
I also learned a dear friend was at the game before we sat. Through messenger and text messages, I tried to arrange meet-ups with him and other friends during this time of Homecoming. A familiar time, a familiar place in a new stadium requires some organizing. So glad for technology and Facebook and messaging.
I successfully met up with my dear friend who I had not seen in about 20 years. It was such a pleasure and such a joy to catch up. Carving out those few minutes during a game that we were easily winning was not hard, but it did take time. It took some quick planning and some quick typing. We laughed and of course, took a picture. It was posted and will be such a fun memory. One picture is much easier to keep up with than the hundreds I have from San Diego.
I didn't meet up with my other friends who were at the game. I was satisfied with the one visit. Because we were in Waco, at a Baylor game and we were winning by a lot, my season-ticket holder partners and I made our way over to the George's tent for a drink and a burger. Prices are way higher than when we used to eat at George's but the fun and nostalgic familiarity are still the same. Yeah, I drank a Deep Eddy Cranberry with Sprite instead of a Big O, and had waffle fries instead of greasy regular ones. It was still George's -- still the green and white striped tent.
Only one picture from the game with my friend, Robert. A memory for a while.
Only hundreds from the trip to San Diego.
Hopeful I finish the book, yes, but do not want the memories to go quickly.
Hope and Quickly, not really.
How about Hope and Everylasting?
Aaahhh, hope. That should be in the title of today's post -- Hope and Quickly (the two shall ne'er meet).
The plan for today was rest, recovery and be at home with family. Since it is Sunday, a trip to the grocery store and meal planning are also a part of the day. Oh, and some cleaning and laundry are in order. Because Halloween is around the corner, G climbed up into the attic to pull out the bag of spooky decor and the girls spider-webbed and hung ghoul-y characters on the trees.
The Sunday was full of first, second and third part activities. Included in my second part was knocking out the San Diego summer vacation photo book. Now that the pictures from the old laptop were moved on to the new laptop and new pictures were downloaded on to the new laptop (prior activities for third parts), I was ready to make a book.
Oh, yeah, I've only downloaded pictures from the DSLR. I've five other devices to grab pics from . . . and two of those devices are not at home right now. They are off with their owners -- getting a car washed and working. Downloading pictures is not hard, but it is time consuming and I just don't want to take up time today downloading pictures. Ugh.
That means, I can't complete the book. I've put together over 20 pages in the photo book -- clever commentary along with stunning photos of one of the best family vacations ever taken. And, I'm, Not. Done. I have about 30 more pages of pictures already downloaded with some blanks along the way waiting for those future-downloaded pictures. (How many times have I written the word 'download' in its various tenses?)
I had such hopes. Hopes that would have been handled quickly. No and no. Crushed hopes. Nothing quickly. Just 20 simple pages of a vacation gone by.
But, man, it was a great vacation. Looking at the pictures and the notes from the trip are really making me smile. Yes, I'm catching myself smiling and laughing as I put the book together. I'm calling the girls to come in and look at the pictures. I'm telling G 'remember this' stories. (If Chris were here, I would show him pictures of his hair -- oh, that hair. He said he was cutting it this week. One can dream. One can . . . hope. And, that cut cannot come quickly enough,)
We had not taken a full-family summer vacation that didn't involve a basketball tournament since the girls were a year old and we went to Cabo. That's too many years for the Adams not to be out of Texas where there is water and beaches and potentially fishing. That's too much time between planning a day's activities and researching restaurants. That's too long for our family to be our family. Eating together, shopping together and really having fun together -- just us. The five of us. No separate cars to take us to separate places. No friends calling to hang out and meet for a drink. No schedules other than the carefully planned itinerary (I've used the same format for years).
San Diego was beautiful. The weather amazing. The meals delicious. The activities fun.
A fantastically, wonderful vacation.
Something about being together either in a new place or a familiar place. We go to Port Aransas a few times every year, we go out to eat together at least once a month, we attend events together as they present. Our time together is limited, yes, but we do find time to be a family together.
I visited a familiar place this weekend. It was Baylor homecoming. While seeing the bonfire, watching the parade and tailgating would have rounded out a weekend in Waco, I could only get to the football game (and, really, that's all I need for my Baylor fix). We rolled into town right before kick-off, poured a 'walkie' -- actually it could be a 'roadie' as we take it on the bus that drives us to the stadium from our parking spot -- and strolled into the stadium. Baylor had scored by the time we sat.
I also learned a dear friend was at the game before we sat. Through messenger and text messages, I tried to arrange meet-ups with him and other friends during this time of Homecoming. A familiar time, a familiar place in a new stadium requires some organizing. So glad for technology and Facebook and messaging.
I successfully met up with my dear friend who I had not seen in about 20 years. It was such a pleasure and such a joy to catch up. Carving out those few minutes during a game that we were easily winning was not hard, but it did take time. It took some quick planning and some quick typing. We laughed and of course, took a picture. It was posted and will be such a fun memory. One picture is much easier to keep up with than the hundreds I have from San Diego.
I didn't meet up with my other friends who were at the game. I was satisfied with the one visit. Because we were in Waco, at a Baylor game and we were winning by a lot, my season-ticket holder partners and I made our way over to the George's tent for a drink and a burger. Prices are way higher than when we used to eat at George's but the fun and nostalgic familiarity are still the same. Yeah, I drank a Deep Eddy Cranberry with Sprite instead of a Big O, and had waffle fries instead of greasy regular ones. It was still George's -- still the green and white striped tent.
Only one picture from the game with my friend, Robert. A memory for a while.
Only hundreds from the trip to San Diego.
Hopeful I finish the book, yes, but do not want the memories to go quickly.
Hope and Quickly, not really.
How about Hope and Everylasting?
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