Leaving Home

Last Friday morning I dropped my youngest off at school and took a drive to my hometown, about an hour and a half away. I was facing a task that I dreaded yet knew had to be done. It was there that I would meet 3 of my siblings to go through our parents home, take what we wanted, seperate the things to donate, and throw out the things that had no use. It was our goal to empty the house out completely as it was to be painted and put on the market to be sold.
I had been trying everything I could think of to keep from going. I wanted to be there, yet didn't. I knew it would be agonizing for me but couldn't avoid it. In a way, I felt it was one last way I could honor my parents so I knew it was one of those things in life that would be so difficult but had to be done.
I had lost so much sleep over this. I had prayed constantly for God to give me the grace to do this; to enable me to complete this task. As usual, He was faithful to me and gave me the strength when I have been so weak.
The actual job of cleaning out the house wasn't as difficult as I had expected. I think we were all in "work mode"; we had a job to do and we did it with a good degree of efficiency. In the midst of all the "stuff" were unexpected treasures and hidden memories. Some brought sweet smiles, some, agonizing tears.
As our work progressed, and as each room echoed with emptiness, my mind took me back to a time, nearly 50 years ago, when a young couple, not married 5 years yet but already with 3 children, made this their home. I imagined how excited and happy Mom was to finally have a place of her own. How she must have smiled as she planned each child's room, as she put away her household items, how she made it her home. I think of my dad; how proud he was to be able to pay cash for their first home and his plans for caring for his family. They had no idea at that time what life had in store for them; that they would have 3 more children. They didn't know the joys and the heartache that marriage and family life would bring them. Yet, they met each struggle with determination to stick it out together, no matter what. I love them for that.
I can't remember a time in my life when my tears have been so frequent and so difficult to hold. Just a simple look from a friend or a question of, "How are you doing?" will open the flood gates. I am NOT handling this very well. But I have a Savior who is walking closely with me and who loves me and who promises He will never leave me nor forsake me. I lean into Him to get me through this and I know I am in good hands.

I'm coming up for air

Hey! Its me. Popping in to say to hello to anyone who may be reading my blog (although from the looks of it, my audience is teeny tiny). Anyway, along with the cooler weather has come an onslaught of countless activities my children; i.e. piano lessons for 3, ballet/tap for 1, soccer for 1, some type of computer thing for 1, marching band for 1, Greek classes for 1 etc. You know what I'm talking about because you're probably doing it too. Comes with the territory and I will miss it when they're gone I'm sure.
I do have to share something unusual about myself...I have taken up the cello!! I LOVE the deep, rich tone of a beautiful cello and its one of the things I wanted to do when my children got older. Well, they're older and so am I. After Mom and Dad died, it dawned on me that I will too and there are some interests I have that have gone unattended to and I don't want to live a life of regrets so here I am... a cellist.
I'm so excited AND I can play Jingle Bells so I'm all ready for the holiday season.

Ouch!!!

My husband called a day early. Seems they awoke to 3 inches of snow yesterday morning with no let up in sight so they decided to descend the mountain earlly and head back. They drove as far as Laramie, Wyoming and spent the night at a hotel where they were able to shower and get a good nights sleep. Seems Bob didn't get a lot of shut eye. I guess that's what happens when you're used to sleeping with a fan every night.
They have a 12 hour drive in front of them today and plan to arrive here around 9 tonight. Yippee!! I better get to work today and pick up this place.
The picture above is of my husband's heels after their FIRST day hiking. OUCH!!!

Senior Moment

I had a few minutes to kill this morning so I stopped by the high school to register the kids for school. It went something like this.
Him: "It will be $35 for registration. Does your son drive to school?"
Me: "Yes."
Him: "That will be $20. Is he in orchestra or band?"
Me: "Yes."
Him: "That will be $15. Oh, I see he is a senior. Would you like to pay for his cap and gown now?"
Me: Who punched me in the stomach, I'm thinking? Of course not. He's only a little boy. Are you kidding me?
Realizing I'd better get used to this and other senior moments, I put on my big girl panties, and say, "Yes, I guess so."
I limped out of the office and went on my way, wounded, but surviving.

THINGS I DID TODAY WITHOUT MY HUSBAND
1) removed a major stick from the lawn mower blades (I broke a nail in the process.)
2) did something with the dryer vent
3) relocated and reset the mole trap (No, I haven't caught that booger yet but i'm NOT giving up!!)

Day Five

I didn't blog the last few days because I noted during my last posting that I didn't have much to say. I didn't want to bore anyone. Alas, I'm still not sure I have much to say but I'll risk that.
Yesterday my sister and her 2 kids, myself and my 2 youngest ventured to Adventureland which is an amusement park about 2 hours from home. We left around 8 and started our adventure at 10. We spent 7 hours at the park, with my energy fading as each hour went by. We eventually had to pull the children out of there as everyone wanted to go on "just one more" ride.
We drove 1/2 hour to my in-laws and dropped my 2 kids who will return home on Friday evening. I was COMPLETELY wiped out! I came home and crashed by 9:15 and slept until 5:30 am. I NEVER sleep for 8 hours. Still, I woke up in a fog and am finally getting to feel "with it".
Yesterday, while my oldest daugheter was at marching band practice, there was a high speed chase near her school. At some point, the vehicle drove up onto the grass, driving over the area where my daughter and her fellow musicians usually practice. When the police finally apprehended this fellow, they found he was drunk, on cocaine, and had weapons in his vehicle. It is amazing what people will do and how many lives that are truly endangered by folks such as him. Having said that, tonight I am beginning to co-facilitate another OWI Victim Impact group. This is a group that folks who have been convicted of at least 2 OWIs have to attend. The unique thing about this group is that individuals who have been directly impacted by drunk driving come in and speak to the group. We have had EMTs, hospital chaplains, law enforcement, widows, moms, dads and offenders on our panels. It is a very rewarding experience and it is our attempt to change and save lives with these groups.
I am alone today. I wish I didn't have to work at all today but I need to go in around 1:00. What will I do until then?

Day Three

I must be tired. I can't even remember what I did today. Oh, its coming back to me now. I didn't do much. I made it to the grocery store, the mall and Target.
My youngest presented with a temp of 101 degrees. We are really trying to get her well so we can make it to Adventureland on Wednesday. She would be heart-broken if she couldn't go.
I did manage to start several projects. I've noticed lately that I start a lot of things but don't finish many of them. Projects started today were: cleaning out the garage, getting together LOTS of GOODWILL stuff, moving/getting rid of things out of the office to make way for our new furniture, painting the office, and just other things. Wow! I guess I did do a lot of stuff. Hopefully I will finish at least a few of these things before hubby gets home.
Things I did today that my husband usually does:
1) purchased and put in 2 bags of salt for the water softener (I'm not sure if I have to push a button or do anything else to get it to work.)
2) Set a different mole trap and this time I did it right!! Watch out you little booger! I'm gonna get you! (Sounds like a line from Caddy Shack).
3) Climbed up in the rafters of the garage and retrieved a can of paint.
4) Began organizing the garage and collecting things for recycling.

I'm sure my husband will be impressed.

Day Two

I survived my first night without hubby. One down, 7 to go.
My 6 year old daughter said we had better be bed buddies since I didn't have anyone to sleep with last night. I woke up at about 1:30 am without her in my bed. I thought that a good mom would go and look for her offspring if she was missing so I found her in her bed whimpering that she misssed daddy and her toe hurt. I hustled her back into my bed and we tossed and turned for another hour before we fell back to sleep again. I awoke around 6 am and silently slipped out of bed while she snored. I REALLY need time alone in the morning to get my thoughts together so I was hopeful. As the coffee perked I could hear her footsteps upstairs. She was awake too early, again.
She was coming down with a cold so I recruited son #2 to stay home from church with her. Daughter #1 and I went on to church but before we left I found 6 year old passed out in her bed, snoring.
We got home from church, had lunch and I took my usual nap. My naps are about 20 minutes which is just enough time to take the edge off.
Around 3:15 son #2 and I took an hour long bike ride. What a perfect day!! I got nice and sweaty but it was worth it. I think that's the first time I have been on my bike this year. Wow! That's pathetic.
I spent early evening pulling weeds and giving the mosquitos a snack of myself while doing so.
Children #2 and #3 are at youth group now so I need to pick them up.
Hopefully tomorrow will go as smoothly.
THINGS I DID TODAY THAT HUSBAND USUALLY DOES:
1) Put soap in the dispenser that is attached to my kitchen sink. (I feel like I'm playing twister when I'm doing this.)
2) Set a mole trap. (I think I did this correctly but probably not. Time will tell.)
More tomorrow!!