Tuesday, January 27

How I Spent My "Snow" Day

Oh my goodness. Today was a "snow" day. Forget the fact that there is no snow or ice at my house. NONE. There are reasons for the snow day, legitimate ones. This is a large county with rural areas and just slightly to the north of us it was bad. Anyway. Because it was a snow day, I was working at home since we don't pay for child care during the school year. No big deal, I do it all the time. Only today was different.

The kids slept in, so it was late (a little after 10) when they decided they wanted breakfast. Fine, whatever. Here's your cereal, and I'm going downstairs to eat mine at my desk while I work. Then I hear Colby crying, and they're coming downstairs. I braced myself, fully prepared to give them a good lecture about how I'm working and they need to settle it themselves without fighting. HA. God has a way of teaching you a lesson sometimes and you just don't see it coming.

It happened again. Colby smacked his head - just below his eyebrow - on the kitchen counter. Lucky me. And of course, we're all in t-shirts & pajama pants. So, I get him settled & Garrett gets him a rag to hold over it. Garrett & I get dressed, he gets Colby's clothes together. I dressed Colby while Garrett ran around and found everyone's shoes and their DS's so they'd have something to do while we waited. I made all the phone calls from the car & we got to Vanderbilt fairly quickly.

He's not hurt, not bad. Four stitches and a Tetanus shot later, we're all home & resting. I guess getting stitches in your eyebrow is part of our family's tradition. At least there are no pictures tomorrow.

Wednesday, January 21

Inauguration Day

I didn't watch it. And before you say I'm some bitter old Republican, let me clue you in. I am not Republican. I generally support the Republican party because it is more conservative than the Democratic party. Simple as that. I am not old - I'm 36. And I'm not bitter, disappointed, but not bitter. Also, I never watch inaugurations. N.E.V.E.R. I work.

Let me say this first: I am proud of this country. Every 4 years we have a peaceful transfer of power. Yesterday was historic as the first African-American took the oath of office. I'm proud that we've moved past the civil rights violations of 50 years ago. I'm proud that most of us looked past color when we voted.

But I am concerned. I do not think that America needs to be "re-made" or "re-born" or any of the other "re" words he used in his speech. I do not think that the government needs to provide jobs, healthcare, retirement, or any of the other things we, as free people, should take care of ourselves. I do not believe that the question is "whether or not the government works" but I believe the question is "whether it is too big or too small". He got that backward.

And I am offended. DEEPLY offended by that "prayer". In case you only watch the main-stream media, here is an excerpt:

'Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the
joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will
not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around... when the red man can
get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right. That all those who do
justice and love mercy say Amen. Say Amen'...


Every word of that inauguration is planned and approved. If not by Obama himself, by someone on his staff. And I think someone needs to apologize to the American people - Christians in particular.

I'm very afraid it's going to be a long 4 years.

Tuesday, January 13

Moments of Clarity

I have a few moments that I remember almost perfectly - right down to what I was wearing, saying, thinking...Moments that changed my life. Yes, this includes my wedding (though I remember less about this than I would like), the births of my kids, etc. But I've been thinking about one in particular a lot lately. I've never shared it with anyone. I was alone when it happened and there never seemed to be any reason. It was all about me at any rate. But I think I need to share it now, particularly with my husband.

Just over 5 years ago, November 4, 2003, my mother passed away after a very long (25 years) and hard fought battle with multiple myeloma. A couple of months later, I was driving out to lunch from my old office building. To Subway. I don't remember the exact date, but I know it was sometime after Christmas, but still in January. We had just found out we were having our 2nd child, but hadn't started telling anyone because I hadn't been to the doctor yet. We had all grieved, but her death was expected and she had lived longer than anyone thought she would. Both my sister & I were married, I had one child, my husband & I had moved back to my hometown just over a year before. In part, because I wanted to be there and in part so our child would get to spend a lot of time with his Oma. He was only 3, but I hear him sometimes telling his little brother who she is.

We had all gotten back into our routine, work, school, church, etc. And I was going out to lunch. It wasn't a long drive, but it struck me then that there are three places in this world a person can be: Where you want to be, where you need to be and where you are. And I realized that I was in all three places at once. It's what I had been searching for.

When I was in college, it was where I needed to be, but I wanted to move on. When I was in Smyrna, I never wanted to be there. It was only home because Glenn was there. But, it was where I needed to be and where I was. Even when we moved back to Hendersonville, I didn't realize that was where I needed to be until that moment. My mom needed to spend a lot of time with us, with my son and he needed to spend that time with her. I wanted to be home, I always had. And I was there.

It was at that point that I knew I was going to be okay without her. I hadn't been dwelling on my grief, but a weight lifted all the same. I know that I was only grieving for myself, my sister, my dad, my child, etc. Not for her. I realized at that moment that I was 31, the same age she was when she was diagnosed and that I needed to live like she had. Enjoying life, but never scared of dying. Knowing there was something better. And that I needed to make sure that I lived a life that meant I could join her when the time came.

I'm sorry that it took me 31 years to get there. I'm sorry that I don't remember that I'm still there often enough. I'm sorry that my husband is grieving for his mother. I need to share this with him, because he was there for me at every turn. Taking the children when I needed to be alone, ignoring Mother's Day because I just couldn't take it, making sure every birthday I've had since has been special (she was buried on my birthday). It's time that I let him know that it's going to be okay. That he can survive without her, even though he doesn't want to have to.

Always remember that life is shorter than you want it to be. Love those close to you, enjoy living, make the right choices, let people know how you feel about them. Live, Laugh, Love.

Monday, January 5

WE WON!!!!

I realize this is late, but I was trying to enjoy my holidays (more on that later).

WE WON!!!!

http://vucommodores.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/010109aab.html

We haven't been to a bowl game in 26 years and haven't won one in more than 50!!!

Yes, it was ugly - but it's still a W!

WOO-HOO!!!

Wednesday, December 24

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone enjoys their holiday as much as I intend to.

Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, December 9

Music City Bowl

OH OH WOW!!!!

We made it! Trust me this is a big deal. It's the first time in 26 years. I remember it - I was 10. Not too much older than my oldest son is now.

I remember when Nashville got a bowl. It was all very exciting. While Nashville will always be more famous for the music, we are becoming quite a sports town: The Predators, Titans, Music City Bowl, Women's Final Four.

I always knew the streak would end. We would go to a bowl. But I never dreamed it would be the Music City Bowl. The point of the bowl system is so more teams can participate. Teams travel, the fans travel. The point of having a bowl in your city is for the money. Not just the game money, but the hotels, restaurants, tourist traps all make money. The city, county and state make tax money. So, why on earth would the Music City Bowl want Vanderbilt?!

But they're here. Playing Boston College. The team is treating it as if they are going across the country. Participating in all the events, staying in the hotel. I'm sure parents and family members of the participants will be here. And you know BC will have fans travel also. The university is encouraging all of it's fans to treat this as an out of town event as well. Apparently, Vanderbilt lobbied hard to get into this game. And Kentucky has been here a few times already. So, they're headed to Memphis and the Liberty Bowl and Vanderbilt is playing here! In the MUSIC CITY BOWL!

I'm planning on going! I can't believe it!!! A BOWL GAME! IN NASHVILLE!!!

OH OH WOW!!!!

Tuesday, December 2

Global Warming?

Not here. It's barely 40 today but "feels like" 33. It's been in the 20s & 30s all week. It has been in the 30s & 40s for most of November. The cold is here early this year.

I'm just not buying the global warming arguments right now.