Christmas Card Round-up

I think the annual Christmas letter may be on its way out. This is not a prediction of sorts.....just an observation. The trickle of Christmas cards to the Hesterfamily Mailbox is just about over....with a few last minute stragglers coming in behind. (I am not being critical. I have no room to talk. I didn't get ANY Christmas cards out last year. Shame on me!) But I am noticing that the popularity of the annual Christmas letter is not as prominent as it once was. Case in point....we received 11 "letters with family picture," in comparison to 25 "picture only/no letter" Christmas greetings. And I must not forget the "Christmas Card/handwritten message" people. Those people out numbered the "letters with family picture" category by a landslide.

I haven't written a Christmas letter in two years. And it is not because I don't want to. I love to write and have always enjoyed the prospect of summing up the ways we have seen God move in our family over the year. But I think there are two reasons why I haven't written one lately. The main thing is time and the other is transition. I have a hard time finding the time to do it. Secondly, we just aren't experiencing a lot of news like we did in the years of moving from place to place, babies being born, Gregg's jobs in the Navy changing like the seasons. Simply put, we just don't have a lot to tell....at least not the kind of things that you find most people including in their Christmas letters. I could tell you the things I feel God has been trying to teach me, (and trying some more), or the ways in which we have grown as a couple/family, the things of the heart that we are trying to overcome with help of the Holy Spirit. But those topics don't usually make the TOP 10 discussed in Christmas letters. And I think that is OK. Maybe topics like that are saved for other occasions.....not Christmas letters.

I would imagine I would return to letter writing at some point. But I certainly have enjoyed those that I have been able to read this Christmas. Some have brought me to tears.....missing so much the people who have sent them to us. Wishing we could see them more...live life with them more. Receiving any form of a Christmas card is such a little gift to me waiting in my mailbox. It reminds me all the more of the importance of God-given relationships in your life and how abundantly I have been blessed by them, and will continue to be. God is good!!!!

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

There are two things I received for Christmas this year that I wish I could take back. But unfortunately, they must not have come with a gift receipt, because I can't find it anywhere. Not under the tissue paper....not taped to the inside of the box...not resting neatly in a cutely decorated envelope on top. Returning the items is impossible. The demand for them is extremely low, if non-existent. Nobody wants these....not now, not ever. Once you get them, you are stuck with them. However, the potential of "re-gifting" is very high. And if you are not careful, you can "re-gift" to more than one person, making you the enemy of many. Thankfully, I only "re-gifted" to one......and she has a very forgiving heart. (Sorry, Faith!)

This Christmas, I experienced the "gift that keeps on giving" in both a cold and the stomach flu. It is amazing that your body is willing to host a series of different germs at the same time. I was hoping one might say to the other, "Sorry, there is no room at the inn," but that didn't happen. On our last day of visiting family in MI, I felt it coming on.....the flu that is. I was sitting next to my step-mom in a movie theater, enjoying Enchanted for a second time with the girls, when I leaned over to her and whispered, "I'm sick." I think Enchanted is just a little over two hours....but it lost its "enchantment" with me. The movie felt like it lasted well beyond "they lived happily ever after," and I kept dwelling on the cleanliness of the theater bathroom, wondering how close I would come to having to know it well.

We returned to my Dad's house, and it was a welcomed sight. Except.... one thought occurred to me. "It is difficult to be sick in someone else's house." You feel terrible about it. You know that you are just one big mass of contamination, but there is very little you can do about it. This is where people with the gift of hospitality have to draw the line. And I don't blame them. I am very grateful that my "re-gift" hasn't seemed to hit them. They are in the clear.

Our ride back to Columbus was sprinkled with blurred visions of each Rest Area through the passenger side window, as my husband raced home at feverish speed. (Get it....feverish??)
My house, my bathroom, my bedroom, and my bed never looked so beautiful as it did then. The taste of 7-Up and crackers will be removed from my diet for a while. I think I have had my fill. But I am totally grateful for God's healing of the body. He is truly the "Gift that Keeps on Giving."

Reconcilosec

It's the most wonderful time of the year!!!

Truly....there is no sarcasm in my title. I really mean that. Seriously!! Stop it!! How can I convince you that I am not joking around??!! Just returned from Chicago, where we celebrated Christmas with Gregg's family. His sister and her little guy surprised us as they flew in from San Diego to celebrate along with us. It is such a blessing to watch our girls enjoy their cousin. They have 4 male cousins and were blessed this year with their first female cousin (yeah, Isabelle!!!) I love to watch their interaction...so neat to see the next generation bonding and forming memories together!!

The drive home was intense at times and took us 3 hours longer than normal (9 hours total) , as winter in IL seems to be worse than any other Midwestern state this time of year. Not really...but it felt like it. We had terrible "get-home-itis" around Indy...which wasn't a good sign, since we still had at least 3 hours to go. Thankfully, we packed enough "to do" stuff for the girls and were graciously given a DVD player to borrow from some dear friends. It is amazing how far Season 3 of I LOVE LUCY can go when you are driving through hazardous road conditions. And to make sure their momma was duly entertained, I had my book "A Year of Living Biblically" with me and I am so enjoying it.( Thanks, Mom!! You know I am too cheap...oops, I mean frugal, to buy it on my own. You beat the library with your prompt gift giving and I appreciate it!) I think it is another one of those books that Gregg will be glad when I finish, as I keep talking about things that I have read, etc. That always annoys him for some reason.

With all of the family gatherings at Christmas time, I am reminded of a hilarious video I ran across last year from a church in Chicago. You may have to watch it a couple of times...just to get all the "one liners" in it. But don't refrain from laughing out loud when you watch it....wherever you watch it...because I know you are going to want to. It's a perfect parody "when you are around the ones you're supposed to love." (You'll get what I mean after you watch it.)

Waiting a "year" for the Year of Living Biblically

Today, I am number 74. Yesterday, I was 77. At this rate, I will have it by the end of January. I am eagerly anticipating the library's email (oh! How I love to hear from them!) that my copy of "The Year of Living Biblically: One man's humble quest to follow the Bible as literally as possible" is ready and waiting. Have you heard of this book? I was flipping through the channels the other day and AMAZINGLY found something of interest on MSNBC when they were interviewing the author AJ Jacobs. What a fascinating character!! Now, don't run out to your local Christian bookstore to find the book. I don't think it will be there. I am pretty sure they are opposed to carrying anything on their shelves written by a self-labeled "reverent agnostic."

What first attracted me to this book is the title itself....The Year of Living Biblically....because I wondered if I too could write this book. Couldn't every Christ-follower sum up their experience after receiving Christ as the "Years of Living Biblically" or maybe the "Years of attempting to live biblically?" I am anxious to see how his year and my years compare to one another. Not out of judgement, of course, but just simply pure evaluation. I know Jacobs has taken everything in the Bible literally...where I, in a sense, haven't. I haven't stoned any adulterers and I don't avoid wearing clothing of "mixed fibers." But I am pursuing my life under the moral guidelines that God so graciously set before me as a way of protecting me from my own evilness. And I am curious to see how that matches up with the changes in Jacob's life as he literally lived out the Bible. Here's a little snippet from the book to pique my interest regarding that very thing:

It's impossible to immerse yourself in religion for twelve months and emerge unaffected. At least it was for me. Put it this way: If my former self and my current self met for coffee, they'd get along OK, but they'd both probably walk out of the Starbucks shaking their heads and saying to themselves, "That guy is kinda delusional."

You could say, "If you are so anxious to read this book, why don't you just go out and buy it, instead of waiting around for it." Well, in my "Years of attempting to live biblically" I am trying to follow Isaiah 55:1 (The MSG):

Buy without money—everything's free (even libraries...)! Why do you spend your money on junk food (or books...), your hard-earned cash on cotton candy (or DVDs...)?

Yes, that's why I am waiting. And in addition to following Isaiah 55:1, I must follow Exodus 20:16 ("Do not lie to your neighbor") and tell you the truth.....I am really just too cheap to buy it anyway. :)

Deep Thoughts......

I was thinking about my legacy the other day (doesn't everybody??) and I was left with this conundrum of sorts.......

Is it possible to "leave a legacy" without first "living a legacy?"

Don't you have to live one before you leave one??

By the way....deep thoughts like this remind me of an old Saturday Night Live Sketch. Does this picture ring a bell??

Dancing with the "Stars??"

A dear friend of mine sent this to me as a "cheer me up" while Gregg is gone. It is absolutely hilarious!!!! And with the use of Gregg's high school picture (it will make sense when you see it), memories of watching him "cut a rug" at our high school dances rapidly comes to mind. How in the world she found this, I don't know. Enjoy and get ready to smile!!!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9561336141

Oops! I did it again!

Those of you who are teachers out there will probably understand where I am coming from on this one. Have you ever noticed that sometimes you just CAN'T turn off the teacher in you? It doesn't matter where you are...eating at a restaurant...walking behind a group of teenagers at a public event...shopping at the "After Thanksgiving Day" sales at the mall.... It is so naturally ingrained within you, it just "oozes" out at the most inopportune times. You don't even mean to do it. It is almost involuntary. It is as if your brain is so used to guiding, instructing, and redirecting, that when it signals an opportunity to do so, it acts on that impulse. This can be a extremely embarrassing when you are not in the classroom.

Case in point: I went to Macy's for the 3rd day in a row to pick up some makeup they were out of. With each trip I made, they promised me it would be there the next day. (Wait a minute...haven't I heard this story before with some living room furniture we are STILL waiting for from Macy's??) Anyway...on my third visit, I went to the Clinique counter to receive my long awaited makeup. I am in a "tweet" about it (as my Grandma would say) because I am COMPLETELY out.... as in not even dipping a Q-Tip in the bottle would help me out. Do you understand my pain???? This meek "Sandy Duncan" like woman comes to the counter and asks me if I needed some help. I noticed her voice was a little loud on my "audio radar" but it seemed harmless and after all, it was a short question she asked me. When I proceeded to explain to her what I needed, she began searching every nook and crannie of the Clinique counter and came up empty-handed. She began to explain to me in a VERY LOUD voice that the makeup must be on the truck still and she wasn't sure when it would be unloaded. I quickly eyed the other counters of snooty cosmetics (Estee Lauder, Lancome, and the like) to see which costumers were becoming privy to my "lack of makeup" situation. I knew they would judge me for it. After all, what TRUE woman waits until she has nothing left in the bottle to purchase a new one? "Sandy" went on and on to explain that she could order it for me from this city or that city and it may be in by early next week. Oh, her voice was just TOO LOUD!!! So....I shhhhh-ed her. I mean it. I actually went "shhhhhhhh" to her!!!! I even put my finger up to my mouth, just in case she wasn't reading me "loud and clear." (Get it??) It was my involuntary teacher coming out, I knew it!!! She looked at me so strangely. I don't blame her. I am sure she has never been "shhhhhh-ed" by a customer before. I couldn't believe I did it myself. When my brain registered that the "involuntary teacher" button had been launched, I responded with a quick "thank you" and mustered up any dignity I could find (there wasn't much to be found...I was without my makeup after all :) ), turned around and bolted out of Macy's. I can only imagine all the makeup reps from the snooty cosmetic counters running to her aid after I left. "Were you just "shhhhhh-ed" by a customer?? How absolutely undignified!!!!"

I forgot to mention one important factor in the story. Unfortunately, Faith was with me when all this was going on. She witnessed me "shhhhhh-ing" the Clinique lady!!!! How's that for a "teachable" moment?????

Let it Be... Christmas

"Here, there, and everywhere" with the Beatles

WARNING: You will probably need to be a fan of the Beatles to even remotely enjoy this blog entry. If you find yourself asking "Who are the Beatles?," (you're kidding, right?) then come back later, when I write about something else. :)



You may remember me sharing with you a few entries back about a church in IN that is communicating the story of Jesus' birth through specific Beatles tunes this Christmas. Already generating a lot of internet interest (both positive and negative) before the series has even started, staff members at Granger Community Church decided to share their promo for the series on some of their blog pages. I thought I would share it with you as well. Will this "Beatles-Church" combo create a "Hard Day's Night" for GCC this Christmas? Only time will tell if they will be singing "I Should Have Known Better" or "I Feel Fine" afterwards. If you are interested in listening to the podcast yourself, after December 2, go to www.gccwired.com

Sidenote:

I got to thinking about some other Beatles' titles they could have chosen that might have worked as well.

Got to get YOU into my life



I call YOUR name



THE Word



When I get HOME



YOU really got a hold on me



Searchin'

Can you think of any others?

Preteen Math Equation

Math Equation below:

12 yr. old girl
+ rapidly approaching puberty
+ emotions
+ relationship dynamics at school
X
wisdom
- experience
- season of life=
____________________________________


ANSWER: The World of 6th grade in 2007!!!!!

Directions for solving above equation:

Must be done in this order ( remember the FOIL method from Algebra?) or equation will end up with a different answer than you are striving for......

1) Pray

2) Listen intently to the lengthy, detailed conversations about her school day. (Where does she get that from?? Must be her father.)

3) Be grateful she is a "talker."

4) Hold her if she cries over something hurtful during her day. Try not to cry with her, remembering too well how difficult those days were for you.....not to mention those hideous pictures in the Jr. High yearbooks to prove it. Now, that's something to cry about!!!!

5) Resist the urge to "fix it" for her. (i.e. Lunch room or impromptu playground visits not allowed.)

6)Give her wisdom she can understand. Not too wordy, or you will lose her after first 5 min.

7)Pray again.

8) Read a good book together (like Nancy Rue's Girl Politics) which will help walk you through the "stuff" of girls and 6th grade.

Want to join me in my prayer time this morning? Here goes:

Thank you, God!!!! Father, You knew I was struggling with how to guide my daughter (your child) through the beginnings of this difficult season in her life (BTW God, why does adolescence have to last so long?? Let's make a deal....How about 5 years instead of say, 10? What do You think?) This book You have permitted me to "stumble upon" (much of what I feel like I am doing through parenting....stumbling), is an absolute gift!!! Your timing, God, couldn't have been better. This book speaks to everything we have been discussing together as this 6th grade school year unfolds. And more importantly, it is written specifically for a preteen audience, in her language, and I am just there to read it with her. I have prayed for wisdom and will continue to do so. Thanks for giving me this nugget of wisdom right now. I am so grateful!!

Side note: I know this book won't apply to everyone in my blog "audience." Sorry to bore you with that. But if you are the mom of a daughter who is not a preteen yet, put this book in your parenting arsenal for future use. It is THAT good!

How "comfortable" is God with my comfort?

I am getting ready to say "goodbye" tomorrow to one of my most valued "creature comforts." I have said "good-bye" to him so many times, I really should be able to do this without any emotion....without any hurt...but unfortunately, I still react much like a rookie. Probably always will. Lately, I have been thinking about how much I enjoy the "creature comforts" in my life....and I mean really enjoy them. Whether it be my husband, my girls, my relationships, a good book, a warm fire, money in the savings account, gas in my tank, sleeping cat on my bed, refrigerator full of food, hot shower in the morning, inbox full of "fresh" unopened emails from friends, a calendar of planned events....I cannot get enough of my
"beloved" comforts. Ahhhh, even listing them brings me comfort. :)



All this reflection on my comfort adoration gets me wondering just how "comfortable" is God with my comfort. How does He feel about the things I label as comforting to me? Are they gifts from Him, or could they sometimes be things that keep me from knowing TRUE COMFORT? I think Paul knew TRUE COMFORT....even with an uncomfortable "thorn in the flesh." The pain of the "thorn" was a purposeful vehicle in allowing him to experience the TRUE COMFORTER.


There are countless verses in the Bible that describe the TRUE COMFORTER. Too many to list here....but just by the sheer volume of its representation in the Bible, you know it is an important attribute of God:



He who comforts you- Isaiah 51:12

Comforts all who mourn- Isaiah 61:2

The Lord spoke kind and comforting words- Zechariah 1:13

Those who mourn will be comforted- Matthew 5:4

The Father of compassion and the God of all comfort- 2 Corinthians 1:3

Comforts us in all our troubles- 2 Corinthians 1:4

Comforts the downcast- 2 Corinthians 7:6


So, is it a bad thing that one of my most valued "creature comforts" is leaving? Yes.....and no. I NEED to be stretched, challenged, and abundantly loved on by God. And one of the ways that He gives that gift to me is by allowing me to "live" some earthly uncomfortableness. That way, I will be able to recognize TRUE COMFORT, when I experience it, when I feel it. I do believe God loves comfort, as long as that comfort comes from Him. And He uses different methods to bring that comfort to me. Sometimes it is in the form of my husband, my girls, my relationships, a good book, a warm fire, etc. But when I begin to place emphasis on the comforts themselves, instead of recognizing with Whom those comforts originated, then I am missing out on something very big.

So, for the next few weeks, I can honestly say, "God is taking me out of my comfort zone" (a little overused in some circles, my apologies :) ) and i know with confidence that I would much rather be dwelling in His COMFORT ZONE, than my own. That is how comfortable God is with my comfort.

So this is Christmas

However you feel about the Beatles (my fav has always been Paul).....or don't feel about the Beatles, you may be interested to know that a "hip" church in Indiana is planning their Christmas sermons this year around Beatles tunes. Never heard of such a thing?? Neither had I. But I have been following Granger Community Church and their staff blogs for a few years now, and they are anything but conventional. They have a divine gift of blending both cultural and spiritual elements together and as a result, strongly point people towards the unlimited, loving heart of God at the same time. They are intentionally relevant with a capital "R."

Here is a sampling of their sermons titles used to depict the Christmas Story:

Let it Be.......Christmas

A Story Told by Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, George and Ringo.

Week #1: Nothin's Gonna Change My World
Week #2: All the Lonely People
Week #3: I Believe in Yesterday
Week #4: You Say You Want a Revolution
Christmas Eve Services: Let it Be

Personally, I am pretty excited to listen to the Podcast of this series. Yet, I would imagine there might be a little controversy surrounding the direction the pastoral staff has chosen to go this Christmas season. Either way, you can be sure it won't be as controversial as John Lennon's long ago statement of "being more popular than Jesus."

Eggos and me...We're of the same breed

This time of year is always a difficult one for me. For the last 10 years or so, I have battled with my "stance" on Halloween. I have been a "waffler" more than not, allowing my girls to participate in the "festivities" one year, then changing my mind the next year, depending upon how "spiritual" I feel. My friends vary across the board on this as well, illustrating clearly the wide range of feelings people have about the holiday.

I dread this time of year because I feel like I really need to take a firm stance on Halloween and I never do. Sometimes I feel like:

1)"What's the harm in it? I ended up OK, and I did Halloween every year. I loved dressing up in costumes and going door to door for candy. My mom made most of my costumes for me....nothing plastic or store bought for her daughter!!! Why should I take away this fun memory from my daughters?"

2) But...being a follower of Christ means pursuing Him and pleasing Him in every area of my life. If there is any holiday that could be looked upon as "Anti-God," it has become Halloween. I don't want to do anything that contradicts my relationship with Him.

3) But...what about connecting with people in your community? You don't want the girls to be so sheltered that they cannot relate to anyone that doesn't possess the same beliefs as they do.

4) But...don't you want your girls to be able to experience what it is like to stand for something you believe in (or in this case, don't believe in), and not waiver? To stand strong against something that is viewed upon by many Christians as utterly evil?

And so it goes....every year I have this conversation with myself. This year, Gregg and I decided to leave it up to the girls. If they wanted to go, we would allow it, and help them come up with a costume. We told them yesterday. Nothing like giving them a lot of notice, right? I truly expected to witness pure elation on their faces as we gave them the OK. I was already preparing in my mind what costumes we would try to come up with at this late of date. Strangely enough, they both shared with us that they didn't want to do it. Absolutely shocking! I even asked them again this morning, just to be sure. No change. I don't know why exactly, but I am not going to question it. My mother heart tells me they are probably battling with it, much in the same way I do. So, I think we are going to go bowling instead. That solves that issue....for at least another 364 days. :)

Sweet dreams?

Last night, I dreamt that 5 of my teeth fell out while I was in the Women's Bathroom at my HS reunion. (I know your thinking...

"Get over your reunion already!!") First, I noticed that one was loose. Then, as I touched it, another one fell out with it, until I was left with 5 permanent adult teeth in my hand. WHEW!!! You cannot imagine my relief when I woke up this morning with a full set of teeth in. This is not the first time I have dreamt of my teeth falling out. I have no idea what this means. But somewhere in the complexity of my brain, it has some sort of significance.

Here are a few of my other recurring dreams:

1) Trying to dial a phone and not being able to connect with anyone. I cannot get through all 7 digits of the phone number without having to start over. Good thing my dream doesn't include area codes or calling cards with PIN numbers in the mix. I would never wake up!!

2) Trying to scream but not being able to. Someone is trying to "get me" but I cannot make a sound to save my life...literally.

3) Gregg breaks up with me for the 100th time. Now if you know anything about our dating history, you will find this humorous. But the "not so humorous" thing about it is that I wake up being mad at him for something that he never did...at least not a 100 times. :) The dreams just seem THAT real.

Complex? Yes, I admit I am. I know I'm complex, because when I ask Gregg in the morning what he dreamt about, he sleepily utters "Nothing." And I am confident he hasn't spent the last 8 hours solving all the world's problems. He has the blessing of sleeping like a man. Wish I could!!

So....what are some of your recurring dreams? Are they as weird as mine? Or does your brain simply rest when you go to sleep and you don't have to "work out your entire day" through your dreams?

And now you'll know the rest of the story

I am always completely blessed and utterly amazed at some of the conversations in life that God allows me to be a part of. As strange as it may seem, when I walk away from these conversations, I am left feeling as if I have just received a gift of sorts. I love when people allow me a glimpse into their hearts, a look into their lives. It leaves me feeling so enriched....better than the person I was before speaking with them. I thrive on conversations that go beyond "How's the weather?" And yet, I am never sure when these meaningful samplings will take place and in what context. Which leads me to write about "The Rest of the Story" in reference to our Ghost Tour last weekend.



The Canal Winchester Historical Society, who was hosting the Ghost Tour, is made up of a lot of self-proclaimed historians. And these people have every right to address themselves that way, because most of them are over the age of 55. They have lived a lot of history themselves. Friday night, before the Ghost Tour began, I assumed my assigned post of being a door greeter at the Old Train Depot. The Train Depot would be used that evening for people to purchase their tickets to the tour, grab a cup of hot cider, and peruse the makeshift gift shop. As I walked in the door, my eyes were immediately drawn straight ahead of me to the ticket booth, still authentically intact from its earlier hustle and bustle days of selling train tickets. In the window, was an adorable elderly white haired gentleman, complete with a matching handlebar mustache and ticketmaster's cap. He took my breath away. And while it must be stated that Gregg doesn't need to worry about his "competion," I thought this man was completely precious. I couldn't get over how much he exemplified the time period in which we were trying to create that night. I hope for an opportunity to talk with him, but I really didn't know if there would be time for that, since we needed to focus our attention on the tour.



As things died down throughout the evening, I was able to gravitate toward the ticket window and carry on a much desired conversation with this dear man. I found his personality to be equally as charming as he looked. I first commented on his moustache and asked him if he had grown the "handlebars" for the tour. He said, "Oh no, I have had these for years." They were clearly an accent to his personality. He shared with me that his name was "Reno" and he was 80 years old. He had been a native to Canal Winchester most of his life. He has three grown sons and 4 grandchildren. Then, he began to share with me about the "love of his life" who had passed away 5 years ago. He had met her in the 8th grade and she proudly served the role of his wife for 55 years. As he told me about her with such adoring words, sharing what the last few years of their life together had become before she died, unknowingly, I found myself tearing up and noticed that he was too. I grabbed his hand and we had this "moment" together. As far as I am from being 80, I could relate to what it feels like to be married to the "love of your life." Reno and I were clearly generations apart, but we could associate with the mutual love that we had for our spouses.



And as if to close the chapter on that part of our conversation, Reno went on to share that he is coming out of the lonliness he has felt since his wife died, and is beginning to date again. His boys are so relieved, because they don't have to keep a close eye on him as much anymore. "See the woman in pink?" he asked, pointing across the foyer of the train depot. I glanced over to where he was pointing, and sure enough, there she was. Nothing like I would have pictured. "She's 74," he said, his handlebar mustache stetching to accomodate such a wide smile, "and she is running for the Village Council." Well, imagine that! He went on to say that he loves to go out to dinner with her and go to a CW football game here and there. I was so happy for him, and if it weren't for the ticket window physically separating us, I would have given him a hug. His story just delighted me so.



That night, as we were driving home from the performances, I was recounting this story to my girls, who were ready to put history behind them and go to bed. I wasn't sure they were completely grasping what I was telling them, until I heard Faith utter these words from the back. "Momma, you love old people," she said. I looked back in the rearview mirror and said,

"I know I do, Faith. I just can't help myself."





And now you know, the rest of the story.

Blast from the Past- Canal Winchester's Ghost Tour

This past weekend, my girls and I got to participate in something completely unique and equally as fun in Canal Winchester, called the Ghost Tour. Honestly, I am not into ghosts, so the title really kept me from attending the event in the past. I imagined it just being a different take on the familiar haunted house that you find popping up in the month of October. But it was nothing like that at all.

The Historical Society of Canal chooses 8 different homes/business in the village, and has actors standing in front of them, dressed in costumes reflecting the era. The actor communicates with his audience as if he were the owner of the building and gives you a historical account on the life of the building. My girls were actresses in the schoolhouse, which was the last stop of the tour. They memorized lines as if they were students of the 1800s. What fun they had!!!

My role in the Ghost Tour was that of a "behind the scenes" gal, which was fine by me. But what mattered most to me was spending time with my girls, and sharing in the memory of something very unique together.

This is........Jeopardy!!

I am not sure when it started exactly, but my family loves to watch Jeopardy together. As soon as dinner is over, plates are cleared and put into the dishwasher, we head into the family room to find our dear friend, Alex Trebeck, waiting impatiently for us. Alex is a strange sort of bird. If we weren't so close to him, spending several nights a week with him, we probably wouldn't like him so much. He is just such a "know it all," rattling off foreign words with instantaneous, yet authentic accents. And he doesn't let his personality shine, except during the 13.3 seconds he spends with each guest on any given night of the show. But you have to accept your friends for the way they are, I suppose. :)



Yesterday, I decided to purchase the TV version of Jeopardy for my family. We are always so bummed when our 30 minutes of Alex is over each night, so I thought it might be nice to prolong it with the new DVD game. My girls were so excited....you would have thought it was Christmas. We didn't get started unwrapping the game out of its package until 8:15pm. Both Faith and Hope were patiently waiting on the couch to play it. After 15 minutes of tugging and pulling at the packaging and still not making a dent, I noticed that Hopie had fallen asleep waiting for me to open the crazy thing. Around 8:45, I handed the package over to Gregg and uttered with frustration, "IT'S YOUR TURN." At 9pm, Faith called it quits and headed for bed, hoping to play it at some point during her lifetime.



The process of installing it was even worse than getting it out of the package. By 9:30pm, after much toil and a few potential swear words uttered under his breath, Gregg finally got the thing up and running. We looked around the room to notice it was just the two of us now. Both girls had understandably abandoned ship. So, with our friend Alex on the screen, begging us to partake, we decided to play against one another. I would like to tell you how the game brought us closer together as a couple, but it created some very competitive moments out of us. Snickering sounds came with every correct answer and daily double Gregg hit. He won, of course. But my fight is not over. I will soon be returning with my buzzer in hand, to take back my dignity. Plus, I had a little talk with Alex today, while Gregg was at work. I think he will see a very different game the next time we play. Somehow, the batteries will have disappeared out of his buzzer. I don't know how, but I have a feeling it might happen. :)

20 Things I learned from my 20 yr HS Reunion

Just returned from our high school reunion and my mind is in overdrive from so many things I observed and am still processing.
Here are a few things that have been encircling my thought pattern and are begging for a place to land. (Good thing I have a blog page!!) These are not necessarily written in order of importance or in order of occurrence. Maybe you can relate to some of them.

• 1) 4 out of 5 women wore black to the reunion. The color is slimming and it looks good on just about anybody.
• 2) Men don't nearly feel the pressure to "keep themselves up" as women do. That was evident over and over again. TOTALLY NOT FAIR!!!
• 3) People are having children a lot later in life. Gregg and I had some of the oldest children represented at the reunion.
• 4) 15 people from our class live in California. "They say Caly-forny is the place you wanna be."
• 5) 1 person has died from our class. I didn't know him personally, but it still makes me sad.
• 6) Hiring a DJ for a reunion is a waste of money. Plug an i-pod into a laptop, hook it up to some speakers, and away you go-go. (Remember WHAM??)
• 7) People aren't interested in dancing at reunions. They want to spend their time socializing with one another. Besides, the plastic parquet dance floor is just too easy to slip on.
• 8) Sometimes, you run across people that still remember the smallest things about high school. Truly amazing. I have trouble remembering what day it is, but they can tell me their locker combo, class schedule for their sophomore year, and who was dating whom.
• 9) Gregg was clearly more recognizable than me at the reunion. People would approach him, shake his hand, tell him how good it was to see him. Then they would look over at me with this blank look on their face. Either I was a "nobody" in HS or they didn't recognize me. This became somewhat annoying yet laughable, throughout the evening.
• 10) The interior of a school can change a lot in 20 years. So can its staff. I think there were just a small handful of teachers that are still around from way back then.
• 11) If you are balding, shaving your head is the best option when going back to your HS reunion. That way, no one really can tell where you are in the journey of "hair recession."
• 12) Some friendships have a rare ability of picking up where they left off. When talking with them, it is very difficult to imagine that 20 years has slipped by.
• 13) Some people were more outgoing in HS than they are now.
• 14) Being a part of a sport or organization in HS, gives you the opportunity to connect faster with other students. Those connections and experiences together hold true when you see them at the reunion. Take note of the GSHS Class of 87 "Band Geek" pic at the top of the blog for case in point. Click on it to make it bigger.
• 15) A hug from an old friend feels especially good, and reminds you of how much you enjoyed "living life" with them "back in the day."
• 16) Being in this environment this weekend was a good reminder for me of some of the things my daughters will be feeling and facing in the near future as they enter their teen years. Social rankings, the unnecessary importance placed on what other's think of you, a lack of self-confidence in the HS, etc., are important things to have a clear perspective on as you carefully walk through the teen years with your children.
• 17) It is helpful to dig out your old yearbook before you attend the reunion. Study it on the way (in our case, we had 6 hours to do that), so you can refresh your memory on who is who.
• 18) I went from occasional church attender in HS, to Christ-follower in my adult years. Praise God!!! From several conversations I had this weekend, I know I am not the only one who was blessed by those changes in their lives. I prayed God would give me an opportunity to have some Level 5 (i.e. deep and meaningful) conversations this weekend and He gave that to me. I am better for it!
• 19) My 3 1/2 inch heels were killing me by the end of the evening. Who was the one who said "It is better to look good than to feel good."
• 20) It was especially fun to attend this event with my "boyfriend" of 20 years. :) He still "floats my boat" and I thought he looked especially handsome that night. No one would have believed his 12 year old daughter shopped for him and picked out his outfit all by herself.

Covenants

I have an obsession with books. Shocking, isn't it? I bet you didn't know that about me. :) Anyway, I recently got a hold of a copy of "Here for you- Creating a Mother-Daughter Bond that lasts a lifetime" by Susie Shellenberger. (Long title, great book) I am at the point in the book where it describes the importance of covenants in the Bible and how much "weight" they carried with God. I have to tell you, what I am learning makes me want to renew my covenant with Gregg....but that is a blog entry for another time. :)

I want to share some scripture with you that was highlighted in the book. It warmed my heart regarding this season of intense parenting we blessed to undertake. I hope it encourages you as well.

"Is not my house right with God?
Has He not made with me an everlasting covenant,
arranged and secured in every part?
Will He not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire?"
2 Samuel 23:5 (The Davidic Covenant )

How I desire more than anything to have my house right with God!! Knowing you, I am sure that is the desire of your heart as well.

William Tell Overture for Moms

A dear friend shared this with me the other day, and I had tears in my eyes as I watched it. Both in laughter and in love for the awesome responsibility the Father has allowed me to be a part of as a mother. Enjoy and laugh with me!!!

There's a bathroom on the right

Need some laughter as you are approaching another week? Try these misquoted lyrics on for size. They made me laugh out loud.

Billy Joel: You May Be Right
The real lyrics were:
You may be right, I may be crazy. But it just may be a lunatic you're lookin for...
Misheard them as:
You made the rice, I made the gravy,But it just may be some tuna fish you're lookin for...

Creedence Clearwater Revival: Bad Moon Rising
The real lyrics were:
There's a bad moon on the rise
Misheard them as:
There's a bathroom on the right

The Band: Up On Cripple Creek
The real lyrics were:
Up on Cripple Creek...
Misheard them as:
Come on, crippled creep...

And the most difficult to understand.....

Elton John (countless ones to pick from for him!!)
Rocket Man
The real lyrics were:
Rocket man, burning out his fuse up here alone
Misheard them as:
Rocket man, turning up the strings where they belong.

Do you have any songs you have been singing wrong for years?

Gregg and Amy's High School Reunion (isn't that a movie or something?)

OK....you can stop laughing now!! Come on!! Get a hold of yourself!! You have a senior picture too, you know. You just aren't brave enough to put it on a blog page. :)

Gregg and I are headed to our 20th High School Reunion in a few weeks. My mom is coming down to watch the girls so we can go. I have to tell you I am pretty excited about this for some reason. I guess there is a point in your life where you couldn't care less how people perceive you and you are just happy with the person God has allowed you to become. (Not that I have already obtained all this.....Philippians 3:12)

There has been a website created solely for the reunion that has been fun to follow. You submit your own info, maybe an updated picture of yourself and family, etc. Some classmates have left little comments here and there on the site. When read between the lines, these comments give clues as to where they are in their lives and what they hold dear to their hearts. Some still care deeply about alcohol. Some are immensely enjoying family life. By level of achievements, some are absorbed into their work culture. However, it has been really cool to notice some have become Christ-followers. How do I know that? Well, some by their job descriptions, some by the scripture they quoted, etc. I am curious to know what kind of conversations God might bring my way while I am at the reunion. I would love to hear their God-stories and share some of mine along the way. Praying for the opportunity to do that.

What is it about 4 little years in one's life that warrants reunions created around them? I really don't know. Have no idea. But one thing's for sure, I am glad that my hair has "evolved" somewhat over the years. It's pretty bad when your oldest daughter, after looking at your senior pictures, says, "You and daddy had the same haircuts in high school." Now THAT is something I hope I am NOT remembered for!!!!

Lil' Book Nook

For those of you still blessed with K-2 graders at home, I thought you might enjoy knowing that Doreen Cronin's "Diary of a Fly" just came out recently. Doreen is great, because she is one of a few authors who always leaves a little humorous treat for the adults while they are reading her books to children. Her previous books, "Diary of a Worm" and "Diary of a Spider" are big hits amongst this age group as well. And I must be honest.....even though my girls are way too old for this book, we read it before bed the other night and laughed ourselves silly on one particular page with a frog on it. Very fun book!! Probably won't look at a fly the same way. If only I could attach a cute bow to the next annoying one I find flying through my house. Maybe then, I might not be searching for the fly swatter. :)

Book Nook

Ever find it challenging to find something "clean" for your kids to read when they're past the stage of early readers and picture books? (Wait a minute, I AM STILL in the stage of picture books! I love them!) Countless times, I have referred my girls back to books that I enjoyed as a kid. (Except, of course, for Judy Blume's "eye opener" Are you there God, it's me, Margaret? Remember that one?) A lot of books written today for kids are questionable to me, and I find it very difficult to find something that I am comfortable with and that they will enjoy.

This summer, however, I ran into a book by Jeanne Birdsall entitled "The Penderwicks" and I absolutely adored it, as did my girls. What a breath of fresh air!!! If I didn't look at the copyright, I would have "sworn" it was written 25 years ago, as it was THAT clean. Filled with quirky characters and interesting twists and turns, my girls couldn't help but embrace the book and have listened to it on CD as well. Friends that are homeschooling would welcome the book as something to do together, especially while summer is still fresh in our kids' minds.

Interestingly enough, this is Birdsall's first book. You will find it hard to believe as you read it. I was thrilled to discover that she has a sequel coming out to "The Penderwicks" next summer. CAN'T WAIT!!!!

More later from The Book Nook.......

Furniture Folly

OK...please don't think that I have nothing else to think about in my life besides furniture. You have known me long enough to know that I am not "one dimensional" but a very complex being. Right? Anyway, I just wanted to give you the final word on the furniture since you have been following it through my blog. Then, you have my "money back blog guarantee" that I won't bring it up again. :)

The furniture arrived last Thursday. I cannot tell you how excited I was to pull into the driveway with the big Macy's delivery truck in view. As I walked up the sidewalk, eyeing the new furniture on the front lawn from a distance, my eyes began playing tricks on me. Surely, there wasn't something wrong with our furniture. I just needed to get closer to it, for a better look. As the movers tore the plastic off, I noticed the piping on the couch and love seat looked like moths had allowed themselves to a feast of fabric....meaning it looked like there were little eraser size holes all over the piping of the two pieces. I shook my head (like they do in cartoons), hoping I was just seeing things. But I wasn't. The furniture manufacturers had taken the fabric of the pillows we ordered and applied it to the couch instead. Incidentally, we never did get the pillows we ordered as well.

So...after over 4 months of waiting...we still don't have the furniture we ordered. We talked with Macy's and they are going to reorder the furniture (due in December) and credit our account by $800. In the meantime, the "moths" stay with us.

I know God wouldn't stand for this kind of incompetancy when He is furnishing my mansion. :) Surely, I will be sitting on my treasures in Heaven where "moths and Macy's can't corrupt." See Matthew 6:19 (Hestertranslation)

Our Last Moments Together...my couch 'n me

I have been a "pretty sick momma" the last few days. Oh, I knew it was coming on. I should have made a trip to Walmart and purchased some "Cold Eez," when I felt the first signs of the sore throat and running nose in the middle of the night. But alas, I didn't. As always, God brings out the good in something that Satan meant for bad. You see, I have spent the last three days on the couch. Yes, the 14 yr. old couch that I talked about in my last blog.... the two kids, two cats, 4 moves couch. It may sound a little strange to you, but the sentimental side of me thinks that it is kind of sweet that God used the old couch in its last days of serving the Hesterfamily for me to lay my sick body upon. She has served me well and I have been especially grateful for her well-worn cushions and familiar fabric to carry me out of this "bug" I've had.

**Side note: What is it about being sick that makes you instantly think "I wish my mom was here?" Even at 38 years old. (By the way, feel free leave a comment that you can't believe a person who looks as young as I do, is really 38. :) ) I could have really used a piece of toast cut into fours, lightly buttered, and a glass of OJ with crushed ice on the side. :)

Received "The Call"

For those of you who have been following our "furniture saga," your sleepless nights are finally over!! :) (Only true friends lose sleep over another friend's issues :) ) After waiting for our furniture since April 11, we now have a confirmed delivery date of next Thursday. We are pumped about it, as it has been 4 moves, 2 babies, 2 cats, and many get-togethers since we have had new furniture for our Living Room. However, the pessimist in me wants to say "I'll believe it when I am sitting on it." We have just been waiting THAT long.

Macy's was upfront with us. They said it would be July (i.e. 10-12 weeks from purchase) before we would see it. So, we have been getting the room ready, like over anxious, expectant parents waiting for the arrival of their first child. I need to finish the window treatments, but other than that, it is ready and waiting.

I talked with our "interior decorator" last week and she did confirm that Macy's would compensate us in the form of a Macy's gift card for the inconvenience of the delay. If we are not satisfied with the amount, we can supposedly negotiate.

My question for you is: How much should we ask? How much is sufficient for the amount of time we have waited? My fear is that we will get the furniture and forget about all the "agony" it took to get it here.

I'm on a mission!

Ever had a GOOD experience at Walmart? Take some time to think about it. It probably is buried somewhere deep in the annals of your mind. Those good experiences are so few and far between, it may be difficult to come up with one. Long lines, rude cashiers, rotten produce, bare shelves....you get the picture. But a few weeks ago, I actually HAD a good experience at Walmart. The cashier smiled AND greeted me. She bagged my groceries carefully, and tied the bags at the end so the items wouldn't roll all over the van. She helped me load them into the cart, and carried on a little conversation while doing so. As I wheeled my cart out to the parking lot, I was dumbfounded. Had I actually received what generations before me refer to as "customer service??" I think I had.

I loaded my groceries into the van and thought to myself, "This experience cannot go without being noted....it must recognized by someone other than myself." I looked down at my Walmart receipt and noticed a phone number at the top. I reached for my cell phone and made the call. I told the manager of my positive experience and she seemed just as surprised as I was!!! She assured me she would make sure my cashier was commended properly at their next floor meeting. I was excited for MY cashier. :)

So, I am on a mission now, to formally recognize good customer service when I receive it. So far, I have spoken with the managers at Red Lobster and Target. Their tone initially with me is very "bristled." They are expecting a verbal assault. But within seconds of me sharing, their facial expressions lighten, and they seemed genuinely grateful to hear something positive. And it's fun to make someone's day a little brighter. Heading to O'Charley's today for lunch with a friend. Wonder if a conversation with the manager is in my future today??

So THIS is what He was thinking!

After "googling" today, we learned that our new friend is called a "Cecropia Moth" and is perfectly harmless. He is apparently the largest moth in North America.

Since we found him yesterday, he has already began to spin a cocoon. Absolutely amazing!!!
This is what he will look like when the process is finished. How could I ever have "questioned" God's creativity in creating??

A Creation of God?

As I walk further on this journey with God, my appreciation for His creations has changed dramatically. When I was young, I could visit the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee, catch a glimpse of Lake Michigan, without a hint of admiration for the Creator. Yesterday, Faith found this "whatever it is" in the backyard on the way back from the creek. After all the screaming and shrieking was over (by yours truly), I couldn't imagine what God was thinking, when He created this one. I say that most respectfully, of course. :)

**Side note- Unfortunately, the size and scale of this thing is lost in the picture. It is literally the size of a small hot dog in length and circumference. The yellow and blue "spikes" have little black "whiskers" coming out of them. Attractive, isn't he?

**Another side note- After seeing this creature, no one (and I mean NO ONE!) wants to venture in the backyard anymore. Hopefully, that will change.

Feeling a little like Fred Sanford

Not trying to belabor the subject of putting a garage sale together.....but as I was pricing things in the garage last night, I could have "sworn" I heard the Sanford and Son theme song playing softly in the background. With over 8 families participating, looks like it could be "The Big One!"

With a sale of this size, you just might hear me say, "Elizabeth, I'm comin' to join ya, honey!"

A Member of the "Pack Rat" Pack

Remember the "Brat Pack" from the 80's? Don't pretend you've forgotten!! You know you watched their movies (i.e. Sixteen Candles, Breakfast Club, St. Elmo's Fire, etc.) over and over again at Friday night sleepovers when they first came out on VHS. (Will someone please tell me when VHS became an archaic word?) Anyway, I have been wondering lately if I might be part of the "Pack Rat" Pack of the Early 2000's. Let me invite you to be a fly on the wall of a brief conversation I had with my husband last night.

Setting:Kitchen Table

Time: After Dinner

Props: Laptop, various glasses of ice water to beat the heat, and a copy of This Old House magazine on the table top

Husband sits down at table to check the actions of the Hesterfamily email account for the day on the laptop. Sighs heavily when opening the inbox.

Husband: "Is there any reason why we need to have 146 messages in our inbox. Can't we delete some of these? I don't know how you can stand this."

Wife: ponders for a moment the thought of deleting some, then responds " I had no idea I had that many, but what if I need them for something later?"

Husband: "What could you possibly need these for later? Some of them are 3 weeks old."

Wife: "Well, you never know. I might need to refer to them later for some reason."

Husband: Sighs again, realizing there are more important battles he will probably need to fight later and drops the subject, closes the cover to the laptop, then utters "What's for dessert?"



Conversation over.



This Friday, I am having a garage sale. If I continue to be a member of the "Pack Rat" Pack, there will be nothing in it. Tonight, Gregg and I have plans to attack the basement (once again), and see what we can get rid of to put in the garage sale. I can envision the conversation we will be having when we are down there.

Setting: Basement

Time: After dinner

Props: Various boxes, shelves stocked with "stuff," purple Rubbermaid containers to make us appear organized

Husband sits down on a chair (purchased from another garage sale), opens a box, begins to look through it, and sighs heavily.


Husband: "Is there any reason why we need to have 15 books on "How to decorate classroom bulletin boards" when you haven't taught full time in 12 years?"


Wife: ponders for a moment the thought of "getting rid" of them, then responds "Well, you never know when I might go back to teaching some time."


Husband: "Don't you think you might want some updated information, if and when you go back to it? You don't want to be a teacher with "out of style" bulletin boards, do you?


Wife: anxiety builds at the thought of being "out of style" (words she never wants to be associated with) "Of course not!! Put that box over to the side. You know, by the other boxes that have the stuff in them that I need to think about getting rid of. I just am not sure about those yet."


Husband: Sighs again, realizing in his mind there are more important battles to fight later and drops the subject. Closes the box and utters to himself, "At this rate, we will have nothing in the garage sale."


Do you know of any support groups for husbands of "Pack Rats?" I think I might know of one who would really appreciate it. Come to think of it, the next time Gregg and I have this conversation, I know exactly what I will say to him. "Honey, it's a good thing you married a 'Pack Rat.' It simply means I will keep you forever." Sweet, isn't it??? :)

A Tale of Two Connies

Today, the Lord ushered into Heaven one of His most faithful servants. He welcomed with open arms, a child of His whom had fought tenaciously a four year battle with cancer. In all my adult life, I have never witnessed such a fighter, using every weapon she knew possible to use in fighting the battle. First, she started with prayer, because she knew from experience there was no other weapon in her arsenal that could yield her better results. Then she summoned an army to join her in implementing that powerful weapon of prayer. It didn't take her long at all to find many willing volunteers for that task. They were swarming around her, just waiting for the chance to lift her up before The Father. She had a way about her that drew people to her. Her love for Christ was just that infectious.



After setting up her protective perimeter of prayer, she then sought the "earthly healers" to do what they do best, providing a medical strategy to fight the battle at hand. She made use of every opportunity before her as she sat in waiting room after waiting room, anticipating her next chemo treatment....for there might be souls among her who didn't know Jesus as their personal Savior. She wondered sometimes while fighting the battle if that was the reason she had the cancer to being with....to lead others to Him. If that was the case, she didn't mind at all. She knew how different their lives would be if they just had Christ walking through their own cancer battles with them.



Sometimes she would grow weary in battle. But when she did, she would recall the faces of her 3 children and her loving husband and muster up the energy to fight a little harder. It was worth it, because she knew how important it was to be there for them every minute she could. There were special events she missed out on, as a treatment or two would wipe out any extra energy needed to be mother and wife. She hoped her family understood that her heart was with them every time they ventured out without her, it was just that her affected body needed to stay in bed. If she was careful how she spent her energy, she would have it left for the really important things. Like when they came home from school and needed a shoulder to cry on. Or when something exciting happened in their teenaged lives, that only a mother could appreciate and cheer on.



Through the years, the battle grew too intense and the energy level began to wain. She had an honest moment with her husband and told him, "I just want to go home, John. I am so tired." He told her what a courageous battle she had fought thus far, and in his heart of hearts he knew she would be saying goodbye to him soon. They were the best of friends, and it had been so difficult for him to see her heart, body, and soul endure as much as it had.



So today, around 1pm, Connie Powers raised her "white flag" to this battle and said "I surrender." But it wasn't raised in defeat! The white flag was in response to her stains being white as snow before her Father. The white flag represented "victory" because the battle was already won a long time ago, on a cross where her Savior died. With Jesus, Lord of her life, Connie had come out the winner, no matter how her earthly battle concluded.



Side Note: In 1991, a very similar story was being lived out in the state of Michigan, by a 40 year old mother of two, and her dedicated husband of 20 years at her side. She lossed the same earthly battle as Connie did, but gained everything in meeting her Savior at an early age. She was my aunt and the one who led me to know what it meant to have an authentic relationship with Christ based on her living testimony. Amazing thing about these women besides their incredible love for the Lord. Both of their names are Connie. Must be something extra special about these Connies that the Lord really desires to have them with Him, instead of here on earth. And as much as that breaks the hearts of those that love them so, having known both of them, I can understand a little bit of why God just couldn't wait to have them all to Himself. They were just that special.

I think I am going to throw up....

Words you definitely don't want to hear from your child as you are trying to enjoy a quick breakfast at the Cracker Barrel in Toledo, OH, on your way to Cedar Point. Ever feel like it is hard to know whether your child is REALLY sick or not? Clearly, I should have known. A intuitive mother would. First, there was the mention of a headache from the backseat of the Tacoma while tooling down 75N, followed by tears, and then all color draining from her lips. Still, I wasn't "getting" that it was serious.

Entering the Cracker Barrel, it was truly the Providence of God knowing exactly where we would need to sit for our future rapid exit (the table closest to the Hostess Stand). I demanded that my daughter eat something (I must live up to my reputation as a good mother) and gave her "THE LOOK" across the table that clearly signals "I MEAN BUSINESS." She picked and peeled apart a biscuit fresh from the ovens of CB, complete with whisps of steam whispering "eat me" billowing from it. It didn't take long at all for her to appear next to my chair saying the dreaded words "I think I am going to throw up." "Look Faith," I began my reply, but before I could lay another ounce of guilt upon her for "ruining" our CB breakfast, she threw her hands over her mouth, and shot a quick look of panic into my eyes. Before I could even put down the glass of H2O I had in my hand, I grabbed a napkin in the other, and darted for the bathroom, yelling "Excuse me" to all the businessmen who were standing in line waiting for their tables and their first cups of coffee of the day. ( I wonder what was going through THEIR heads as we zipped by.) I wanted to stop and look at her, just to see what "stage" she was in re: the throwing up "process" but I knew we didn't have that kind of time. We made it to the bathroom, where she threw her head over the sink, and .....well, you can guess the gruesome details that happened next. After she was through, I expected her to look at me and say "I TOLD you I didn't feel good." But she never did, she just stood there saying "I'm sorry" with tears streaming down her cheeks. Now, why is it that it takes me standing in a public bathroom, rubbing my daughter's back while she completes a process that NO ONE enjoys, feeling about 2 inches tall, in order for me to BELIEVE she is truly sick?? Mother-guilt like that can make a person like...well...ummm...for lack of a better way of putting it, feel like "throwing up."


BTW... you may be wondering if we ever made it to Cedar Point. The answer is "no." What kind of mother do you think I am?? :)

Outside my comfort zone

For a long while, I have been toying with the idea of having my own blog page. But each time I thought about it, I would talk myself out of it, reserving the right for those who were more hip and computer savvy than me. However, lately I feel like there is so much I would like to write about...so much on my heart and mind...I just need the "write" :) forum to do it in. I have played around with writing since I was "knee high to a grasshopper." Back in those days, you had to be a published writer to ever have your voice "heard." I am grateful for the opportunity to experiment with this creative "path of prose" and hope that you will enjoy it as well. Maybe this blog page will only serve as God's tool to allow my heart's expression to be exposed only to myself. I have no expectations (hard to believe) and will just see where it takes me.