my world

I have zero inner peace today. It was the first day back from Spring Break. Kids in school should mean peaceful calm, right . . . wrong. I just started a second round of tutoring in St. Louis so I had 20 student folders to prepare. This includes grading each test, entering into the computer, creating a learning plan, and then getting the materials ready for each student. Yes, the tests were UPS'd to me last Thursday, so in theory I had more than enough time to have them ready to overnight on Monday for tutoring on Tuesday. In my defense, Baby Girl had a stomach bug on Friday so I wasn't able to get anything done. I ended up grading them Saturday on the way to ride ATV's . I entered them into the computer Sunday evening after church and the T-Ball coaches meeting. That left everything else to be completed on Monday all before T-Ball practice at 3:00. Can you say, stressed out! It took me until 2:45 to get all the student folders completed. Hubby ran it to UPS for me as I bo...

I rarely forward junk email . . . I usually don't even read 'em. But lately, a few have caught my attention. Here's one, read and enjoy :-) GOTTA LOVE LITTLE BOYS Two young boys walked into a pharmacy one day, picked out a box of tampons and proceeded to the checkout counter. The man at the counter asked the older boy, 'Son, how old are you?' 'Eight,' the boy replied. The man continued, 'Do you know what these are used for?' The boy replied, 'Not exactly, but they aren't for me. They're for him. He's my brother. He's four. We saw on TV that if you use these you would be able to swim and ride a bike. Right now, he can't do either one.'

Mom works downtown where everyone's gearing up for the big concert including the churches. She sent me this email a few minutes ago. The Westover Baptist church will be demonstrating carrying signs which read "God Hates Fags". What is wrong with these people? Their key scripture is John 3:16 Mom What idiots! Let's all make our own signs "God Hates Baptists" and join the protest.

Tonight, the church where Baby Girl plays basketball hosted an end of the season banquet. We hung out eating hotdogs and hamburgers before we went to the sanctuary for the ceremony. As we grabbed a pew on the back row, hubby whispers "Here we go" as it begins. The kids former principal gives the message. I must say, if we had to sit through another "Come to Jesus" sermon, I'm glad it was him. He's so real, down to earth and very much respected in my book. In his message, he showed a video he created with his youth group. It started with 3 girls in a car, it wrecks, and they die. In the next scene they are standing before Peter and the pearly gates. In the end, two of the girl's names are found in the Book of Life and the third is not. She's then immediately grabbed by the Grim Reaper and taken to Hell. I just hate the whole fear factor approach to salvation. Little Man leaned over during the Come to Jesus Alter Call where I must say not in 3 long hym...

When we found out that mom would battle colon cancer, I spent hours researching on-line. I found several blogs that provided so much information on what we would face. Shawndra and Michele were so inspiring, I have both their blogs listed on this page. Michele's blog is titled "After the Fight" which as you can gather means she beat it. Shawndra , I believe, is victorious as well just not in the physical sense as Michele. The last few posts on her blog have been heartbreaking. Please join me in prayer for Shawndra , Doug-her husband, little Ella-her daughter, and the rest of her family as they say their goodbyes.

The loud mouth in the corner's getting to me, talking 'bout my earrings and my hair. . . guess he ain't read the signs that say I've been to prison, someone oughta warn him before I knock him off his chair. . . cuz my long hair just can't cover up my redneck, I've won every fight I ever fought... I've never been to prison or purposely knocked anyone off their chair, although I am known as a "loud mouth" at times. Sunday, I went to church and really connected with the message on "Repent, for the time of the Lord is at Hand." When I think of Repent, I'm reminded of the church my family attended when I was young. It was a definite religious, holy-rolling church. Although my parents were faithful members, they did not buy into all the religious rules that went with the denomination. They made sure that my brother and I knew just where they stood but when members came to our house, they did close the doors of the entertainment system to...

Not sure if it adds or takes away but I read a blog that has music and kinda enjoy it. You have contol over the boombox at the top of my blog. If you want to switch songs or stop the music all together, its' your choice.

It's Dr. Seuss Week at the kid's school and today they were suppose to dress up as their favorite Dr. Seuss Character. Little Man says he's way too big for dress up, but it was right down Baby Girl's alley. I decided she'd be Cindy Lou Who mainly because the costume would be the easiest to pull off considering I didn't find out about it until Sunday night at 8:00. Okay, for those of you not well versed in Dr. Seuss, Cindy Lou Who was in the book and movie, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." Truthfully, I don't remember reading the book. I think we saw the movie but I'm not sure. Anyway, here's what I found on-line, the inspiration for our last minute attempt at a costume. She's cute, huh. Well, Check out my little Cindy Lou Who! Baby Girl gives a whole new definition to the word cute, if I do say so myself. She'd made Dr. Seuss himself proud! What do you think?

I'm sitting in bed blogging while my husband and I watch"The Amazing Race." We're both reality show junkies and "The Amazing Race" is one of our favorites. Yea, it would be nothing short of amazing to race around the world but my husband and I are so competitive and intense, we'd be that couple despised by America and on Dr. Phil when the race was over. This weekend, I felt like I was running "The Amazing Race" minus my partner, airports and amazing places. The first leg of the race started Friday morning with getting the kids off for school around 8:20, I worked some on-line finding science fair project stuff for Little Man and my students I'm tutoring in town. A tutor called because he did not receive his paycheck last week. Hubby cancelled the one mailed earlier in the week and printed a new one. I promised I'd bring his check to him later in the afternoon, one more thing added to Today's To-Do list. Challenge 1: By 10:30, I was ...

I've really thought about a friend's post titled Ignore Your Children. Her post spoke volumes to me especially after the mess I created on Friday night. The trend in parenting these days is everything you do as a parent should totally center around your children. I know that I, but strangely enough not my husband, have felt the need to throw myself into my kids my every waking moment.. Whenever I'm going to the store for groceries, to the mall to check out sales, or anywhere in between, I must take the kids with me or at least ask if they want to go. The answer is usually, "Yes" and so off I go, kids in tow. When I don't offer to take them, I feel guilty. Right now sitting on the couch typing this and watching Amazing Race on TV, both kids have already asked several times if they can sit by me. This is one of the few times I've said no. Usually, I have them on either side fighting over who has more of me. The guilt of not making everything or at...

How can we sing the LORD'S song In a foreign land? Psalm 137:4. Baby Girl is playing basketball in a church league called Upward Bound. I really enjoy taking her to the practices, I love the parents I've met, and everyone (me, hubby, grandma, paw paw, nana , and grandpa) love her games. She's playing with Pre -K and Kindergartners . They forget to dribble alot and run the wrong way at times. Baby Girl and a few others on her team are actually pretty good for their size. They score 5+ baskets each game, hustle up and down the court, play great defense . . . I just love all of it! Well almost all of it, I don't love that at halftime a member of the church gets up to "talk about the Lord" and offer everyone salvation tracks. GRRRrrrrr . I'm a believer and the brief sermons crawl all over me, I can't imagine how the nonbelievers feel. This past game, this guy gets up and talks about "his best friend Jesus". Over 20 long minutes, he miraculously ...

Tonight I went to tuck Little Man in for the night. Giving in, I got in bed with him for a few minutes. He asked, "Mom, will you pray with me." He bowed his head and began. "God, thank you for all the food, thank you for my new puppy, thank you for the Spelling Bee (he won the Spelling Bee last week), thank you for a wonderful mom to help me study and for a mean dad that makes me study . . . please help me stop biting my fingernails so I can get an Ipod and not just for that but because it's bad for me. Amen" Then he asked, "Mom, you know what's the last thing I want to do. . . what I asked. . . Grow Up. . . I think it's more funner being a kid." I agreed, kissed his cheek, and then snuggled him up for the night. Sweet boy!

Just before Christmas, we were in Colorado. The guys went out to eat while Baby Girl and I decided to eat at the condo and later hit the hot tub. While relaxing in the tub, Baby Girl started asking me, "Mom did you know that a long, long time ago God came to earth to save us. He died for us and then went back to heaven. Did you know that Mom? When he was here, his name was Henry but now his name is God." On the trip, Little Man said that he loved me so much, he loved me a google. Not to be outdone, Baby Girl chimed in "Mom I love you so much, I love you a giggle!" Little Man's been blogging more than me. Although I tell him all the time what a good writer he is, he doesn't believe me. If you haven't lately, check out his blog; http://www.sirtalksawholelot.blogspot.com/

Mom and dad are on a 7 day cruise . Friday night, we went by their house to say goodbye. Mom has been shopping over the last couple of weeks. Most of the clothes in her closet totally swallow her. She excitedly showed off all her new finds. She even dug some clothes out of her packed suitcase. She looks great in her size 4 clothes and lucky for me, I can wear most of them. (A little tighter fit than her) She commented that she has gained a pound or two . . . please. They were both excited about the trip, been a long time coming. I hope they have the best time ever. After this summer, they need it. Little Man's Birthday was this weekend. He turned 10 (still doesn't sound right). He wanted a big birthday party like Little Girl had a month ago. I wasn't sure if it was going to happen, everyone is so busy this time of year. Thursday before his Saturday party, I knew 7 kids were coming. We had sent invitations out to everyone in his class (around 20) Only 1 from h...

Do you just have the feeling that something is wrong?That pain in your gut is a little too strong?Do you find that there’s blood leaking out your back door?Is it just IBS or could it be something more?Is it hemorrhoids or crohns or even UC?Or could it be, would it be the really “BIG C”Well pick up the phone, don’t waste any time;If you don’t have a doctor then you can call mine.And schedule the procedure that everyone fears;With the lights and the camera’s but no need for tears.For you’re out like a light in the dead of the night;And with the drugs that they give you there’s no need for fright.It’s the prep that’s a hassle - the procedure is notAnd after the scope is when you’ll learn a lot.But good news or bad there’s one place you can goTo the Colon Club Forum where all the folks knowCause they’ve been there before and they know what it’s likeTo wake up in the middle of a long lonely night.They’re there to give help, they’re there for supportThey’re there when you need them when othe...

Mom had a doctor's appt . on Tuesday. The wait was pretty tough, sitting in the waiting room scanning the faces of those fighting their way through chemo. Trying to keep small talk going with mom to pass the time while recognizing our worst fear in the faces of others in the room. Finally, the nurse called us back to the examining room. She checked Mom's weight (no more weight loss, yea), checked her vitals, and asked about her medications. When she finished and left the room, the wait and small talk continued. The doctor finally came in, welcomed each of us with handshakes and smiles, and then cut straight to the chase. The last scan showed absolutely no tumor, no suspicious lymph nodes, and absolutely no cancer. He ended the appt by saying Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! No more appointments until next year. God is so good. His love surrounds us even when we think not. He saw us through some pretty dark times this past summer. A friend gave me a song that has been...

Below is an email I received a few days ago. It brought back so many great memories. When I was 18 yrs old, my goal was to eliminate all prejudice and racism starting in Jackson, Tn and then in the world. I attended a COGIC church (Church of God in Christ), one of the largest black Christian denominations in the world. With me attending, the church was integrated and that was a start towards my colorblind world. (I really thought I was something, huh) Anyway, I got involved in the youth program and attempted to really impact their lives. Truth is, they impacted my life more than I ever impacted their lives. We put on a play at the church. The play was "Down by the Creek Bank " written by Dottie Rambo. It was a play my brother and I did at the old Pentecostal church we attended as kids. It's about as country as you can get. Before my kids, I considered those kids and that play my biggest accomplishment. We had a gazillion play practices leading up to the big nig...

Little Man always says things clear out of left field. I'm sure he gets it from me, but it's weird being on the receiving end of it. Sometimes it's good. After listening to me sing a song he has said, "Mom, you should go on American Idol!" Sometimes , it's bad. This weekend he asked, "Mom, a long time ago when you were young, did you have a skinny waist?" Grrrrr

After Mom's appt last week, I posted on the Colon Club. I just love Bradyr and Belle, they always respond to my posts. I'm so glad they were there, then and now. Hello by momsCancer on Thu Aug 28, 2008 2:55 am it's really been a while since I've checked in here. Mom's healing up from treatment and I've jumped back into my family, job, and life. She had a PET Scan and we met with the doctor on Tues. He showed us the before and after pics. You could really see the tumor from the pics in April and then absolutely nothing lit up from the last scans. YIPPEE! She's going to have a scope done in a couple of weeks just for a closer look. But PET Scan of colon look good!!! So, as terrible as the treatment was (terrible's not even a strong enough word), looks like it totally did it's thing!We could tell the doctor had a scans look good . . .BUT coming. Sure enough, the doctor said that a couple of lymph nodes in Mom's chest were lit up. He said that it ...

Mom's getting better and better. This past weekend, she went shopping and bought new clothes. Sunday, I swung by the house to check out her new duds. I'm going to borrow her new suit, if I can squeeze into it. She still has rotten days, bathroom issues occasionally, and pretty persistent nausea but in Dad's words, "She's turn the corner." Thank you, God. I cleaned out my purse today. Way past due. I found a blog I'd written at a doctor's appt a while ago. It goes like this; In talking to a friend, I realized. . . it's not the Cancer. It's the loss of control. I really couldn't see it before. What is my deal? I really need to get a grip! I thought I was stronger than this, much more capable. This might be extremely naive, but I honestly lived almost 37 years thinking that life makes since. You know, good things happen to good people. . . the early bird gets the worm. . . if you think you can, you can. . .and so on. . . The re...