Comfortable home.

I noticed this morning that squirrels once again are chewing a bigger hole in one of the bluebird boxes in the front yard. Bluebirds are very particular about the size of the hole in the box. If it's any bigger than their specified size, they won't use it because predator birds can get in, namely Enlgish Sparrows. Last year, the squirrels ruined the house in the back, this year, it's the one in front. It's time for Elijah to go hunting. Not that he could rid us of all eighty-five billion squirrels we have here, but it might at least make me feel better.

After spending the week in Tennessee with Deb, David, and Sticky Bean, I am glad to be home in my own house, my own bed, and with my own computer. Aren't we particular when it comes to our electronics? The keyboard has to feel just right, the mouse has to move just so, and I'm just not a fan of wide-screen monitors. I know they're supposed to be easier to see, but they always feel so distorted to me. I'm such a creature of habit.

So I got close to my minimum 20 hours this week, did all the laundry, baked a chocolate pound cake for Sunday School tomorrow, and even made a dinner of sorts. Tonight Ben gets home from TN, and tomorrow starts the same old stuff again.

But the same old stuff isn't so bad—it's actually quite comfortable. Sticky Bean thinks so.

Be thankful ~

Karen

What's my name?

If you are a mom, you have a name. I've always been called Mama by my kids. When they got older, some of them switched to Mom, but once in a while they still call me Mama. Then I got a job and added the name Editor. And of course, I've been Wife for 25 years. So I have a lot of names.

Mostly I can keep them all straight, but sometimes the lines cross and I'm trying to be two names at once.

Deb got married three years ago, but long before that, she called me Mom. "Mama" seemed too childish.

Then last week she had a baby. The hard way. Now I'm back to being Mama, and that involves an entirely different set of skills and thought processes, especially when the child calling you Mama is a mama herself.

Mama requires compassion, empathy, and the ability to be loving but firm. Mom is more firm than compassionate. More businesslike. Mom is stopping at McDonald's in the middle of the afternoon because the sixteen-year-old male is hungry again. Mama is chicken soup and homemade bread when you're sick.

I realized yesterday I was trying to be four things at once, and had to laugh. Mom to a teenage boy, while Mama to a 23-year-old mama, while also being Editor (there are deadlines, you know) and Wife to the man who is on travel and wants all the details about the new grandbaby and the mama. It's quite a juggling act.

But I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Be thankful ~

Karen

He looks worried . . .

But no more . . .

Perfectly perfect.

Be thankful ~

Karen

You knew this was going to happen, didn't you?

He's figured out how to nurse, is at home in his own bed (Mama's), and is just a tad less crabby. This look reminds me of Walter Matthau in Grumpy Old Men.

Sticky Bean, you are precious!

Be thankful ~

Karen

Grandmotherhood kicks in with lightning speed.

In the 36 hours since I officially became a grandmother, I have had more than my share of "duh" moments.

Yesterday I took my three youngest kids, Leah, Abbie, and Elijah, and the girls' friend Brooke to Virginia Beach for the day. We love the beach and always try to go one day before summer jobs start and the crowds hit. Why we picked the Friday of Memorial Day Weekend is beyond me, but that actually worked out pretty well. I feared horrible traffic (especially at the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel), but we were pleasantly surprised by no heavier traffic than any other day. Gotta love that recession.

It was mostly sunny and around 75 degrees with a lovely, warm breeze. We had a great day swimming, building sand castles, sleeping on the beach (my personal favorite), and burying Elijah. We were very careful to cover everyone with sunscreen (that spray-on stuff is the bomb). But somehow in the chaos of making sure every inch of skin on all five of us was covered, my back got forgotten. Ouch. In cases such as these, leather seats are not your friend.

Then this morning, I got up to go to the commissary while the rest of the family headed to the church workday. I got home a few hours later, put all the food away, went to Walmart, came home, ate lunch, did laundry, and finally sat down on the couch. I wondered why I had such a bad headache, until I remembered that I had forgotten to drink my coffee this morning.

Did you read that?

I had forgotten to drink my coffee.

This has me a little worried.

Then, after talking to my mother-in-law this morning, I decided to text my sister-in-law the one, lone picture we have (hint, hint Deb) of Sticky Bean so she could show the MIL (the great grandma). I did so and a few minutes later received a text in reply.

"Congrats. Who is this?"

I laughed in disbelief, because everyone in the family is aware that we are new grandparents, and, hello, grandparents share pictures, right? I tried to send a smart-aleck reply, but thankfully, my phone is acting up and wouldn't send it. (I have to turn it off and back on to make it work sometimes. Not the greatest scenario if I'm being chased by hoodlums, but I deal with it.) This gave me time to think about why on earth SIL wouldn't know who the photo was of.

Then it dawned on me. I have the wrong number.

So instead of my snippy reply, I sent a "disregard the last text, I have the wrong number, etc." message.

Of course, at the end, I had to add, "ps. it's my grandson" because, hello, I'm a grandmother . . .

Be thankful ~

Karen

And here I was, lamenting that I had nothing to post about.

Sticky Bean, in the flesh! All eight pounds of him! Isn't God good?

Be thankful ~

Karen

One missing space changes the world.

This headline seen on an unnamed website's news reel:

Brown turned himself into police late Sunday and was released after posting bail.

That's amazing! How did he do that?

Be thankful ~

Karen

10 random thoughts, in no particular order.

1. About 20 times each day, I tilt my head toward my left shoulder and there's a very loud *snap* in my neck.

2. I'm having fun writing sell sheets. Who'da thunk?

3. Beans don't like the manure. But peas do. And tomatoes.

4. Sticky Bean is now two days overdue. Deb is already making threats.

5.Vietnamese chicken with rice is the best—and it's made in the crock pot! How cool is that?

6. The bluebirds were looking for their box this morning, and I still haven't put it up. *Bad bird lover*

7. I am two months late reconciling my checkbook. This could get ugly, but I hope it doesn't.

8. FAFSA is a waste of time. They think I have $22,000 extra lying around for college tuition next year.

9. I would love to take beautiful pictures, but you have to be able to see clearly to do that. Does anyone make a camera for the half-blind?

10. Danny Gokey is gone. I couldn't care less about tonight's American Idol. I'm going to take a hot bath and start a grocery list.

Be thankful ~

Karen

A reminder.

You never know when someone will need a pick-me-up, so send the email, write the note, let the person know you're thankful. It may be just what she needs at that moment.

Be thankful ~

Karen

ps. no baby yet.

Think you've had a close call? Think again.

This is too funny! Thanks to One Thing for sharing the link.

Be thankful ~

Karen

Peas out.

Well, the peas are finally staked and strung up, no thanks to me.

Ben came home from work yesterday with a you've-never-been-this-sick cold and started taking Zicam right away. Didn't get a whole lot of sleep, so he did the sensible thing and stayed home from work today. I figured he'd lie on the couch all day being pathetic (he knows I'm saying this, so don't think I'm bad-mouthing my husband or anything), but no. He got a tiny burst of energy around 9am and went out looking for cedar siding.

Remember last summer when we tore the back off the house and put in big picture windows? Well it's been covered with tar paper since then, minus the siding. So today was the day. Ben and Elijah worked most of the day and got it finished, and it looks great.

I knew by the lack of mess on the deck that they had put all the tools away, but there was still no Ben. I went looking and found him in the garden, taking all the credit for staking the peas. Honestly, some people steal all my thunder.

Anyway, the peas are staked. And Pete got another walk, because I am all about having a happy dog.

And not staking peas.

In my defense (I'm doing a lot of this lately), I did do three loads of laundry, sweep and mop the kitchen and bathrooms, edit a newsletter and write a sell sheet, make a great dinner, and whip up some fudge for my daddy's birthday tomorrow.

Not a bad day.

Be thankful ~

Karen

Dang peas.

Have I mentioned that we are waiting for our first grandbaby to be born? Our daughter is too, only I think she's feeling a tad more desperate than we are. Since her first visit to the midwife last fall, she's been given three different due dates. So depending on which one you go by, she is either grossly overdue or due in two days. I wish somebody would tell the baby that. She says the baby's head is so low, she's afraid she's going to sit on it.

In other news, I stupidly announced on facebook that I was going to stake the peas today if it was the last thing I did. I've gotten as far as laying the stakes on the ground next to the garden. And now I'm praying for rain.

I did manage to go to the gym, for which I give myself major props. I hate going to the gym. Ben says it's because I don't vary my workout, blah, blah, blah. He wants me to get up at 5 am and go with him. The problem with that is that it's still night. As in dark. Stars. Moon. Owls hooting in the woods. My body is smart enough to know you're supposed to be sleeping when it's dark. On the other hand, I don't want to look/feel like a cow either, so I live with this dichotomy. But for today, at least, I can be proud that I went.

And now, in my effort to avoid gardening, I will take the dog for a walk. Because what's more important—food or a happy dog?

Be thankful ~

Karen

And I quote:

I'm really trying to post more often. Good thing I have kids, right? They keep me in newsworthy material. Here's Abbie's latest artwork, for those of you who haven't seen it on facebook.




I have nothing to add to this. My day consists of editing, grocery shopping, laundry, sweeping up dog hair, filling the gas can, getting the spool loosened from the weed-eater, cooking dinner, and more editing.

One more thing, though. Have you ever heard someone say, "Quote, blah, blah, blah, blah, unquote?" That's incorrect. There's no such thing as "unquote." It's "end quote." The end.

Be thankful ~

Karen

Locks of Love

Abbie has been growing her hair long for years. She is known for her very long, shiny, curly, gorgeous hair. And it is no more. She donated a ten-inch ponytail to Locks of Love last week. Here's the photo diary of the traumatic event:

In Kim's basement. She's trying to smile, but she's scared to death. She straightened her hair before we went so Kim wouldn't cut any more than the required ten inches.

Holding her breath while Kim measures the ponytail:


Holding the ponytail:
Trimmed up and layered. Look at those curls!


Three days later she's used to it. With her bff Noelle:

You can find more information about Locks of Love and how to donate here.

Be thankful ~

Karen

Finally! Graduation photos.

Saturday, May 9th at James Madison University, the financial black hole began to diminish ever-so-slightly.

The thing you think is a diploma is really an advertisement for the guy who is taking pictures. That's what you get for $50,000.

See the gold cords hanging around her neck? Those signify that she has graduated with honors. The girl who got accepted into the school of music at age 16, began school just after she turned 17, and graduated at 20. The girl who completed a five-year degree in four years. The girl who was homeschooled and would have a hard time adjusting to the classroom. Yeah. That girl.

I could not be any more proud.

With the fam, minus Deb and David, who are in Tennessee awaiting the birth of my first grandbaby.


I am truly blessed.

Be thankful~

Karen

It's a what?

It seems I've been talking to Deb every day for the past week. We are all trying to wait patiently for Jonathan to decide it's time to come out, but he doesn't seem to be interested. Sunday, Deb told me she'd been having a lot more Braxton-Hicks contractions, so, "At least I know my uterus works." That's encouraging.

I've assured her that he's got to come out sometime. He can't grow up in there.

Some nights she sleeps well, others, not so well. Lots of bathroom trips, swelling feet, you know the drill. Her blood pressure tried to go high, but she's been staying home a lot and that's helped. David is anxious and calls her several times a day to see if anything's "happening."

This was the only part of pregnancy I didn't like--those interminable last few days when people asked, "Haven't you had that baby YET?" like you had any say in the matter.

Deb told me yesterday that lots of people called her Saturday to ask if she was in labor. After three or four calls, she noticed the pattern and asked the next caller why everyone was inquiring on that particular day. Said caller replied, "It's a full moon," like that explained everything.

Well, of course. That's when werewolves and babies come out.

So we're a little single-minded around here right now. Just praying and waiting.

Be thankful ~

Karen

Just for you, Noelle!

Noelle, my daughter's dear friend, was telling me today how sad it makes her when she comes to visit my blog and there's nothing new. Isn't that sad? But sweet at the same time, to think a lovely young lady would spend a precious minute visiting me here! So in Noelle's honor, here is a photo from today's graduation at JMU:

Focus on the grad in this picture. Between the humidity, wind, and hot flashes, my hair was not having its best day. The gold cords around her neck indicate that she graduated with honors. She was the youngest member of her graduating class of 3300+, at not yet 21. I'm so proud!

And on the same day, my baby turned 16. I feel like I'm on the downward side of a roller coaster, and it just keeps going faster and faster. Maybe that's what's wrong with my hair.

Anyway, it was a great day. Three down, two to go.

Be thankful ~

Karen