Freakishly cleaning

I am still scrubbing and cleaning
attached at the hip with the vacuum--

I think i am getting a bit obsessive in my attempts
(is this a bad thing?)
When i say
DEEP CLEANING--
I mean
DEEP!
There is no stone unturned--
or in other words
the fridge and stove
have been moved out
sweep and mopped under--
and todays obsessive compulsive cleaning
involved my laundry room.
I actually enjoyed being in there again--
something that has not happened in a long
I mean LONG time.
I cleaned out the cabinets--
reorganized--
the disorganized
and eliminated junk.
There is something calming about
having a place for everything
and everything in its place.
I even cleaned out under the washer and dryer-
as well as the tops--

but my over the top
freakish cleaning took place
with me inside the dryer.
I found myself cleaning off the marks
that dried on gum had left--
and then i started vacuuming the lint trap--
apparently my lint trapping lint trap
leaves lint in the lining of my dryer.
I was sucking for all i was worth--
If you come over--
to see this clean lint trap--
disregard the over the top messy office--

(don't judge me to harshly--
I only post this picture in the event of trying to
"keep it real"
--it is my life--what can i say?)
that is next weeks project.

For today I am concentrating
on those important things you can't see.....

I see dead people.....

I'm not just saying that....
I really do.

Let me explain....

There are a few perks that i get with my job.
The greatest one is getting paid to watch my children and nieces and nephews participate in their chosen sport. I would be there anyway--but at least now i am getting paid to have the backache.

The next perk to my job is getting to go on really cool field trips. I love to go to a museum or on the tours at the Botanical garden all for free. But one of the field trips i enjoy that really fascinates me is the Cadaver lab at Grand Canyon College. I realize that some of you are cringing at the thought of this....I used to feel the same way. I have found that over the years this is something that really interests me. The human body is amazing--the things that it is capable of doing I find intriguing. While you do realize that these were once living beings--most of them lived long full lives and all decided to dedicate their bodies to science. They do not look like "people" as we know--most of the skin has been removed and they are not pink like a live person---you are looking at their "parts"--systems--muscle groups and organs. It is rather like the game of operation. I realize that it is not for everyone--but each time i have the opportunity to go I walk away with a deep appreciation for my body. The fact that it works the way it does--the complex systems that all work together is a testimony to me of Gods infinite ability. Things do not happen by accident. I am always amazed when they show the ovaries and uterus how unimpressive they are--and yet they are the key to life. Something so small can hold a child--a new being--something that once was a mass of cells.....It really blows my mind. This last time I went one of the cadavers was of a 43 year old black woman. It made me think of my own mortality--after all she was only a few years older than me. She had passed away from ovarian cancer--as far as i was concerned that is far too young to be on a cadaver table.....I thought about if she had kids--somehow it was personal that day for me. The most interesting thing about this woman was that the only way you could tell she was black was by her ears--the guy who was showing us this woman made the statement that "color is only skin deep"--once the skin is removed we really are all the same on the inside....all children of god--doing the best we can. I do believe that the body is just a temporary shell for our spirit and when the day comes that our body fails,our spirit will have the opportunity to be reunited with those we love. Maybe that is why i don't mind seeing the "bodies"---at this point they are just the shell of who the person was.....someone who gave of themselves even to the end of their life....giving themselves in service that others may learn to help those that as still alive......

Faces from the past

My computer is being cranky--
sooo while i wait for my video program
to upload--AGAIN
I figured this would be a good time to blog--

For many, many years I had family pictures that covered my piano.
Some were always there--
others would be updated as i got new pictures taken.
My children's--latest and greatest professional pictures
were housed there.
That was where i could go to stare at those
cute,
innocent,
sweet,
kind,
faces--
(before they became teenagers)
These pictures were all taken down
when we did our kitchen remodel--
packed away for safe keeping
forgotten about....
until now.

One of the things I did for my birthday month
was buy some new frames
to put these cherished pictures into.
It was amazing the memories that flooded
as i pulled out these pictures--
They have spent many more years in the box
than i had remembered--
I only gauge that by my most current picture of little man
UMMM--he was barely one.
AGGGHHH--where did the time go?
This is not to say that
i don't have a TON of pictures of this kid--
I DO!--
just not professional taken ones.
My second sons picture was about the time
my little bro got married--
(about eight years ago--I think)
It was during his Jack-o-lantern stage.
Thank goodness for braces--
that and he grew out of that goofy and "not so attractive stage."
It was during that time that i would say
"Honey--it's really OK
if you don't smile with your mouth open"
(I know--not the nicest thing for a mom to say--but true)

I pulled out the picture from my wedding
with my brothers and me--
Punk #4 said--
"Wow mom,Uncle Brad looks so young--like he is a kid"
Well he was.
My youngest brother was still in high school
about the same age as my child #2.
I know that time has gone by--
but sometimes it just slaps you in the face.
He also commented on the amount of hair
that several of his other Uncles had ack then.

I love having the pictures returned to their rightful place--
I love remembering the memories that surround
each and every one of them.
I love having my children interested in their past.

Let the blood flow

It is not often
that you are happy when your children bleed.
But today my daughter came home with this.
She declared that it only took her seven minutes
to fill her gift bag of blood.
I am so proud of her--
it really is a simple act
but it helps so many.
Plus i am proud that she is healthy
and living a life
that allows her the privilege of helping others--
Not everyone can or will do it.
I love that she is learning the lesson that
Giving service--even the most simple of things
manages to put a smile on your face

Little man was concerned
at the sight of the bandage--

After he figured out that all was well
he was more interested in the sticker

My daughter on the other hand
was thrilled with the color of the bandage--
After all even when you give service it is
important to make a fashion statement.

Oh yeah--by the way
that was the reason she was unable to help me out
when i ran out of gas.
I called her when she was in giving--
but being the concerned daughter that she is
(and perhaps out of some guilt since she had left it empty)
she did call one of her friends to see if he could help me.
And he did call and would have come if i had needed him to.
Isn't that so sweet--
It gives me hope......

Venting my Frustrations

OK, I need a moment--
deep breath---
Breathing in.....
Breathing out.....
Now i will proceed to vent!

Can i just say--
that i really-
I mean REALLY
despise technology sometimes?
I have spent the morning
battling a software company.
We had bought some new movie software
a few months back--
and not needing it till now
I waited to download it this morning.
Just one major hic-up--
for some reason i was missing the registration #
I thought it was a minor deal--
an easy fix
but NO!
After phone calls
and computer generated circles
and a help line that was of NO help
that sent me in more circles
and left me even more frustrated,
I finally found a # to talk to a person--
only,
to talk to the person you had to have the
patience of a saint.
(which at this point i was lacking)

I was needing to walk out the door
to pick up little man for therapy
but not wanting to give up after i had been on hold for a half hour
and knowing that at any minute it would pay off--
and I would get to speak a real person
(the key word speak)
and have my problem resolved.....
Finally a live human voice came on the line
and after me spewing my frustrations at him
(I was done being patient and kind)
I think we got the problem resolved in less than five minutes.

Now i was late picking up
little man.
The lights were all timed
to turn red as i was going through them--
(luckily none had the red light photo's)
As i was pulling into the school i remembered that i was
going to get gas before i picked him up.
My daughter had left it on empty--
I wasn't exactly sure how empty it was
but running late
i didn't have time to fill it up.
I took my chances
and as i was making the left turn into my neighborhood
my van sputtered it's last bit of gas out.
Now i am stuck trying to move a van from a stand still
across three lanes of traffic--
OH MY.
Can i just say the lord sends angels--
one of my friends from church
just happened to be riding her bike
and saw my plight
and hopped off to help me.
Two ladies
pushed the van
across the road--
and then little man and i
walked the rest of the way to our house.
I think i needed the walk to calm down--
cool off.
Whatever it was/is
I now have it off my chest
and i will proceed to get busy
and finish this video for the swim banquet.

UPDATE:
After all that frustration
my oldest son says to me
"Why didn't you call me?--
I could have told you where the registration # was."
AHHHH--
I am now about half way done with the video--
only i am using the old software-
(I had forgotten how frustrating it was--and that was why we got the new one)
because i didn't take into account the learning curve
of trying to figure out the new one.
So all that frustration was for naught--
I guess it just makes me appreciate those days
when everything does go your way.

election day flashback

let me flash back here--

Several elections ago
I was laying in a hospital room
watching the results come in.
I had just given birth
to child #4 at 1am that morning.
Even though his due date was several weeks away
I had voted by mail

on the off chance
that i would be unavailable on election day.
Since he was born on a major election
someone had asked me if I was going to name him
William, Clinton or Robert (as in Dole)
While Robert IS a family name it was not for him.

I was not excited about the outcome

of the election that day--

I was thrilled with our new little Repulican

and knew that he could be anything he set his mind to--

even President.

He is THEE only one of my children born on another day
besides a Monday--
and he missed Monday by just a few hours.

We were in the hospital on Monday night--
walking around--
finding an available TV
so my husband could watch Monday Night Football--
I wasn't in ACTIVE labor
so as i walked around
he watched the game--
It was the Bronco/Raider game--
and on the scale of big games

this was one of them for him.

(I think this might have something to do with

this punks love of all sports--

especially football---just like his dad)

At half time we walked back to be checked
and they sent us off again--
so off to the end of the hospital with the TV.
I would stroll around the couch
and periodically my hubby would call out to me
to see how i was doing--
(he's just that kind of guy.)
When the game was over
(the Broncos won)
we figured that would be a good time to cruise back--
as we tried to open the doors to take us back down the hall
to the main hospital--
we quickly realized that we were locked in.
YES--locked in that area.
What is a pregnant--in labor woman to do?
Luckily there was an elevator

which took us out to the parking garage--
so there i was in my gown and socks
walking through the parking garage at 10pm at night--
They were surprised as we passed Security--
wondering where we had come from--

they were a surprised to find out that they had locked us in

HMMM--maybe they should have checked the area

before they locked the door?

Thank goodness for the escape route

or they would have been in for a surprise in the morning.
We made it back safely to labor and delivery
and waited for a delivery room to come available--

and then this cute punk kid
made his appearance

( he didn't come out this big--
it has taken a few years to get him to this size)

I love this next picture and
Even though this picture is a few years old--
it is one of my favorite
His eyes just speak to me

this one also shows his eyes
as well as his goofy side
and one of the many wounds his face has sustained over the years

and nothing says he-man
than a boy flexing his muscles in pink sequins

He is a sweet boy
that will even give his mom a foot rub
(I think i paid him a buck a foot--but that smile was priceless)

It is hard to think of him as growing up
and then i see this
and it makes me stop in my tracks
at how quickly time is going by

and even though he is growing into a fine young man
there are still moments where he needs his mom
(that is a blog entry for another day)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
my cute punk

I love you

Election day

I like so many Americans
voted today.
I was prepared to stand in line-
and yet when i got there i walked right in
cast my vote
and was out in less than 10 minutes.
I cherish this privilege that I have been given--
but.....
can I just say---
I am sick of hearing about the election today.
On every channel--
radio or TV
that is ALL they can talk about.
It is speculation--
conjecture--
and then there is the talk of Non-Americans
casting votes.
It has my knickers in a wad at the thought.
I could go on--
but i won't.....
I am proud of my daughter
who got up before the light of day
to go with her dad to cast her first vote.
I asked her what she thought--
how she felt.
"It was kinda boring"
was the report I got back--
I mean what do she expect--
more name calling?
Finger pointing?
Intolerance to differences of opinion.
Hanging chads--pregnant chads
voter fraud?
Or maybe voter intimidation?
Based on the projected outcome
she will be in for an interesting four years--
but I remember going to bed eight years ago
thinking it was over
and finding out in the morning that it was still up for grabs.
As i say my prayers and go to bed tonight
I can only pray that what is best for our country
will transpire......
and then learn to live with the outcome
regardless if my prayer is answered.

Election eve

Tomorrow is election day.
Finally all this nonsense will be over.
The name calling will end.
The eyesores that they call political advertisements
will be removed from the landscape.
I will be able to answer the phone without someone
asking my opinion--
giving me theirs--
or wanting my money
in support of their worthy cause.
My junk mail will be reduced
and i will be able to watch commercials
without wanting to throw up.

I don't know what the future holds for our country--
I am not really thrilled with either candidate-
but i am grateful that as a woman,
and as an American
that i have this right to vote.
I will take this opportunity
to exercise this right
to have my voice heard
to have my vote count.
I am grateful that my oldest child is taking this responsibility
and stepping up--
to try and make a difference.
We can only hope that
honest people,
with worthy intentions
will lead our country.
We can only hope
that we will continue to be blessed
with the freedoms that we really take for granted.
We can only hope
that who ever is elected--
that we will survive these next four years......

winter cleaning

I have been busy digging out--
working on another room today--
One of the children inquired
if this was winter cleaning?
I guess since we have been cooped up all summer
and the weather is finally cooling down--
where we can actually air out the house without melting
the time has come to eliminate the summer dust.
The fans are not running as much these days
and when they are turned off--
you can see the thick,fuzz like dust,
that is begging to be flung at unsuspecting people
the next time you turn the fan on.
There is a certain satisfaction of washing walls--
washing the bedding--
and adding those blankets to the bed
that have been stored away for months.
I figure at the rate i am going--
I might actually get caught up--
a rather exciting feeling--
I love when things are in order--
something my life/home have been sorely lacking lately.
I can thank my mom for this motivation-
it has been far more fun
having someone to work with-
who organizes and cleans like i do
and to boot--I enjoy her company.
Maybe when winter actually arrives this year
I might be ready--
(one can only hope!)

homecoming

After 7 years of wearing braces these teeth are the beautiful result

they go so well with her green eyes

It has been SOOO much fun
helping my daughter get ready for big dates.

Although it can be stressful as well--

when they doubt what you are doing with their hair or makeup.

Thank goodness that this child has finally learned to trust me--

she has learned that even though i am not a high maintenance person

that i am not someone who does my own hair and makeup every day--

I do have the knowledge and skills to make it work for her.

Now how is this for a cute couple? I love the fact that she can actually wear heels and is still shorter than her date. This is a young man who swam with my daughter on her club team this summer. They ran into each other at the city meet a few weeks earlier and decided that homecoming would be a fun first date.