Keep Calm and ........

I decided to play around with the popular "Keep Calm and Carry On" art.  With Relay season upon us, what better way to merge the two!

You need what??

Luckily, I thought ahead this year and bought some of the standard school supplies when they were on sale a couple of weeks ago.  Thankfully, when Katie Jo picked up her list at Open House, there wasn't anything too out of the ordinary listed.  Yea!

However, I've heard some really bizarre stories lately of what schools are requiring their students/parents to supply. One school in Kentucky is requiring their Kindergartners to bring 4 pkgs of copy paper.  I even read about a school in New York asking parents to send teachers gift cards to Staples so they can go purchase whatever supplies they need.  Wow!  I know budgets are tight.......but really!?!?

I found several truly outrageous and unreasonable school supply lists.  Here are a couple (with the highlighted items seeming particularly excessive)....

• 5 boxes (12 count) #2 pencils 
• 1 pack pencil erasers 
• 36 glue sticks 
• Crayola Crayons - 6 boxes of 24 
• 1 pair of blunt tip scissors 
• 1 pack of index cards 
• 4 rolls paper towels
• 1 back pack, non rolling 
• Zip-loc bags (girls – quart size, 
boys – gallon size) 
• 1 plastic pencil box (8X5) 
• Headset 
• Washable markers – optional 
• Flash drive (at least 2 mg)
• 2 plastic pocket folders (1 blue/1 red)  


And here's another really llllloooonnnnnggg list I came across...

(3) 24 count boxes of Crayola Crayons
(2) packages of #2 Roseart 12 count pencils already sharpened
(2) large pink erasers
(1) pair of Fiskar pointed scissors
(1) bottle of white school glue
(2) large glue sticks
(1) small snap shut school box
(1) pack of Crayola washable markers
(1) package of wide ruled notebook paper
(1) package of white copy paper
(1) package of colored copy paper
(1) large package of Expo markers
(1) bottle of Expo board cleaner
(1) backpack
(2) plastic no prong folders

(1) box of Kleenex
(1) bottle of Antibacterial soap or refills
(1) bottle of Germ X
(3) boxes of baby wipes
(3) double rolls of paper towels
(3) packages of Clorox Wipes
(1) package of gallon sized Ziploc Bags
(2) boxes of kitchen drawstring garbage bags

 However, the grand prize for the most outrageous item found on a school supply list comes from Hawaii.  At that particular school, students will be seen carting in 4 double rolls of toilet paper among their other supplies. Toilet paper.......really!?!!?

Now that's just sad......

The Change........From Grossed Out to Superhero

The other day, one of our teachers became so very sick after arriving at school.  The "bug" had been running amok everywhere.....so it was no surprise when it began making it's way through our staff.  Bless her heart, she was so ill and weak that I insisted on driving her home.  She lives alone and her parents aren't in Lubbock, so I felt like I should care for her exactly as I'd want someone to care for Katie Jo and Addi once they're grown and on their own.  She was so sick!  However, I'm pretty sure I made her nervous by insisting on driving her home.  I mean....think about it.....how would you feel if you knew there was a very high possibility that you would throw up in your boss' vehicle?  But there was no way I was going to put her behind the wheel of her car.  So, I grabbed my purse, my keys, and my office trash can - just in case - and away we went!

As we drove to her house, she remained slumped over in her seat in agony.  I could tell that she was trying - with all her might - to suppress the urge the throw up.  I kept saying, "Don't hold it in!  If you need to get sick, do it!  That's what the trash can's for!  Plus, I'm a mom....I've seen it all!"  Then, I followed up those comments with my "nurse's orders" - sip on something, rest, try to nibble on crackers, etc.  I finally realized that I was only making matters worse, so I decided to withhold my comments and simply drive.

This brings me to my topic of "The Change...."  What is it when you become a mom?  Do you suddenly develop a stomach of steel?  Does your level of tolerance for all things gross dramatically increase? Don't get me wrong, I think we all still have an area of weakness.  For me, it's nasty noses.  I can handle anything but that.  As a matter of fact, I'm gagging just thinking about the subject.  So, I'll move on.

Whether it's collecting chewed gum in your bare hand or rinsing out soiled garments after an "almost made it" trip to the bathroom, we all go through "the change" at some point.  It's almost as if there is a dramatic transformation that takes place in the delivery room.  A woman goes from being a pregnant, pushing and screaming, new mom-to-be.....to a full fledged, cape wearing, gross defeating, super hero  - in all of a few seconds.  I think most of us would attest to the fact that prior to child birth, we would have never cleaned up anything expelled by another human being.  However, there's something about being a mom that makes the task more tolerable.  It's a mystery.

Maybe it's a stronger stomach.  Maybe it's maturity.  Or maybe it's just a mother's nurturing instinct.  Whatever it is, I'm sure glad it kicked in.

God could not be everywhere, so he created mothers. ~Jewish Proverb

 

The Revocation Of My Locker Privileges

As the girls get older, I'm starting to realize (first-hand) all of the nasty rumors I've heard other parents talk about as their children embark on the preteen years. Don't get me wrong, Katie Jo and Addi are good girls.  Yes, we have our moments just like every other family, but all in all, they are well-behaved, easy going young ladies.  That's why the incident I'm about to share kind of hurt my feelings, at first.  Then, I decided to find the humor in it.  Laughing at the situation has made it much more tolerable!

One afternoon a few weeks ago, I had the unusual privilege of picking up the girls after school.  This was a treat for me because it very rarely happens - and if it does, I usually have to pick them up, drop them at our house, and then rush back to work.  However, this particular day, I had the rest of the afternoon to fulfill my mom duty.  After picking up Addi, I made my way over to Katie Jo's school.  Since she's my first middle school-er, I'm not completely savvy on the proper middle school mom expectations.  Oh, and by "expectations", I mean what SHE expects of me......which appears to be anything as long as I stay a safe distance away.  Ha!

Up to this point, I had been in Katie Jo's school many, many times on school business.  However, I was unfamiliar with the lay-out in terms of where her locker was, where her classes were located, etc.  So, I simply asked her to walk in the building with me and show me her locker.  That conversation went something like this.....

Me:  Let's go in.  I'd like to see your locker.
KJ:  Why?  It's just like every other locker.  You know.....you've seen one locker, you've seen them all!
Me:  Well, I'd just like to see where it is, and you mentioned wanting a shelf, so I'd like to take a look so I can figure out what type of shelf you need.
KJ:  OK, mom.  But we HAVE to hurry!  We are not supposed to go back in the building after school.
Me:  I understand, but I bet if I'm walking with you, they'll know you're not just messing around in the halls.
KJ:  Mom, I'll get in trouble!
Me:  Katie Jo, really, I've got you covered on this one.  I promise you.....you will not get in trouble.

Katie Jo finally conceded and allowed me to enter the building.  She walked so fast that someone might have mistaken her for being in some sort of hurry.  It didn't take long for me to pick-up on her self-inflicted frenzy.  However, I was feeling just ornery enough to take full advantage of the opportunity.  Plus, I was relatively certain that this would be the last time I would ever be granted permission to enter the building again.  So, I took my sweet time.  I savored every second.  I spoke to absolutely everyone we came upon - whether I knew them or not.  I tried to talk to Katie Jo - only to have her flip her head around (from 6-8 feet ahead of me) and tell me to hurry.  

In the end, I honestly don't know that I ever saw her locker.  She was so busy trying not to be seen with me - and I was so busy trying to make her be seen with me - that I think we both forgot about the locker.  If she did happen to point it out to me as she was bolting past it, I didn't realize it.  I know for a fact that I never got the opportunity to check out the shelf situation.  

Naturally, I am happy, excited, and proud of the young lady Katie Jo is becoming.  However, there is a huge part of my heart and soul that grieves at the fact that she used to love to show me her locker, her desk, her pencil box, her lunch ticket, etc.  

Oh how I'd love to go back.  

The Year For Rubbermaid.....

Each year, my sisters and I begin our yearly discussion regarding the Christmas lists of each of our children.  Jennifer's boys are the oldest, so they usually want things that the others haven't even thought of yet.  Pam's two kiddos and my girls are a little closer in age, so they often have some of the same interests.  Regardless of their ages, there's one thing they all have in common......their maturing and growing interests.  Long gone are the days of cartoon action figures, push-n-play toys, etc.  Not only have their interests matured, but the amount of money required to fulfill their lists has increased, as well.  Honestly, I guess that's true for all of us.  As I think back to the Christmases of our childhood, Jennifer, Pam, and I have definitely experienced the maturing of our lists, as well! 

A few years ago, the adults in our family decided to begin the ritualistic "drawing of the names" approach at Christmas.  As always, we gave the children a variety of gifts; however, among ourselves, we each drew a name and then purchased something for that person within the parameters of a $50 spending limit.  Interestingly enough, the older we've gotten, the more difficult gift giving has become.  So, this past year, we added the stipulation that each person must compose a 3 item Christmas wish list.  Undoubtedly, this requirement was extremely helpful! 

Probably the most entertaining part of the process was perusing each list.  For David, Brad, and my dad, their lists included a variety of "guy" things.....flashlights, random tools, books, movies, etc.  There was nothing too out of the ordinary.  However, us girls were a bit more creative (if that's what you want to call it!)  Jennifer pined for a specific type of bike rack for her vehicle.  Pam longed for the perfect set of stem-less wine glasses.  Surprisingly, our mother was itching for an iPod.  As for me, I had my sights set high.  (Drum roll please...)  I asked for the ultimate food storage experience..........the Rubbermaid Premier  20 pc. storage set featuring "Flex & Seal" lids and Tritan plastic- designed to resist stains and odors!  ***Cue the alleluia chorus here.***

Yes, as boring as it may sound, that set of modern-day Tupperware completely made my holiday!  My brother-in-law, Brad, came through for me (with a little help from Pam, I'm sure.)  Woo hoo!  As I opened the package, all I could think of was how organized and efficient I was going to feel by being able to use plastic containers that actually had matching lids!  And let's not forget about that awesome stain-resistance technology!  What an added bonus!  I couldn't wait to get home and generate some left-overs so I could test the many outstanding qualities of this fine, elite set of containers.

So now that Christmas is here, we're faced again with what items to put on our wish lists. No doubt they'll differ considerably from what they may have looked like 10-15 years ago. I'm sure there will be a voice in each of us urging us to ask for something totally frivolous.  However, I'm not sure what it is, but something will prevent any of us from wandering too far from sensible.  As always, I'll be interested to see what the others come up with.  As for me, I'm currently leaning towards the super absorbent "Smart Mop", the Betty Crocker Non-stick Oven Liner,  or possibly a few new kitchen towels.  Decisions......decisions.......decisions!

Hope Ceremony at High Plains Relay For Life Summit 2010

I Can Fix Anything With Duct Tape!

Prior to having children, I must have been the most ignorant person in the world.  How in the world did I survive?  I'm pretty sure every parent, no matter the age of their children, has been "informed" of some sort of basic information at some point.  

On a recent fall evening, I decided to go out and wash down our front porch and windows.  It had been a while and the West Texas dust and wind had left their mark.  We keep a garden hose hanging on the side of our house, so I dutifully removed the hose and attached the sprayer to add a little "power wash" effect to my efforts.  As I stood over hose, I turned on the water........ I have never been showered by so much ice-cold water in my life!!!  As I looked to see why in world there was so much water flying everywhere, I noticed several small slits in one particular section of the hose. So, being the handy, resourceful solo-parent that I've become, I immediately went for the number one tool in our house......duct tape.  

Living in a house with two Destination Imagination-ers, we have an ample supply of this magic tool.  As I searched through drawers, closets, and boxes,  I found every color, every print, every style you could possibly think of..........everything except silver!  Oh well, duct tape is duct tape - so I went with the red and the black.  By the time I finished spot-wrapping the yellow hose, I was pretty sure I  had some sort of replica of a massive, poisonous snake stretched out across our driveway.  

Now that I had repaired the hose, I was ready to turn on the water again and finish my job.  While not experiencing one of my "brighter" moments, I (again) stood over the hose while I turned on the water.  Apparently, all of the duct taped spots did nothing but force the water through other near-thin portions of the hose.  Needless to say, by this time, I am SOAKED.  I'm not wet and cold.  I was SOAKED and FREEZING!  However, I'd come this far so I might as well finish the task at hand - no matter how soaked I got!   (Thank goodness it was dark by this time because I'm pretty sure my neighbors would have certainly questioned my sanity at this point.)

So, with dripping wet hair, water logged shoes, and wringing wet clothes, I very quickly worked to wash off the porch.  Then, out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of Addi standing at the front door.  As I moved closer, I could tell she was trying to tell me something.  I kept working - determined to finish.  She kept trying to communicate with me, but I was determined not to stop.  By that point, there was so much water spewing from the hose, she'd surely get doused if she opened the front door - so she stayed behind the warmth and dryness of the glass front door.  As a couple more minutes went by, it was obvious that Addi was becoming more and more desperate to tell me something.  Even though I couldn't hear her, her body language was such that I was sure someone had lost an appendage, was bleeding profusely, or was in need of some other sort of immediate medical intervention.  

Since I couldn't imagine what in the world she was so worked up over, I ran over and shut-off the water.  As I made my way back over to the porch, she threw open the door and (still shouting) announced, "Moooommmmyyyy!  You need a new hose!  That one is squirting water everywhere!"

Really, Addi?  Really?

Here I Go.......

Well……here I go.  Several friends have suggested I start a blog.  My questions to them:

1.  What’s a blog?
2.  Why do people blog?
3.  Why in the world would anyone want to read it?

4.  What am I supposed to “blog” about?

As you can imagine, no one has really bothered to answer the first couple of questions for me.  I guess they figure I can "Google" those and get the answers on my own.  However, they did provide me some guidance on what I should write about.  Their suggestions include my main roles in this play called, "Life":  mommy, advocate, and educator.  At this point in time, I’ve been trying to fulfill both the mommy and daddy roles for our two little girls, Katie Jo and Addi, for the past 5 ½ years.  It was in June of 2005 when their daddy, Jo Paul, grew weary and tired after a lengthy battle with leukemia.  So, I’ve been solo-parenting ever since.  We're also heavily involved in creating a world with more birthdays by promoting the work of the American Cancer Society.  Oh my goodness, I have so many wonderfully inspirational stories to share!  And finally, I've had the joy, pleasure, and honor of working in education for the past several years.  As we all know, children really are our greatest teachers!

In this initial post, I'd like to offer a brief explanation.  Notice I didn’t use the term “single parent” above.  I really do despise that term – mainly because of all the times I hear moms/dads use their marital status as an excuse.  It simply amazes me how many times the "single parent" card is played in our society for not following through on a commitment, for not being able to pay for something, for justifying why their child cannot possibly be expected to follow the same rules of society that everyone else must adhere to, etc.  (Obviously, I have a huge soapbox associated with that last one.  More on that kind of stuff in later posts.)  Needless to say, I choose not to refer to myself as such.

I've included part (yes, there are many more parts) of my "single parent sermon" in this initial post to lend explanation to my overall motto for life.  Essentially, no one has the ability to preplan every detail of their life - both the good and the bad. No matter how hard we try, nothing ever goes exactly as we planned it.  Often times, we end up grateful when things go better than we ever could have imagined!  However, we all experience those unplanned difficulties, disappointments, and challenges in life.  It's how we handle both the triumphs AND the tragedies that make us who we are and determine how well we "navigate" through life.

So...I'll finish up this blogging maiden voyage by reiterating the blurb from my blog description above......Sometimes the hand we're dealt in life doesn't play out exactly as we planned.  However, we have a choice.  We can continue playing our hand the best way we know how - or we can fold.  I've chosen to keep playing my hand and to enjoy all the little "jackpots" along the way!