Stranger Things Have Happened???

This morning I woke to find out that there had been a couple of earthquakes in the middle of the night...yup, in Texas. Believe it. Or not. It's not like it's never happened before, it's just that I've never heard of one here. Plus, the epicenters of the two that are being talked about most are within a couple of miles of my home. I guess like thunderstorms though, I just slept right on through them.

Tonight as I was driving home from shopping with my kids, I had to drive over a bridge that is quite high in the air, the kind that is part of a mixmaster of highway intersections. Knowing that there were earthquakes here this morning, had me re-thinking the decision to be on a bridge that high. I managed not to panic and made it off the bridge and home safely.

How big were these quakes, you may ask? The biggest was a 3.1 on the Richter scale. Yeah yeah, I can hear you California people laughing at me...

Trust

Proverbs 3:5-6 (New International Version)
5Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

This week I was reminded again that were it not for the relationship I have now with The Lord, there is no possible way I could work where I do. Without Him, my anxiety would just not let me do it.

A few days ago, we were told that they were going to change our "Emergency Lockdown" procedures which would entail changing the way they announce a lockdown. For instance, instead of saying "Teachers, we are having an emergency lockdown", they might say something like "We are having an emergency lockdown because we have an intruder with a gun in the 7th grade hallway." Can you say stressful?!?

Also changing is the fact that more scenarios are being considered. Before, our lockdown drills happened only during regular class time. Problem is that you can't determine that something bad will only happen during those times. You must also consider that it might happen at lunch time or before school when the lunchroom is filled with hundreds of students. This would make it a lot harder to manage the way the kids react.

The reason they are changing procedures is because of the fact that school shootings are on the rise. From what they told us, there were 5 this year within the first two months of school. That's more than the total of any year since 2000.

We were told that we would be having a lockdown drill within two weeks, we wouldn't know exactly when, and we weren't supposed too let the kids know it was going to happen. The fact that I work with some kids who might be more prone to freak out is a big concern for me. Plus, since I'm all over the school, I never know where I might be when a drill like that happens. And it brings to mind that if there were something real happening, I'm much more likely to be stuck in a hallway, etc.

Thankfully, the drill happened on Friday. I was where I wanted to be, not stuck in a hallway, but with a teacher who has excellent classroom management skills. No one freaked out and it went just fine. Whew...

When things like this are going on I really have to ask myself, do I truly trust your Lord? Will I trust You no matter what? This is when I cannot lean on my own understanding. Otherwise, I can't keep doing what I know my Lord wants me to do and keep being where I know He wants me to be.

By the way, in case anyone was wondering. I didn't have to take anything to help keep me calm either, just regular doses of prayer and the peace that only The Lord can give.

One of my faves

Ephesians 5:19-20 (New International Version)
19Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I love worship music more than I can say, and my favorites are the ones that help me to picture heaven the way scripture tells us it will be. I long for that day.

Jeremy Camp has a new song that touches me more than any song in a while. Evidently, the CD that has this song doesn't come out till the end of November. I know I'll be getting it!

Here's a video of him singing the song. It's a live version, but still very good.



Revelation 21:4 (New International Version)
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

Well it sounded like a good idea...

...but the no complaining thing I talked about in my last post, well I've already dropped out. Sad, I know. I don't want to be a quitter. And I don't think I'm the type who people think of as a complainer anyway. Besides, the wristband that I'm supposed to switch to the other hand each time I complain bothers me so much on my right wrist that I'd be willing to complain just to get it back onto the left wrist.

Maybe I'll try it again some day...when I don't have 2 teenagers, 3 dogs, a cat, and a "glass half empty" husband in my house. Well, hopefully I'll still have the husband, but you get the idea. I'm sure the fact that I've had one of the absolute craziest weeks at my job since I started didn't help either. Ahh, such is life.

So glad it's the weekend!

Who's complaining now?

So today at our faculty meeting, the principal showed a video about a church that started an organization called "A Complaint Free World". It was really quite interesting. The minister who started it felt like people complain way too much...umm, I must say I agree. And I would fit into the "complain too much" category myself these days. Certain things, at home and at work, have had me complaining quite a bit lately. That's one of the reasons I haven't been blogging so much...because I really don't like blogging when I have something negative to say.

I consider myself a fairly positive person. I know that keeping a smile on my face helps to keep me, and those around me, feeling good. Lately I have just been feeling like whining and griping quite a bit more. So this complaint free thing should be just the ticket.

I've been working on not complaining since this afternoon after the meeting. So far I've been harder on myself than I would be on others, for instance considering an "eye roll" a complaint and switching the armband. I may have to re-think what whether or not I consider that to be a complaint. This is NOT easy! :)

That being said, I would like to throw out a challenge. How many of you would like to join me in striving to be complaint free? The goal is to be complaint free for 21 days. Again, NOT easy...

Here is a video to tell you more:

Next Saturday

I have no extra plans next weekend except for the game on Friday night. Woohoo! So, here's the plan for Saturday. I'll get the house spic and span. I'll do all the basics like laundry, dishes and vacuuming. Then I'll dust in every nook and cranny. Even the ceiling fan will be free from any speck of dust.

Then I'll re-arrange the book shelf and rid it of any miscellaneous extras that someone thought they would read, but never did. I'll cut down the CD collection to just those that we still might find ourselves listening to on an average Saturday afternoon. Same goes for the DVDs.

After all that, I'll clean out the drawers in the kitchen and in the bathroom. Next will come the cabinets and only things we use at least once a year will be neatly stacked making everything easy to find when I need it. The cabinets under the sinks won't have the sundry items that haven't been touched in eons.

Once I've worked my way through everything I've listed so far, I'll make the trek upstairs and start my work there. The linen closet will have only one extra set of sheets per bed in our home and there will be no more towels that should've been long since gone. There will also be a sweet scent as I will place a couple of wonderfully scented sachets with my neatly stacked linens.

Off to the bedroom I'll go and my bed will already be neatly made, of course, because who doesn't make their bed the instant they step out of it in the morning? I'll fluff the pillows and straighten the comforter. I'll then strip the closet and the drawers of any clothing that hubby and I haven't worn since before last year. I'll dust and vacuum and then straighten the picture frames on the dresser. Candles will be lit and I won't worry that any stacks of paper hubby left near will catch on fire, because he always puts his things where they go.

Once I'm done with the housework, I'll take a short break and sip some tea.

I'm sure that there will still be much of the morning left, so I'll be off to survey the garage sales in the area. I'm sure I'll find many things I truly need priced at a quarter or so. I'll bring my things home and place them where they go. I won't throw them in a corner or on the kitchen table.

A lunch date with a friend or two might be just the thing I do later. We'll chat and laugh. We'll eat our salads and drink our diet coke and won't think of having the chocolate cake for dessert. Stories of the accomplishments of our children this week will abound and none will be jealous because all of them are near perfect, you know.

Once evening is near, I'll get busy cooking dinner. I'll feed the children who will give me a hug and be off to their rooms to do their homework. A beautifully adorned table and a decadent meal will be waiting when hubby comes home from his afternoon of hanging out with the guys. We'll dine and talk while the candles glow. Then we'll retire to the back porch and sip a glass of wine while listening to our favorite romantic music. After that...well, you'll just have wonder.

A fantasy, you say? A dream? Hey people, it could happen!!!

Stuff, Stuff and More Stuff

Matthew 6:20 (New International Version)
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.



Wow, I feel like I have so much to tell right now. I had planned on blogging about everything that's been going on in my life. I'm feeling much better than when I last posted and thanks for the prayers. So much is going on in my life (as usual), but that will have to wait, because this just happened...



There was an old looking (but not so old) purple bike at the side of my house in a little fenced in area. It had been sitting there in the weather for a couple of years. I don't remember how it first ended up out there. Originally, someone gave it to us when they moved out of state and were trying to get rid of as much stuff as possible. It was a very nice bike when we received it. I was the one who had planned on using it, but never did and because of the way it had been treated, it wasn't so nice any more...



Today a 5th grader, an adorable boy, rang my doorbell and asked "Would you like to donate a purple bike to the homeless?" At first I didn't know what he was talking about and looked at him a bit perplexed. Then he laughed and said "Nah, I'm just kidding." Then it dawned on me that he was talking about that bike at the side of the house. I told him he could have it even though I'm not sure that it's fixable. I'm pretty sure that it's too rusty, but he looked like he was up for a challenge and he really wanted it, so he took it home.



The conversation with the boy was such a blessing and it felt good to say that he could take the bike, but it has me thinking again...there are so many reasons I need to work on my nature as a pack rat. I have SO MUCH STUFF that I don't use and much of it I never will. Many of the things that have my home overflowing could be a blessing to others. Why do I hold on to all of it? It reminds me a bit of this great poem:

SARAH CYNTHIA SYLVIA STOUT

by Shel Silverstein

Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout

Would not take the garbage out.

She'd wash the dishes and scrub the pans

Cook the yams and spice the hams,

And though her parents would scream and shout,

She simply would not take the garbage out.

And so it piled up to the ceiling:

Coffee grounds, potato peelings,

Brown bananas and rotten peas,

Chunks of sour cottage cheese.

It filled the can, it covered the floor,

It cracked the windows and blocked the door,

With bacon rinds and chicken bones,

Drippy ends of ice cream cones,

Prune pits, peach pits, orange peels,

Gloppy glumps of cold oatmeal,

Pizza crusts and withered greens,

Soggy beans, and tangerines,

Crusts of black-burned buttered toast,

Grisly bits of beefy roast.

The garbage rolled on down the halls,

It raised the roof, it broke the walls,

I mean, greasy napkins, cookie crumbs,

Blobs of gooey bubble gum,

Cellophane from old bologna,

Rubbery, blubbery macaroni,

Peanut butter, caked and dry,

Curdled milk, and crusts of pie,

Rotting melons, dried-up mustard,

Eggshells mixed with lemon custard,

Cold French fries and rancid meat,

Yellow lumps of Cream of Wheat.

At last the garbage reached so high

That finally it touched the sky,

And none of her friends would come to play,

And all of her neighbors moved away;

And finally, Sarah Cynthia Stout

Said, "Okay, I'll take the garbage out!"

But then, of course it was too late,

The garbage reached across the state,

From New York to the Golden Gate;

And there in the garbage she did hate

Poor Sarah met an awful fate

That I cannot right now relate

Because the hour is much too late

But children, remember Sarah Stout,

And always take the garbage out.

I'm better than I used to be. I am working on releasing more of the things in my home...and I stopped buying more things I don't really need several years ago. When I was a stay-at-home mom, Flylady helped me start to get things under control and it really was helping so much, but once I went to work full time the backsliding, oh how it did happen!



I know you're working on me, Lord. Oh how I wish I were better at listening to you. Now off to take out the trash...

Rough Week

Matthew 11:28-29 (New International Version)
28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Seems like it has just been one thing after another this week. There hasn't been anything catastrophic, it's just been difficult.

Things at work were crazy because it was a week full of tests and that means lots of reading to kids (a test that many of them just simply don't have the ability to do) and scheduling issues because there are too many kids and not enough teachers/aides.

Home life has also been stressful. Our schedule is jam packed, both of the kids were sick, homework to do, etc.

Then K had a meltdown before school this morning. I was 15 minutes late for work (I hate being late) and I just couldn't seem to recover from the stress of that combined with everything else.

I tried really hard to just get through the day at work, but I ended up having to leave when I realized I was on the verge of a serious panic attack. I'm talking about the kind of panic attack where you seriously feel like you might die, the chest hurting, hyperventilating kind. It didn't actually get to that point, but I've been there enough that I recognize the signs.

I was supposed to work with the band crew tonight at the football game and I felt terribly guilty because I just couldn't do it. We're so short-staffed on volunteers as it is, but I had to have a break. We have another band event tomorrow and I don't know that I'll make that one either.

I have to remind myself that when I am emotionally unhealthy, it's no different than if I were physically ill. Why is it so hard to give yourself a break when it's something emotional? If I had a broken leg, I might feel bad a little if I couldn't help, but it wouldn't be the same. It's easier to say "I just can't do it" when someone can see the cast on your leg. It's just that not everyone seems to understand that something's broken when they can't see it for themselves, can't feel it for themselves.

I know that every trial I go through is preparing me for something. I know that if I keep focused on the Lord, He will use what I am going through for good. I know that he is refining me.

I also know that I need to rest a little more than I have been. I can't continue doing as much as I have been doing. Some people can do so much more. Some people have that kind of energy. I am not one of those people. Somehow I have to learn to be ok with that.

I cried out to the Lord today. I am calmer tonight. I am taking a break.

Sometimes It's True...

Last night, my procrastinator of a son remembered that he had a science project due today. He had to make a cell membrane model. The only reason he remembered is because we have something called Teleparent here. Teleparent is wonderful because it is an automated system that calls on the phone to let you know things like when kids have projects due, to study for a test, etc. This gave T a chance to get his project turned in on time.



T still procrastinated past the time he knew about the project (about 7pm) until 9:30 or so. Then he had to find things around the house to use to make his cell model because he had lost the opportunity to have us pick up anything from the store (the offer had been made). He started brainstorming and eventually came up with an idea after I suggested homemade play dough (flour, water and salt).



T worked most of the night on his creation, kneading paint from my craft box into pieces of dough to make different colors for the parts of it (we were out of food coloring). When I got up to let the dogs out at 3am, he was still working on it (I'm sure he took breaks to watch t.v., but still).



When I got up this morning, I saw two cell models made, one a plant cell and one an animal cell. They looked great! He had stuck toothpicks into the different parts and labeled them with little pieces of paper. The colors looked good. It was really nice work. I wish I had a picture to show you how good it looked. But alas...sometimes it's true...the dog ate his homework. Some time between the time I left for work and the time that Tyler got out of the shower our dog who loves anything bread-like (flour, salt and water..close enough) chomped on his work.

The dog ate both the plant cell model and the animal cell model, at least parts of both. You may remember Molly from when I posted about my dogs. Molly is T's dog. He adores her, but I betcha he doesn't like her much today. And I'm not gonna like her much either if the non-toxic paint he used to make the models upset her stomach and I have to clean that up when I get home.

So I emailed the teacher and let her know he really did do the work. She said that he could re-do it and turn it in late for a 70. Plus, she said that if he wanted extra credit he could do both the plant and the animal cell models. Uh yep, that's right...he didn't have to do both in the first place, only one. Yet another thing T would've known had he been paying attention when the project was assigned.

Lesson learned?? We'll see...

These Were The Plans He Had For Me

Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.


I made myself get out of bed at 11:00am today. Many of may be wondering how someone could possibly sleep that late. Well since you asked, I am e.x.h.a.u.s.t.e.d. For 16 years I was a stay-at-home mom and I volunteered a lot, so I definitely stayed busy. If I needed a little more rest, I just took naps during the day. Of course, there are no naps when you have a full time job (who would like to lobby to change that?). This working AND volunteering thing is T.O.U.G.H. But I realized something last night. As hard as this is, I really think it's what I'm supposed to be doing.

This week we had two different band events, which meant that the band crew had two late working nights (dinner provided by Taco Bell...again). I dreaded both of them, partially because I have been fighting terrible allergies for weeks(never have I had so much trouble with them this time of year!). Three days this week I very nearly called in sick. I have just been having the most difficult time getting through the work day. So adding on another "job" in the evening was just not what I wanted to do.



I realize that this probably sounds like a gripe session, but that's not what I'm intending. Arduous as the task has been, I have had a lot of fun. I love the friendships I have with the other parent volunteers and if you know me at all, you know how much I love working with the kids. There is something so satisfying (and healing) to me about being the "extra mama" for kiddos whose parents aren't around.



Last night I actually got my second wind and had a great time. It's a tradition that when we play our big rivals from across town we carry around braided yarn in the colors of the other team, the Tigers and the kids sing "I've got a tiger by the tail". We couldn't find any of our "tiger tails" from previous years, so I stopped by my mom's (we've been getting along pretty well lately) on the way to the game and borrowed some yarn to make them. Then I sat in the car before the game and quickly made some for K, T and K's two best friends. What really made my heart smile was knowing that one of K's friends was so happy to get one. Next year hopefully I will think ahead and make sure to have some "tiger tails" already done.

I'm beginning to think it's likely that even after my kids have all graduated, I might just keep volunteering with the band. After all, the kiddos I work with in the middle school will be moving on to high school and I'm sure I'll want to keep seeing them. I'll need something to keep me busy anyway, so Mama C might just have to do that.


In the past, many people have quoted Jeremiah 29:11 to me. There were so many years, the majority of my life in fact, that I worried every day about the "what ifs". All I could think about was what horrible thing was coming next in my life. And I had good reason to wonder. I had been through so much already. I also had an extremely hard time dealing with the hurts of others. If I would see someone in emotional pain, especially a child, it would just devastate me. Once I was finally able to let myself trust in the Lord's plan for my life (and for the lives of others), everything changed.

I can see now that God's plan for me is to work with kids. And it would not have been possible for me to do the things I'm doing now were I not trusting in Him. Sometimes it breaks my heart to know that the children I encounter need their "extra mama" so much. That's the kind of thing that I truly could not handle when I didn't put my complete trust in my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The things I can handle now would've seriously caused me to have a breakdown then.

I'm sorry I didn't trust in the Lord sooner. I wish I hadn't wasted so much time, but I can't dwell on that. I know that the Lord is using me now. I know that He is still molding me to be the person He wants me to be. I pray that I will allow Him to use me to the fullest and I long to hear the words "well done, good and faithful servant". Help me Lord to follow Your plan.

Shout Out

Two of my favorite blogger friends have such good stuff on their blogs that I just have to give a shout out to them.

Jenn at Casa de Castro made me feel better about the economy...and...


Tracy at Our Journey has a great movie review.