Aftermath

I put the following in an email to my sister, then she decided to put part of it on Facebook, which is fine - but as I said to her, actually, this probably should be in a blog post - as I haven't written in several weeks.  By the way, my brother is nagging me gently to write, and I appreciate that.  I wish I were more diligent.  Anyhow, the entirety of the post I wanted to share, edited and including the comments that have already been shared on Facebook are as follows:

I'm somewhat emotional due to the horrific news from CT, and, that although i didn't know her, a fellow school psychologist died - but the children...the evil is too unspeakable.  I've had a FB friend post that he never thought he would be scared to send his daughter to school, and I wanted to reply something like this:  If something happens at your daughter's school, people like me will not hesitate to lay our lives down for your child, and all the children we serve.  I would so do that.  It is something that is engrained in us as educators, not taught formally, but in the everyday business of knowing we are responsible for the safety of 48,000 children in this district every day that we come to work.  We do the very best we can to protect, anticipate, be on alert, question, and watch.  The last time one of my schools was in lockdown status was because someone in the neighborhood called 911 to say they saw a person with a gun walking down the street.  All of the classrooms were locked, outside doors were locked, and -  who patrolled the halls with walkies, looking out doors and windows, checking closets and bathrooms for the next 30 minutes until all clear?  Me and 4 other people.  I do not take my responsibilities lightly.

Many people on FB are posting that God has been "kicked out" from public schools.  They are clueless.  God lives everyday in public schools, through the lives of those who are called by Him to serve.  God is present anywhere His people are, and I know some awesome dedicated servants of Christ who tirelessly and fearlessly serve our students.  I know many teachers who spend their own money, who give their own time, who comfort, encourage, console, discipline, teach societal rules, and who pray for their students every day.  It offends me when people post that God is not in public schools. As Francis Schaeffer titled a book, "God Is There, and He Is Not Silent!"

Canna Bulbs

     This morning I spent some time digging canna bulbs out of my little raised garden bed.  As you may know, this summer was not good for cannas.  It turned way too hot, way too fast.  Only two bulbs produced blooms all summer and the rest of them sent up these sick looking stems with leaves which wilted and dried out in the summer heat, even though I watered them as much as I did the tomatoes growing a few feet away.  This was the first year for these bulbs as I bought them "new" at Valley Feed and Seed.  One hot morning last summer my brother stopped over, and looking at the sorry state of the cannas said, "Well, this is the first year.  They won't do very well."  He was making a good effort to console me. 
     So today, I decided to dig them up and winter them at his place because the bulbs are not winter hardy for this area.  He's going to store them for me in exchange for a few of them to plant in his own yard.  Next year, I have a different place in mind to plant them, so I'm going to give it another go and see what they do.
     What's the point of this rather boring post?  Well, it is this:  As I was digging them up, I noticed new growth.  There were new shoots coming from new bulb growth - they looked like they thought it was spring and they were ready to greet the new season.  I was surprised at how the bulbs had grown underground, how many deep roots there were, and how they had multiplied the number of points that stems will come up next spring.  All this was happening right under my nose and I didn't know it until I got out there and unearthed them.
     In many areas, I think, we are surface examiners.  We take things at face value without knowing what's underneath, and our greatest tendency is to do that with people.  If someone looks a little different and talks a little different, we form our judgements.  If someone has mental health issues God forbid, we are quick to determine if they are a worthy employee, or, worse, a worthy friend.  If someone is homeless, we wonder what's wrong with them and why they can't have a roof over their heads like "everyone else".  With every person you know, there's a soul, a spirit, and many times, a creativity born of original thinking that we do not realize is there because we don't bother - and we don't bother because our prejudices have already spoken.
     Don't be like me, someone who was surprised about the canna growth that took place underground where I didn't bother to look until now.  Be a gardener in the dirt, yes, but be a gardener of people too.   
     
    
    

To Think

     Do you believe, generally speaking, there's a whole culture in this country of people who do not know how to think?  The art of thinking is not really talked about much, at least in my little tiny corner of the world.  Maybe where you live and function people know how to use their brains productively, but I postulate that people many times surrender the task of thinking to others to do it for them.  This is true in many arenas - politically, in the workplace, and of course, in religion.  Why do we seem to have a lack of great thinkers such as C.S. Lewis, Francis Schaeffer, A.W. Tozer and Oswald Chambers?  Or are they out there, and I just don't know where to look?
     I have started listening some to Bott Radio Network, 94.3.  A variety of speakers present programs, some are thought provoking and some are a little like cotton candy.  I have found that I enjoy thinking about, and listening to the challenges presented by people like Alistair Begg, Erwin Lutzer, and Ravi Zacharias.  In fact, his show is called, "Let My People Think".  On his website, he lists some beginning reading materials for those who are interested in apologetics - or, "the art and science of Christian persuasion: communicating the relevance, coherence, and reasonableness of the Christian Gospel to skeptics, cultural influencers, and critical thinkers across the globe."  (from Ravi Zacharias' website,   http://www.rzim.org/about/.  
     
John Bunyan, Pilgrims Progress
Daily Light on the Daily Path (collection of Bible readings)
Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth
Os Guinness, The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
C.S. Lewis, Screwtape Letters
J.I. Packer, Knowing God
Roger Steer, George Muller: Delighted in God
John Stott, The Cross of Christ
John White, The Fight
Brother Yun, Heavenly Man
Ravi Zacharias, The Grand Weaver: How God Shapes Us through the Events of Our Lives

Have you read any of these? 

     Anyhow, my son gave my husband a book called, "Think: The Life of the Mind and the Love of God" by John Piper.  The purpose of the book:  "This book is a plea to embrace serious thinking as a means of loving God and people.  It is a plea to reject either-or thinking when it comes to head and heart, thinking and feeling, reason and faith, theology and doxology, mental labor and the ministry of love.  It is a plea to see thinking as a necessary, God-ordained means of knowing God.  Thinking is one of the important ways that we put the fuel of knowledge on the fires of worship and service to the world."  (From the introduction, Page 15). I'm interested in this book, and in learning how to think.  I'll let you know how it goes.  In the meantime, I encourage YOU to sit somewhere, and just, "think".  Who knows what may happen next...

Weekend Comfort

     I did not feel very well this weekend.  I'm fighting allergies, running nose and watery eyes, sneezing, etc.  Everything I take for the symptoms makes me tired and groggy.  Blech.  But, one must move on with life, musn't one.  I took TWO, count them, TWO naps on Saturday, and still went to bed at my normal time and slept all night.  Waking up today - I felt better, so off to church, lunch with kids, etc.  There is comfort in routine, isn't there.
     So let's see - took Lyd to the dog park on Saturday where she promptly got into a tussle with Rebekah's dog, Zowie.  This after she had done so well there before with other dogs she didn't know.  My daughter, the dog whisperer, is going to see if she can get them to get along - I don't know if I can watch or not. Their next session is next Saturday.  Anyone want to come and watch?
     Coming up this week we have conferences and early release at one school, but a normal schedule at the other.  Then the next week, it's the opposite.  I hope we have a good parent turnout for conferences.  It does my morale good to see concerned parents come in and have intelligent conversations with school staff about their kids. 
     So there's "stuff" going on everywhere I live.  "Stuff" with family, "stuff" at church, "stuff" at work.  Reminds me of this song:
This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff that's getting to me lately
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
But I gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use

     Hope the week ahead is filled with blessings, and not just "stuff" for you.  God bless.

Organized Birds

     So after arriving home from work this afternoon, I let the dog out, and followed her out the back door to my yard.  It was cloudy and cool and as I sat in the lawn chair and breathed in the fresh air, I tried to let the day's activities fade into the atmosphere above me.  I became aware of an increasing noise of bird chirps and calls - and I realized that the two trees in my neighbor's yard had filled with roosting cawing birds.  It seemed like hundreds of them were perched among the branches and as the throng noisily settled among the leaves, I wondered if could be as many as a thousand. 
     All at once it was quiet.  The entire flock suddenly and without warning took flight, swooping, gliding, and making a flowing black river in the sky.  I wished I had a video camera to record the patterns - and then, they were gone.  How did they all decide to suddenly fly, and what precipitated their departure?  They headed west - and were out of sight. 
     Nature simultaneously baffles and amazes me.  These birds with brains the size of walnuts somehow instinctually have a plan and excute it flawlessly.  Is there one leader for these thousands of birds who makes this decision, or do they just somehow know what to do and can do it together?  I wish we humans were as coordinated, with a singular plan and purpose.  Just think of what we could accomplish. 

Not a boring Tuesday

     No, not boring at all.  Today, I was informed of a pretty severe case of cyberbullying some of our 5th grade students were involved in.  A student set up a Facebook page titled "I Hate ______", and filled in someone's name from his/her grade.  The student was savvy enough to protect the page so that it could not be found easily, and also invited others to join, which a few did.   Adminstration found out about this from one of the members of the group who decided to spill the beans about it.  The steps that must occur when this happens are very important, and "downtown" gets involved, but they culminate in making contact with someone at Facebook, who then will delete that page.  I was told today that the parent of the child who set the page up made him delete his Facebook account, as did some of the other parents of the kids who had joined.  This, I'm afraid, happens far more often than we think it does.  We MUST have severe and immediate consequences for these crimes, and yes, they are crimes. My question was, why do 10 year old kids have Facebook pages, but then I was informed that even 2nd and 3rd grade students have them.  Well ok.  So much for Facebook's assertion that kids under 13 cannot join. 
     Additionally, earlier this week a student also in an upper grade (but still in elementary school)engaged in explicit and purposeful sexual harrassment of a teacher.  You might tend to think that elementary students do not do that, but I've got another think for you.  In elementary schools all across this district, cyberbullying and sexual harrassment are addressed in classrooms on a regular basis.  I sometimes cannot believe what we have to talk to kids about.  They weigh all of 90 pounds and stand about 4 ft tall, and they are participating in some of the most disrespectful behavior toward their peers and authority figures that you've ever seen from a child.  A CHILD.  I told someone today that if this were my son,  I can tell you that I would have taken drastic steps immediately - even hospitalization and intensive treatment to try to figure out what was going on.  These children are  drowning and they need immediate lifesaving measures - whatever it takes - but, I'm afraid parents are having drinks on the beach under the canopy.  A sad, sad commentary on what's happening today in our culture. 

Post 30 days

     I signed back on to Facebook last night, and as I scrolled through a couple of pages, I realized that I didn't miss the "big" things. Instead, I sort of missed the minutia of people's lives.  I missed my friend posting a picture of an art work made with BACON of all things (which I immediately reposted for my son in law), a friend who had "minor" surgery but is recouperating, a picture of a dessert someone made, a casserole recipe someone else is going to try, etc.  These are the exact things which drove my other half right off of Facebook a week after he got his account set up.  They make him nuts, they make me feel connected.  Makes me think twice about talking with him about the minutia of my day.  I really try not to do that, but I find that he likes sharing the details of his day with me.  That's ok. 
     It was a hard day at school.  At one building, a teacher sorta lost his-her marbles and blew up in the office, a kid said and wrote some disturbing things but talk was that it will not be handled correctly by those in charge, another kid I went to the classroom to retrieve for some testing melted down in sobbing tears when I appeared because, and it took a long time to figure this out, he thought I was taking him to the nurse (for some reason, he panics about that), a long meeting resulted in - no results, a parent who happens to be a lawyer had, um, issues, etc etc - it just piled up all day long.  I was supposed to go to Wichita Chorale practice, but I just couldn't do it.  I stopped by Panera, got a salad to take home, heated up some soup, put on my flannels, and enjoyed the evening.  There ya go.
     The women's Bible study I'm attending is starting to look at Nehemiah this evening - Yeah, you wouldn't think of Nehemiah first, maybe, for a Bible study, but there's something, or maybe more than one something I need to learn from that book.  In the first chapter there's a prayer by Nehemiah that's bold, specific, but yet, our author says, it's not outcome based.  Too often we pray and in the prayer, we tell God how to make things happen for us.  We give him the plan and the details of how to accomplish it, when, we need to let Him figure that out - that's why we're praying in the first place, right?  Have a blessed day-

Addendum

I appreciate those of you who read my blog.  You've been a pretty quiet bunch, so I hope you're all still out there. 

Day Twenty Nine

     I've sitting here at the desk, with four pictures of my colon in front of me.  TMI!  Yep, I had a colonoscopy yesterday, so with the PREP on Thursday I've checked out of life briefly..  After we left the surgery center, we had a little breakfast, but I was so tired that I came home and went to bed and slept for 3 hours, only waking up to find my brother standing over me paying me a "sick" visit.  All day yesterday I sorta felt foggy, but today after a good night's sleep, I'm feeling pretty good and my guts are making noise, which is good I guess.
     I have been asked if I'm going back on Facebook on Monday October 1, and yes, yes, I am.  Reactions to my departure have ranged from, "Really?  I could give it up like THAT" (invariably followed by a snap of the fingers), to, "You know, I COULDN'T give it up, that's how I stay in touch with my family.  We don't call and we don't do email."  To each his own.
     This month, I feel like I've been (not just because of facebook), I've been in sort of a war with myself.  If you ask God to help you see what you need to deal with in your life, don't worry, I'm here to tell you that He will answer that prayer if you are sincerely asking.  And it's not a pleasant procedure.  Sorta like the prep and colonoscopy procedure, the Holy Spirit points out things that need to be cleaned out, then removed..  (Sorry for using that awful example, but it's apropos in my situation).  The problem is, while these things are coming to your attention and being dealt with, our enemy comes along and tries to disrupt that process - it's to his advantage if he can either hand us a pair of rose colored glasses so we don't see how bad it is, OR, if he can make us feel as if we have failed at everything, and thus not worthy to be in the arena at all.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."  Psalm 139:23-24

Day Twenty Six

     Wowza, I have missed 2 days of blogging.  I have to tell you to the truth, even after doing this for almost a MONTH, I completely forgot about it.  Isn't the human brain interesting.  Let's see, Monday evening I had "Messiah" practice with the Wichita Chorale, and last night the women who go to my Tuesday night Bible study got together for dinner at Jose Peppers, then I took Rebekah home, then I talked to my sister on Messenger, then I went to bed. 
     With Monday evening practices, I'm gone from home 4 nights a week.  Not counting Friday evenings, when our family usually goes out to eat.  Last night was fun, though.  We stopped in over at Scott and Laura's to see kids, and to see exhausted parents - well momma anyway.  Dad looked pretty healthy and chipper.  I played two games of "Memory" with Rachel - guess who won, Rebekah read a book with Gabe, we interacted with Julia (with translation help), and we held the baby, who does what many babies do in the evenings - she fusses for a period of time from about 6:00 on.  Momma can't get much done.  I thought having 3 kids under 5 was a challenge!  Bless her heart, Laura is hanging on to sanity the best she can.  I feel for her.
     We got some relief last night in the form of rain rain rain.  I hear about 3 inches in the Wichita area - but it was so dry, a lot of it ran off.  Today more rain, so I hope it soaks in more.  My house is scraped on the north side, but because it's wet, no painting will happen today.  Did I tell you about that?  My friend Cindy, a jack-of-all-trades but particularly a painter, and a sheetrocker, and a remodeler etc. is painting for me.  I don't want to climb up a scaffold (somehow I see disaster looming ahead) but she does it like we would breathe, so I'll just hire her.  She's worth her money so I don't have to scrape and paint.
     The bicycle is ready for the homeless person attending our church so we picked it up last night, and the pastor will deliver it to him today.  He's also got a helmet, an air pump, and a bike lock as well.  It turned out really nice - they cleaned it up and put on new tires, fixed the chain, etc.  It looks great.  Thanks to my son-in-law for his donation.  Time to get going - have a great day.

Day Twenty Three

     Today is Sunday.  I'm reminded again of how blessed I am to have a family, people who support me, a home, a job, a church family - the list goes on.  And I'm reminded because we have had, the last three Sundays, a visitor attending church who says, and I have no reason to doubt this, who says he lives in a tent in some trees along south 235.  He has attended worship the last 3 Sundays, and is coming for supper on Wednesday nights.  A church member has given him an opportunity to do some contract work, which he has done, and has performed well.  He has not asked for anything until today, when he inquired if anyone knew where he might obtain a bike for transportation.  Arrangements are being made for him to be given a bike this week if possible.  I think he's walking all the way downtown to eat supper every evening at the Lord's Diner - I would say a distance of 8-10 miles or so from where he says his tent is.  A bike would certainly expedite his getting around to where he needs to go, so I'm hoping that will work out for him.
     This week I have training all day tomorrow, then Tuesday I'm at one school, Wednesday the other, Thursday morning back to the first school, Thursday afternoon and evening I have the privilege of prepping for a colonoscopy, Friday is that procedure, so no school for me.  It'll be either a short week or a long week, depending.
     For my Sunday School lesson today, I looked up some examples of oxymorons.  I thought these were interesting:  peacekeeper missile, authentic reproductions, tight slacks, pretty ugly, minor crisis, and, one I used recently, exact estimate.  My friend Denise pointed out there's a town in Kansas which is an oxymoron - Mound Valley.  On this same website I found these, I also found what is known as "Tom Swifties".  Have you heard of these?  Here's a couple of examples: "I have a split personality," said Tom, being frank. "I love hot dogs," said Tom with relish.   Get it?  ....said Tom, being "Frank".  Split personality....ha ha - you get it.  How about, "I need a pencil sharpener, said Tom bluntly."   Or this one:  "I can no longer hear anything", said Tom deftly.  
    And on that note, "Time for bed", said this blogger chiming in."   

Day Twenty Two

     I missed yesterday - I didn't even think about it - however, you should know that I went to bed about 9:00.   Exhaustion does not wear well on me. 
     Today I had lunch with the daughter and SIL, ran into the son and DIL at Lowe's, shopped, decorated my porch table for September, chatted with the neighbor over the fence, bought paint and hired my friend Cindy to scrape, caulk and paint the north side of my house, drove up to Valley Center to give my brother some money, chatted with the OTHER next door neighbor, put gas in my car, etc etc etc.  You know what Saturdays are like.  I didn't even finish half the stuff on my list.  Now tonight the spouse is home from his second job and it's so cute how Lydia finds her hot dog and gets it so he will play with her the second he gets home.  He's crawling around on the floor with her having a great time.  For somebody who didn't even want a dog in the first place - I'd say he's got himself quite a companion. 
     I read in the paper that the mice and spiders are out in full force this fall.  It's time to put some D-Con under the house, and spray for those arachnids that make their way inside.  Normally, little spiders don't bother me, however, I found a Black Widow in the house crawling up the wall last spring, so I'm more concerned about it.
     Time for bed.  Hope you had a productive Saturday and that you enjoyed this first full day of Fall, 2012. 

Day Twenty

     It's Day Twenty!  It's been a long month!  No, not really but I miss miss miss my family's comings and goings as they post statuses (statusi?) on FB.  Those things I really need to know about I do know, but the rest of it is just minutia on the cake, so to speak.
     Lots of interesting things this week work-wise.  I spoke to the principal today about the difficult situation with a co-worker, and she seemed glad to know of my concern.  Together we developed a plan, and I'll let you know how it works out.  Interesting kids to deal with - I wish I could tell you some details about "Margaret" (not her real name).  We are requesting some old medical information that we think will be instrumental in helping us figure out what's going on with her.  We met with parents and my interest in her grew from that conversation.  I'm currently evaluating her and worked with her today.  She's so.... pardon the repetition..... "interesting"!   I believe she may have suffered some brain damage due to a childhood accident and this damage is affecting her in some unusual ways.  I'll need to look through my research on Traumatic Brain Injury and see what's in there.
     I also have been presented with the opportunity for some part time work on the side, about 10 hours a month.  More info later after I meet with the person.  I'm not sure it's right for me, but I'd make a little money, which would be very helpful.  
     My prayers continue for those who are going through some tough times.  My son-in-law is still unemployed, and about cut his finger off yesterday trimming pork chops - needed several stitches to get it back together.  A nephew-in-law is possibly getting laid off, my son is needing full time hours somewhere so he can become self-supporting.  My brother-in-law may be job hunting soon.  Someone has a new diagnosis of breast cancer, and someone else is about month 5 of his stay in the hospital and at the rehab center.  A teacher had a medical problem in a classroom today and an ambulance needed to be called.  Lots of situations - lots of stress.  Our God is faithful to hear our requests, and to answer according to His Word and will.  May peace rest on those who are weary, discouraged, sad, and whose future is uncertain. 

Day Nineteen

     I'm barely upright, so will just blog a bit.  I'm really tired yet again - today I left at 6:50am and got home at 8:00pm.  Long long day.  I left work at about 5:30, had supper at church, saw my private client, practiced with a soloist, and headed home.  I am really needing to get some rest.  When I do go to bed, my head spins (not literally, thankfully) with everything I need to get done.  I don't recall being this busy so early in the year, but that's the way it is right now.
     I am having a few issues with a certain staff member at one of my schools who is just sorta making life miserable for me.  I'm a little stressed about it, but I am realizing this problem is bigger than both of us, and I probably need to talk to the principal.  Hate to get people above me involved, but I have a feeling it's not going to end well if I don't.  I'm planning on trying to talk to her on Friday. 
     My spouse is gone for awhile this evening and the dog is missing him, apparently.  She goes to the front door, sits by it, paces, lays down in front of it, goes out to eat some food, comes back and stands by the door, etc.  This is what she does when he's not here.  He doesn't see how she acts when he's gone and she's expecting him.  If I really wanted to rile her up I would say to her, "Lyd, where's dad?"  That will get her going because then she thinks he's coming in from the porch.  She is listening for his vehicle so very carefully, with her ears up and head turned.  I'm sorry to tell her it's just me for right now.  She thinks I'm boring!
     Yawn.  Sweet dreams.

Day Eighteen

     I'm pretty tired after a busy day.  I'm headed to bed, I think.  I'm still facebookless, so I appreciate all those who send me news and messages that they feel I might be interested in knowing about - it helps me feel not quite so disconnected.  How about a verse to encourage you this day from Isaiah 55:  "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!  .... Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.  Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live.....Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.  Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts, Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon."                                                                                                 

Day Seventeen

     I started the day out at the parochial school I serve, right at 8:00am, working with a student who I think has a really significant learning disability.  I finished some testing with him, then sat in a two hour Child Study Team meeting.  Lunch with the girls followed, then back to the building where I interviewed a student and gave a writing test to another kid.  An informal meeting with a special ed teacher followed, and yadda yadda - before I knew it, I was hauling my bag to the car and it was 5:30.
     BUT - it's Monday evening, and time to go practice with the Wichita Chorale!  I invited my brother to sing with us and he seemed to enjoy himself - he told me singing "Messiah" was on his "informal bucket list".  Happy to help you, brother.  He is a good addition to the bass section.  Tenors need more voices so hopefully some more help will show up.
     Did I mention that I'm gonna need to pay it forward - a former school employee now retired ran into our little lunch group at the restaurant we were at and when we left, we discovered that she picked up the tab for all four of us!  Quite generous of her, and I plan to bless someone else likewise. 
     In other great news, the football team at a middle school in Maize decided to allow a disabled student the opportunity to carry the ball 67 yards and score a touchdown for their team.  The opponents were well aware of the plan and favorably disposed their defense so he could run for the score.  He said on the news that he felt "on top of the world", and I bet he does. 
     What a great day - I hope you all rest well this evening. 

Day Sixteen

     And, a beautiful Sunday it was!  Weather was perfect, lunch with kids was great, good nap, good choir practice, and now, to work.  Yes, I brought home work from school.  Blech.  But, it is what it is.  Blogging first, though.  (I do have my priorities in order, I think...)
     My son in law is coming over tomorrow to do some landscaping for me in the front yard.  It's not anything major, but I'm gonna have a hard time lifting those bags of river rock.  With the old man working most evenings, it's difficult for me to ask him to do much to help out (and that's the way he likes it!). 
     In looking at the week ahead, it'll be a busy one.  Our first evaluation staffing meeting for the year is this Thursday and I still need to do some more testing with our kid (nothing like waiting until the last minute, huh).  He's got a mop of hair and freckles and a smile that will melt some girl's heart in the not so distant future.  Have I said recently that I really enjoy my job?  A student in the school psych program at WSU came to interview me Friday, and I had a hard time coming up with things I really didn't like doing in this job.  Don't misunderstand, I've had headaches with administrators and parents and staff - I've waded through communication problems and hurt feelings and all those things which are present when one is working with people.  But I have a big advantage over these young people in their 20's and even 30's coming up in the program and getting ready to graduate - I have years of life experience dealing with all kinds of situations.  I often call upon that experience to disarm defensive parents, or to strategically "manage" an administrator who is being difficult.  You can't put that on a resume, can you?
     Alrighty, have a blessed week.

Day Fifteen

     Well, today was interesting.  I slept in a little, had breakfast, then Josh and I went to the bank, and headed to WalMart.  While we were going to Wal, headed down south Broadway at about Lincoln, we spotted a small white dog dodging in and out of lanes, running scared.  I pulled off in a parking lot and Josh chased the dog down, catching it behind a building.  Bringing it back to the pickup, the dog relaxed in his arms, and seemed happy to see us.  Some sort of terrier, with longer white hair which hadn't been combed or brushed in a long time, he sat in the back on the seat cushion.  We headed up to Rebekah's as she lives near the pound to get a leash and see if he needed to potty.  Her heart melted as she looked at him, one ear flopped, one ear sticking up - his tail wagging, but neither she nor we needed another mouth to feed, so off Josh went to the pound.  At least tonight, he is safe and not dodging cars.  He was exhuasted.
     A trip to Menard's came next and I bought landscaping materials for Jason to start a project for me next week.  As we were driving home, the truck died - it restarted, but died again, and finally the last 6 blocks or so, we slowly chugged home.  The other half will need to get this vehicle in the shop next week - I wondered if it was overheating, or if there was problem with the gas line.
     Home, materials unloaded, then Josh and I took Lyd to the dog wash.  We talked about taking her to the dog park to help dry her off, so on the way to the newest one, up on north Meridian, we stopped to get a muzzle at PetSmart, as I don't really know how social she is around other dogs.  The times she's been around Rebekah's dog she's been defensive and snapped.
     To the dog park, unhappily muzzled, we let her loose in the large fenced in park where no other dogs were (there are 3 fenced in parks together).  She hated the muzzle and worked at getting it off.  While there, we met the people who were in the other park and talked over the fence.  Both of those owners were interested in hearing Lyd's story, so we told them about her.  They both encouraged us to take the muzzle off and let her loose in the park where their dogs were - a large standard poodle and a German Shepherd.  After discussing it, I had Josh take her over there and take the muzzle off.  She did just fine - snapping at the poodle after he tried to, um, get on her - his owner said he was neutered but that he was "stupid".  He said Lyd acted appropriately.  After awhile, she started socializing with the other dogs, she ran with them, and just seemed to enjoy herself.  I was glad we went.
     Back, home, dinner, and, well, now it's almost 9:00.  That's the sum of my day - I didn't do much, did I - but it was a good day.

Day Fourteen

     Finally, the end of the week.  My sister asked me today if I was going back ON facebook after my month of self-imposed exile, and I replied that I am enjoying the peace in my life without it, however, I greatly miss the connection I have with family and friends.  She was updating me a little bit about some things that were posted, and I do miss those little tidbits, if you will, but I do NOT miss the political schlock and the "discussion" questions that suddenly turn for the worse, leaving me gasping in their wake.  I do not miss the articles posted by both left and right wing fanatics, and, I don't miss those sort of slimy underhanded things people post just to see if they get any reaction.  If I want to know who you are voting for in the next election, I'll ask you. Otherwise, no thanks. You vote your conscience, I'll vote mine.  I'm not stupid because I may lean to the right, and I'm not a free for all let the government do everything for you if I lean a little to the left.  You don't worry about me.  You just worry about you and we'll get along fine. 
     So, enough about that.  I brought home work to try to get done this weekend, and I want to spend some time outside if it isn't raining tomorrow.  The weekends go all too fast, don't they.  I love the thought of curling up with a book under a quilt on the couch, but - alas, I have an agenda.  It doesn't include napping, reading, and thinking.  That's a shame, isn't it.
     Hope your week was productive.  Hope you are behaving yourself on facebook, and hope you will re-energize yourself in some way in the the next couple of days.  Love to all.
     

Day Thirteen

     I missed Day Twelve!  Oh well.  I am seeing a person for private therapy, got done with that, got home about 8:00 in the evening, then I just decided to veg out all together.  Yeah.  That felt good.     Today was chilly, cloudy, and rainy.  THAT felt kinda good too - after this heat we've had I am ready for some fall-like weather. 
     On a another topic, how do ya feel about "road rage"?  I've decided I MAY have difficulty with that.  Someone honked at me today for what I thought was a slight "misunderstanding", and I reacted to that honk with, let's just say, something other than "turn the other cheek" behavior.  I have always been one to instruct other drivers about the error of their ways - but really, for me to get so ANGRY was really not in character for me.  I'm thinking I was stressed about something else - however, that's not an excuse. 
     Road rage is so self-centered.  It's all about me, and my perception of how you did not respond to me correctly, or treat me correctly, or drive your car correctly - which affects - you guessed it, me me me.  I was not pleased with my reaction today and the fact that it came out of nowhere and got me is also a little concerning to me.  But, now that it's been brought to my attention, now I can maybe figure out what to do next time.
     I went to a meeting of all psychologists in the district today.  We were given instruction for about 30 minutes on the advantages of using an iPAD in our jobs - about the different applications we could download, how having an iPAD could help collect student data, etc.  There's only a small problem.  First of all, the district has no money to buy iPADs for us, but sees that as a great new potential tool.  Secondly, you can use your own iPAD, however, you are forbidden to log onto the district server with it, AND, you are forbidden to store any sort of student data on it.  So let's see - the district can't provide me one, and if I own one, it is basically worthless to me.  I believe I just condensed a 30 minute seminar into 3 sentences.  Yeah. 

Day Eleven

     I finally made it home about 5:45 tonight.  On Tuesdays I meet with the new psych I'm mentoring and sometimes, it lasts awhile..  I feel like a mama watching her baby fly the nest - she is very knowledgeable and has been well educated but she's in that odd position where she's trying to apply head knowledge to specific work situations.  She will have her horizons expanded considerably this year, and realize that in this field, like so many others, there are few black and white answers.  I well remember my internship year - it was probably the hardest thing I've ever done.  I spent many nights at home working, studying, reading, trying to understand, researching, and yes, there were a few tears.  It was at once the most frustrating and the most rewarding thing I've ever completed.
     Normally I attend a Tuesday evening Bible study, but did not make it this evening.  I needed some down time and just felt like an evening at home was what the doctor ordered.  It's a warm evening - I have the windows open but it's still a little stuffy in here.
     I hear the Chicago teachers are on strike.  We were encouraged today, via email, by our local union to not only wear a certain color for solidarity on Friday, but also to send that organization funds to support the teachers efforts to gain a better contract.  I have enough problems sending my own union 75.00 a month for dues - I somehow do not have any extra funds to send to striking teachers.  And that's about all I'm going to say about that, other than, I hope they go back to work.  And real soon.
     My sister wanted titles of books I'm reading.  "The Litigators", by John Grisham, "Colorado!", by Dana Fuller Ross, and "The Virgin of Small Plains" by Nancy Pickard.  And now you know all my secrets.  Almost!
     I posted this, then remembered that I just wanted to mention that I have certainly been thinking about what happened this date 11 years ago.  I still cannot watch footage of this event without feeling my heart break once again.  My prayers are for this nation and our leaders, for those who serve in our military, for an end to this war, and for peace.  The words to this hymn come to mind: 

"A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our Helper, He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal."

"Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God's own choosing;
Dost ask who that may be?  Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth, His name,
From age to age the same, And He must win the battle."

"And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us;
The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him; His rage we can endure,
For lo, his doom is sure:  One little word shall fell him."

"That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours, through Him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; the body they may kill;
God's truth abideth still:  His kingdom is forever."

"A Mighty Fortress is our God"
Words and music by Martin Luther

Day Ten

     So this evening, a friend and I went to the first rehearsal of the Wichita Chorale Society to prepare to present "Messiah" this December.  I have not sung in a large choir in a very long time, and this rehearsal kept me on my toes.  Our director is professional, but humorous - a trait that that I'm sure I will appreciate as we move into more and more difficult passages of this work.  I have invited Jay and Dan to participate, but I know they are both busy, and probably don't have time - however, I think both would enjoy it greatly.  There are no auditions, you just come and sing.  I have a copy of this oratorio, and have already started marking troublesome spots in the alto section of the music we worked on this evening.  It's dedicated Monday evenings in my already crowded schedule, but as I explained to my sister, when I think about or am involved in producing music, instrumentally or vocally, I use a different part of my brain than I use all day at work and it feels pretty good.
     Speaking of work, I spent most all day in meetings.  I know they pay me to evaluate kids, to provide intervention services, to consult with teachers, and a dozen other things, but none of that got done today.  None.  I'm feeling a little stressed already, this early in the year, but that's ok - I'll deal with it just like I always do.
     Going to bed early I think.  I have started THREE novels, all are interesting, and all are getting read little by little.  Normally I don't do that, I read one book at a time, but I just couldn't wait to dive into the latest John Grisham paperback (I know, I know) plus I'm reading a western historical narrative, and a murder mystery set in Kansas (not for the faint-hearted).  My day is over - time for reading!

Day Nine

     So today, I cheated a LITTLE.  Rebekah was over and showed me a picture that was posted on her Facebook page.  I peeked a tiny bit while she was scrolling, and oh my, some interesting things have happened since I left it behind, but that's ok.  Also, my sister was kind enough to send me a picture she thought I might like that someone had posted, and I appreciate that.  Today in a little time of relaxation, I enjoyed the cooler weather from my porch and also from the backyard, while I watched a flock of birds descend into the neighbor's tree.  The leaves shimmered in the sunlight, and I almost thought I might be in a jungle with all the chirping, cawing, crowing, and trilling going on.
     Some of the birds have left for the winter, but some will be here through the duration.  I fed birdseed some last year, and tried to have fresh water out from time to time.  Have you checked into the price of birdseed lately?  It's gone up considerably.  I don't put out the cheap stuff but at these prices - I might have to mix it in.
     It's going to be a busy week.  I am going to do something Monday night which I will post more on here IF I decide to continue it.  I'm being mysterious, but really, it's not a big deal - just something I heard about, and am going to participate in for one rehearsal to see if I want to continue.  More later.
     Have a wonderful week.  I hope you recharged your batteries in a spiritual way this weekend - try to put into practice something that challenged you this week.  As a Sunday School class teacher, I have discovered, as I'm sure some of you know as well, that the teacher learns more than the students.  You can't really teach something you haven't personally experienced, and that's a challenge for me this week as we talked about emulating God's holiness. 
     Blessings to all as we continue our sojourn here.

Day Eight

     What a beautiful day it was - at least weather-wise.  We worked outside this morning doing some raking, filling bird feeders, etc.  I pulled out all the dead vegetation from the garden but due to a communication mixup, my other half pulled all the carrots which were NOT dead.  I was gonna leave them in there awhile yet, but that's ok.  I picked one tomato today which had ripened and that's gonna be about it for them.  I don't think there are any more green ones. 
     Went to the store and battled crowds - everyone was doing some grocery shopping today.  The "Oscar Meyer Weinermobile" was in the parking lot - and no, for those of you who are already going there, I did not have an incident.  I DID try a sample of "nitrate free" hot dog, and picked up a coupon because I thought it was pretty good, but upon closer inspection after I got in the store, the coupon was not for the package of uncured hot dogs, it was for a package of Carving Board lunch meat.  I think you call that a "bait and switch". 
     Do you use the self-check?  I hate self-check.  I used it a couple of days ago and it raised my blood pressure.  Besides, that's why I pay exorbitant prices at the store - so that someone can check my groceries and bag them for me.
     Cooked a pork loin for dinner and cleaned house.  A typical Saturday.  Hope you had a typical day and that you enjoyed the comfortableness of your Saturday routine.  A tradition for our family is to have lunch together after church, so tomorrow Rebekah and Jason are cooking fajitas for lunch.  Yum! 

Day Seven

     We just got back from Emporia, where our extended family got together at the Golden Corral to have dinner with my brother Max and sister-in-law Sherri from Michigan, and their friends (and because we have "adopted" them they are our friends), Don and Marilyn Kile.  Max is my oldest brother, and I don't see him very often.  He came to Kansas this weekend because he was invited to play his saxophone at a memorial service for a friend and colleague of his, Alan Hawkins, music professor at KU for many years.
     As we ate and visited, laughed, and relived memories, I looked around at my family of 17 people who were there, and I thought, THIS is it.  THIS is the most important thing to me in the world, and how blessed I am to be a part of this.  I don't deserve it, I didn't ask for it, and for some reason known to only  to God above, I am able to be a participant in this amazing group of people. I never ever ever take that for granted.  Never.  Every moment is precious, and every person in this clan is loved and appreciated for the uniqueness they bring. Those of you who weren't able to make it - we missed you.  There are always holes when people aren't present, and I thought of each of you this evening. 
     Finally - some cool weather!  The heat broke today - in fact, when I was at Dillons around noon it felt so hot, but when I came back to school about 30 minutes later, in that time, a front blew through bringing wind and cooling rain and a good 20 degree temperature drop.  Tonight we have a lovely 65 degrees. Windows are open and it is refreshing.  I'm heading to bed, gonna pick up a book I started and enjoy some down time.  Good night all.

Day Six

     It's been a day!  While I was at a parochial school today testing a student and in a meeting following that, from, oh, 1:15 to 3:30, I received 17 emails, mostly about a situation at my base school. Yes, 17.  Additionally, I hosted a lunch meeting for the Northwest Psych Quadrant today, enjoying a presentation by our instructional coach, I met with our Child Study Team for 2 hours this morning, and I picked up my niece at her school (not far from where I work) and enjoyed some time with her at Orange Leaf, and at Bookaholic. 
    I'm ready to be home and engage in mindless activities.  This is one of those times that I miss playing games and catching up on the minutia in other peoples' lives via FB.  Blogging is sort of a substitute activity, but it still involves more cognition than what I would be doing if I were on FB this evening.  At least I'm not thinking about the Democratic National Convention.  I don't want to think about politics anymore - my goal is to be a "Teflon Voter" - let all the mudslinging, half truths, grandstanding and dramatizing just roll off of me like a duck.
     I'm tired and I'm ready to look at the paper (yawn) and go to bed.  Day Six - no FB!  It's getting easier...
    
    

Day Five

    I'm sitting at the computer last night, checking email, home alone, enjoying the solitude.  Getting up from the computer desk, I went out to the kitchen to make a sandwich before going to Bible study and from there,  I heard a noise which sounded like a short high-pitched screech.  Then nothing.  "What was that", I thought to myself.  "That was kinda weird."  Hearing nothing else, I made my sandwich and brought it back to the computer desk to eat.  Several minutes later, I heard the same sound again, and it lasted about 5 seconds.  It sounded like a cross between a child crying and a dog howling.  High-pitched, it grated on my nerves and sounded as if it came right from the computer.  I had Mozilla open and nothing else.  I got up and went outside on the porch, looking for children playing, or a car going by with an odd horn.  Nothing.
     I called my husband, who was on his way to his second job, and described the sound.  It sounds like, he told me, the fan motor might be going out on that computer tower because it is really old.  He advised me to turn it off and see if I heard it again.
     I hung up, and not more than 5 minutes later, I heard the sound again.  The dog got up and stood by the door, trying to figure out what this noise was.  I hadn't turned the computer off at this point, and now, I was becoming very concerned.  The noise was like a shriek, or a high pitched wail, or even an odd laughter.  Again, it sounded like it was coming from the computer desk.  I called my son and in a voice where I was trying not to panic, I asked him to come home and help me investigate as he was off work, then I called my daughter.
    Without telling her what her dad told me, I told her about the sound and asked for advice.  By this time, I was almost in tears because I was halfway scared, and halfway frustrated that this sound was emanating  right in front of me and I could NOT discern what it was.  She immediately said the same thing as her dad - it's probably the fan on the computer tower.  Shut it off and you won't hear it again, she told me.  She offered to come and check it out, but I told her Josh was on the way and I didn't need her to do that.  Hanging up, I turned off the computer, turned off the speakers, and sitting in the chair, I waited for something to happen.
     The noise did not disappoint, and once more, I heard the eerie sceech/wail coming from the now off computer desk area.  Again, I went outside and saw nothing, not even any kids out playing.  No cars.  No noises like this.  No activity.  After several minutes, Josh arrived home, and his first statement to me after coming in the door was, "Mother, I think you're nuts."  I just looked at him, and motioned him to sit down and wait.  I got a Kleenex and blew my nose, and tried to quell the feeling of fear.
     About 20 minutes later, the sound came again.  "SEE!"  I yelled.  "Did you hear THAT??"  A look of recognition came over his face.  "Oh", he said.  "I know what that is."  Reaching into the bottom drawer of the computer desk, he pulled out, you heard it here first, a small sock monkey.  He had bought this sock monkey at Dillons, intending to give it to a friend, about two weeks ago.  It's called a "flying monkey", and when you launch it, and it lands on its belly, it makes this horrific screeching noise.
     Well.  That only answered one question.  In order to get the monkey to screech, you have to shake it, turn it upside down, or otherwise vigorously move it around.  When you do that, it MIGHT make the noise.  There is no on or off switch on it.  Somehow, laying in a drawer, in perfect darkness and stillness, with nothing disturbing it, this stupid sock monkey screeched 5 times all by itself.  He told me it had been in there about 2 weeks, and this was the first I or he had heard this sound.
     My emotions vascillated between relief, anger, fear, and amusement.  A sock monkey!  I was angry - my imagination ran away with me because a toy decided to somehow, all on its own, make noise. I could barely finish my sandwich.  I asked him to please take this toy from my home - it was no longer welcome there, and he took it with him in the car to go visit his sister.  Alone once again, I wondered if I was going to hear the same noise or other noises - and yes, I understand that isn't rational, but sometimes, when fear or other emotions take over, we are not rational people.  After calming down by praying (how do you pray about a sock monkey), and focusing my thoughts on the Peacemaker, I went on to Bible study.   I was not going to share this story because it's so STUPID, but then someone mentioned to a friend at the Bible study - "OH!  I was going to tell you!  I found the cutest sock monkey for your granddaughter!"  followed by "rabbit trail" discussion about how quickly the mind, if uncontrolled and undisciplined can become irrational and fearful. I smiled, and related this story.  Quickly the other women, smiling, nodded.  One woman confessed that when her husband is away on business trips, she sleeps with every light on, and the TV on.  We understood, and commiserated.
     I'm sure that you in my family are reading this and smiling, or even laughing - that's fine with me.  I was just reminded once again by a little innocent, soft, smiling, sock monkey that the mind is indeed, an irrational instrument at times.  The following verse came to me:  "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."  II Cor. 10:5. 
    
      

Day Four

     I've spent some time yesterday reviewing old posts.  I am so glad I started this blog, even though I write rather infrequently.  I enjoyed re-reading about the "great mattress maneuver" and about Joshua dropping my car keys into a parking meter post downtown.  Some posts I think are examples of fairly decent writing, others are not.  I have triggered some memories - and frankly, without this blog, I'm not sure I would recall so many details about those events, plus some others such as the train trip Rebekah and I took to Michigan several years ago.  I love that this is a little history of things in my life - but it's way too incomplete.  My mom kept diaries from time to time and I treasure those words in her own handwriting (although my sister is the "keeper of the memorphilia".  I do realize memoraphilia is not a word, but it's a word in THIS family...) 
     I've had a pretty good day at work, and now am at home trying to figure out what to do for dinner.  I'm back on the horse diet-wise, and am tracking again on My Fitness Pal.  What a pain in the hind end, but I find it useful.  My challenge has always been, however, to get my body moving in some sort of organized aerobic fashion.  I know that is the real key to sugar control, but I find it difficult, for several reasons, to get this worked into my routine.   
     Tonight I'm going to spend some time with friends in a Bible study group.  I enjoy this interaction and the study is useful as well.  I haven't had time to look over the lesson for this evening, but perhaps without facebook eating up my time every single day I'll be able to! 
    

Day Three

     Today, we enjoyed some time out at Kevin's for Labor Day, but it was too hot to do anything outside, so no family croquet game was to be played.  Conversation was good, fellowship was good, and it was nice to catch up with the little ones and the very fast growth they are engaged in the first months and years of life.  Bryn can take a couple of steps on her own, and is a tall baby.  She is in constant motion.  Julia at about 2 and a half talks all the time and is easier to understand every day.  She certainly is an independent little girl.  And Hannah changes every day - at a mere 2 weeks old she looks different every time I see her.  She was wide awake quite awhile this afternoon, those baby blues looking around at everything.
     A box turtle was found and held up to the window for Rachel and Gabriel to look at, homemade ice cream was on tap, and a good time was had by all.
     I love going out to Kevin and Deanna's place, as it is somewhat secluded and quiet.  I have come to terms with the fact that I won't ever have a place of my own like that - after all, I'm going to be 60 in a couple of years and that's the time of your life when you figure out how you can downsize, not acquire more.  Nevertheless, they are very generous about sharing their spot on earth with us city dwellers, and I am grateful for that.
     Tomorrow it is back to work.  I have evaluations to do at both schools, some coming up very quickly, so there's no grass growing under my feet, as they say.  My knee appears to be feeling better, as I have tried to stay off it this weekend, so I hope to walk around school without wincing or limping.
     Day 3 has come and gone.  I have received an email from my oldest brother saying simply that he's lived without facebook for 70 years, he would think I could do 30 days with no problem.  And he's right.  No problem! 

Day Two

     Yes, day 2 of no facebook.  I resorted today to asking my sister if anything "exciting" was going on on fb, and learned that my great niece, Bryn, is walking - which - I guess only knowing a day later isn't a big deal.  See, I'm so accustomed to knowing things quickly!  When my kids were little and began walking, she didn't know it until days/weeks later, when a letter or phone call from me might have informed her of that.  It's the speed at which we gain information about family/friends that I'm missing, I think.
     My daughter called me to say that there was an invitation proffered to family to spend some of Labor Day at my brother's - but I already knew that because my sweet sister-in-law called earlier to find out why my name wasn't showing up on her message list on facebook.  I'm glad she did because I don't want anyone to think I defriended them, but I guess I "defriended" everybody (in a manner of speaking).
      So I finished a book today - "The Piano Shop on the Left Bank".  What a great little treatise on how pianos become such a part of our lives, and of how they "live" when they are a part of our homes and played regularly.  Someone gave this book to my son Dan, and he gave it to me when he was finished with it.  I enjoyed it immensely even if it took place in Paris - somewhere I will probably never be able to visit. 
     I discovered two more books I'm going to start reading, and although I have always read regularly, I now am finding lots more time to do so.  I love books and I love the printed page, and unless I need font to be substantially larger, I probably won't own a Kindle.  When I was a kid nothing made me happier than settling on the "divan" (as my mother called it) with the latest Nancy Drew book from the library.  She subscribed to the Reader's Digest and I read it cover to cover, along with the issues of Good Housekeeping and Woman's Day that were delivered to our mailbox.  I read mysteries, biographies, and all kinds of novels.  I so wish the kids I see who are struggling readers can somehow someway catch a glimpse of the power the written text has, and can at some point, develop a love for reading.  However, when you can't read fluently because you can't blend letter sounds together, or you can't remember sight words, or you look at text and it appears to be nothing but lines and circles, then it's very difficult to want to acquire this skill.
     What are you currently reading?
   
    

Day One

     Thirty days without facebook.  That's the decision I made a few days ago.  In the grand scheme of thigs, it's not important.  But in my personal growth process, it is.
     I was reminded that I actually had a blog several months ago when I was asked to write a short biography of myself for my (cough) 40th high school class reunion.  A question on the bio page was, do you have a blog or website?  Blog?  Why, yes, from the far corners of my brain came the answer - a blog!  I DO have a blog!  Or, I have a page I write on about once a year and then post it.  Whatever. 
     So, 30 days without facebook.  This is day 1.  Some have asked me why I'm doing this.  The answer is complicated, and yet simple.  I'm doing this because I need to restore some sanity in my life.  Sanity?  Facebook makes you insane?  Yes.  In a manner of speaking.
     Anyhow, this is a 30 day journey.  Other changes were made this day as well.  I have lived with diabetes now for 11 years.  Meds have increased incrementally along the way.  There is no cure, no matter what you read about diet, exercise, and surgery.  No cure, but there is control, and I need to be focused on health issues for awhile.  When I don't work in the summer, I tend to fall off the turnip truck, then I go for lab work in August, then I have a heart attack when my doctor's office calls, because they never have good news for me.  Never.  Let's see, I'm starting my 7th year working for the school district.  I love having a summer vacation but I backslide every summer.  Every summer.  Then I pay the price.
     Ok, enough rumination.  Facebook, I'll miss you.  Maybe.  Other things, I will welcome you.  We'll see what happens. 

where have i been where am i going

Since February 19th, I've been sitting at home on my rear end.  I fell while roller skating (another post, another time), and fractured my elbow in two places.  I just now got rid of my cast, and am in a splint, doing PT for the next 3 weeks.  So, 2 weeks in a half cast because of the swelling, 2 weeks in a real cast, and 3 weeks in a splint and PT all because I had to get on skates again.  Stupid stupid stupid.

Ten Things I've Learned

1.    Everybody takes risks every day, even if it's getting in your car and driving to the QT.

2.    A lot of people break bones, as evidenced by all the casts, wheelchairs, walkers, etc I saw at Kansas

       Orthopaedic Center the last 4 weeks.

3.    Medical insurance companies are more powerful than your orthopaedic surgeon..

4.    Physical therapy is essential to having a functioning elbow joint someday.

5.    I need structure and I need routine because basically, I'm lazy.

6.    I'm married to a saint.

7.    My dog, left to her own devices, will sleep on the couch all day.

8.    There's nothing on daytime TV worth watching.

9.    It's easy to eat out of boredom.

10.  I love my job and I miss working.

Kindness

So the lesson I'm going to teach today has to do with kindness.  When I first looked at it, I thought it would be a "slam-dunk", you know, one of those things you can run through sorta with a "duh" attitude.  Kindness - yes, everyone should be kind, everyone should practice this trait, give some examples, bam, you're done.  Nope, I don't think so.

Here's what I learned in my study:  Being kind is sometimes difficult.  It is a choice.  A kindness is truly a kindness when it is received by someone who:  (a)  may not "deserve" it, (b) does not expect it, (c) requires a sacrifice on your part, (d) is done without thought of what you will receive in return.  Being kind involves not only taking action to meet a need, but also can be facilitated by the words you speak to others. 

Do you know anyone who is truly kind?  I've been the recipient of many acts of kindness over the years but I think one that stands out is an act so "small' and simple that the person, who I don't even know their name, was unaware the impact they had.  It was a busy weekday evening, about 5:30, many years ago.  I was standing in line at the small grocery store near my home, however, the store was packed, as it often was, with people similar to me-working moms stopping in to get something to fix for dinner that evening.  I was tired and weary from a job which absolutely drained me.  My three children at home were around 12, 14, and 16 and it seemed we were having one crisis after another in my family.  As I waited in line, I grew more and more impatient, and upset about the fact that there seemed to be never enough checkers in the store. Finally, my turn came and after pulling my cart up in the lane, the cashier unloaded my groceries to begin to scan them.  I stood at the check-writing shelf and got my checkbook out, wondering if I had enough money to pay for food this week.  After greeting me, the cashier looked at my face and said something like this:   "You look really tired.  You must have had a long, hard, day, now you have to go home and fix dinner!  I'm so sorry you had to wait in line."  Drip, drip, drip.  These words fell onto a parched and weary soul, and I looked back at her.  For the first time I saw dark circles around HER eyes and a weariness about her, but then, she smiled at me and there we were, two weary women understanding each other all because she cared enough to express kindness to me when I appeared out of sorts to her. 

I've never forgotten it.  I don't even know her name, but I've never forgotten that feeling as I left that store and went home to my kids.  Kind words matter!  They buoy and lift the spirit like no other - especially when said to those who least deserve them, expect them, or who cannot give you anything in return.

Kindness.  I encourage you to practice it this week, and start with those who are nearest to you.  Here's a reminder:  "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."  (Ephesians 4:32)    

January 3

Thankfulness first:  I went to an inservice today - I could complain about this but you know, looking for things to be grateful for helps me to view things with a little different perspective.  I got a parking ticket because I forgot to feed the meter - but - I have a car that works fine, AND, I have 15.00 to send to the city coffers.  Temperature in the room at the ISC was just fine - not too hot, not too cold.  The topic of the inservice was "somewhat" interesting so I wasn't completely bored ALL the time.  How's that?

Iowa caucus is tonight.  I am interested to see what the results are - however, I did read the paper an Iowa university professor wrote who was questioning why we have allowed Iowa such a position in the spotlight as they do not "represent America" accurately. Here's the link if you are interested: 

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/12/observations-from-20-years-of-iowa-life/249401

That's it for today! 

January 1

I just got done reading about a man who a couple of years ago, sent 365 thank you notes to people in a year - like snail mail handwritten thank you notes, and how that changed his life.  Every day - not only being thankful, but being thankful to another human being for something - I can well imagine that this would give a new perspective about things, and very quickly.  He has written a book about his experience which has just recently been published  ("365 Thank Yous - The Year a Simple Act of Daily Gratitude Changed My Life" by John Krauk). 

Thinking about this - I wondered if I actually could write 365 notes to 365 different people - do I even know that many people - and not only that, do I have a spirit of gratitude about my life's circumstances which would allow me to do that?  Off the top of my head, here are 10 people I could thank today this very minute in no particular order - so if you read this and your name is at the bottom of the list, don't freak out!  I have not included family because - well, I hope you all know how much I love and appreciate you every day!

Dr. Bakken - a professor at WSU who told me early on in my "going back to school" career that she had great confidence in my ability to stay in school and complete the school psychologist program successfully when I was doubting if I could. 

Noma Curtis - former music director at Parkview Church - thank you for mentoring me, being my friend, and for helping me to grow as a musician.

Jill Rust - speech therapist (retired) who worked at the very first school I was assigned to (albeit briefly), and who, on a day I was about to throw it all in gave me a little train engine with the encouraging words - Yes you can!  You can do it!

Lynn Wells - thanks for being one of the best supervisors I've ever worked for.  Enjoy your retirement!

Lisa - you cut and color my hair every couple of months and what a pleasant experience it always is for me to come in and have you work your magic!

Debi Patry -- your bright smile at Braums as I'm shopping is always a day brightener for me.

Loy Burnett - For the last 30 years, I have so much appreciated your willingness to keep our old cars running, and to always treat us fairly when we have to bring one of them in.  Thank you for all you do for us.

I don't know your name - but you work at the Donut Whole and you made me the most delicious sugar free peppermint mocha the other day!  Thank you for your cheerful attitude and willingness to go the second mile.

Karen Wallace - I will never ever forget what you did for me (you know what), my first year working in USD 259.  I remain very grateful to this very day - 6 years later. 

Dianna - Thank you for opening your home on Tuesday nights for an eclectic group of women to gather and to discuss biblical topics.  I am grateful for your service.