Nine Years Ago

...I was cuddling a red-headed baby in the hospital. My call button was acting up and the nurse was in about every five minutes thinking I was messing with her. When she saw I was holding my baby and reading my bible she realized that I was NOT trying to be annoying.

Anyway...that little baby has grown to be a brown eyed, curly headed cutie. He's had the day off from school, gamed with his brother, received a present or two or...well he was spoiled, got taken out to the restaurant of his choice, got to play miniature golf where he proceeded to get several birdies, and got to have frozen custard and watch I Love Lucy. Friends and family are coming tomorrow for some hot dogs and hamburgers and some fun time.

How did nine years fly by?

Happy Birthday, Boo, my Peter Pan. May you have many, many more.

On a side note, thank you to all whose comments on my last post were so supportive. I appreciate that no one chastised me for my foolishness--and I do know how unsafe that was.

Just so you know, I found an e-mail from my sister saying when she read it she laughed until she cried. She appreciated my sharing and she knows first hand about that stubborn streak of mine but the mental picture she had was probably only too accurate and therefore cause of her laughter. Sisters will always keep you humble.
In Him,

Julie

Graphics from GlitterGraphicsNow.com

"Let Go, Julie! Just Let It Go!"

Most days this is what I see out my back door.



But one morning mid-summer, this was the view I had...through the door



and then...standing on the patio...looking at my neighbor's patio with my canopy bent and strewn about after the rains had gone.



We've lost a couple of these little canopies in the past year due to unexpected thunderstorms. At the end of last summer my impulsive husband and our dear friend hung on to one canopy during a sudden storm with winds easily topping fifty miles an hour. They saved the canopy. Scared the beejeepers out of me, but they did it.

I would never do something like that.

Or would I?



When I got up at six that day there were just a few wispy clouds to the west of us. We didn't think too much of it, even though the forecast threatened isolated thunderstorms. My ever so humble little patio looked inviting and fine. I went down to the husband's office to chat for a few minutes before I needed to do a quick change to take the boys to their day at summer intensives.

In less than thirty minutes the sky changed from overcast to green-black and the winds had picked up to at least forty mph, thunder boomed closer and closer. To quote a cliché the rain fell in sheets--it really did.

As we ran out of the house I asked if we were going to take the canopy down and my husband, already hanging on to one side of the canopy as it offered to launch to the next block said it was too late, to go in. I decided to try to hang on too. Did I really? I'm still shaking my head at that one.

We hung on and the winds blew harder, the rain fell hard and the canopy constantly tried to take flight. If I had jumped in the pool, my pajamas would not have been more soaked.

The winds accelerated and the lightning got closer.

And silly ole me hung on tighter and tighter. Willing to risk much over a replaceable canopy.

Finally I realized my husband was no longer hanging on, but shouting in my ear, "Let it go, Julie, Just let it go!" I'm a little stubborn. And didn't let go right away.

We both hung on a little longer, enough to help it bend over the fence instead of becoming the projectile it could have been. And then we dove in the house just as the worst of the storm hit. My children witnessed the whole stupid thing. And were terrified.

This was the worst of our storm damage, but up and down the block trees were stripped, a few were even snapped. Windshields were busted out and houses were damaged.

And I was willing to take a chance with wind and lightning for my canopy.

As I dried off, I pondered how symbolic that was for so many things in my life. I'd rather hold on to the unimportant things than let them go. Am I too busy cling to my chaff (collections, things, junk, opinions) and storing them in barns? Should I be more concerned with treasures that won't rust or burn away?

How often has God said, "Just let it go, Julie!" How long did I hang on?

What are you hanging onto these days? I don't recommend what I did. Really, really stupid (and I know stupid is not a nice word--but it was.) I've learned my lesson about canopies. Hopefully the bigger lesson will sink in too.

Let go,

Julie

What I Did this Summer...

Sounds like a back to school assignment from fifth grade!! Well, I needed a title. What can I say?

I've been on the road, fitting in knitting, trying to get the house in shape, learning the obsession of tea with my husband, vacationing at Blossom Street and enjoying a few other good books (looking forward to sharing those with you!), , driving to dance (already!!?? Did it really ever end?) and getting the boys back to school.

We are, in fact, on our fifth week of school this morning. The boys have been super. Their attitudes have surprised me with the amount of interest and limited bickering. There truly is something to this busy hands, busy hearts thing.

I found that a homeschool bookstore opened in my community recently and have been thrilled to find some great buys! They sell new and used (on commission) books. For all of you who do most of your book buying via catalogs, you know what a blessing it is to actually handle and get a good look at the merchandise before you buy it.

Roo is already dancing again, although the "official" school year won't start until after Labor Day. He's at an age where the commitment required is increasing. I keep checking to see if he's ready to abandon it or at least back off a bit, but noooooooooooooo...more, more, more. He's only had a total four weeks off this summer. I'm in uncharted territory here. Everything I read and hear from other parents is that this is how it goes, but I'm amazed at how fast children get deeply involved in activities. Not how it was back in the old days I mean the dark ages I mean when I was growing up.

Boo is turning nine!! Nine!! in a few days. What has happened to my Peter Pan? He's counting the days, although I'm waiting for him to start figuring out how many hours it is from the day at any time. I suppose that would be a good math problem. LOL!

My birthday was in April, but I had a raincheck waiting for me with a friend of mine to have a "window day." My friend makes some really neat windows and knows how much I love creating and the offer was for a day to make my own window. The result???









It was great fun and the result is a cool one-of-a-kind piece that goes with the new paint in the living room. Did I say paint? Oh yes, I remember that I moaned and groaned and hooted and hollered about the painting a few months back and then fell off the face of the internet pretty much. I promise to post some peeks later this week.

Whooo...I've got a lot of blogging to catch up on. If anyone out there's still checking in on me I am amazed and blessed. Life happens and I've had more than a few life lessons this summer. Some I'm not able to blog about due to trying to respect other people's privacy. But some of the lessons...well, I plan to share.

Thought for the day:

What do you do when the devil knocks on your door???
...
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Say, "Jesus can you get that for me, please?"

Thanks to my priest for that one!

Peace!!

Julie

Where I'm From...

I've wanted to do this poetry exercise forever. I saw several bloggers doing this over a year ago. But in traditional Julie procrastination mode it got set aside and put off and put on hold. But I thought it would jump start me back after my sporadic posting of late.

The original "Where I'm From" is by George Ella Lyon.

I am from hiding under the kitchen table, the grownups sitting around, above, telling stories and jokes and playing cards; from Dairy Queen on a hot summer night with a butterscotch dipped cone and walking two blocks to Mass before school in the dark.

I am from the tiny house on the corner, six blocks from Grandma’s and Grandpa’s, my little teal pedal car parked at the front steps. I am from the lilacs, petunias and a rosebush with tiny pink roses, the bleeding hearts and fuchsias hanging on the back patio. I am from the sandbox beneath the forked apple tree.

I am from Christmas Midnight Mass and keeping secrets, from Florence and Viola and Gammie. I am from “I’m fine!”, sweeping emotions under the rug and ignoring the pink elephant dancing in the room. From “act your age” and “grow up”.

I am from Latin Mass to Vatican II, incense to Kum ba ya guitar Mass and from altar rails to Holy Eucharist on the hand. From Sister Rosemary who loved me to Sister Mary Adrian who told me I was ugly. From CYC and TEC. I’m from Iowa, Italians, Danes, Native Americans, Irish, Cappellettis and SPAM.

From singing Paddlin’ Madeline Home to the checkout lady for my delighted grandparents, my ratty, stuffing worn thin baby doll draped over my arm, belting my song loud and clear; from beneath the dark canopy at my uncle’s funeral, his parents conspicuously absent because he died fighting in Viet Nam; from sitting in the comic book rack reading Tiger Beat and Archie comics and playing Barbies in the back room and aisles of the corner grocery that my parents ran—my mother during the days and my father at night after his “real job”; and the walk to Grandma’s house one winter night when one of my parents locked the keys inside and us outside. Snow was deep and falling fast. It was a very quiet walk.

I am from much perused photo albums under my mother’s bedside table and my grandmother’s photos loose in boxes amidst the buttons and blankets deep in the cedar chest…some never seen until recently. Dalmatians, Dachshunds, a lilac gingham dress on the swing set, red-white-and-blue jeans on horseback, a new outfit for Christmas each year, costumes and pretended excitement for the first days of school, Santa Claus and Mommie and Mommy kissing Daddy. Somewhere in there were vacations—camping and amusement parks, Royal Gorge, Pikes Peak and Mount Rushmore, traveling in the back of the station wagon staring at the sky. Many miles of years on Polaroids and Kodachrome.


If you would like to do the "Where I'm From" poem in the style of George Ella Lyon here is the form. Let me know if you do!!

I am from _______ (specific ordinary item), from _______ (product name) and _______.

I am from the _______ (home description... adjective, adjective, sensory detail).

I am from the _______ (plant, flower, natural item), the _______ (plant, flower, natural detail).

I am from _______ (family tradition) and _______ (family trait), from _______ (name of family member) and _______ (another family name) and _______ (family name).

I am from the _______ (description of family tendency) and _______ (another one).

From _______ (something you were told as a child) and _______ (another).

I am from (representation of religion, or lack of it). Further description.

I'm from _______ (place of birth and family ancestry), _______ (two food items representing your family).

From the _______ (specific family story about a specific person and detail), the _______ (another detail, and the _______ (another detail about another family member).

I am from _______ (location of family pictures, mementos, archives and several more lines indicating their worth).

Have Suitcase, Will Travel...

On the road, again and again.

I think of the Willie Nelson song every time I say that.

Internet connection is temperamental, other than that, all is well.

Somewhere mid-May I think I might have said something foolish like, "Ready for a break from the crazy merry-go-round/routine." Well, life has been anything BUT routine. I'm ready for some boring again. Busy same-old, same-old looks mighty appealing.

Whine, whine...where is my cheese?

For Kelli

The original post is linked to the button.

Kelli's most recent post is up today.

Visit Kelli and send some love & prayers her way.

Blessings,

~Julie~

Daybook...July 13, 2009

FOR TODAY ...May , 2009...

Outside my window...gray, humid, looks like rain again. Thunderstorms possible.

I am thinking...I love my life.

I am thankful for...I meant to mention this in last weeks Grains of Gratitude, but it got missed, I am thankful for the gentleman who stood behind us in church last Sunday. This wonderful man was obviously an immigrant. He sang with such enegry and gusto, his heart was in everything he said and did. When we closed with "America the Beautiful" I was near tears listening to him. It was obvious his love for his adopted country. We have a very diverse congregation and I am sure some of our members fully realize how lucky we are to be able to practice our Faith freely. I pray that I am not lulled into mediocrity practicing my faith or my freedom.

From the learning rooms...the boys have the week off! This week is my week to sort and organize. Yes, I wanted it done much earlier, but I truly believe God had other plans and maybe I will be open to them now.

From the kitchen...the boys will be learning some easy baking. I am on a limited diet for now and while I don't think they should miss out, I think they might benefit from some supervised baking.

And I won't be as tempted to lick the bowls.

I am wearing...some old clothes I exercised in. Be glad there isn't a "smell" feature on Blogger---eeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwww...Sorry, I just need to cool down a bit more. Then obviously, hop in the shower.

I am creating...I am going to sort through my yarn stash and see what fibers I want to combine. I've got some really fun yarns and I love the look of blended knitting.

I am going...NOWHERE TODAY!!!!

I am reading...Wuthering Heights...finally. I've read it before, but it was on my list for the Winter Reading Challenge and I got off track.

I am hoping...to be able to participate in a reading challenge again soon. I miss the planning and visiting of other readers. I always get good ideas for books I should read. Because I don't have an out of hand to-be-read list. Bwahahahaha.

I am hearing...the clock tick and a child's bed creak. I moved out to the living room this morning to sit in a comfy chair.

Around the house...sort, organize, remove, sort, organize, remove, repeat, repeat, repeat...

One of my favorite things...a new tea blend I am trying. It's called "The Kitchen Sink." Kidding, but I've thrown in some flavored Mate', some Rooibos chai, a Lady Grey black, and some chocolate green tea in the last minute of steeping. Yes, I know...I'm strange...and random.

A few plans for the rest of the week:Yoga on Tuesday, taking my oldest and a friend's daughter with me--they have a ballet class afterwards, taking them and my friend on Thursday and she and I can have a good chat while waiting for our children, a trip to the zoo if it ever stops raining.

Here is video thought I am sharing...



Song: Wuthering Heights
Singer: Haley Westenra
Songwriter: Kate Bush


Visit Peggy at the Simple Woman's Daybook to find more daybookers.

Honestly?

Carrie at Quite the Normal Life wants me to be honest. And Squelly at The Dreamer's Day does too! They shared the Honest Scrap Award with me. Thanks, ladies! I'm sorry I've been so slow in posting this. Honestly? I've been a bad, overwhelmed by life blogger. But, and I know I keep saying this, maybe now I can get back on track.

To accept this award, I need to: 1) Say thanks and give a link to the presenter of the award. 2) Share "ten honest things" about myself. 3) Present this award to 7 others whose blogs I find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged me. 4) Tell those 7 people that they've been awarded HONEST SCRAP and inform them of these guidelines in receiving it :)

So my ten scraps of honesty?

1. Honesty is always the best policy. But I am trying to teach the boys that being honest does not mean you have to tell everything that you know. Like...you can say that your mom doesn't like mornings, but not tell someone that I look very scary when I wake up...or worse. Not that my lovely, adorable sons would ever share anything embarrassing about me.

2. Honestly? I start way to many things and then have a horrible time finishing them.

3. I am a serious pack rat. I am a crafter.

4. I am not a domestic goddess. I do not like housekeeping, I do it under duress and fear of the grossness that happens without cleaning. Company is always a great motivator, but I don't invite people over often enough.

5. Seriously? I am a wonderful procrastinator. Scarlett O'Hara has nothing on me. "After all, tomorrow is another day."

6. I am actually a very private person--hence the blog...makes perfect sense. I was trying to explain to someone how you can be a private person and still have a public blog. She doesn't get it. I have hermit tendencies to the point of annoying my friends,

7. Honestly, I am very frustrated with my endocrine system. The human body is an amazing thing, but mine is just a bit off balance. And it keeps swinging to and fro and getting my meds sorted out is annoying. Oh well...I can live with it and I'm happy for my little "thorn," knowing full well it could be much worse.

8. No kidding, I am an avid napper. Lately I have not been able to practice as much as I would like to.

9. For real, I am eclectic (possibly a bit eccentric) in almost everything. Randomly odd, that is me.

10. And finally, I am a grateful Christian, although I wonder at my witness most days.

Who am I asking to be honest? Well...

1. Leslie--she's always good at being transparent.

2. Renee--I can't imagine her telling a lie.

3. Pastor Al--if he'll play--he's about as honest as George Washington!

4. Michelle--you have to be honest as a mom of young'uns!

5. Sheryl--she's always real.

6. gemma--not afraid to say what she thinks.

7. Buttercup--honestly counting those blessings!

So now, honestly, I am going to get busy visiting blogs. Give me a few days to catch up! But I look forward to visiting. I'll bring some tea.

Be honest if you want to!! Tell us some deep, dark secrets and let me know!

Daybook...July 6, 2009

FOR TODAY ...July 6, 2009...

Outside my window...the gorgeous weather continues...I am loving this!

I am thinking...I can't confuse the boys' lunches this week because only one boy is going to be out of the house.

I am thankful for...the fact my drive time is decreased by over an hour every day this week!!

From the learning rooms...Boo is having a week off of everything. He needs a break. Roo is still at summer intensives. He's really learned a lot.

From the kitchen...maybe spaghetti and meatballs today--crockpot version.

I am wearing...denim shorts and a t-shirt--lots of work when I get home!

I am creating...still working on some knitting that I started in May...not a lot of time lately to get the needles clicking and clacking.

I am going...to put the living room to rights in the next two days!!

I am hoping...Roo's demonstration on Friday goes as well as Boo's did last week. I am so glad they were not at the same time.

I am hearing...morning noises--love the comforting sounds of my family.

Around the house...still wading through the chaos.

One of my favorite things...lunch with my husband. We went to a wonderful restaurant last week--food was superb, service was really top notch, and the company...just the best. I am married to a great guy.

A few plans for the rest of the week:Trying to find the living room floor, driving, drinking tea with my husband on the patio.

Visit Peggy at the Simple Woman's Daybook to find more daybookers.

Have a great week!

Grains of Gratitude July 5, 2009

Happy Sunday! It turned out to be a gorgeous day here. I am so grateful because friends from church invited to boys to their house to have lunch and go fishing. They invited my husband and I, too, but we know they really wanted to see the boys! ;^)

What a special day. The boys had not really fished before and each caught three fish (threw them back too--yay!) and ate waaaaaaayyyy too much sugar and were all in all spoiled rotten. My husband and I enjoyed the time with these couples immensely and we were entirely blessed.

My husband took some vacation time at the end of the week to spend with me while the boys were at their classes. It has been a long time since we've done anything like that. We had lovely lunches, did a few of my husband's favorite acitvities, did a few of my favorite activities, shopped a little and just hung out and finished sentences and thoughts. We certainly felt weird without the boys around, but it was most enjoyable knowing they were busy at things they liked too. Three days with my husband...priceless.

We had a close to home Fourth, no plans but to stay home. It was a good day, though. Thousands of dollars are spent on my street alone every year during the week leading up to the Fourth of July. I am grateful that everyone remained safe even after one of the neighbor's canisters tipped and fireworks hit another neighbor's house.

About four families or groups of friends put on competing "shows" and it was quite a sight to see. Rockets red glare, bombs bursting in air on every side. I always feel just a teensy bit bad when I hear about people driving and waiting for fireworks shows put on by communities. All we've had to do for the last six years is walk out, put a lawn chair in the drive and sit and watch the show.

My husband took the boys up to one of the tents and they got to buy some (much smaller than our neighbors) fireworks. They had a few fountains and strobes and something I call "fizzy whizbangs" and a few other things. They had a great time lighting their own with Dad's supervision and then had about another hour of watching the neighbors. Again--soooooooo grateful for everyone being safe!!

I am so grateful we have our freedom to celebrate. I am thankful to the men and women who continue the work that begain over 230 years ago. Recently we were told of a friend of a friend who was severely injured overseas and we are praying for this soldier's life and for his family. They will never be the same after this, I just pray that they will allow God to comfort them during the coming days.

Grains of Gratitude is from Christine at Brady's Bunch!