Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Goodbye 2008!

As Mouse was leaving for work this morning, and passing out his usual good-byes he said, "Have a good day and remember, make the most of this one. It's the last for 2008." I find it so interesting how December 31 is such an important day for all of us. It marks the end of our calendar year, our fiscal year personally & corporate for many. But it is not these tangible ends that cause us to pause. It is the more emotional endings that are brought on by this last day of the year. I thought it would be good for me to take a few minutes and recollect what 2008 meant for me and my family.
In January, I left a job I had been working for more than 6 years. I was excited about my new venture but so sad to be leaving a place I had learned to love. We attended more basketball games than ever before. With all 3 W's playing, we were in a gym 2 or 3 days a week and several hours on Saturday.
February was full of basketball too as well as the start of Baseball season. We moved over to the Warner Robins American Little League. Home of the Little League World Series Champions. Between basketball and baseball, we did little else.
March brought a lot more events for 3W Attractions, Inc. We started getting into our busy season. We also celebrated several birthdays. Mouse, #1W, NeNe, and a big one for me. 40!!!
In April, Mouse and several of my Bunko girls and their husbands made a trip to Biloxi to celebrate my birthday. SO MUCH FUN!!! #1W and #2W tried out for a role in the play "Jack and the Beanstalk" put on by our community theater. #1W was the Fairy Godmother and #2W was Jack. It was a crazy time with baseball practice, games and play practice. Really put a lot of miles on the old Tahoe.
May always bring a craziness to our schedule only surpassed by December. 3W Attractions, Inc was out of control and between ball, field trips, exams and year end parties, we met ourselves coming and going. We also had a great visit from some relatives. They came to celebrate my mother's 80th birthday. We ended the month with 2 extraordinary performances of "Jack and the Beanstalk"
June was spent playing All-Star baseball, basketball camps, swimming, and more baseball and trying to adjust to no school. Most of us were loving life about right now.
July 5th, we left for Daytona. Our family vacation spot. We love it; can't say enough about it; wish I was there right now. We celebrated #2W's birthday at the beach. On the 18th, my Poppa died. It was the 200th day of the year. The day my whole world was shaken to the core.
August we were back to school. Missing Poppa. We helped Mouse's grandmother celebrate her 100th birthday. We made another one of those great trips to Biloxi. It was wonderful to get out of town for a few days. The end of the month we started, Cross Country, Football and Soccer. (Here we go again:)
September saw meets, games and matches all over Bibb and Houston counties. Lots of fun!! Missing Poppa.
October was a busy month. #3W celebrated his birthday, Mouse and I had our 14th Anniversary. More football and Soccer and of course Halloween. Halloween is the busiest night of the year for 3W Attractions. Missing Poppa.
November brought the Peanut Bowl, overnight camp trips, sleepovers and basketball tryouts. We also celebrated what would have been Poppa's 81st birthday. We missed Poppa. #3W was voted the Soaring Eagle for his class. Thanksgiving came and went. Trying desperately to be thankful. Another visit from family carried us into December. Only 2 weeks of school, Christmas parties and lots of shopping, is how we spent this month. My mother took the W's and me to see Scrooge at the Macon Little Theater. It was spectacular. #2W had a wonderful Christmas program at school. We decorated the most beautiful Christmas tree to date. Desperately missing Poppa. Were overindulged by our families with gifts. And here we are on the last day of December. The last day of 2008. As much fun as we had this year, I can truthfully say, I am glad to see 2008 go. I am hopeful that 2009 will be a better year for our business and our family. I hope it will be year of healing and peace not only for us but for our country as well. That is my prayer as we end 2008. I am looking forward to what 2009 holds.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

HONORED

I was honored to be one of the thousands at the Hartsfield International Airport on the Saturday before Christmas. I know you think I'm crazy using that word to describe how I felt at the busiest airport in North American on one of the busiest days of the year but that's the word, HONORED!

It had been quite a morning. My alarm went off at 5:00am so I could call Mouse and wake him up in his hotel room in Indianapolis. (Did you know that Hilton Hotels don't have wake up calls? It was news to me too :) I couldn't go back to sleep so I got up, showered and after a couple cups of coffee, wrapped a few gifts. Before leaving town, I had to see the 3W Attractions truck off and get gas. Then, it was off to the most miserable place on the planet. THE HARTSFIELD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT the weekend before Christmas!! Can you imagine a more horrible place to be? Mouse was coming in from a business trip and we had planned to spend the afternoon finishing up our Christmas shopping. The drive to the airport was pretty uneventful but after arriving, I drove around the parking deck forever trying to find a parking place. I did happen to find one pretty close and then proceeded to walk into the Baggage Claim area. O MY GOSH!!!! I never imagined the airport could hold so many people. I pushed my way through to the waiting foyer and tried to find the best place to wait on Mouse. As I was looking around at all the people, I suddenly heard the crowd erupt in applause. I turned just in time to see two soldiers emerge from the breezeway. An older gentleman, with a USO apron on greeted them, shook their hands and pointed them toward a door. Before they were gone, the applause started again. This time, a man and woman jumped over the cording meant to divide the passengers from those of us waiting, and grabbed their son for a huge hug. The scene replayed over and over again as more and more soldiers came through that breezeway on their way home for Christmas. It didn't matter if it was one or twenty, the crowd applauded for everyone of them. Some were just passing through on their way home while others had family members there waiting to receive them home for the holidays. I wish I had words to describe the looks on their faces. Joy, ecstasy, pride don't even come close. As usual, I found myself crying. These people were experiencing something most of us have never felt. Certainly not me. Now I hope you understand why I was HONORED to spend my morning at the busiest airport in North America on one of busiest days of the year.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

What's Your Need?

What's your need? I posed this question to myself this morning as I waited to deliver the Christmas gifts my bunko group donated to a needy family in our community.
My list went something like this:
I need.......New living room furniture, my carpet cleaned, more gifts for my children to even up their Christmas, and a vacation from the chaos I create for myself and my family.

As I sat in my car thinking about "my needs", I was so ashamed. Not one of the things on my list are needs. My family doesn't "NEED" anything. For several years, I have been involved in buying toys and clothes for families and even worked for an organization who was the recepient of these types of donations. I was always eager to talk about what I had purchased for this family or that child but you know, I never once wanted to be the one who delivered the gifts. That would have made it too real. Some how this year, I ended up with the items and was the one to deliver. It is a lot different buying the gifts and wrapping them up than delivering them and talking to the people. I was overwhelmed with the generosity our group showed for this family but that feeling was overshadowed by the mother's response. As we filled up (literally) her car with all the clothes, toys, and household items for her family, she could not even speak. What was such a small gesture from each of the 12 of us, was an enormous blessing for her family and her children. I left that parking lot this morning with mixed emotions. I was very proud of the fact that we were able to provide for this family but I was also very saddened by the fact that I take for granted how blessed my family is. What if my list of needs looked like theirs? How would I feel if I needed help to provide Christmas for my family? I have no answers to these questions? We are so blessed!!!!!! How do we ever forget that? I will remember this morning for the rest of my life and hopefully the next time I start having that "NEEDY" feeling, I will think about what real needs are.

Friday, December 12, 2008

The 12th Day of Christmas

On the 12th Day of Christmas, we rang 12 bells. Tonight, we made 12 bell ornaments and hung them on our Christmas Tree. We also read a poem called The Christ Bell. My good friend, the semi-slacker mom, sent it to me in an email. I loved the words of the poem and obviously the shape. It, looked like a bell. I'm sure it took someone a lot of time to set it up. I have tried to re-create it here but it won't post in the shape. You will just have to enjoy the words. Our plan for the next few days will be to read each of the verses contained in the poem.

THE BELL
I KNOW WHO I AM
I am God's child (John 1:12)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15)
I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)
I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6 19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness for Christ. (Acts 1:8)
I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt 5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)
I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil 3:20)
I am a minister of reconciliation for god (2 Cor 5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom 8:35-39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor 1:21 - 22)
I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28)
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15 : 16)
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)
I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His Life (John 15:1-5)
I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3:16). I am complete in Christ(Col. 2 10)
I am hidden with Christ In God. I have been justified (Rom 5:1)
I am God's co-worker (1 Cor 3:9; 2 Cor 3:16) I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10)
I am confident the good works God has begun in me will be perfected.(Phil. 1:5)
I have been redeemed and forgiven (Col 1:14) I have been adopted as God's Child (Eph 1:5)
I belong to God
Do you know who you are?
I felt like the bell was a fitting way to end our challenge. Bells are rung to announce a major event or occasion. They are rung on both happy and sad occasions. Bells are rung at Christmas to announce and celebrate the birth of Jesus. Today, bells are a common part of our Christmas celebrations. We use them to decorate our homes, sing about them, and festive embellishments on gifts. Christmas bells are such an integral part of our holiday celebration that it is hard to imagine the Christmas season without their beautiful sounds.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

The 11th Day of Christmas


On the 11th Day of Christmas, we spent 11 minutes reading the Gift of the Magi. I read the story many years ago but I don't think my children had ever heard it. I certainly did not remember the names of the characters especially their last name. This is such a wonderful story of giving and sacrifice. It is an excellent example of the true spirit of Christmas. If you haven't heard the story or if it's been several years like it had been for me. Re-acquaint yourself with it for it is beautiful.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

The 10th Day of Christmas




On the 10th Day of Christmas, we used 10 Hands. Tonight, Mouse, the 3W's and myself put together a homemade blanket for Project Linus. We will be taking it to the Bibb County Chapter Meeting on Saturday. For those of you who don't know, Project Linus is made up of thousands of volunteers across the United States. Their mission is to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer "blanketeers." Together, they have distributed over 2 million blankets to children in need since they began in 1995. My friend Kristy over at The Doles Family Zoo clued me into this group when she found out about our 12 Days Challenge. It fit perfectly with our quest to re-discover the true meaning of Christmas. During our research, we found that we know 2 very special children who have been the recipient of homemade blankets from Project Linus. We are looking forward to attending the Bibb County Chapter Meeting on Saturday and donating our handmade blanket.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

The 9th Day of Christmas

On the 9th Day of Christmas, we sang 9 Christmas Carols. We picked our favorites, #1W played them on her keyboard and we sang them together. They included: Jingle Bells, Silent Night, Away in a Manger, Holly Jolly Christmas, Rudolf, We Three Kings, Up on the House Top, We Wish You a Merry Christmas and Hark the Herald Angels Sing. We love Christmas music. Around here, the radio stations start playing these songs right after Thanksgiving, so we can enjoy them for an entire month. We learned that caroling began as a mix of singing and dancing that people did at festivals all throughout the year. St. Francis of Assisi created large nativity scenes outside of his churches so that people instead of just clergy could celebrate Christmas. He translated many Christmas carols from Latin and encouraged people to sing these songs during the Christmas season. This practice of singing Christmas songs outside the church spread throughout Europe and it was a natural next step for these Christmas carolers to start walking through the neighborhoods around the churches sharing these festive songs. People have been sharing the Christmas message with caroling for the past 1000 years!!

Monday, December 8, 2008

The 8th Day of Christmas



On the 8th Day of Christmas, we read 8 verses from the Chapter of Matthew.(Matthew 1:18-25) My Bible is the NIV and the Birth of Jesus section uses exactly 8 verses to tell the story of his birth. I have read it directly from the Bible many years ago and have read it from our Children's Bible numerous times but the W's never have. Tonight, we read it from the "Real" Bible. It was a little difficult for the #3W to understand but with the other 2 interpreting, we got through all 8 verses. I wonder what I would do if I were presented with a challenge like Joseph and Mary. The faith they must have possessed is mind boggling. I can only pray for faith like that.

The 7th Day of Christmas

On the 7th Day of Christmas, we shared 7 Thanksgivings. During this time of year, it seems that everyone is always focusing on our wants. We used the 7th day of celebrate what we are thankful for this year. Our family has suffered a great loss this year, so it seemed even more appropriate for us to focus on the blessings we have. We all learned how lucky we are and how truly thankful for each other and to God for what he has bestowed upon our family.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

The 6th Day of Christmas


On the 6th Day of Christmas, we cut down a 6 foot Christmas Tree. Mouse and I started the tradition of going out on the first Saturday in December and getting our Christmas Tree. This morning, we all piled in the 3W Attractions pickup truck and rode over to Robert's Tree Farm and began the meticulous task of choosing our Christmas Tree. I was struggling today with a task for our challenge. After seeing this beautiful, 6 foot, Leland Cypress, I knew the Christmas Tree was what we would be using today. On our way home, we talked about where the tradition of the Christmas Tree came from and how long people have been doing it. I even wondered if people all over the world decorate trees at Christmas. After decorating our tree, we got on the computer and found the answers to our questions.
Legend has it that Martin Luther began the tradition of decorating trees to celebrate Christmas in about the year 1500. The story goes, that he was walking through snow-covered woods and was struck by the beauty of a group of small evergreens. Their branches, dusted with snow, shimmered in the moonlight. When he got home, he set up a little fir tree indoors so he could share this story with his children. He decorated it with candles, which he lighted in honor of Christ's birth. He wanted to simulate the reflections of the starlit heaven that looked down over Bethlehem. The tradition most likely came to the US during the American Revolution with German immigrants. The Christmas tree market was born in 1851 when a farmer hauled two ox sleds of evergreens into New York City and sold them all. By 1900, one in five American families had a Christmas tree, and 20 years later, the custom was nearly universal. I love traditions. I think they are the glue that binds families together. They are how we define our memories and what keeps us close. I am really enjoying learning the history and hope my family will remember so they can share with their families and keep up the traditions.

Friday, December 5, 2008

The 5th Day of Christmas

On the 5th Day of Christmas, We gave 5 G-o-l-d-e-n Coins. How many times have you dug around in the bottom of your purse for some change to drop in the Salvation Army's Red Kettle? I can't even begin to count, but every time I drop a coin or give some to the W's, I always wonder how much money could they possibly raise in those little red kettles. How about $100 million!?! That's what the Salvation Army is hoping to raise this year from coins and small bills during it's Red Kettle Campaign. They raised $118 million last year. Most of those bell ringers volunteer their time to stand out in the cold ringing those bells in the hopes that folks like us will drop a few coins in their bucket for the Salvation Army. In some areas, it is difficult to find volunteers , so paid bell-ringers are recruited from homeless shelters and halfway houses. They are paid minimum wage and many have been the recipient of the charity's donations.

A Salvation Army captain from San Francisco started the 1st kettle fundraiser in 1891 and by 1897 the program was nationwide. That year, it helped to provide Christmas meals to more that 100,000 people. The story of William Booth, who founded the Salvation Army in 1865 is fascinating in itself, but the 8,000 salvation Army locations, 3 million volunteers and the nearly 30 million people a year who are assisted by this charity is staggering. It is the 2nd largest charity in America. A fact that is truly astounding when you consider that it isn't based here but in London.

So today, on the 5th Day of Christmas, we took 5 gold coins, found us a bell-ringer and dropped them his little red kettle. He told us thank you and we offered the same to him. He then, whistled Jingle Bells for us and in quiet voice, offered a "God Bless You, Merry Christmas."

Thursday, December 4, 2008

The 4th Day of Christmas

On the 4th Day of Christmas, we got 4 WISHES. We created wish lists today that consisted of 4 wishes each. The catch was that these wishes were not for ourselves. I had to come up with 4 wishes for #1W. She had #2W. #2W had his little brother #3. #3 had Mouse and Mouse had me. We decided on who had whom this morning so that we had the day to think about that person and what we wished for them. The only rule was that it could not be something you could buy with money. We shared our wish lists over dinner tonight. It was so sweet to watch the expressions on the faces of the one who was receiving the wishes. They delighted in the few moments of positive, individual, undivided attention. The most interesting part of the the whole event was the wishes bestowed. Some were very simple, like the Big Deer #3W wished for Mouse and the wish for a good grade on the spelling test tomorrow by #1W for #2W. Others were deeper and somewhat more thoughtful like Mouse's wish for me to find peace in the coming year. I so wish for that too. I enjoyed thinking seriously about my daughter today and being able to verbalize some of my wishes for her. So far, this may have been the best learning experience of the 12 Days Challenge. I also learned to never under estimate the mind of a 6 year old. This morning, after we had handed out the assignments for the wishes, #3 piped up with this incredible line,"If I was making wishes for #1W and #2W, I would wish for them to have a better attitude." I think he got this challenge, what do you think?

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

The 3rd Day of Christmas


On the 3rd Day of Christmas, we found 3 WiseMen. I'm sure you all know the story about those Men from the East who followed that star. Like me, you probably know all the words to the Christmas song "We 3 Kings". I can tell you honestly that I thought I knew alot about these men. NOT!!! I didn't have a clue. I thought I might take the liberty of sharing a little bit of the information I learned about these men with you.
There is no real record of how many Kings came to visit Jesus. Because 3 gifts were recorded, it was assumed that there were only 3. There has been much debate over their names but in the 8th century it was finally decided that the WiseMen were Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. These Magi were noble pilgrims who followed a star to Isreal to pay homage to the Christ Child. They humbly offered their gifts to Jesus. Caspar is young , European and offers gold. It is this gold that finances the Holy families coming flight from Israel and also symbolizes Christs immortality and purity. Melchior is middle aged, Persian and offers myrrh. Myrrh was a fragrant gum that ancient Isrealites believed brought strength to children. Myrrh was blended with wine and offered to Jesus on the cross and mixed with the aloes that were used to help wrap his body before he was placed in the tomb. Balthasar was elderly, Ethiopian and offered francincense. It is a resin used in incense for worship and symbolizes prayer and sacrifice. There is a lot of speculation as to who these men were. Some think they may have been Jews who knew the predictions of the Old Testament. Others believe they may have been Gentiles from high positions who received a special revelation from God. Still others believe that they came from different lands representing the entire world bowing before Jesus. I didn't share all this information with the 3W's. I was afraid I might lose them as I may have lost you but I have found all this so interesting. We ended our 3 WiseMen story with Christmas M&M's story shared with me by my good friends over at the Doles Family Zoo. It was a sweet way to end our 3rd Day.


Tuesday, December 2, 2008

The 2nd Day of Christmas

On the 2nd day of Christmas, we made 2 kids smile. Make A Child Smile is an organization celebrating 10 YEARS. They set up their website to tell stories of courageous kids who are battling life threatening illness. They feature children every month and ask you to send a card of gift to Make them Smile. There are many children listed on their site but we chose 2 of the featured kids to Make Smile. We read their stories, learned about their families and interests and are working on cards to send to both of them. At the bottom of the page of their site are these words that I found very fitting for our 12 Days Challenge. Maybe you will think so too.

"It's not how much we do....but how much love we put in it"

Monday, December 1, 2008

The 1st Day of Christmas


On the 1st Day of Christmas, we received one candy cane. Do you know the legend of the Candy Cane? Neither did we. Here it is:

A candy maker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would be a witness for his savior, so he made the Christmas Candy Cane. He incorporated several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ. He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy. The white symbolizes the Virgin Birth and the sinless nature of Jesus. The hardness of the candy symbolizes the Solid Rock, the foundation of the Church and the firmness of the promises of God. The candy maker made the candy into the form of a "J" to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Savior, and a symbol of to represent the staff of the Good Shepherd. The candy maker decided to stain it with red strips, representing the stripes Jesus received prior to His crucifixion for our healing. The large red stripe represents the shedding of his blood on the cross for our salvation.
For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever believeth in HIM should not perish, but have EVERLASTING LIFE. John 3:16

Sunday, November 30, 2008

12 Days of Christmas


Good morning all you folks in blogger land. This will be the 1st year in many that I am going to be at home with my children during their Christmas break. I am really looking forward to this time with them and I am working on some creative ideas for us. We try hard not to get caught up in the commercialism(sp) of the holiday which gets harder and harder each year. I am looking for ways to remind us daily what Christmas is really about. I say all that, like the 3W's are the ones who need the reminding but I need it more than they do. So, I have decided to combine my favorite holiday with a challenge for myself. Tomorrow starts December and I am posing a 12 Days of Christmas Challenge. For the next 12 days, my family is going to work to re-discover the true meaning of Christmas. We will post the progress of our Challenge. If any of you decide to take the Challenge with us, we look forward to hearing your creative ways of bringing the true meaning of Christmas into your home. Until tomorrow.....

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Girlfriends

Have you got one? If not, you better find you one or two or eleven. I have eleven of the best girlfriends anyone could ever ask for. We are known as the Byron Bunko Babes and we proudly advertise our membership on our cars, t shirts, wrists, coozies and out of our mouths whenever an opporturnity arises. We have been playing Bunko together for five years. We are a diverse group of women who put everything (and I do mean EVERYTHING aside) one Thursday a month to spend a couple hours together. I just wanted to take a minute to make a shout out to each and everyone of you. You are an incredible group of ladies and I am so honored to be able to call myself a Byron Bunko Babe.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Poppa's Princess

For those of you who don't know us well, the #1W was always Poppa's favorite. He made no bones about it and didn't think that there was anything wrong with the fact that she held the most special place in his heart. Everyone at City Hall called her his princess. She knew it too. Like I told you yesterday, after school, we all gathered in Grammy and Poppa's yard to do our thing. I held onto the balloons while I said a few words and carefully passed one to each of the W's and Mouse. Well before we could start singing, #1W's slipped right out of her hands. The look on her face would have brought tears to even the hardest of hearts. She was frantically searching with her eyes for a look or word to comfort her. I quickly gave her mine and then Mouse, the wonderfully, understanding father that he is, leaned over and whispered to her, "He'll get yours first." And that my friends is the way he would have wanted it. I know he was there with us yesterday and enjoyed our little celebration for him. Until next time....

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Happy Birthday, Poppa

Today is the day I have dreaded the most since the funeral. My Poppa would have turned 81 today. Thank God, Mother is in Oklahoma and not here. I'm sure that she is just as greatful as I am for her. I have been thinking the last few days, why couldn't he have been here for just 1 more birthday, 1 more Christmas, 1 more anything. We miss him so much. I wanted to celebrate (what a strange word to use) this day in some way but wasn't quite sure how. He sure never wanted much celebration but I decided that the party is really for the guests anyway. So this evening, after school and basketball practice, the 3W's and I are going to pick up some balloons and head over to his house. We will stand in his yard and sing a very special HAPPY BIRTHDAY, just like we do every year, and release our balloons. I want to mark this day in my mind as well as theirs. They were his world and I don't want them to ever forget it. Until next time.....

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

I'm Back!!!!!

Hello All!!! I am back and hopefully for more that 1 or 2 posts. I have certainly missed out on a lot the past month and there is so much to share about my world that I don't even know where to begin. How about a quick update? Mouse has joined a hunting club and attempting to spend all his spare time in the woods. He's had several Bambi sightings but not 1 kill. #1W finished her cross country season and has moved on to basketball. She is practicing 4 days a week!! She seems to really enjoy it. I am ever amazed at the depth of her young mind. I have a friend whose family is making a trip overseas. She was very concerned about how they were planning on sitting on the plane. Being in a family of five, I guess she knew that someone was going to have to sit alone. After some discussion and the realization that another family member would be traveling with them, she was relieved that all the children would have an adult to sit with. #2W finished his football season with 10 wins and 1 loss and a continuing love for the game. That's always my concern. Is he having a good time and enjoying himself? He is getting ready to start basketball. We are not playing Upward this year. We signed him up to play Rec Ball. Scary!! 3 of his friends are playing on this team with him. He seems to think that they are going to be GREAT! I hated to share with him that this basketball season would be much different from past seasons. I know they will learn so much more by playing in a league where they will face serious competition. A good friend reminded me yesterday that their level of success may not be measured by the number of games that they win. I am looking forward to watching both of them play. #3W finished the Soccer Season undefeated. WAY TO GO SHARKS!! They had their party and got a trophy. He did not enjoy the party as much as he should have. He has not been feeling too good lately and felt really bad that afternoon. He has been to the doctor and hopefully he is on the road to recovery. He was the Soaring Eagle for November and extremely proud of that accomplishment. For those of you who don't know, being a Soaring Eagle is quite an honor. Mouse and I attended the Soaring Eagle luncheon last week to celebrate.

My mom left Friday to spend 3 weeks in Oklahoma. I am missing her but am greatful that she decided to go. She will be spending her first Thanksgiving without Poppa in a new place and with family that she hasn't seen in a while. We enjoy tradition in our family and being here to continue a family tradition without him would have been difficult for her. We are looking forward to Christmas and I am greatful that I will be able to spend the holidays with my children this year. Until next time.......

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

6 YEARS OLD!!!

6 years ago today, my baby boy was born. I can't believe how time has flown by. I thought so much about that day 6 years ago. I even wrote his birth year on everything I dated today. His day started with his big sister waking him up and giving him his 1st Happy Birthday message. I took snacks to his school for his big day. We had Halloween cupcakes (compliments of my secret pal), cheetos, and drinks. He was very excited to be sharing his birthday with his friends at school. When we came home, he opened his present from "Jan". A new webkinz. A BAT!! How cool is that? Then grammy came by and brought him a big balloon and a Bionicle. He wore his birthday crown from school to #2W's football game. Just in case someone didn't know it was his special day. After the game, we went out for pizza with our good friends and then home to open more presents. All in all it was a good day to turn 6.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Did you think I had fallen off the face of the Earth?

Good Grief! How long has it been since I have checked out the blogs. Semi-Slacker are you a daily blogger now? :) Amy, I am so proud of You!!! Kristy, the pictures from the fair were great. Do you know that at the events I have attended the last 2 weekends in North Georgia, people have asked me about the fair. It's not just big here. Beckie, the words from Jamie were so good to hear. Griffin looks so cute in the baseball pants, Becky I can hardly wait to see the whole costume I have enjoyed the last 30 minutes or so trying to catch up on everyone's news. 3W Attractions, Inc is kicking my butt these days. I do want to share a few momentous occasions over the last few weeks. October 5, 2008 was the 1 year anniversary of Mouse and I buying KR and thus creating the 3W. In some ways it seems like just yesterday and in others so much longer. I hate it so bad that Poppa wasn't with us long enough to see us through this first year. I have desperately needed him so many times but mostly , I really think he would have been proud to see where we are today.
Talk about a day that I needed him, last Wednesday, I received a phone call from a 13 WMAZ reporter wanting to do a story on how the state of our economy was affecting the party planning business. I was shaking in my boots but tried to share some of my thoughts with her. She asked if I was willing to go on camera and talk about the things I had shared with her. "ARE YOU KIDDING ME" I told her I was going out of town but I would try to get my husband to and would call her back. I am sure you can imagine what Mouse's response was when I told him that a reporter wanted to speak with him about the economy and how it is affecting our business. "Babe, you'll do great! Be flattered that she called us. Look at it as great business opportunity. I'm behind you 100%. You will be great". Can you hear my response? "F U!!! You come home and talk to this girl and tell her all those things you just said to me." But of course, you know who met with her and went in front of the damn camera. It's bad enough to listen to a recording of your voice, but just down right mortifying to watch yourself talking too. I was concerned they might try to turn my words around and make the story turn out how they had envisioned it but I never considered the backlash I would receive on their website. I remember now why I never read any articles that had Poppa quoted in them or read the blogs about issues he spoke on. People can be so hurtful. We have 2 big days coming up. #3W is having his 6th Birthday tomorrow and mine and Mouse's 14th anniversary will be on Wednesday. Maybe I will have time to blog about them in the next few days. Please keep us in your prayers and hopefully, I will be back soon.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Proud Football Mom

#2 W is playing football for the pee wee league at his school. He is on the 3rd and 4th grade team. He played football last year with the 1st and 2nd graders but this has been a whole new ball game. They practice 3 days a week in full pads and run, run, run. He has not complained once or even acted like he wanted to skip even one practice. He spent the first few weeks dancing around his team mates out on the field. He perfected the art of holding back just long enough to miss out on the initial tackle but would run in and jump on the pile. He has learned so much more about the game of football and how to really play as the weeks have progressed. He played a game last week against a rival school who had a player more than a head taller than he is and weighing at least 20 lbs more. The game had come down to the wire and we were winning by one point. The other team was going for the 2 point conversion and my #2W was on the line. As the ball was snapped and passed to that big player, #2W ran around the outside and grabbed him around the waist and held on to him until one of his team mates come along and knocked them out of bounds saving the points and winning the ball game. He is learning that he doesn't have to be the biggest or best player but he has to be a player. This week, there game was at home and he made the first tackle of the ballgame. These days, We are LOVING PeeWee football.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Out of the Mouth of Babes

Yesterday, the boys and I were riding in the car when the #3W posed the strangest question to me. I am always amazed at the strange things he asks but sometimes it seems like the words should be coming out of an adult's mouth not a 5 year old. The question was, "Momma, what is it like when you ride in the car by yourself?" The randomness of the question was as curious as the question itself. I turned around and looked at him and said, "Well, it's lonely, I miss you all when I'm riding by myself" I was praying no lightning bolt would strike me for telling such a blatent lie. He wasn't impressed with the answer nor was he finished with me. "NO, I mean what is it like to be in the car by yourself. You know, like when you are driving to work." So I said, " Well, you know, I spend most of my time in the car by myself praying. I pray for you three, and daddy, and grammy. I pray for our business and our employees. I pray for the children who play on our equiptment," and just as I was preparing to add another prayer issue he said, "I bet you pray for God to help you get everything done that you have to do every day." I wanted to pull the car over and cry. My whole life is spent waiting on Mouse, and the 3W's and the only one who gets it is the 5 year old. I looked back at him and laughed and said, "You are so right buddy!!"

Thursday, September 18, 2008

2 Months and Still Counting

September 18, 2008. Today marks 2 months since Poppa passed away. I tried to think about what is different today than 62 days ago. Maybe the pain is not quite as sharp. Perhaps the colors of my grief are just a little duller. However, there are may things that have happened in the 1502 hours since he passed that I so wish he could have seen or experienced with us. I can't even explain how he would have felt watching #1W start those races and cross those finish lines. There are no words for his feelings about watching #2W on that football field. And he would have been studying soccer hard so that he could understand all the rules when he watched the #3W run and kick on that field. The number of times I have needed to pick up the phone and talk about some issue with the business or taxes are too numerous to count. OMG, I wonder what he would be thinking about Sarah Palin? I would die for just a word of wisdom about our economy and what I need to do to protect my family and our business.

I have a picture of him from one of his many golfing trips to Scotland. He is standing in the rain with a funny hat on and he is laughing. I framed it and put it in my kitchen. I look at it every morning as I turn on the lamp that signifies the start of the day in our house. Some mornings, I actually pick up the frame and look at him. He is so happy. I can almost hear him laughing out loud. Other days, it is only a glance. Just a quick reminder of him is all I can handle. I still miss him so much.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Proud XC Mom

#1W is running Cross Country for Westfield's JV Team. She has been practicing for 3 weeks and run in 3 XC meets. Last week, they practiced every day but Friday!! Saturday she ran at the Georgia Children's home in a meet held by FPD. She ran the mile in 9 minutes and 52 seconds. GO GIRL!! It was so exciting. She crossed that finish line sprinting and passed 3 runners in the process. Being a runner myself, I am so overwhelmed with emotion at watching the start and finish of these races. It is awesome to watch these young girls and boys pushing themselves so hard. I am so proud of her. We have signed up to run in a 5K in October. Our team is called Poppa's Girls. A fitting name we thought. We are going to have some shirts made for us to wear in the race. We think he would have liked that.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Piglet

The other day I received the strangest phone call I have ever received in my entire life. Mouse was home and the phone had rang several times with this same telephone number. He was screening the calls so the next time the call came in, I took it and this is how the conversation went:

GiGi: Hello?
Caller: Piglet? (Yes, I swear to God that is what he said. The only thing funnier than the word was the strong southern accent he used when he said it.)

GiGi: Excuse Me?
Caller: Is this Barbour Farms?

GiGi: No sir it's not!
Caller: Is this 478-956-****?

GiGi: Yes it is.
Caller: I am so sorry. I am from the Tomato House. I must have the wrong number

GiGi: That's Ok.

I don't think he was from the Tomato House, I think he was from Christopher Robin's Hundred Acre Wood. I can hardly wait until my next trip to Barbour Farms. My sole mission will be to find Piglet.

Friday, September 5, 2008

River Rats






We spent Labor Day on the Flint River. Don't you love my River Rats?

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

A Day in the Life of GiGi

6:00am Wake up. Mouse snoring

6:05am Coffee's On. Turn on Fox and Friends. Good morning Steve, Brian and Gretchen. Fold load of laundry on sofa left from night before. Switch out load from washer to dryer and put load from dryer onto sofa. Turn on oven to pre-heat for breakfast. Put on running clothes wash face, brush teeth. Mouse snoring.

6:15am Coffee's done!! Put rolls into the oven. Fold load of laundry on the sofa. Put both loads into laundry basket to be put away. (Yeah right!)Check book bags. Work on to do list for today. Mouse snoring

6:35am #2W moves downstairs grabs blanket crawls on sofa. I hear #1W upstairs hopefully making her bed and washing her face. Mouse snoring.

6:40am Rolls out of the oven and onto plates for consumption. "Breakfast is ready." I have decided that #3W will stay at home this morning. He has a dentist appointment and I am going to let him sleep. (How 'bout that on semi-slacker?) I call his teacher and she encourages my slackerness. Mouse rolls over, I will go in late so he can stay in bed. "Thanks!"

6:50am The older W's are up at the bar eating with their eyes closed.

Finally about 7:05 we are upstairs getting dressed, brushing teeth and hair. Then it is back downstairs to put bookbags, P.E. bags and football equipment bags into the car.

7:40am Pulling out the driveway to Westfield. Drop the older W's off at 8:00 and head for home to run before I start my 3W Attractions, Inc day. As I walk in the door, Jan calls. She is running a fever and won't be coming in today. So much for the run. #3W is awake and wants food but unlike the other 2 he has already poured himself a bowl of cereal and milk. I praise him for his efforts and suggest that maybe next time he won't need 1/2 of the half gallon of milk in the bowl. I call my guys and give him the list for the morning and start returning phone calls.

10:30am Get dressed, #3W gets dressed and we head out the door to the dentist. It was a quick trip and he was so brave. He wants lunch at BK so we run a couple errands then proceed to BK for some lunch. Since our time is short, we go to the drive thru and head home.

12:30pm Get #3W settled with nuggets and Nickelodeon. Check the messages, return some calls and emails. Layout the weekend. Grab football pants, pack snacks, get soccer clothes and chair for practice.

1:30pm Load up and head to Westfield for trip #2. Check #2W out of school for doctor. appointment. Head to Macon.

2:35pm Arrive at doctor's office 5 minutes late(story of my life). Check up went great. Very healthy 9 year old. Great News!!!

3:15pm Load up and head to Westfield for trip #3. #2W dresses for football practice as we drive down I75. (How'd you like that one semi-slacker?) Drop him off to sprint over to practice 35minutes late. #3W and I wait for Mother to join us to watch practice. #1W is attending a practice of her own. She has ridden over Elko to run the track for her Cross Country Meet tomorrow. Hopefully, she will be back to Westfield by the time football practice is over. My mother and I enjoy watching an exercise in manness with this football practice. I really felt out of place. I thought any minute they might light a fire and start running around it chanting. MEN?

5:15pm Football practice is over. #1W no where in sight. Here she comes. Thank you Kimberly. A mother of 3 is ever so greatful to her friends who help transport her children. It truly does take a village.

5:30pm We jump in the car, Mother's in hers and head out to soccer practice. #1W and #3W are starving and thirsty. We pull into the gas station for some quick snacks (Yes, I did have a bag in my car but I am just now remembering that). Mother runs to the restroom. #3W is dressing for soccer practice while I am in the store. I did have him change while the car is stationary.

5:45pm Arrive at Rozier park on 2 wheels. We dash out onto the field and are loving the bleachers we have to sit on and the only practice field in the shade. Thanks Brad!!!

6:45pm Practice is over. Heading home.

7:15pm Arrive home, unload the car. The big W's start on homework and the little W gets in the shower. I start supper. A new recipe! Really scary at this time of the day. If they don't like it, PB&J's will have to do.

7:45pm Sit down to dinner. No complaints. Thank God!!

8:05pm Dinners over and it's off to the tub. House is on, I hope I can watch the season finale this time around.

8:30pm #3W is down for the count. Only 2 left to go. Work on dinner dishes while watching the last 30 minutes of House.

9:00pm #1W and #2W head upstairs for the first time. 9:15 back again, they need drinks.

9:30pm Finally, they are up and tucked in.

10:00pm Dishes finally finished. Move laundry from dryer to sofa and then switch out load in washer to dryer. Start another load. Sit down beside load on the sofa, lay down on top of load on the sofa. I will fold these in the morning.

10:45pm Mouse says let's go to bed. Another day finished!

PS: I started working on this post at 9:07 this morning and I am publishing it at 8:02 tonight. Apparently, today has turned out just like yesterday. Welcome to a day in the life of GiGi. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

Friday, August 29, 2008

Is it hard being the Mom?

After preparing and serving my 3W's a gourmet meal of popcorn chicken and ramen noodles. (Yes, I have discovered that they can be used as a side item not just the entree'), #3W posed this question to me, "Is it hard being the mom?" Before answering, I looked over at Mouse who was looking at me. Both of us thinking, what a deep question for a 5 year old. I quickly answered him, "Yes, it is hard but it's the best job I've ever had." I was rewarded with that beautiful smile only found on the face of an innocent child. Completely unaware that he had just knocked me to my knees with that one. Mouse quickly piped in, "What about the dad?" The other two were quick to add that their mom does the work around our house. #1W said, "She gets up every day and gets us ready for school and she takes care of everything around here. Then #2W added "and she runs our business too." I just stood there speechless and for those who know me best those times are few and far between. Who would ever think that 3 small children could leave their mommy speechless? Not me. I always hope and pray that I will have an answer, maybe not the right one but that I will have something to give them when they come to me with questions. I hope I answered that question tonight satisfactorily. Being a mom is the hardest job I have ever had but I am grateful for every difficult minute of it.

Monday, August 25, 2008

My Left Nut

My favorite part of going away for the weekend without my children is the stories I get when we return. Believe me, we have heard some doozies. The day we left to go out of town ,the first time for #3, he stuck a china berry up his nose which everyone swore came out at the school but in fact Mouse pulled out 3 WEEKS LATER. We once returned from a golfing weekend to find #2W with an entire mouth imprint on his cheek from the guests he was staying with. The #1W painted an her hosts foyer with sanitary napkins while we were away and #2 dropped the following phrase "I lost the "God D___ ball!" while spending the weekend with my parents. (We got a telephone call for that one) But the story I got this morning is the best by far. Mouse and I spent the past weekend celebrating a birthday with some of the Bunko Babes in Biloxi. #2W and #3W stayed at home with our friend, Jan. (Bless her soul) The weather called for rain all day Saturday so they decided to go to the movies. She took them to see PRINCE CASPIEN and then to Stevie B's for pizza and some arcade games. We love the Narnia books so I knew that the boys were thrilled to get to see this show. Apparently, as they were waiting outside Stevie B's for her children to join them for dinner there was some discussion about the movie and how great it was when #3W piped up and said, " I would give my left nut to see that movie again." I told you there was never a dull moment when he's around.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Probate Court

Monday, August 18, 2008, please report to the Honorable Debbie Hunnicut's office for the matter of probating Herman Light's will.

It sounds so official doesn't it? Like something you might find exciting or look forward to. NOT!! I worked for the probate court in Cobb county for a couple of years during college. I can't begin to tell you how many wills I have read, filed, and typed the newspaper notices. I have looked into the faces of hundreds of families coming to the court house to do just what my mother, younger sister and I did on Monday. As I walked into that room, I remembered those days at the Cobb county probate court and the people I ushered into their court room. I cannot recall a time ever really thinking about why they were there or feeling any sympathy for them. To me, most of these folks were just a name or a docket number that I would later file. I did check out the cause of death on the death certificates and look at their age but that was pure nosiness. They were a job to me. I looked at those ladies sitting in that office and knew that was the way they felt about us. I wanted desperately to think that maybe I was wrong. I felt so guilty for my selfishness those many years ago. I guess you gain some empathy for others as you grow up but as I thought about how carelessly I had treated those people. I was really ashamed.

Our attorney was so proud of the fact that the whole process took 10 minutes. 10 minutes was all it took to put a legal end to his 80 years? You have got to be kidding me! I know that he was trying to make my mother feel better. She was so worried about the process but I wasn't quite as proud. All I could think about was how my mother cried as she took her oath as executor of Poppa's estate. There is something so sad about the words, "Dead, as far as you know." I wanted to say, "Oh, I think she knows." She felt every word of that oath she took, promising to take care of his things to the best of her ability. No one would ever expect any less of her. Taking care of each other was what their entire life had been about.

After we left the courthouse, we stood out in the parking lot just chatting. I wondered how many times he had stood in that very spot talking about some serious city matter. And it was in that spot looking over at City Hall that we realized, he died one month ago today.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

100 Years Old

Today is Mouse's, grandmother's, 100th birthday. I can't believe I actually know someone who has lived 100 years. We had a big bash for her on Sunday afternoon. Many of our family and her friends attended the party. Larry Smith had put together the most incredible flower arrangement. It was made of 100 pink roses. The food was incredible. It was a very nice party. Can you imagine what 100 feels like? Not me. Somedays, just being 40 something throws me.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA LOWE!!!!!!

We love You

Saturday, August 16, 2008

4 Weeks and Counting

Yesterday was the 4 week mark. I have thought about Poppa several times over the past 2 days. He would have been the 1st call we made on Thursday after picking the W's up from school actually, we probably would have gone to his house for snack after school so they could tell him about their day. Instead, my mom went with me to pick them up. She was happy to be a part of their first day. Having to start new traditions is difficult.

Poppa was always so interested in everything they were involved in, especially school. Last year, #1W started taking Spanish. Poppa could speak Spanish and was always having her tell him what she had learned. They spoke to each other a lot in Spanish and had special terms of endearment that only they knew. After he died, she wrote him a letter that we put in the casket and buried with him. She allowed Mouse and I to read it and she had signed it in Spanish. I know that as this year moves forward, there will be so many times that she will long to share something with him. I hope that I can really stay in tune with her so I pick up on those times. She is not an open book.

Isn't it interesting how you find comfort in the strangest places? I recently attended a birthday party for a friend's child. There, I ran into an aquaintence (and I use that term loosely, I think I may have spoken to this person twice in my life) came up to me and told me how sorry she was to hear about my daddy. I gave her that obligatory "Thank you, I appreciate that" and was ready to move on when she stopped me in my tracks. She told me that she had been on the phone with a mutual friend as that friend was pulling in my mother's driveway on that day. She had shared with her what had happened. This girl told me that as soon as she got off the phone, she dropped to her knees and said a prayer for me and my family. "See I know how much it hurts, I lost my daddy two years ago," she said. We talked a lot about what our daddy's meant to us and she shared that she still has days that she misses him more that she can explain. But then she shared a conversation that someone had with her after her daddy died. It went like this, "After someone you care deeply for passes away, you experience you grief in color. Bright, vivid, harsh. You can feel it and see it with every part of you and in everything you do. But one day your grief will turn black and white." She told me that she remembers the day when she woke up and her grief had turned black and white and it was on that day that she knew she would be alright. I thought that was such an incredible analogy. I could never had put that into words but it was right on. I am eagerly waiting for my black and white day.

Friday, August 15, 2008

First Day of School for the Big W's

Yesterday was the 1st full day for the #1W and the #2W. #1 started the 6th grade this year. MIDDLE SCHOOL!!!. I will never forget middle school. Will you? Along with more responsibility there will be much more priviledges and free time for her. That's really scary. She is pretty responsible and still afraid of getting in trouble but I don't know about the rest of her class. I guess we will just see as the year progresses. She wants to try out for basketball and has decided to run cross county. Maybe we can run in a race together. That would be pretty cool. #2 is in the 3rd grade. He says that school is AWESOME! A suprising term to describe school. I hope he continues to think it is so great. I loved the way he described the new girl in his class. He said that she was really nice, not really cute but that she was friends with the whole class by the end of the day. Don't you just love that honesty they possess? He is definately my social child. I can't believe they are growing up so fast. I am looking forward to this school year and all it will hold. It is exciting to me to watch them learn and grow not only educationally but also emotionally. I enjoy their relationships and marvel at their perception of life. I can hardly wait to see what comes next. GiGi

PS Hey Semi-Slacker Mom, notice that the only first day picture I took was for #3. I have a 1st day picture from every year except this one. I guess I was in too big a hurry to get everyone out the door and to their designated coordinates. See, we all are semi-slackers.

Monday, August 11, 2008

I've Been Tagged (Twice)

Now that I have been tagged twice, I guess I better step up and get to posting. I'm not sure that I can come up with 6 things that everyone doesn't know about me but here goes:

1) I was born in San Diego, California.

2) I haven't seen or spoken to my birth mother in over 18 years.

3) I dated the current, Georgia Bulldogs Baseball Coach, (David Perno) when we were at Middle Georgia College.

4) I have been in a beauty pageant.

5) I bought my first brand new car w/ 13 miles on it. I drove it off the lot, straight to Atlanta, put it in a ditch and did $3000 worth of damage to it.

6) I rode on a bus from Fort Valley, GA to Santa Monica, CA and back home. During that trip, we visited White Sands, NM; The Grand Canyon; Las Vegas; The Redwood Forest; Yosemite National Park; and the only place in the US where 4 states touch. I don't even remember all 4 of the states now. Pretty sad to get old.

This has been a fun trip down memory lane. Now Jana, Becky, Kristy and Andrea, you have been tagged. The rest of you Bunko Babes, you better get to blogging so you can get tagged too.

Friday, August 8, 2008

Week Three

Today marks three weeks since Poppa died. Suprisingly, I made it till about 8:30 am before I realized that. My mother has had a pretty rough week. She has been alone for the first time and the reality of her new life has begun to set in. I can't imagine trying to start a new life at 80. I have spent a lot of time with her this week. Just trying to talk with her and make sure she is ok. I find myself trying to entertain her with stories about the 3W's. Then, I worry that I am talking to much and should probably listen to her more. Aren't relationships complicated? And when you throw a tragedy into the mix, O LORD, HELP US ALL! I was telling Mouse the other night that I feel like I owe an apology to all my friends who have lost loved ones. I don't think I was sympathetic enough or understood enough but what I am learning is that no one knows what it is like to lose a parent until it happens to you. I have compared it to having a baby. Except the exact opposite feeling. You know how you read all those books, spent countless hours picking out the right name, and talking about what you were going to do with them for the rest of their life and you think in your head that you know how much your gonna love them. And then they get here and the love you feel is indescribable. You didn't understand that your heart could feel that much joy. Nothing you could even explain to someone, they have to experience it. That's how I feel about this. You think in your head how sad it will be and you know how much you will miss them but all of that is in your head. It's only after it happens that you feel it in your heart.

GiGi

Thursday, August 7, 2008

His First Day


We all got up bright and early this morning to take the #3W to his first day of Kindergarten. The older 2 were so sweet to get up and want to be a part of his special day. #2W kept saying, "I can't believe he is going to kindergarten." I was thinking the same thing. It was a pretty uneventfuly morning other than the fact that he was having a serious itch in a place no one would want to watch him scratch. We loaded up and headed out. I said a prayer for him as we drove to school. Inwardly, I was praying hard that I would be able to hold it together. After everything we have been through the last few weeks, my emotions are very raw. He has the best teacher in the world so I know I don't have anything to worry about but still, he's my baby. I left him sitting at his table with a dinosaur picture trying so hard not to cry. He is such a strong little boy. His Poppa would be so proud of him. I hope he was looking down and giving him a thumbs up.


GiGi

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

All I ever needed to know I learned in Kindergarten

Have you read this poem by Robert Fulghum? It goes like this:

Most of what I really need to know about how to live, and what to do, and how to be, I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sandbox at nursery school. These are the things I learned: Share everything. Play fair. Don't hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Don't take things that aren't yours. Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody. Wash you hands before you eat. Flush. Warm cookies and cold mild are good for you. Live a balanced life. Learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some. Take a nap every afternoon. When you go out into the world, watch for traffic, hold hands, and stick together. Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the plastic cup. The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that. Goldfish, hamsters, and white mice and even the little seed in the plastic cup--they all die. So do we. And then remember the book about Dick and Jane and the first word you learned, the biggest word of all: LOOK. Everythink you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation, ecology and politics and sane living. Think of what a better world it would be if we all--the whole world--had cookies and milk about 3 o'clock every afternoon and then lay down with our blankets for a nap. Or if we had a basic policy in our nation and other nations to always put things back where we found them and clean up our own messes. And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.

I love those words. My baby starts kindergarten tomorrow. I hope he learns all these things.

GiGi

Friday, August 1, 2008

The 2 Week Mark

He died 2 weeks ago today.


I know these posts are so rambling. There is no rhyme or reason to the order or even to the information in the posts. I feel so out of sorts. I have always known that I was really a strong person. I have dealt with some pretty crazy things in my 40 years but I think this one takes the cake. I feel like such a baby. I keep telling myself, "Come on GiGi, you can handle this, you have to. GET YOURSELF TOGETHER!!!" but I just don't want to. I just want to be sad. And I am reminded with each passing day, how much I relied on him to help me get through this crazy life I lead. I called their house today and his voice is still on the answering machine. I think I need to tell my mother because it's so morbid to have him answering his phone like he might be able to return the call but I don't want her to erase the last recording of his voice.


I feel like I am just going through the motions of getting myself through the day. Am I being selfish? I know I am but I don't know what else to do. I spent a large majority of my day today wandering through Target trying to get school supplies for the 3W's. I was by myself so I was obviously quiet and I was able to really watch the people around me. I saw mothers hurrying their children to pick out a bookbag, teenagers rolling their eyes as mother's picked out clothes for them. I saw others laying down in the isles because their mom said NO to the Hannah Montanna notebook because it cost $1.99 and the generic cost $.59. I witnessed an older gentleman become very upset at his wife for not answering his numberous telephone calls while she had been shopping in the store. I couldn't tell if he was mad or if was worried. I didn't care either way because he was very rude to her. My favorite encounter was in the shoe store. I had just heard a mother emphatically telling her children that they would get a pair of tennis shoes and one more pair to start school in and they would have to wear these for 3 or 4 months so they better pick out the pair that they really liked (Do any of us know what it is like to have that kind of conversation with our children?), when I turned the corner and headed down the next aisle. I saw this young boy, probably the same age as #2W, trying on these electric blue suade reebok tennis shoes. I am sure you all know I would have quickly steered my W's away from those but you know what this mother said to her young boy. She said, "Wow, those are some really wonderful shoes you have picked out for school. You have made a great choice." Can you guess what happened next? That little boy, jumped up and gave his momma a hug. How many of us have gotten hugs on those dreadful shopping trips. I can't remember a time that a school shopping trip ever elicited a hug in our family. I like to think that I am a mother who tries to foster individuality in my children but I guess not if I control their choices by only allowing what I think is appropriate individuality.

My aunt is leaving on Sunday and my mother will be left alone. She has not spent more that a few minutes alone since Poppa died. She has to be so scared. I am scared for her and scared for me. I know once my aunt leaves, it will be my family bearing the brunt of caring for my mother. I know that sounds harsh. I will do whatever I have to do to take care of her and I know that Mouse will support whatever decisions I need to make in regard to her. But I am scared of how much more responsiblilty I am adding to my family. I guess I should look at it as an opporturnity to teach important life lessons to my children about taking care of those we love. I don't know. I guess only time will tell.

GiGi

Sunday, July 27, 2008

The Saddest Day Continued

As my mother and I tried to compose ourselves, thoughts were flooding into my brain, we have to call my aunt, we have to call my siblings, oh no Ne-Ne is out of the country. OH MY GOD, I HAVE TO TELL MY CHILDREN. What words would I use when I made these calls? Do you just blurt it out, "Poppa died this morning", or do you try to start the conversations with "Hey! How are you this morning? I have some bad news...." I decided to just pick up the phone. I guess I just figured the words would come when someone answered. As I made the necessary calls, the siblings, Mouse, the preachers, my dear friends, people started showing up. The same words were spoken by most, "I am so sorry", "What a shock", "How will we ever replace him?" All I could think was, you can't even imagine.

Friday, July 25, 2008

The Saddest Day of My Life

Well, it has been one week. Last Friday morning, July 18, my phone rang at 6:15 am. As I stumbled to the phone, trying to read the caller id, Mouse yelling "If that's Mae, tell her I am going in late (Mouse car pools with and older lady to the hell hole every day",) I have to admit that I was not expecting the voice on the other end. The caller identified herself as a 911 operator from Peach County and that my mother had asked her to call and would I please call her at home, it's about your father. Now I must tell you that my father and mother are both 80 years old. We have spent countless hours in hospital rooms as well as emergency rooms so that initial distress you feel when you get news like this was not there for me. As I am dialing that number that I have dialed a million times before, I was thinking OK here we go again, another trip to the ER, maybe a stay at the hospital. I would never have guessed how wrong I was. My mother answers and in her stuttering voice says " GiGi, I can't wake up Poppa." I asked her if the ambulance was there and where she thought they would be taking him. Her answer to me was "I think he is DEAD." I screamed at her "DON'T SAY THAT" I am on the way. I will call you when I get in the car. By this time, Mouse has gotten up and asks what the trouble is this time. I shared that I really don't know but would call when I got there. You know, I wanted so badly to be able to pray on that drive and I just could not. All I could manage to say was "Help Me". As I pulled down their street, I saw 2 police cars in front of the house and the ambulance in the back. It was running with the door open, I knew it was waiting on the paramedics to bring Poppa out for the trip to whatever hospital could best serve his needs. My mother met me at the door and said to me "He's gone." All I could make come out was a quite "No". I quickly asked where he was, I had to find my Poppa. They pointed me to the bedroom. As I walked in, I saw him lying on his side sleeping like a baby. I wanted so much to shake him and yell "Wake up, We need you, Please don't go" but I chose to yell at the paramedic instead "WHAT HAPPENED!!!!!!!!", and of course he had no answer for me. As I walked back into the kitchen, my heart was breaking. I went up to my mother and hugged her. I had no words to say. I felt like I should say something but I didn't know what. I looked around and I felt so sorry for those paramedics and police officers who were standing there helpless. They were witnessing a family, my family, at it's lowest point. 2 seemingly helpless women who have been given the news that will change their life forever. What a horrible place to be. To be continued...

Thursday, July 17, 2008

GiGi becomes a Blogger

Well, here I go. I have been enjoying reading several blogs lately and decided that I might like to try my hand at it. I am certainly never at a loss for words or stories for that matter. My 3W's keep us filled to the brim. I thought this might also be a good outlet for me to vent some of my ongoing issues with out new business venture and ever present exciting family stories. I am really technically challenged so I hope that I will be able to keep up with some of the most impressive blogs I have read lately. Maybe even add a picure or two. Talk to you all soon.

Later,

GiGi