Tomorrow I go to a funeral

....for a former co-worker who left our agency in the later 90s.  Praying it goes well.  It will be hard on my boss especially.  Steve was awesome..The Tim Tebow of our time on the job.

I got to go on a cruise a couple of weeks ago, an eastern Caribbean one.  It rocked. 

My summary of January (which I obviously won't be revealing all the details about):  It was the best of tmes and very much the worst of times.....

Hello out there...I am still around..LOL

Just not blogging anywhere like I used to back in the day.  Wow, could be a lot to catch you guys up with if I had the energy.  So here is the short version...

The boys topped off 2nd and 5th grades with all perfect marks on their last report cards.  They had a wonderful summer after a tragedy hit for us.....our dog Phoebe we had for 15 years had to be put down this past June. There are times I am still finding myself looking for her in the house.  So stupid. :-(  Our vacation to Ocean City was a challenge.  We did enjoy having family over from KY though on this trip, no matter how some of the bad circumstances went down.  It still was a blessed time away with them.  Rick had to go back and forth from OC to home and back that week of July.  We had found out on the way to Ocean City that Ben made the U9 travel team.  We just did not know how quick everything would go from there.  LOL  There was a meeting the week we went to OC that Rick felt that he better not had missed.

School started the end of August, along with the full tilt soccer schedules.  Ben LOVES 3rd grade and loves his teacher too.  That was long overdue after a horrid 2nd grade experience.  LOL  Andrew is in 5th grade now.  We have had a few challenges, the vice principal for 6th grade has gotten to know me really well.  Hahaha.  I think the first report cards are about to come out soon.  I think Ben is going to do well.  I have a conference with his teacher next Wednesday just to make sure he is on target.  With the advent of Edline, now I can see all the time how Andrew is doing in all his classes.  I know the first quarter is all review, but to think he may be pulling a straight A report card for the first time in a new school at all...is pretty darn cool if ya ask me. LOL  More cool, taking in account some of the problems he did have here for a bit.

Soccer is over for Andrew for now.  Well, he says he is done with it permanently.  My "brainiac" boy wants to spend 100% on his studies it seems.  Pray for me on this, because Andrew is built like his momma and needs that exercise.  But I can fully understand where he is coming from.  Now, Ben, on the other hand, will never quit soccer I don't think.  In fact his season is still going on thru the tournament days in November (12th and 13th).  Then I do believe right after Thanksgiving, starts up practice for Futsal....with games starting the beginning of December.  LOL  I will probably he missing the first game.  Dec. 2nd and 3rd is the annual women's retreat to Ocean City.  I can't miss that one, broke or not.  :-p

Jimmy is doing well.  I don't get to get him as many times as I used to because of Ben's travel soccer.  It has taken me out of church and all many a Sunday here.  Futsal looks to be more of the same. *sigh*  Pray for me in that department too.  Trying to drop teaching because I realize my own inconsistencies with not being there causes undeserved lapses in students learning.  Trying to get more back to what I was meant to do...be a steward, more full time, with praise team on "the side".  Not only comfortable, it is what is NEEDED right now.  I'm seeing it and the poor leader of the stewards does not need the stress of begging folks to step up and be in the kitchen.  :-((

In other news...when I went to the doctors on August 6th (19 years since I have known Rick btw), I decided then for some reason to try Weight Watchers again, but a more relaxed version.  My reasons for losing weight are different now....no reunion, no dress, no event....  This time it is for me to be around for my boys, for me to one day be a grandmother who can enjoy her grandchildren, stuff like that.  So I guess those must all be the right reasons.  So far a good 25 pounds has come off.  I say that only because last week it was 29 pounds, yet I have ate a lot of Halloween candy this week.  I'm sure it will be a gain come tomorrow's weigh in.  Shameful.  Yet, I will still be plugging away at this and nothing will defeat me or permanently derail me as it has in past times.  I'm here to stay, baby!

Been way too long my friends---warning Christian talk at the end.... ;-)

No news is good news.  :)  The school year is nearing to an end soon.  It has been a very good one for both boys.  Benjamin may be the secret mathematician and perfect speller in the whole family.  No one sees it coming, that's what's so funny about it.  We will see if he can get more use out of those skills come 3rd grade.

Andrew...my 5th grader.  I have to say I love the elementary school that the boys go to.  We've, so far, been treated wonderfully and the boys are receiving a quality, yet caring, education.  Andrew has had prefect marks on his report card the past 2 quarters.  I'm so very proud of both boys, don't get me wrong.  But with Andrew, every single talent and thought process to solve problems.....does not come easy to him.  He works to the point of sweat and tears to strive for the level he is at.  And I say that not only academically, but also out on the pitch when he is playing soccer.  He will get hurt and still play through most times.  He is just a super hard worker.  I guess that's why I really cheer him on.  This has been a coming of age year for Andrew, now well into year 11 of his life.

Spring break week, I did something I told myself I would never do....let the boys stay home alone all that week.  Yes, they had excursions when the friend of mine down the street was home with her son....one of the biggies being a trip to the National Zoo!  The present daycare at school did not have enough parents sign up for a spring break camp that it just did not happen.  The back up people I think had made other plans during spring break.  I took it as a sign from God to "try" this out.  Could not have went smoother.  Again, proud proud momma!

Andrew's soccer team I think have not won any games, but the gang of boys seem really nice and Andrew looks forward to practices for the most part.  Not sure if Andrew will put in another season of this before he gets out.  It's more for the exercise for him.  I hate to see him drop it because frankly, he needs the exercise.  *sigh*  Then there is high energy, don't stop til you drop, Benjamin.  After 2 absolutely horrid seasons of soccer (indoor/outdoor), he is on a team that works hard on the field.  Him and his other buddy on the team have really come of age this season.  So improved, both of them!  So far, the team has gone undefeated--something Ben has never experienced before. Not sure what kind of mud we just stuck ourselves into, but we fearfully signed Ben up to try out at least for travel.  Those tryouts happen two different days in June.  Pray for us...we are insane...in the membrane!

Now back to Andrew..LOL  (sounding like an Old Spice commercial eh?)   So, Andrew did Destination Imagination for the very first time and is now kicking himself for not getting on board last school year when he was then toying with the idea of joining.  LOL  The team he joined was a winning team anyway, having gone to globals last year.  I think 3 different kids were added on (some dropped out too I think)...Andrew being one of the additions.  The team (Wade UnDIniables) competed in county, then went on to state....and here they are, going to globals in TN in just 3 short weeks from now!  They've earned it and so proud of their efforts.  

Andrew completed the math competition with his team from Wade and the 5th graders nabbed first place in the county.  Good job guys!  

And it's been MONTHS since Andrew's been in my room at all.  God heals all, let me tell you.  I praise Him everyday for this one though.  Andrew's gotten bolder (in a good way), and has life goals already.  Folks, he is a preteen.  *sniff*

Rick and I are doing really well.  Rick's only having to give up the blood once every 2 months as it stands now and we expect that gap in time in between to grow soon! :-)   We both go this Saturday for our usual blood draws....well mine a bit earlier.  I think the last time I was there I was sick with a sinus infection and taking meds, cough ones too.  So my sugar was elevated some and they wanted to re-test that.  I can't say I am not slightly worried.  My mom was diabetic.  What's weird is that normally and forever, my sugar would run extremely low.  So yeah...*hand up*....worried.  LOL  So prayer on that would be appreciated.

Went to a praise rally Sunday in VA at the Free Methodist church there.  Had a wonderful and enlightening time.  I am so glad to have been a part of that.  I was going to ask prayer for another matter here, but I think I found my resolution during a special prayer time at the rally....and I didn't even have to go up front to pray.  God struck me there in my seat.  You see....a couple of weeks ago, a friend of mine attacked me in the worst way possible....in the gut...saying my life was a life of disobedience to God because of me not being home with my kids and taking something I posted absolutely and totally out of context.  And didn't even read/listen to what I had to say in answer, which was done completely without anger and in 100% Love.  Most people (of the world) would instantly have dropped that person as a friend.  I nearly did.  But God showed me HIS way Sunday...about 8 pm in a pew of a church in Alexandria VA...that I can forgive that person WITHOUT the drama of seeking apologies for something I specifically asked her to take back.  God healed it for me--He is the Alpha and Omega, beginning and end.  No things will never ever be the same with that relationship, but in this world, we are to love one another and I still do love this person.  And very much in prayer for this person.

My assignment to you.....love the unlovable....pray for the people who persecute you.....  Reach out to an unsaved person and talk to them, talk about a story from the bible over a meal.   Just be....real.

This is where the healing begins......

In case you have missed it.....last week.......

I decided to stick with my decision I had been toying with for well over a year.

Last week, I resigned from Mary Kay.

After 4k in debt from MK related bad decisions, spanning over a 5 year period, I decided to kiss "the weakest link" goodbye.  Between this decision and having one child coming out of daycare come this June, I will not only be okay, but will be able to start paying on that debt, small as it really is, as compared to some of the horror stories I have heard.  Amazingly, the person who got me into MK decided to stop as well the end of last year (and I had NO idea!!).  I am so very blessed that her and I have reconnected again under a more support/friendship venue.  This is the "girlfriend time" that Mary Kay *should* be advertising.  LOL I know I run the risk of losing a friend or two over this decision.  And to be honest, other than a few people, I have not come out and said.."surprise, I'm out of the pink closet".  Hahahaha   Thinking to a few, this announcement will come as a shock.

Cons of leaving:  not getting MK products at discount...

Pros of leaving:  being able to look at other wonderful cosmetics that I could use along with my existing MK I have that I wanted to keep, without feeling like some sort of cheating spouse!    Hi, family, did you miss me?  ('nuff said)   I lost money with doing MK, but what hurt almost as much (if not more), the time I lost.  If time is money, I wouldn't even know how to start repaying that sort of debt.  Feeling like I can make friends, not future customer targets.  The UPS man and I needed some space, LMBO.  No longer do I have to hold my breath, waiting on payment from customers, in turn...almost wrecking friendships.   And no more do I have to say dorky things like..."You can pay however you want...check, credit card,  Paypal, the 'husband unawareness plan', or combination of all of these!"  *shaking my head*    Oh and to add the best two to the list of pros......the sense of freedom and getting myself back.  <3

I remember when I first started MK, going to a unit meeting where we were asked to think about what would be our own personal "power song".  Well at the time I chose "Dive", by Steven Curtis Chapman.  I felt it fit at the time.

Guess what song still fits my life decisions as of late?  You bettcha.......

The long awaited rains
Have fallen hard upon the thirsty ground
And carved their way to where
The wild and rushing river can be found
And like the rains
I have been carried here to where the river flows, yeah 

My heart is racing and my knees are weak
As I walk to the edge
I know there is not turning back
Once my feet have left the ledge
And in the rush I hear a voice
That’s telling me it’s time
to take the leap of faith
So here I go 

I’m diving in, I’m going deep in over
my head, I want to be
Caught in the rush, lost in the flow,
in over my head, I want to go
The river’s deep, the river’s wide,
the river’s water is alive
So sink or swim, I’m diving in 

There is a supernatural power
In this mighty river’s flow
It can bring the dead to life
And it can fill an empty soul
And give a heart the only thing
Worth living and worth dying for, yeah 

But we will never know the awesome power
Of the grace of God
Until we let ourselves get swept away
Into this holy flood
So if you’ll take my hand
We’ll close our eyes and count to three
And take the leap of faith
Come on let’s go

I’m diving in, I’m going deep in over

my head, I want to be
Caught in the rush, lost in the flow,
in over my head, I want to go
The river’s deep, the river’s wide,
the river’s water is alive
So sink or swim, I’m diving in

Lord, help me talk to my 11 year old about 9/11/01......

So, ever since Andrew has gotten his laptop for his birthday, he's been putting it to good use.  Not the typical 11 year old sort of thing either...not so much gaming now, not so much "stupid YouTubing" (as I call it now), not so much Facebook now, but a lot more looking up of historical events.  I think his participation in DI is helping to foster this sort of healthy research.

Andrew's very interested in history and historical news, along with any news (past or present) having to do with Metro and the weather.  In fact on Facebook, I saw where he joined the MyFoxDC page and posted things about Metro on there.  Not 11 year old looking posts either.  We're talking grammatically put together sentences about the subject, like you and I *would* be expected to do.

This leads me to the past couple of days' research....9/11/01.  So many questions....wanting to make sure of where his mom and dad were precisely when each and every plane hit.  I freaked him out big time when I told him that I learned of the news quicker from a friend who was hearing it on the BBC (I kid you not..).  He asked about a friend of ours who works at the Pentagon and got scared for her.  Asked how did we know she was okay...etc.  Andrew was in our room on the floor last night after a good month of not appearing there.  Death upsets Andrew sure, but unfortunately he is very used to death happening to loved ones.

We're doing our best to answer questions....give me strength Lord.  I remember going to Sally's that day and grabbing up this 1.5 plus year old blonde curly headed boy and hugging him to pieces.  Never thought I would be having to discuss that day with him now.  Should be surprised we have not had to talk about it before actually.  But with the advent of my parents dying, and vehicle accidents, we had our own topics of discussion flowing for years now.  Now that things are more quiet, it was time for this to crop up. 

Along with Andrew's questions, I have some in my head too on a different topic, but kind of related.  I am reading one of the most gripping Christian based books ever....Heaven Is For Real.  HIGHLY recommend it to everyone.  I'm nearly done with it.  I wonder now what my dad saw when he nearly died back in 1997 (well he did according to the surgeon)....besides him saying he could see the surgeon working on his body...had his heart out of his chest, working on it.  Wow.  This book is making me emotional.  UGH.  But it makes me eager to see Jesus......

School is in full swing, tilt, bowel shaking earthquake form and other junk

Actually it really is not that serious.  The children went back to school August 30th.  Really it was more of a week to where parents had all the homework.  Haha....  The forms are done and this week, they are bringing home the homework, though everything thus far is looking more like review of their past grade they were in.  Went to both open houses and at least that is what I got from Ms. Lund, Ben's 2nd grade teacher.  It will be review for a bit.  She was the teacher I was not so sure of and coming away from an almost complete hour in just her classroom alone last night, I got a much better feel for her curriculum and I must say....I "likes" her. :-D  Ben will learn to, as well.  *coughs*

Andrew will be placed into a pre-Algebra class here soon.  *gulp*  5th grade...*shakes head*  The math assessments for the 2nd graders are just about done and I am to assume that Ben and MANY other 2nd graders will be coming home with a letter as well for advanced mathematics placement.  Ms. Lund said that there was a huge amount of children who tested higher in the 2nd grade.  Hats off to the first grade teachers then.  :-D

Soccer...I can talk about this here candidly right?  You know there are like 9 or less teams in each of the age categories.  The way I see it, the higher numbered teams were formed last.....because Rick did not want to (uhm, couldn't really...) coach this season, last minute Benjamin (who registered at the get go) was placed on "team 9".  And it shows....I am not pleased with WSC and in particular the person in charge of that placement (will not mention names....). ;-) Andrew registered at the same time...and in on Team 1 of the U12 league.  This team looks to be well put together and well coached, just sayin'.  Andrew always can use that...and I used to say more than Benjamin, because Benjamin had always had a more natural aptitude for soccer.  Folks, Benjamin is losing that aptitude.....ever since he lost Mr. Donley as coach.  The whole past year has tanked for him....and I believe the loss of interest/vigor did not help him either in failing in getting onto a travel team.  Andrew had a better shot and that is saying quite a bit.    So, I am volunteering after a season off...to be team mom to the U12 team.  Easy street...just ordering the medals (trophies?) and arranging the after soccer season party.

Rick is doing well with his blood letting procedures.  We were going to go for the 3rd one yesterday.  But then Rick was talking to the oncologist about how, even almost 2 weeks later after a procedure, that he feels so lightheaded that he could faint.  The doctor halted the procedure and wants Rick to see his regular doctor this morning to see what he thinks/says.  I'm praying the numbers are good enough for a once a month procedure or at least maybe doing half a pint, instead of the full pint, at a time.  The boys' tests came back as well.  They both carry a single gene mutation for HH.  But they do not have any iron overages yet.  Means, they will be good for many years I think.  Praying they keep on testing well each year and will never have to face it until adulthood, if at all. :-D

Work is busy this year, just quietly riding that out...could be worse.  Had some wonderful parties and cookouts we went to this past long Labor Day weekend. Ready for apple cider and fall weather.  Ready for the Rehobath trip in December.  Just not ready for any return of snow.  Want a nice long fall.

A trip to......FedEx field!

My friend, Kim, had two extra tickets to the Saturday night Redskins vs Ravens game.  A little background: I am actually a quiet, die hard, Redskins fan.....this stretches back from the 70s.  It's in my blood.  Yet, I never ever had the opportunity to attend an actual football game until this past Saturday evening. It was an experience, let me tell you.  I thought the people were interesting at baseball and soccer games.  Those fans....are painfully normal....

Andrew and I take Kim up on the offer and go to FecEx Field with her and the crew.  You know the night was going to be special when we're about to get to the stadium, where traffic is being directed, to come upon geese crossing the street. LOL  It's a confusing setup, bless Jose for even driving us there and back.  We park.  I'm new to this whole thing.  Kim had packed a cooler with cold drinks.  That was all we had.  Totally didn't realize that there was this tailgating thing we were supposed to be doing, which would include loading up on grilled food and totally getting smashing drunk before entering the stadium.  Who knew???  Hahahaha  So we were tailgating, foodless, and people watching.  Kim and I had to make our way to some port-a-potties down the parking lot.  Right before the port-a-potty we were trying to get to, there was this dude there with a little baby grill, grilling sausages.  Tailgating Redskin fans are some of the nicest people you will ever meet.  This dude offered that we come back and have some sausages after he learned of our foodless plight. LOL  We never did go back and to be honest, not quite sure why.....

So we finally walk to the stadium, grab a bite of food at Johnny Rockets (which will require me to repay Andrew's college fund at some point soon, oops), then make our way to our seats.  Apparently people like to hop seats a lot.  Didn't seem like the same people were by us within the next hour and so forth, lol.  Oh wait, I take that back....people to the left of us stayed most of the game there, to our dismay.  Let's talk about this lovely bunch of elderly men.  Someone let the nursing home out for the evening I think.  The man who sat right next to Kim had made his way to his seat, stepping by us, and knocking down Kim's full souvenir cup of soda.  He was very sorry, and very drunk, and offered her an upgrade on her drink by offering her a beer at his cost.  LMBO  Kim was like..."I had a soda.  I don't want a beer..."  *shaking head*  So, a few times we all would have to get up to let this guy and a couple of his buddies out.  Every time we would pick up on this horrid odor from the 2nd guy in.  We chalked it up to the fact that he hadn't bathed in ages or got so drunk that he messed himself....uhm...yea.  Needless to say the last time he wanted out of his seat, we all got up and walked out of the isle and down the stairs some to let him out.   We're still laughing at Andrew who was last to pick up on the smell.  "Ms. Kim, what's that smell???"    Buwahahahaha

We had the potty mouth row two rows above us.  Surprisingly no fights broke out when someone with children the row behind us told them to watch their language.  Kim was telling me about a game they went to when something like that happened to where someone was telling someone else to watch their language that a fist fight ensued.  We are counting our blessings indeed, lol.

We had the....oh now how do I put this?....the "My name is Earl" row in front of us.  I think I can do without seeing MAN MADE holes in any one's clothes for quite sometime.... (beer money...rent....beer money...rent, so hard to choose)

The Redskin stores were really cool to go into and was a good escape from the people around our seats.  Corey and Andrew were in fact very smart to start walking well before halftime. LOL  The personnel in the stores were really nice, even though the prices were not. ;-)   I have to brag because I am old and these compliments don't come my way anymore.  We're checking out at one of the stores and the male cashier says I have a nice smile and great dimples.  (actually his were to die for, that's what was so funny and I may or may not have said that to him...  :-x).  Now in retrospect, he probably was saying that to me because my cheapskate butt had no merchandise to buy.  Maybe he thought I would break down and but something...yeah right.  I was just standing with Kim at the time he was checking her out.   LMBO

The game is over and we sit there for a bit, to let the drunkards go home first.  So we thought.  We finally get up to leave.  Walking outside towards the vehicle, we pass by this guy hovering over a bush.  I figured it was a typical thing at this point....guy throwing up in the bush or something, as I was watching several drunk people still trying to walk to their vehicles (comforting, not).  We get closer to this guy hovering over that bush and discovered this was so not the scene we expected.  A hand was coming out of the bush for the guy hovering to grab.....  There was a guy (drunk I assume?) in the bush....ALL CUT UP.  His face looked like the pattern of branches in that bush.  It was so gross and sad all at the same time.  Ever heard of someone falling out of the ugly tree, hitting every single branch on the way down?  Yeah, this was it folks.  Thankfully an ambulance was en route.   I think that was the topping on the evening of weirdness right there.  LMBO

Are Andrew and I ever going to another football game?  Well, Andrew may not be going until he is of legal age again, buwhahahahahaha.  I may go again just to people watch.  Nothing like a good game of foolsball...I mean, football!