The Start of Another Week

Sunday, Meg and I took a genealogy trek to Putnam County to visit some cemeteries and look at some land that used to belong to her ancestors.  It was a pretty day, so we just explored early in the day...and then it was time to come home so she could go pick up the children in Muncie while I put the laundry away. 

Today when I got to school, I found an email from the Superintendent, detailing our meeting for Tuesday.  Huh?  What meeting???  The email had been sent on Friday, but access to the website had been down...so I just learned about it today.  Needed plans for a sub (which still aren't done, btw).  After school was BARC (Bulldogs Amateur Radio Club) and I had arranged for a testing session for three of the boys who were ready to pass the test.  Two did.  The third, bless his heart, took the test twice but still didn't pass.  I'm proud of him for hanging in there, and we will continue to work to get him passed before this year is over!!  When I got home, Meg had installed a new showerhead with an extension, so we can take it off the hook and use it for things like washing children's hair.  I love it!  (If I had known it was that easy to install, I would have done it myself years ago!)

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Meg has to be in court in Muncie at 8:00 AM tomorrow for a preliminary hearing.  Early morning!  I'll help, if I can get my butt out of bed in time...

There aren't enough hours in the day.  I need a secretary and a maid! 

 

How Did It Get to Be So Late?!

Where does the time go????

Meg woke me up at 9:00 this morning asking what time my meeting was.  Ack!  I had a 10:00 AM meeting at the Red Cross Center in Indy, for the 500 Mini-Marathon.  So I jumped up and got ready to go, knowing that I was going to be late by about 15 minutes...and sure enough, I was.  HOWEVER, this was the first time in my several trips there that I went a sure-fire way and actually found the place without having to get on the radio and ask for help. 

I was home by about noon.  Continued with the laundry and went out to the flower bed to pull some weeds.  It is always interesting to me how I can keep busy around this place, yet you can seldom tell that I've done anything!  I puttered around in the yard quite a bit today. (It looks better--but the inside of the house doesn't!)  We even got a screen (that was repaired two years ago) put back on Meg's bedroom window. (I mean, what's the hurry??)  Meg mowed the lawn.  We went to Wal-Mart to look at (and price) some edging for the flower beds in the back yard, then ran a couple of other errands, with a second errand trip later in the day...and before you know it, the day was gone.

I have always been a hard worker.  I find physical labor, like housework, to be a stress reliever from the mental work that I endure during the school week.  But I've always been the kind of person who worked better when I had a reason to.  In the two years that Meg and family were in Muncie, I spent more time up there than I did at home on the weekends...and since this fall, when her world was falling apart (and mine, with it), I wasn't taking care of business at home.  With only me here, I could have had a perfectly clean house--but for what??  Now, with three extra people here, the house is in constant turmoil and disarray, but I have a purpose again.  I wish we had more space, but I like having them here.  We are in survival mode, but we ARE surviving.  In another month, when I am out of school, things will be better!

It was gorgeous out today.  Let's have more days like this one!

A Good Day

Today was a teacher's workshop day, with the students leaving at noon.  Our meetings got out early, and I got home in time to do a little housework and take a short nap before the rest of the day happened.  I picked up Hot Wheels cars and cowboy-and-Indian fighting men.  Did a couple of loads of laundry before Meg got home.  Halleluyah!

The grandchildren are with their father.  The weekends are the only chance Meg and I have to recover from the rest of the week.  Usually, we are both fairly dead, fairly early on Fridays.  Today, because I got home early and got a 30-minute snooze, I still had some energy when Meg got home. We went out for a cheap Chinese buffet supper, then decided to do some errands, just to get them over today instead of having them bleed over into the next two days.  We did some grocery shopping and errands until we ran out of steam. 

I should go to bed, but need to tell so many that I am thinking of them.  Mike will be a pall bearer at a funeral tomorrow.  Adam is recovering from poison ivy on his face.  Ryan is still reeling from his mother-in-law's death, with ramifications with his wife.  Patrick thinks he is ready for "the box".  Bruce's wife got a good report from the oncologist...and the HCARS group has come up with a new venue for Field Day, (we think).  God bless and keep you all!

Nightie!

Okay...So How Old Do I Look??

I guess I have to dye my hair and lose weight or SOMETHING.  We had our school field trip to Conner Prairie today, which included a quarter mile hike on some rugged terrain--particularly one large hill.  I huffed and puffed to the top...and one of the students in my group told another teacher to tell me that "Ms. McNary did a pretty good job of keeping up with us."  Just after that, another couple of students announced to me that they were going to stay back with me...like I needed a chaperone.  In the afternoon, I went to the grocery store, and the bagger put my meager purchases on HIS cart to help me out with them.  Excuse me???  Perhaps I am looking my age...or acting it?  Just how old do I look?  On the field trip (since the students and I were acting as fugitive slaves on the Underground Railroad), one of our taunters called me "Mammy" and another of the living history people asked me if I'd like to sit on a bench instead of the floor.  (I was actually grateful for the latter.  I could have sat on the floor, but getting back up again wouldn't have been graceful!)  I guess I either have to find a way to accept that I am getting old--or find a way to fight it.  I AM beginning to order from the senior menu at restaurants...

When we were boarding the buses for the field trip this morning, I told my students that I had over-hairsprayed my "do" today so my hair wouldn't move.  Then we were out in the rain and I had to put my poncho on, complete with hood.  Well!  The "do" done did!  My hair spray failed and my locks turned curly, as expected.  When we got back to school, one of them asked me if my hair had moved.  Well, duh!  Another, unknowing about curly hair, asked if I had my hair "done".  I think he thought I had had a perm.  I said, no...that I had just been out in the rain...  I'm not sure he understood.  He said, "It looks nice."  I will thank him tomorrow.  Why?  Because it DIDN'T look "nice".  He was being polite...and that is rare with eighth graders!

The experience at Conner Prairie was worth the trip.  It was well-researched and well-performed.  I'm not sure how much the kids got from it (because they were role-playing), but I am absolutely sure that they won't forget it. 

Yesterday, there was a knock on the door along about 4:30 or 5:00.  It was friend Ryan with plumbing supplies.  In just a few minutes, he replaced the faucet on the bathtub because Meg had complained that there was no water pressure in the shower.  The bulk of the water was cascading into the tub from the faucet instead of coming out of the shower head.  Had I known that the only thing one had to do was unscrew the faucet, I could have fixed it myself...but as Ryan pointed out...then he wouldn't have had an excuse to come over.  The new faucet works wonderfully and even sounds different.  Thank you, Ryan!

Little Ryan (my grandson) cried through the night on Monday with an earache.  He then threw up all over the couch and loveseat before it was time to go to the babysitter's on Monday morning.  Thankfully, his other grandparents (known now as Grandma and Grandpa Phil) could take him for the day.  After the first day, with a fever of 102, Meg took him to the doctor for meds.  He went back to the grandparents' today.  Getting better!  There is nothing quite so sad as a sick little one...and nothing quite so gross as cleaning up vomit from environmental surfaces!

A few days ago, my neighbor across the street and I were talking about the thorny flowering shrub at the corner of my yard.  He was telling me how to handle it.  I was telling him that I just wanted it gone.  Two days later, I got an IM from Meg at school saying that I owe Fred $6.  Huh?  What for?  It seems that Good Neighbor Fred came over and whacked the daylights out of the thorny shrub and carted the remains to the thorny shrub disposal place, to the tune of $6.  Guess what?  It is the best $6 I have spent in my lifetime!  Fred's scratches will heal soon, I hope...

Time for bed.  I survived!

We Are So Blessed!

At the last minute, Meg was able to get a one-way truck rented for today, and got a storage unit secured for her stuff.  I had an offer from a ham friend (Adam) to help unload the truck at this end of the Muncie trip.  He offered to help in Muncie, too, and I took him up on it.  Little did I know how much work was involved, how much he would be doing, and how good he is at it!

We were not "allowed" to show up in Muncie until 2:00, due to Nathan's church "commitments".  We were about 45 minutes late because we needed to stop for food.  There were a couple of helpers at the Muncie end, which made things go smoother.  (I will refrain from commenting on my soon-to-be-former-son-in-law's behavior, out of deference to any of his family who may be reading this blog.)  Adam, it seems, is very proficient at loading trucks and storage units!

When we reached the storage unit in Mooresville, one of Meg's old friends and one of HIS friends showed up to help unload the truck.  I basically watched the children.  (Whoop-de-doo!)  I simply couldn't believe how well that storage unit was packed, thanks to Adam's expertise! 

At the end of that chore, we had to find the place to deliver the truck.  That was an adventure!  We stopped several places to ask directions, but no one knew where this place on "Old 67" was.  Adam found it, quite by accident, I think...but the place was closed, with a security gate.  He managed to park the truck in a safe spot; Meg squeezed little Ryan through the gate and gave him directions on how to put the documentation and key in the drop box.  (It took a bit!)  Just as he got the job done, someone showed up to open the gate.  Ugh!

By this time, it was after 8:30, and we needed food.  Guess what?  Most eating establishments close at 8:30 on Sunday!  We stopped at Gray's Cafeteria in Mooresville (closing), Ponderosa in Mooresville (closing)--so headed to Plainfield.  Steak and Shake is always open, but we wanted a better menu, so we tried Bob Evans.  Adam went in to check if they were still open--and motioned us in.  He whispered to me that they were closing in five minutes, but would take us...so we were their last customers...and we weren't slighted in the least (except for the sound of the vacuum cleaner in the background).  We all went to wash our hands, in turn, before dinner.  When I came out of the restroom, Adam was at the cashier's desk.  Hmmm...  Little Ryan was a pill all through the meal, but we survived!  We waited for the check to arrive, but it never did.  Adam had paid, in advance, on the sly, for the meals for seven people, and left the waitress such a generous tip that she stopped us on the way out to ask, "Are you sure??" 

Back at home, finally, everyone left and Meg got the children to bed.  Then she sat down and wept and wept.  She was overdue for a good cry.   It had been an emotional and stressful week.  But what she was crying about was, "How do you say thank you to someone who is a relative stranger, who worked so hard and gave so much?"  She didn't understand how everyone could come together just for little ol' her.  Just the day before, another devoted friend, Ryan, came over to take the collapsed bed frame home to fix, bringing a metal one to replace it so we wouldn't have to put Meg and little Ryan on the floor.  And he brought a dollhouse for Robin...one he had made for his granddaughter a number of years ago.  She has grown out of it, but Robin's eyes really lit up when she saw it!  And so, Megan is learning the lessons of friendship and networking and the amateur radio "brotherhood".  It made her weep.  Me, too!

I have to be up in the morning, and it is way late.  I just have to say that I am blessed beyond my due with caring friends who make life worth living.  Thanks to all who made this day tolerable.  Thanks especially to Adam who acted WAY above and beyond the call of duty.  I'm sure he will sleep well tonight!

Another Weekend

I tried to nap after school today, but it simply didn't work.  When Meg came home from her place of employment, we went out for supper and did a 2-week grocery shopping.  (It was payday for me.)  Thereafter, we acted like lumps.  Hey...it's Friday!  We are entitled!  (Especially since the babies went to Muncie with their father this afternoon.)

I'm not entirely sure that the big "move" is necessary for this weekend.  There have been miscommunications.  We need a little more time.  Nathan probably does, too.  He just hasn't thought things through. 

I was a little upset this afternoon to learn that one of my female students has been suspended pending expulsion.  She is a troubled youngster that I have worked with to keep in school.  This grading period, she has worked her bottom off to get her grades up and has an A- in my class right now...but she got sideways with another teacher and ran her mouth...  She is on probation from legal incidents in another school...lives with her grandfather in a custody battle with her mother, etc.  Grandpa was there, cleaning out her locker today.  (Grandpa is younger than I!)  The principal made a deal with him that she would attend summer school (as my student) and would go to 9th grade next year...if she can keep her nose clean in the meantime.  Ya know...it gets up close and personal when this stuff happens.  Hell, she's only in 8th grade!!!!

Time for bed.  Thanks to all of my friends for listening to my ramblings!

"The Night the Bed Fell"

There is a James Thurber story by that title..and we are re-creating it here!  Meg laid down on the bed to read Ryan a bedtime story, and the bed gave way.  In its defense, that bed is almost as old as I am.  My parents bought the set when I was very young.  The wood is dried out and brittle.  It was repaired once, a year or so ago...and now this.  Meg will be sleeping upside down or something until we can get it fixed again.  Never a dull moment!

Looks like we'll be taking a trip to Muncie on Sunday to pick up some things--meaning renting a truck and finding friends to help.  Apparently, there was an earlier miscommunication about what was to be removed from the house there.  I'm not sure it has totally been resolved...  I'm not sure I have the energy!

Okay...here's my "take" on the school shooter in Virginia.  A friend of mine says that the school was negligent, big time.  I say that there is no way that the school could have notified everyone of a problem, even if they had recognized that there was one.  The man bought his guns legally.  His teachers and classmates recognized he was a risk and went to authorities, multiple times.  When the original shooting happened at the dormitory, even if everyone felt there was risk at the rest of the campus, how does an institution get that word out?  Thousands commute.  Some live on campus; some live off.  Who knew that a shooting on campus would turn into a bloodbath two hours later?  Even if they suspected, how would they have gotten the word out to everyone to stay away? 

My students were incredulous that someone didn't take the guy down.  I said that he stood at the doorway of the classroom and shot.  Who was going to be the hero?  It's not until everyone understands exactly what is going on (which almost never happens in the beginning of a crisis) that people can think clearly enough to respond. 

The upshot (forgive the term) of all of this is that we can make our schools and our homes safe, but it will cost big time $$.  Everyone in an organization would need to be in possession of a pager or an alert systerm that was instantaneous.  (NOT related to cell phones!)  We simply cannot anticipate everything.  And since I work in a school system, I worry about that a lot.  One of my darling students wrote "kill" and "die" on his knuckles today.  He got a ticket to the counselor.  Should he be banned from school?  He was in tears thinking he might be expelled.  I don't think so...  He is just a sorry-ass kid who hasn't figured out that Monrovia, Indiana, can't protect him from the real world. 

Yesterday, I told my students the story of one of my kids, years ago, who got in trouble and came into my classroom saying, "I'd like to blow this place up."  I was pretty sure he didn't mean it...and I was pretty sure that he wouldn't do anything like that...but I reported him.  My students gasped, "Why?"  Well...duh!  If he HAD come back to blow things up, someone would have said, "Ms. McNary heard him say it and she didn't do anything about it."  End of explanation.  I hope I got through...

Mike, hope you are feeling better after your tumble.  Ryan, I'll be in touch.  Apparently, my "son-in-law" will be picking the children up at the day care in Plainfield tomorrow for the weekend.  It will be both a challenge and a relief. 

God bless the children...

 

 

Another Day

When the family comes home, I never know what to expect.  Today, Ryan was in a bad mood.  After I put food in front of everyone, he settled down.  We did the talking pony thing.  The children still seem to be happy about the day care situation, although they both bit someone today.  (sigh) 

We are still looking into moving trucks, storage bins,  and people to help move stuff.  It's kind of sad, really.  We all rallied around the kids two years ago to make the place in Muncie delightful...but a house doesn't make a home.  This kind of thing doesn't affect just a couple of people.  Everyone gives up something...hopes, dreams, financial contributions, and trust.  We will make the best of this...for the children.  There is no other way.

We need God to smile on us.  It will happen.  Patience is the key! 

The Talking Pony

My grandchildren come home from day care so excited that they talk--both at once--and get angry with each other for out-talking each other.  So Monday, I instituted the talking pony in order to take turns at dinner time.  We have a tiny My Little Pony from a McDonald's Happy Meal that we use as a token.  If YOU have the pony, it's your turn to talk.  If you DON'T have the pony, you have to wait, unless you are asking questions of the person whose turn it is.  So far, so good.  We each take a turn.  (Some of us take more than one!)  It brings a little order to the dinner table.  It's a little lame, but you gotta give me credit for trying!

The schedule we have been creating seems to be that Meg and I stay out of each other's way in the mornings.  I try to lay out clothing for Robin, who can dress herself.  While we are up and getting ready for work, we turn the lights on and make enough noise to get the children awakened on their own.  (That works best.)   I am the first to get home in the afternoon.  Sometimes I try to snooze, but mostly I try to do a few things.  Today, I did a load of dishes, folded a load of laundry, and matched socks (that is a BIG deal!).  And fixed dinner.  It seems to work best that dinner is ready when everyone gets home.  Bedtime is still up for grabs.  The children nap at day care, so they are still energetic when Meg and I are pooped.  We will keep working on that...

More later.  Family due home soon...

The Price of Affluence?

Yes, I'm still up!  Have been working on my taxes and find (to my dismay) that I owe a chunk of money to the IRS.  This, even with more deductions than usual....so...I guess I have to go to the administration office and have them start taking even more $$ out of my paycheck.  I live in a modest little home, drive used cars, open cans for supper, and only get "out" occasionally when friends take pity on me.  So how can it be that I am so darned rich that the IRS wants a pound of my flesh????  Bad planning on my part, I guess...

Let's see...I got through a special mortgage arrangement that took over a year; then I got IUPUI paid off, which took a number of months; now, I am in a special arrangement to get a credit card paid off (don't get me started on that one!!); and now the IRS.  Plus, I have a debt to a patient friend that needs attention.  Okay...so given all of that, my dear darling soon-to-be-former-son-in-law has told Meg that he wants HER stuff out of the house by this weekend.  Time to find a storage unit and a truck!  Aaarrrghhh!

Today was my grandchildren's first day with the new babysitter.  (We went yesterday afternoon to her house to meet her.  She is licensed by the state, and the children were impressed, so we felt pretty good about trying her out.  Well!  They came home happy.  She has a veritable playground in her back yard...and a trampoline!  Although bedtime this evening was still a struggle, it didn't seem to be as MUCH of a struggle as before.  Progress?

Time for bed.  Tomorrow is another day!

Another Day, Another Fight

Today, there was a most unlikely fight between two of our "gentlemen".  One is a youngster who never says anything to anyone, and the other is a toughie.  I know who I am voting for!   When I went down to the office after hearing about it, the former guy was crying....and never stopped throughout the rest of the day.  Apparently, his mother went to surgery this morning and he couldn't be consoled.  I can't imagine his doing anything that would incite a fight.  Most of the time, he stays on his own.  The other fellow, unfortunately, just came off ISS for a fight. 

The kids, God bless them, were semi-lousy today.  All I can say, at this point, is that I hope we can keep the lid on until the end of May.  In the meantime, I met my daughter at her workplace at the end of the day.  They seem to like her!  The place was so very quiet and so very sterile, I couldn't relate.  My workplace is a maelstrom!

Until tomorrow...

Another Day at the Day Care Center

...And I'm not talking about my grandchildren.  I'm talking about my workplace!  In order to understand what I do every day at school, one has to understand the 14-year-old mind.  If you can do that, you need to replace me at Monrovia Middle School!  I keep trying, but I think I'm getting too old to get it.  At that age, kids are either dressing and acting exactly the same in order to feel accepted, or they are way out in left field in order to assert their individuality.  There is no middle ground.  They are questioning, rebellious, and hormone-driven.  It is a frustrating time for them and for their parents/teachers.  I continue to be amazed, however, at the deficits with which I am working.

Today, we were reading the poem "O Captain! My Captain!" by American poet Walt Whitman, about the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.  A couple of lines read:

      "O Captain!  My Captain!  Rise up and hear the bells!/ Rise up--for you the flag is  furled--for you the bugle trills."

One of my young scholars raised his hand and asked, "Did they really have Bugles back then?"   My response was, "Of course they did!"  He persisted.  "Really?"  I was confused for a moment or two until I realized that he was talking about the corn chips called "Bugles".  Uh..."Do you not know that a bugle is a horn?  That the military uses bugles to blow things like Taps and Reveille??"  His response:  "Not until just now."  I asked if anyone else didn't know that a bugle is a horn.  At least three other hands went up.  Ladies and gentlemen, I ask you--how am I supposed to come up with strategies to help students pass the ISTEP tests when they don't even have a basic working knowledge of the language????

Later in the day, there was a fight in the hall between two girls, one of whom is already on probation.  We have worked SO HARD to keep her in school and on the straight-and-narrow, but she is now on really shaky ground in her personal life and at school.  We can't fix it!

On another note, my daughter got up this morning with the stomach bug that the rest of us struggled with earlier.  She went to work--only her second day on the job--and toughed it out...but it had to be wicked.  She spent most of the evening on the couch.  Thank goodness the children are with their father!  She needed to rest, and I couldn't have handled pre-schoolers after a day at the older day care center!  I tried to give her a little of what she needed--liquids and a little digestible food.  It ain't fun!

Tonight, I did three loads of laundry, took the garbage out, unloaded and reloaded the dishwasher, picked up some items at the grocery story and took care of my sickie daughter.  Where does the time go??

Too much, too soon??

I am better today--almost back to normal.  That's the good news.  The bad news is that my grandchildren have been whacko since the beginning of the week.  Gramma went back to school; Mommy had interviews; Easter is over; cold weather has them penned in--plus the fact that they are still adjusting to the "new" life.  The end result has been fussing with each other, making mega-messes, and generally being out of sorts.  Ugh!

Today was Meg's first day at her new job.  I picked up the children from their first day at the babysitter's.  Robin started working on me the instant I got them in the car, saying that it was "the baddest day of [her] life."  (How bad can it be at age four??)  She told me that the babysitter yelled at her and spanked her and wouldn't give her a whole peanut butter sandwich.  (All of which were "stories".  She hedged on her spanking/yelling story when I quizzed her further.) 

When I got the kids home, I started dinner, thinking we would all sit down together at the end of the day.  About then, the bottom dropped out of the weather.  I needed to start a Skywarn net, and I wasn't in a position to do it with the children running around like banshees.  I got it started, then had to pass it off to the pros.  (There was tornado damage in our county, and our guys were tracking it.)  I was pretty frazzled trying to do three things at once.

Meg got home later than I thought she would (5:40) and by this time, Robin had already eaten most of her supper...and when my back was turned, the dog got into Ryan's plate (which WAS on the table) before anyone else could get seated. Robin started working on her mother about going to the babysitter's tomorrow...and Meg decided to send the children to Muncie to be with their father for the next four days until she can find a different sitter.

In the meantime, all this week, the house has been systematically destroyed.  A few evening hours isn't enough time to undo what the kids can do in a day.  The dishwasher has to be run EVERY DAY; a couple of loads of laundry have to be done and put away EVERY DAY; picking up has to be done EVERY DAY.  Clearly, we need a routine and schedule!  The children need to know what to expect from us, and we need to expect things of them.  Unfortunately, they are still pretty young to get it.  Meg and I will talkabout all of that.  Teamwork!

The problem with my part of the team is that I am old.  It doesn't seem to matter how much sleep I get overnight; by the end of the school day, I am in need of a nap, however brief.  I'm not sure how to get around that, except to retire...which I cannot financially do, at this time.  How do people manage who have lots of kids????

Anyway, it is bedtime.  I'll look for something to wear to the workplace tomorrow and head to the boudoir.  Nightie-night!

Sick...

The morning started normally, but as the day progressed, I got a case of intestinal cramps and the fun stuff that always goes with that.  I toughed through most of the day but asked one of my teammates to watch my (small) last class for me so I could go home on my free period.  That put me home about 1:15.  I hit the sack and stayed there until after 5:00, just dozing and feeling weak and miserable. 

One of my dear friends came through on his way to states eastward.  I couldn't even be very perky for his visit!  I will go to bed before too long and hope that I have some more strength to get through tomorrow.  The cramping has subsided, thank God.  Now I just need to recuperate.  I had a small bag of Cheetos crunchy cheese curls this morning before everything hit...and tonight, I had a couple tablespoons of rice.  That's it for the day...and believe me, it was enough!

So I'll quit whining about me.  There has to be a better way...

Joy!

Megan has a job!  She was hired on her very first interview!  The job is with Kelly Services, a temp agency designed to provide skilled workers for temporary positions in the work world--except that Meg's job is in-house.  In other words, she won't be farmed out to other places; she will be trained to be part of the administration of the place.  Temp-to-hire.  She was tested last week and came out as "expert user" on most of the tests:  Word, Excel, Access, and typing skills.  She is excited from the standpoint that the job is right here in Plainfield--no commute required.  And THEY are excited, for the same reason.  (Apparently, a number of their employees drive a distance.)  She starts on Wednesday.  There is room for advancement and benefits.  Right now, coming from being a stay-at-home-mom to part of the work force, she has to start out slowly.  I'm excited for her!

In the meantime, Meg has found a temporary child care deal for Robin and Ryan.  She isn't all that impressed and will continue to look, but at least there is a place for them to go on Wednesday until she can find something better.  Child care ain't cheap!  Count on $600-800 a month.  Geez!!  If I could retire, I could help, but right now we are living as we can.  Robin will most likely start Kindergarten this next fall.  (How did this happen???) 

Time for bed.  Had radio club tonight...and am pooped.  The week just started!

The Ghost of Easters Past

"He is risen!"  Those words, beyond all others, give life and hope to the Christian world.  With the dawn on Easter Sunday come traditions that transcend all others with the holiest of days.  I remember some of those.

In my memory, Easter was always sunny and always at the farm (the home of my grandparents--the home that was the source of my stability as a child).  We had dyed eggs a day or two before, and Mother carefully counted them.  (I learned that they were counted to make sure they all returned after The Hunt, lest we find a rotten egg somewhere, months later!)  If we went to the Sunrise Service at church, The Hunt came afterward; if not, we hunted eggs early in the morning before the regular service.  (The Sunrise Service began at 6:00 AM, and breakfast was served in the church basement afterward.  We didn't go to that often because of the early hour and the problems of getting all of us going in the same direction in time!)

The Easter Bunny hid the eggs in the living room.  (We never, ever, had an outdoor hunt--I think because the weather couldn't always be counted on.)  There were no plastic eggs or prepared baskets with gifts, in those days.  (The plastic eggs didn't exist, and the prepared baskets were too expensive.)  There were, however, the hard-boiled eggs we had colored, some marshmallow "peeps", jelly beans, and the piece de resistance--a hollow chocolate bunny.  We found them first, then Mom sorted out who could have what (making sure that everyone got a fair share of the loot).  And then, it was off to church.

Many Easters, there were purple orchid corsages for my mother and grandmother to wear to church.  Dad made sure of that.  Then we trekked to the Ancona Church of Christ, a little church founded near the railroad tracks in Ancona, IL (which isn't on most maps), by my great-great-grandfather, among others.  The church had fifty fold-down theater seats in the sanctuary, and a room in the back into which they could expand with folding chairs on days like Easter when there were more in attendance.  Often, there was "special music," sung by members of the church.  (When I was in high school and college, I was the special music at least four times, singing "The Holy City"--a really old Easter song, or "I Know My Redeemer Liveth" from The Messiah.  I dedicated one of those to my grandparents, nearly making my grandmother cry.)  And always, always were the favored Easter hymns.  I can still hear my grandfather's deep bass voice singing jubilant harmony: "Up from the grave He arose (He arose)/With a mighty triumph o'er His foes...."  The sermon was given, the Communion plates were passed, and the prayers offered...and we were discharged into the world with happy hearts, to return to our homes for Easter dinner and family time.

I don't remember that we had any special Easter food.  Fried chicken was a common sabbath meal at the farm.  Maybe ham.  I don't recall.  I do recall, however, that the colored Easter eggs sat in a bowl in the middle of the table as a centerpiece for a day or two, and none of us ever got sick from eating them!

Today, there is no sunshine, and it is really cold outside.  The farm is gone, as are my parents and grandparents.  But the songs live on in my heart, as do the memories.  I hope to help create some of those happy memories for my grandchildren as we create our own sunshine and our own warmth, with the promise of spring and life everlasting.

I bid Happy Easter to all, with wishes that your hearts be not troubled as life begins anew today.  He is risen!

Saturday

Ugh!  Only today and tomorrow left of my "vacation".  I can only comfort myself with the knowledge that there are only a couple of months left of school...

After the children left for Muncie yesterday morning, and Meg left for a meeting, I worked around the house for hours.  Can you tell it?  Nooo...  And though we were both tired in the afternoon, Meg and I bit on the bullet and did some shopping.  "Shopping" consists of grocery shopping.  We generally do Aldi's first, then hit up Wal-Mart for the things one can't get at Aldi's.  The bill was larger than it might have been because I got four bags of softener salt, and I needed some make-up.  (It sure is expensive to make oneself beautiful!)  After we got home--close to 8:30--we had cooking to do.  We made sloppy joes for Meg to take to a get-together of friends today, and some lasagna for me to take over to Ryan H.'s.

On that note, I left Ryan (KB9RAF) an email last night saying that I would be over today with food.  His mother-in-law (who lives with them) hasn't been doing well, and the family has been gathering.  So...I got a meal together to take over there.  Ryan wrote back in the wee hours that his mother-in-law passed away around 1:00 AM today.  I am thinking of them all so much today.  Will go over noonish with the food and hope that it helps some.  Betty had been in ill health...but it still hurts to lose a parent.  Please remember them in your prayers.

Cooking and cleaning are the order of the day.  Will do the deviled eggs for tomorrow's Easter dinner today.  (The filling always tastes better when it has "seasoned" a bit.)  The mashed potatoes will wait until tomorrow.  We are having dinner at Nathan's parents' house...

Have I completed anything that I had hoped to accomplish this week?  NO!  'Tis ever thus...

Anybody Want a Dog??

When I got up this morning, there was a garbage all over the kitchen floor.  A garbage bag that I thought was out of the dog's reach just wasn't.  Worse, there were two piles of doggie poop on the kitchen floor, and poopie paw prints that made a trail across the kitchen floor.  I was NOT pleased!  AFTER I got everything cleaned up, THEN I fed her royal highness.  She knew she'd been bad...

This afternoon, Meg and I took the kids to the Children's Museum.  (Everyone in Indianapolis had the same idea!  The parking lots were full...and the temps and wind chills were wicked!)  When we got home, a little after 5:00 PM, there was ANOTHER garbage mess on the floor--this time from a McDonald's bag that had been left on the table with absolutely nothing but paper trash in it.  And the dog had the gall to beg at mealtime!  (She was roundly ignored.)  If anyone reading this has any desire for a pooch, I have just the canine for you!

Obviously, my sick grandchild bounced back like a rubber ball.  As of last night (Tuesday) there was no indication that she had been ill at all.  Gramma, however, was pooped!  Robin ate normally today.  What a difference a day makes!  Whatever upset her stomach didn't affect the rest of us...and we ate the same things she did.  She must have picked up a bug in the world, somewhere.  I fully expected Ryan to come down with it, but he didn't.  We dodged that bullet--I hope!

This evening, both children went with Grandma Judy to buy Robin some Easter shoes.  We thought Ryan was going to be with Grandpa Phil for the couple of hours, but that didn't happen.  Hence, they were home even a few minutes early.  Robin was so excited about her Easter outfit!  Ryan, of course, isn't into fashion...so I'm not sure he gets it...  He is, however, such an absolute cutie--not nearly the social butterfly that his sister is.  He's a man's man!

The two hours or so that the kids were gone were enough for me to catch a nap...even if it was too late for that.  It helped.  And I'm still up...

One of my dear friends, Ryan (KB9RAF) reports that his mother-in-law (who lives with him and his wife) is not doing well.  She has been taken off dialysis per her Living Will, and will be made comfortable.  I feel for them all.  Please send your prayers and energy their way.  Ryan, let me know what you need.  I'll be there.

On that note, I'll hit the sack. 

Life Goes On

Had trouble getting my bedmate to sleep last night.  She was misbehaving at bedtime, so was ensconced in bed without her bath.  She was still wound, so I went in and laid down with her.  A couple of hours later, she finally conked out.  So did I.  I woke up about 12:45 AM and got up for a few minutes.  Meg was still up but soon crashed.  I did, too, at about 1:35 AM.  At 1:50 AM, I heard a strange noise in the bed next to me.  It continued.  Found Robin to be throwing up all over everything.

After she settled down, we removed to the living room.  I had hoped that the one session of heaving was all there would be....but no!  The poor child threw up about every 10-15 minutes all night long!  Along about 7:30 AM, she fell asleep...and so did I.  She tried Gatorade a bit later, but that didn't stay down.  Thankfully, supper has...so far.

There is nothing quite so sad as a sick little one.  Because Robin was somewhat immobile, her brother didn't have anything/anyone to fight with, so he was subdued, too.  I ddn't wake Mommy during the night because I knew one of us needed to be fresh so the other could catch up...

Since I have had only about an hour's sleep, I am ready to hit the sack...and hope no one cares!

 

Thanks to Many

I am such a lucky bug!  I have friends...all amateur radio operators...who help me out when times get tough.  Some day, I am going to write an article for a radio mag and name names.  Look out, all of you who have been my mainstays!

The children were with their father from Thursday until this evening.  It gave Meg and me a chance to breathe and make some changes around the house.  All of it needed to be done, with or without them in the house. 

One of the things that needed attention was the condensate pump for the central air.  It was running all the time.  I suspected that it was dirty but needed a "professional" opinion.  Friend Tom (N9PDC) drove all the way up from Spencer, IN, to help with it.  He never asked for a thing...and sure enough, dirt seemed to be the problem. 

Have I mentioned how lucky I am to have amateur radio connections?  I will happily be a radio geek for the rest of my life, if only because there are so many good people looking out for me and mine. 

Other friends have given a lot.  I am so fortunate! 

My grandchildren came back from their father's tonight.  They seem happy to be here, but now it is time to get everyone in bed.  Me, too!

God bless you all!