Great Holiday, Great Friends and a Great Laugh!

Happy Independence Day! We got to take in a parade yesterday. Portland likes to have parades. We have one for the 4Th, then Homecoming, the Parade of Lights in December, and I know there is one I am forgetting. Anyway, my daughters were in the parade riding in grandpa's BRIGHT yellow 1965 Cutlass. They got to throw over 900 pieces of candy, running out in the first 1/3 of the route. My daughter called me during the parade from the car to inform me that next time I need to buy more. My husband was on a float for our church playing keyboard with the band. I think that would have made me nauseous. It was odd watching the parade with no children to chase candy. My son was with me, but he has never been a candy eater. He was quite thrilled to catch a new t-shirt. I told him that we didn't have to shop for school clothes now. He said that was fine. Obviously, it's not one of our favorite past times.

After a bit of downtime, we went to a friend's party. They throw fabulous parties. Kids everywhere, and they have a HUGE front porch where lawn chairs continued to pop up and laughter was in abundance. There was absolutely no fighting among the kids, I don't know about the adults, that would be their business...ha ha. There was a taco bar and I successfully baked and took a sweetcorn casserole, YAY ME! Cayden was beyond thrilled to light matches for fireworks and we managed to smoke out all the mosquitoes with hundreds of sparklers. It rained a bit but the fellowship made it seem sunny!

Reluctantly, I forced myself out of bed this morning. I had stayed up late listening to some idiot neighbor celebrating well past midnight. Eric and I decided after three growls, we would go to church without children. Although, Alison ended up coming by bike when we were reminded she was scheduled to work in the nursery.

After church, a friend of ours, with a child that struggles with various sensory issues, told me to find this child and look closely at his shirt. She said there was something subtle about it that she didn't want to point out to him. I assumed this was a "choose your battles" type thing. I sought out the child expecting him to have his shirt on inside out or backwards. I completely missed the subtlety I was looking for. His shirt was from a recent cruise they had taken and had a bull on it. It said something "Toro" on it, I can't remember. I am just that observant. I walked to her husband and explained that I couldn't find this thing I was looking for. He pointed out that the bull was "blessed". I thought....OK, maybe that is what the word before Toro means. No, what he meant to say was the bull was "anatomically correct". The bulls "bulls" were hanging down. Hilarious. Their son is only five so they hadn't pointed this out to him. Someone had to point it out to me, so I think they are safe. Now, the story gets a bit funnier. We pulled in the driveway at home, Alison was already back. When Eric stepped out of the van, Alison said "hey dad, your shirt is on inside out!" Now, that was funny. Here was my mid-thirties husband with the shirt I expected to find on the 5 year old!

Counting It Down

It's been a few days since I have blogged. It is such great therapy, I miss it terribly. I haven't been home much. Today is Wednesday. I have driven over 1000 miles in the last week. I didn't even go anywhere out of town today, and Saturday we were at an amusement park. Basically, those miles were logged on Thursday, Friday, Sunday and Monday. Crazy.




As I sit here looking at the clock, I am realizing how fast life goes by. In about forty-two minutes it will be my birthday. I will be Thirty-Seven. I just realized when I typed that, I told a friend earlier today that I was turning thirty-eight! YIKES! Why rush it? Am I really at that age where I don't know how old I am without doing the math? Since it's late, I will throw out that I was born on 7/2/72, cool I know. You do the math.


When marking anniversaries, birthdays and the like, don't we reflect? It just seems natural. I was sitting here on Facebook when a friend asked "what's up rhwojc?" I remembered I hadn't blogged. So I began thinking about what to say. I figure this opens up the discussion of background for me.


In the last 37 years I have done so much. Major things would be that I have lived in more than 25 homes in five states, watched my siblings grow up and get married (all but that November Bridesmaid opportunity). I have gone to two high schools which resulted in friends around the globe. I went to three different colleges, because I can't stay in one place, obviously. My life has been blessed with three nieces and two nephews, one of whom I WILL meet in heaven. My soulmate was more or less handed to me, (thank you GOD for making that simple). My children have come into my life and turned my world upside-down several times. I have countless role models and friends. Most recently, I found my calling in substitute teaching. I have lost all but one of my grandparents, and great grandparents, (I had a total of seven when I started this journey). I have so many things to be thankful for.


In the next year, I will witness my little sister get married. I will see my mom get a new knee, right mom? I will see my dad hit that magic age we call retirement, but being a baby boomer, I am sure he will continue to work. Besides, he likes his job. My oldest two children will both be in middle school! My little nephew will start Kindergarten, Abby will be there to protect and torture him from third grade. I will continue to search for my natural hair color because it can't possibly be gray. I will visit friends at colleges. I have wanted to do this for years now. They really can't stay there forever, although, some do try ;)


I am not making resolutions, mind you, that would be stupid. I am just thinking of what is to come. I get so excited to see my kids reach milestones. I believe that makes my own seem less dramatic. Maybe that's why I can't remember how old I am, it doesn't matter, it's just a number.



That's right! It doesn't matter! I will be twenty seventeen, in about 15 minutes. Thank you to a friend that shares my birthday for that one. It softens the blow.

I am WOMAN, hear me Roar!

My morning started with my husband coming in the bedroom and saying that his car wouldn't start. The battery cables have been corroded for months...he cleans them frequently...they corrode again.


It's supposed to be in the 90's today with an Ozone Warning. It's going on 9:00 and already 84 outside. Time to get moving!





I do a bit of internet research and find that most people think that a corroded battery cable means the battery is bad. This is not true. After some google work and finding real Mechanic sites, (insert Tim Taylor howl here), I find the facts.

Here is what it looked like, via google images...

My fact finding mission taught me that the corrosion comes from the cables. They needed replaced. Further research lead me to the fact that it will cost between $79 and $139 to have this done by a mechanic. They also would replace the battery. Which isn't necessary, but I am a female, so they would know better. ;)

I decided to check out some DIY sites. LO AND BEHOLD, you can find out how to do it. I begin to gather my tools. We don't have what I need. My sister does though, so does my mom. I decide to borrow theirs. Hi ho, hi ho..cable changing I go.

It wasn't terribly difficult. I have to admit that I went and got a chair. Bending over that short car is back breaking. I managed to remove the cables and take out the battery to avoid curling my hair. Then I start on the wires. Snip snip. Ok. Off to Auto Zone. Shameless plug but since dad works there, I get a nice discount!

I took the cable connectors and the battery, just in case. They test batteries for FREE! The battery is fine...I knew that, remember? They also clean the top posts of the battery for you. Less crud for me, yay!

I leave having spent $7 on electrical tape and top-mount cable connectors. I return home, clip the wires, insert them, tape them, put the battery back, connect the wires, and have a diet coke with mom.

Now for the test. I am completely confident in my work. I get in, and start it right up! What joy! What elation! What savings! It's 11:00 and all's well!

My first stop is AutoZone to show the grease monkeys what a wonderful job I did. Ok, so I had them look it over for major errors, too. They said "Ya done good!" hehe

I proudly text my husband telling him to meet me outside his office with my minivan keys. When I pull up, there is my love. I pop the hood, he giggles. I made him see my handy work. I think he was genuinely impressed....I know I was!

What a great day! I'm CHARGED!

Spectrums of Light and Life

In the last few days I have witnessed some new perspectives on life.

I have learned that the hourly break at the public swimming pool means so many different things, depending on your age. For those between age 6 and 17, it means you are starving and must consume as many snacks as fifteen minutes will allow. If you are under six, it means go find your super cool Aunt Kristi and have her tread water for fifteen minutes so you can go off the diving board. :) If you are a daycare member you need to spend this time reapplying your sunscreen. Lifeguards get to go in the shaded building. Some parents, that spend way too much time laying in the sun, get to swim without being splashed.



Tonight, I went with Eric to the nursing home. I do this a few times a month and take notes for him as he rounds on his patients. Let me tell you, like in Forest Gump, the minute you walk into a nursing home, it's like a box of chocolates, you NEVER know what you are gonna get.

It makes me laugh to say that. The first thing that came to mind is those chocolate laxatives!

Anyway, I love to visit with most of the residents. One particular patient that isn't... let's just say as sharp as she used to be, was in a very good mood tonight. She was talking up a storm about this and that, randomly making sense and not. She asked my husband how old he was. Now, think about being in your 80's or more and finding out your doctor is 37. It took her aback. Then she regrouped and said "you must have a family, a wife?". He said yes. He better have, I was standing right there. Then she said "are you happy"? Again, I'm standing RIGHT THERE! He said "yes". I said "I'm his wife". He moved on to her neighbor that was beckoning for him. I stood there for a second. She pointed to her photos on the wall. She said "the woman in red is my mother"...it was an OLD picture, obviously. She said she didn't have a picture of her husband up there because he drove her nuts her entire life. Continuing on, she said, "but oh, how I miss my mother, I can't wait to see her again". Now, I happen to know this woman's family. I know that her and her husband were married, til death did they part. I can't help but wonder even without all of her mental facilities, was she always closer to her mother than her spouse? Is this just a return to childlike behavior? Did she even know what she was saying to me? I won't ever know the answers. It sure does make one wonder what goes on in an aged brain. I'm sure that in many opinions this was the babbling of an old woman. I wonder just what her message was.

Father's Day

In a short post, I would like to say Happy Father's Day! My own husband is a wonderful father, I am so blessed!
There are many ways to describe a father. There are the obvious ones: biological, adoptive, step, and grand. (We'll keep it positive and leave out deadbeat.) Then there are those men in our lives that somehow make an impact: teachers, law enforcement/DARE, coaches, pastors, leaders, guides, and mentors. There are historical "Founding Fathers" that have gone before us. There is my favorite, The Heavenly Father.
I found a quote that makes many men that aren't necessarily biological dads come into the fold.

He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it. ~Clarence Budington Kelland

To all the men that have made a difference in a child's life. My hat is off to you! I thank you for your contribution to society.

A Bum Knee, Sunburnt Armpit, And a Zit The SIZE of Texas

I never know how to start this. Hi, howdy, hello again? I will just write.
My day started off normal, HA. That means, I woke up with plans and tried to initiate them. Life's what you make it, right? No, Hannah Montana, life is what everyone else throws in...and how you deal with it.

The day started with going to check out a new store in our small town. A ladies boutique. We need it, we need anything. I took mom and my girls. The stock is great if you are a size 2 or 4 and like sparkly things and plaids. I didn't last long there but mom has hopes of finding a
Mother of the Bride dress through this lady. We will see. The wedding is in November, by the way, and I am a bridesmaid. *gasp

When we left there, I was famished. No breakfast and looking at those sizes really made me want fast food. BK here we come. Now, maybe it's me, I'm not sure. I have never been a snobby sort, but seeing really dirty kids without shoes while I try to order my ginormous chicken sandwich is somewhat distracting. Why don't people wash their children? Why do I let my children play in similar places with these kids? Oh well....mine looked cleaner today.

Next stop, the nursing home. My oldest daughter, Ali, volunteers there. Today was the day she was to help take residents to garage sales. She was really excited. She had to be there by noon. They left at 10. Nice. Kids that are serious enough to volunteer, taking time out of their summer, to spend at a nursing home don't really cope well with being left behind. A phone call would have been simple, right?

SUPERMOM will fix it, we will go to the pool. Which is my way of saying, 'screw the housework, it's a nice day to do nothing!' Grandpa wants to join us. He looks like a lobster. Seriously, he takes off his shirt and people burst out in laughter. He got a major sunburn yesterday, except that one spot where he must have wiped Abby's sunscreen off on his shoulder. HILARIOUS! Ok, it's not funny anymore. I have a sunburn in my armpit. Well, that little part of tender skin that is not quite under your arm, but not exactly your shoulder. Yeah, that bites. I think it's from my "relaxing with a good book". It is really going to hurt later.

I get home for my next adventure, my husband, the World of Warcrafter, has a non-working computer. WOW is a long blog for another day. The issue at hand is to fix this sucker fast. It's Father's Day Weekend and he looks like someone kicked his puppy. I was planning on getting him a new hammock. I guess he got a new power supply. It could have been worse, the hard drive survived. If that just sounded like I know what I am talking about, that is really funny. The guy at the computer repair place was very unnerved by me. It was mutual. His name is Patrick. Not to be confused with anything less formal. He kept clicking his tongue and saying "um huh, hum, uh hum". If you have ever seen Big Bang Theory, I was the girl...he was Sheldon.

Tonight brought an outing with Alison and her friend. The orthodontist that Ali goes to has parties and FREE outings. That is why braces are like $5000, right? Free outings? Anyway, we go to Ohio for miniature golf and prizes on a 95 degree day. It was fun, just us girls. We danced and sang on our way. Why does it embarrass our kids that we can actually be fun?

On my way home, I get a text from a friend who is newly in love. This is a wonderful thing. It makes me truly happy for her. However, the text made me nearly drive off the road. It said "I have a ZIT on my nose the size of Texas!" I am trying to think of an appropriate response but the best I have whilst driving a tad fast on a country road is ROFL. Lame, but honest. She was a bit offended so I had my daughter text for me ( I was DRIVING), "I have a sunburned armpit, wanna trade?" I think that made her re prioritize. She didn't seem to be interested in my ailment and I also shared that I still get zits in my mid 30's. See, perspective is everything.

I get home and find on facebook that one of my new, very dear friends is hurt. She has a bum knee. She's over an hour away and I can't help. I HATE that! I am trying to advise her the best I can to help it feel better. Ice and heat. She said she has neither. Now, I'm not always "girl scout prepared", but no ice? This really confuses me. She said that she put the water in the tray and it has somehow evaporated. There is no ice. She does have frozen veggies. I told her that is really an ice pack. Who wants to eat frozen veggies anyway?

Life is great! Friends are so much fun!

Seven Year old STRESS ;)

I know this is complete reverse order but I am going to talk about my youngest first. Abigail is her name, Abby is better, she says "it's shorter to write".
As we sit here this morning, just the two of us, she's telling me her life "stresses". The older two are upstairs obsessing over the new kitten. She is playing on the computer with the volume all the way up and telling me about her day to come. She feels as though it will be her job to entertain Grandpa today by accompanying him to the pool. He is off work and has already told her that he will be taking her. She will oblige him, she feels "she has no other option". I find this HILARIOUS! She is telling me that she is "stressed". It's hard work to take Grandpa, he swims a lot, and he's not very good at putting on her sunscreen. Therefore, her arms are still sore from yesterday.
Abby is a bonus. She is God's gift to us. She was not planned, nor prevented, she just happened to our lives. Believe me, God knew that we needed her in our life.
She is bright and sunny, spicy and moody. She drives her siblings nuts and keeps me sane. She is intelligent, but a sleeper. She cannot go to bed at night without telling her daddy and I to "sleep well, I love you". This is her routine. If she forgets, she can't sleep and will cry to come back and say it.
She is an amazing test taker but doesn't really care much for mundane learning..."Just tell me what I need to know".
She will be entering 3rd grade in the fall...I already pray for her teacher.