Well, there's now a "For Sale" sign in the front yard. The house is officially on the market tomorrow, and its supposed to snow. So it goes.
I think when the boys first see the sign after school tomorrow the reality that we are going to be moving will hit them for the first time. I've talked to them about selling the house and buying a new one where we will begin to share new memories together, but I don't think they've really understood it.
The decision I made to try and keep some semblance of peace in our family by avoiding going to court I still think was the right one, and the boys are doing very well at the new daycare. But there's a part of me that still does not want to leave - the house, the town, the area. You get used to a place - everything from where you take your clothes to get dry-cleaned to your favorite gas station or bank or grocery store. And its not that I can't find new favorites in a new town, but I like the places I go now.
I also have some great friends in the area, and that by moving, is going to make things more difficult. When you're only 5 minutes away its easy to just drop in for a visit. When you're 45 minutes away, things are going to have to be planned. Its not as if that won't work (being a planner myself), but part of me is worried that the distance may be a big obstacle to overcome in keeping good friendships. Its something that has been on my mind, and now that the For Sale sign is up in the yard, its a reality that is hitting me too.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Sunday, February 17, 2008
2-17 Video of the week
Do you remember Richard Scarry books? How about the Beastie Boys? Now, both of them together!
Monday, February 11, 2008
Important Life Lessons
1 - First Important Lesson - Cleaning Lady.
During the second month of high school, a teacher gave her class a pop quiz. The top student was very conscientious - he breezed through the questions until he read the last one:
'What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?'
Surely this was some kind of joke. He had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would he know her name?
He handed in his paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward the quiz grade.
'Absolutely,' said the teacher. 'In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say 'hello.'
That student has never forgotten that lesson. He also learned her name was Dorothy.
2. - Second Important Lesson - Pickup in the Rain
One night, at 11:3 0 p.m., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 60s.. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab.
She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached..
It read:
'Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away... God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others.'
Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole.
3 - Third Important Lesson - Always remember those who
serve.
In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him.
'How much is an ice cream sundae?' he asked.
'Fifty cents,' replied the waitress...
The little boy pulled is hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it.
'Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?' he inquired.
By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient.
'Thirty-five cents,' she brusquely replied..
The little boy again counted his coins.
'I'll have the plain ice cream,' he said.
The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were three dimes, three nickels and five pennies...
You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.
4 - Fourth Important Lesson. - The obstacle in Our Path.
In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.
Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand!
Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.
5 - Fifth Important Lesson - Giving When it Counts...
Many years ago, a volunteer at a hospital got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare & serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister.
The volunteer saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and he said, 'Yes I'll do it if it will save her.' As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as everyone in the room did, seeing the color returning to her cheek. Then the boy's face grew pale and his smile faded.
He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, 'Will I start to die right away'.
Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.
(Thanks JLH.)
During the second month of high school, a teacher gave her class a pop quiz. The top student was very conscientious - he breezed through the questions until he read the last one:
'What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?'
Surely this was some kind of joke. He had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would he know her name?
He handed in his paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward the quiz grade.
'Absolutely,' said the teacher. 'In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say 'hello.'
That student has never forgotten that lesson. He also learned her name was Dorothy.
2. - Second Important Lesson - Pickup in the Rain
One night, at 11:3 0 p.m., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 60s.. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab.
She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached..
It read:
'Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away... God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others.'
Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole.
3 - Third Important Lesson - Always remember those who
serve.
In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him.
'How much is an ice cream sundae?' he asked.
'Fifty cents,' replied the waitress...
The little boy pulled is hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it.
'Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?' he inquired.
By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient.
'Thirty-five cents,' she brusquely replied..
The little boy again counted his coins.
'I'll have the plain ice cream,' he said.
The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were three dimes, three nickels and five pennies...
You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.
4 - Fourth Important Lesson. - The obstacle in Our Path.
In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.
Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand!
Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.
5 - Fifth Important Lesson - Giving When it Counts...
Many years ago, a volunteer at a hospital got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare & serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister.
The volunteer saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and he said, 'Yes I'll do it if it will save her.' As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as everyone in the room did, seeing the color returning to her cheek. Then the boy's face grew pale and his smile faded.
He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, 'Will I start to die right away'.
Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.
(Thanks JLH.)
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Birthday
Leo's birthday party is planned for Saturday. Its going to be at an indoor playground with 10 of his friends. There would be more kids attending had it not been for one of his classmates also having a birthday party on the same day. But that's okay - he's still going to have a great time.
Funny how winter birthdays kinda limit you to what you can do. One of Leo's friends was born in August, and they had a pool party last year. Another friend was born in June. And although she had a bowling party last year, the month of June still allows more choices.
I asked Leo what he wanted for his birthday - he said a NASCAR cake. And more 'NASCARs'. A few weeks ago he was asking for NASCAR trucks as he saw a video of them on the computer. That's it - all NASCAR. So, he's gonna get what he wants. But NASCAR parties for 5-year-olds aren't that easy to plan. I found some NASCAR-themed party favor bags, but no favors. And they had plates, cups and napkins, but those are already going to be supplied by the indoor playground. But I found a #5 small NASCAR to put on his cake, so that made me happy, as it will Leo I'm sure.
Funny how winter birthdays kinda limit you to what you can do. One of Leo's friends was born in August, and they had a pool party last year. Another friend was born in June. And although she had a bowling party last year, the month of June still allows more choices.
I asked Leo what he wanted for his birthday - he said a NASCAR cake. And more 'NASCARs'. A few weeks ago he was asking for NASCAR trucks as he saw a video of them on the computer. That's it - all NASCAR. So, he's gonna get what he wants. But NASCAR parties for 5-year-olds aren't that easy to plan. I found some NASCAR-themed party favor bags, but no favors. And they had plates, cups and napkins, but those are already going to be supplied by the indoor playground. But I found a #5 small NASCAR to put on his cake, so that made me happy, as it will Leo I'm sure.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
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