Weathering the Storms

The first national nightmare I remember was John F. Kennedy being shot. I was in first grade and our teacher platform carrying the president’s coffin.

Since then, there have been natural disasters such as hurricanes, tsunamis and earthquakes. There has been all manner of human depravity in the name of power and “rights.” We have weathered two 9/11 tragedies and, in the U.K., 7/11. Terrorism comes in many forms.

Last week, Hurricane Sandy came right to my front door. Being the “lucky” ones, we were without power for only three days and three nights. Many others are still, after more than a week, without power, and some, many without homes, whilst still others are burying their dead.

Yet, we have seen some of the best of humankind; our neighbor shared his generator power so that our freezer goods wouldn’t go bad. People with gas grills were cooking food for neighbors which would have otherwise gone bad. Those with power are sharing their homes and their electricity to anyone who has need. Samaritan’s Purse sent people to local churches to help people devastated by the storm by cleaning out what was left of their homes. Utility workers from states not affected by the storm caravanned to our aid.

Yes, there are looters and burglars and scam artists looking to make a quick buck with inferior or non-existent repairs. However, kindness has been the rule.

Just don’t try to cut into a gas line in Jersey. It would could get really ugly.

*I wrote this a few days ago. Today, a Nor’Easter came in and we have wet snow. Some areas which had their power restored are losing it again. Please pray.

Where Did Twenty-Four Years Go?!

Twenty-four years ago today, Himself and I were married. Say what? I look in the mirror and wonder where that young woman disappeared to. When did my grandmother replace her?

Since that fateful eve, I have given birth to a son, welcomed a granddaughter, buried two grandmothers (one of whom was my best friend)and a father-in-law. Buildings have come down and wars have been fought. We moved into a house and have nearly lost it to the economy and our own fiscal foolishness.

Good things and bad have come our way and gone from our hands; many tears have fallen and many laughs have been guffawed. We have survived an autism diagnosis and watched our grandbaby triumph and fail.

There were times I thought we wouldn't make it; kindness and cruelty have come from my lips with, it seems, not enough of the former. Still, we stick around.

About my grandmother looking back at me from the mirror: she was my best friend, a woman I wanted to emulate. If I am going to age to reflect anyone, I am glad it is she, whom I still miss every day.

Happy anniversary, Himself. Let's try a little harder.

Sunday, Sunday

Nearly every Sunday during (American) football season, my son's friends fill my living room and watch the games together. Truth be told, I like it. I would like to have my living room to myself but seeing them enjoy each other is worth the bother.

Unlike other wives, I am not a football widow. I like the game and understand it. The Boy started playing when he was seven years old but my interest was piqued before that; long before that. I, gail of the great Atlantic northeast, am a Seattle Seahawks fan! Yup, the entire country stands between me and my team.

There is really no reason why I got into that other than Sundays in autumn are all about football. And church. Period. Also, I want to get some entries going.

Trying to figure what to write has been so difficult. Do you really want to hear about my tantrum last night when I couldn't take what was going on any longer? Or about how I am disappointed that The Girl isn't taking Isabella to the free special needs dance classes? Or that I am sleeping a lot, probably because of fibromyalgia and the stress of having to be up very early with Bells to get her ready for the school bus? Or that I need some time to myself and haven't been getting it? That I need a visit with my bff in the worst way?

Why would you want to hear about any of that?! I don't even want to hear about it. I am not liking myself very much right now but that will pass.

Let me leave you with this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f11-ClTi3og Maybe you will forgive me when you can't get this out of your head!

Another This and That

It has been way too long so I am going to just jump right in.

It looks like blogger is behaving so let's keep our finders crossed.

Last month, Himself and I walked a 5k with friends for The Sharing Network which organizes organ and tissue donations. I have been a registered organ donor since I was in college. We can't take it with us, right?

Within a week or two of the walk, the person who organized our team donated her kidney to a dying stranger so that another stranger would donate one of their kidneys to one of my friend's friends. Got that? If you don't match the person you know, you can donate to someone else and your person will get a kidney from someone else who did the same thing! The person she donated to is healing, no longer dying, and her friend is coming along. Is this beautiful or what?

Got a phone call today from a friend whose son, also on the spectrum, is a friend of Isabella's. For the last two days, since our play date, he has been obsessing over his "best friend ever," Bella, and how he misses her. He wrote her a love letter in chalk on the sidewalk and has been making cards for her. His mom finally had to call so he could talk with her and ask Bells why she didn't sit with him on the school bus with him! Bells told me she hurt his feelings. (In her defense, she is one of the first kids picked up and he is one of the last.) Both of them were able to express themselves so well! Two children who started out non-verbal! Hopefully, this will be worked out but I am impressed at how far they have both come this past year.

Speaking of Bells, I went with her and The Girl to a neurology appointment the school wanted her to have. Along with the autism diagnosis, she is now officially diagnosed with ADHD. Duh. We could have told you that two or three years ago. Bother her parents and her uncle have the condition. Shiney things are very distracting...

Heat. We are experiencing heat in the great Atlantic northeast - as is much of the country. We do not like heat (yes, that is a royal "we") We don't dig it, enjoy it, tolerate it well or long for it in the cold of winter. Himself dreams of retiring to Florida - ha! See ya.

I don't remember whether or not I mentioned that The Boy passed his exam and is now a certified personal trainer. He is so much happier doing this than working in a liquor store moving boxes of product around all day. We are so proud of him.

Well, that's all I've got in me for now. There's so much more but it has been a long, long day. Blessings to all, g

Oy, How did that Happen?

My day was planned out perfectly: bring Isabella to school, stop at the library, weight watchers meeting, trip to an outlet area for new "unmentionables" and maybe a new dress for our niece's wedding, maybe a trip to Trader Joe's and then, blessedly, a nap!

But nooooooo! As I pulled into the drop off area at school, I noticed I was the only one there. The district didn't use all its snow days so we have a four day Memorial Day weekend. No one told me! Isabella was confused but dealt with it. "Is school finished?" "For this week it is, honey."

After a week of congestion and coughing (allergies?), Bells could have slept in this morning and this upset me. I hate to wake her up when she is in a deep sleep. That might have bothered me more than having my plans upset.

We went to the library, one of Bells favorite places, and then to weigh in but not stay for the meeting (another pound and a bit - just over 21 pounds!) and then we went to see great grandma. This was a good thing as she adores her little pigeon (pah-jink-ah in Slavish) and she is pretty fond of me, too. We all packed into my car and went to the outlets together. Isabella made out the best with sandals, a swim suit and a dress. I got two tops and a skirt - only $10 each! -and I got a lovely top for my daughter, too. Nothing for the wedding and no undergarments.

We had a bite to eat in the food court and went back to great grandma's where we waited for himself. He ate the gyro we brought back for him and then we drove up to where The Girl works so Bells could go swimming.

Are you tired yet? I am! Himself went home and I went to get some stuffed cupcakes and then home to cook. Ugh.

Since dinner, I have, basically, been sitting in my recliner fooling around on the netbook and "watching" mostly mindless tv.

Now, my perfectly planned day is another example of God's sense of humor. "Man plans and God laughs?" Had everything gone according to plan I still would have taken Isabella by her mom but then great grandma wouldn't have had her usual Friday visit. My mother-in-law adores Isabella. My girl brings great joy to her and this was a hard week because it would have been my father-in-law's birthday. I am so happy we were able to bring joy to Mom

As for tomorrow, I am afraid to make plans! Truthfully, all I want is to sleep as long as possible and stay in bed until I am good and ready to get up! If someone gets in the way of that they had better look out. If Mama ain't happy ain't nobody happy!

To my American friends, let's not forget the reason for Memorial Day even whilst we enjoy our bbq's and whatnot.

blessings, g

Here We Go Again

In my little part of the Great Atlantic Northeast, it is hit or miss with snow. We are currently experiencing the third significant snow fall of the season. School was canceled a day in advance which is practically unheard of in our small town.

As you may or may not recall, Himself is a BDO or Behavior Detection Officer for the TSA at a major airport. He usually wakes up at 2:30 AM for his 4 AM shift. His drive is usually under fifteen minutes but I suggested he and a few of his buddies get a hotel room at the airport. The worst of the storm is supposed to be during his commute time.

So, The Boy and I are here in our warm home, he in his room probably playing video games and I in my living room,alone,typing this entry and watching an HGTV show I recorded. Ah, bliss. There is a knitting project and a new book on the floor beside me and I am content.

Being alone is fine with me. As a matter of fact, I covet my time alone. Himself doesn't get it and has gone as far as to suggest to at least one person from church to spend time with me so that I wouldn't be alone. Yes, I enjoy time spent with friends and family. But there is nothing wrong with being comfortable in your own skin at times, right?

Isabella is doing well. Can those of you who have watched her grow believe she is now five years old?! She is tall an beautiful and a delight. At times, she tries my patience so that I am sorely tested. Overall, though, we are still happy each time she comes home from school.

Hope you are all content and comfortable in your home and in your own skin.

blessings, g