Ahhhhhh.....

Brain (sic) and Brennan started on Brett's room at about 9:30 this morning. I've dread/looked forward to this day for weeks. Within a span of about 9 1/2 hours, the room was cleared and the ceiling and walls were sanded, primed and painted; then the room was put back together. IT LOOKS SOOOOOOOOO MUCH BETTER! I picked a paler blue for it than it had been and I LOVE it. Now for the other room. I have no idea how I'm going to decorate it since we're suddenly saying, "Guy or girl room?" A neutral color just doesn't seem right. But it took a solid month to get this one done, so I don't guess I need to think too hard about it right now.

I have decided I've gone over the edge. I can't wait for PR now. I'm already packed and Bart is almost there. (He needs more shorts.) Our carry-ons are all ready to go and we have towels and sheets packed and waiting. I feel like I've been run through the ringer. Think I'll sleep tomorrow and skip work. The house is a wreck that must be dealt with, anyway...

Amazing

I take a 45-minute tour through a pilot's fear-of-flying website and I'm almost EXCITED to get on the plane. I even purchased some word search books and another puzzle book just in case someone else starts spazzing. Oddly enough, that has been my worst fear: spazzing. I'm not especially worried about the plane crashing or people being incompetent (terrorism HAS crossed my mind, and if Bart weren't with me, that would be less of a concern); I've been worried more about getting on the plane and wanting off NOW only to be sealed in at 35,000 feet. In other words, I am mostly fearing fear. Roosevelt said that is the only thing we HAVE to fear, so I guess I'm on target, but still...

Mike's sermon was wonderful this morning, as is almost usual. (Everyone is allowed a dud now and then; he hasn't hit many of those at all.) He even explained that "but if you blaspheme the Holy Spirit..." clause. I was surprised to find that I had been pretty on-target with the "I think..." explanation. NO one before had been able to explain it to me.

TONIGHT we do what we should have done all along

One week from D-Day (literally) and NOW we do part of what we should have been doing all along.

Went to Dave and Jackie's tonight and Dave had the kids go over the songs, work with the puppets, voice concerns...things that should have been happening all along. Frustration City. It didn't help that I had spent nearly two hours before (so had Bart) looking for my car keys before I found them in Brian's drawer. While we were doing that, I nearly called Dave to tell him to cancel me. I'm not ready for this.

And I want to go to China next spring?

Eight and counting

Sometimes I find I can't breathe.

I'm awakened in the middle of the night by a pup who needs a potty break; or I'm mopping or dusting--doing the mindless stuff; or I'm looking at a copy of an e-mail and a fax that has our--gulp--seating arrangements for our flights. Those are just a few of the times that I can't breathe.

Flying is a phobia that I'll be facing more than twice in the next several months. Both times I've made the decision to go someplace that required an airplane. This time was prompted by someone else. The other I chose myself.

God help me.

An article worth the read

Terry Mattingly

I believe the biggest sin we commit as Christians is not the watching of movies that contain language, violence, and sex; I believe our biggest sin is that we turn God into this sickening-sweet version of holy that is not presented in the Bible while using the same sugar-coating to transform the human condition into a version that is not presented by the Bible or by life. We take away God's power by the literature, the movies, and even the life we promote as Christians. I think most people have trouble serving a god who wouldn't dare watch more than a movie by the Olsen twins or read the fictional fluff that many of our Christian publishers serve; yet, that is how we portray our God.

New AC, the weather, a trip to Oklahoma, and dealing with Dave, among other things

Got the new AC in Tuesday after a few snafus. The unit went in Monday; the furnace needed a new blower Tuesday. Over $1400 gone. Makes me sick. Second time in six years.

Rain keeps falling. I love rain, but I remember March 1, 1997, well. Tuesday night was reminiscent. Thank goodness the rain had somewhere to go then. I'm leery as I look at the extended forecast, though. No guy dressed in funny robes leading animals around two-by-two, though, so that is a comfort. =)

Brian is headed to OK. They stopped in Springfield, MO, last night. From the info he's given me, I assume they are going to Bartlesville. I'm jealous. Here I am going to PR in the next two weeks and to China in the next year and I'm jealous of a trip to OK. Never content.

Speaking of PR, I know Dave's tired of me already, but I don't do well with, "We'll find someone to help us through Newark," when we have 1/2 hour to get from one plane to another, even if it is in the same terminal. I sent a rough map of the airport that has terminals and gates. Ai-yai-yai. And as for plans once we get there...

Brett CLEANED my kitchen last night. I was whipped so I didn't do much to it except for dishes. He put the stuff away and made it tolerable, at least. Looks much better. As Bart would say, "Nice."

Graduation

Headed to Project Grad, but I must make note of a few things:

Before we went out the door of the library, Phyllis K. told someone to go tell Jenna to look at her necklace now; then she told us, "Her dad's going to be walking down the aisle with her tonight." About 4 of us (almost all of us who were in the library at that time) told her not to say another word. Lee's death is still fresh, even after--what? five years?

A thunderstorm knocked the lights out just as the last piece of a row was getting ready to walk up to the stage. The last row--including Danny M. in his wheelchair--graduated in the dark because the halogen lights take so long to come back up.

And JAMES W. GRADUATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mark's retiring, so I'm the only one who will celebrate the differences next year--at least on our end of the building.

Today was it!

I won't see kids for an extended period of time (mine don't count and neither does the Puerto Rico crew) until August. On one hand I'll miss them; on the other I feel like it is about time. I didn't realize how tired I was until I got home. I feel drained!

But that doesn't mean life is turning uneventful. Brian assured me of that. First thing this morning, I called him regarding the AC (grrrr). We called several times, as a matter of fact. Once when I called, he didn't answer. That's nothing that unusual; he can't sometimes because of work. I didn't think a thing of it. A few minutes later, though, he called and he seemed rather agitated. Then he said, "Sorry I couldn't answer a little while ago. I got to this place next to where we're supposed to work and I got fenced in. There wasn't anywhere else to go but into the drive for this oil refinery. I pulled across their line and the security guard came out and told me he was going to call Homeland Security and the Coast Guard on me!" Being the sympathetic wife I am, I said, "I've gotta hear about this one later," and I hung up, chuckling.

Mike's sermon was wonderful yesterday. It was about establishing relationships. I wish we had more Mikes sometimes.

Michelle Hartzel is going to PR!! I'm really happy about that! She will be the calming force.

And Dave has no clue what he's doing. After I looked at the lesson plans we received a couple weeks or so ago, I realized two things: 1) the plans take for granted that the kids can read and write and 2)the plans also take for granted the kids know who Jesus and God are (is?). I mentioned that to Dave and he said,"I wondered about that, too. Let's scrap what I gave you and we'll do something else." We're 12 days away from D-Day (literally; we're leaving on the 6th) and he's playing the I-don't-know game. I called Karen to get some ideas. Thank goodness we have folks around with experience in this. I just wish Dave had included them in the planning, at least.

What a TIME for this to happen

Two weeks away from Puerto Rico where we need money for life there and one month at best away from sending our dossier--and $3600--off and the air conditioner--the six-year-old air conditioner--dies. One year over warranty. I'm not sure what we're going to do. Between the trip and the AC, there goes over half of what we need to send the dossier.

This sucks.

What a day for this to happen!

I know it could have been a worse day, but it isn't a pleasant one. Our AC went out this morning at about midnight. A few pops and some flickering lights and then only the fan. Wondered why it kept getting warmer in here since the fan was blowing, but then I figured it out later this morning. I was afraid it was dead last night, but it kept blowing.

Rumors and other stuff

You know it's not about the entertainment when your son takes a girl to see a movie at the Levee and they decide when they get there that they don't want to see a movie, so they walk around for an hour deciding what to do and they end up walking across the Purple People Bridge and into the ballgame.

I just wish that the oldest one would end up doing something like that. If he'd take notice of Michelle...but alas. As I've said before, Poor Dumb Baby. =)

School rumors and possible verification for the week of May 17:

1) Carrie H. wants one of the counseling positions. Duh. That's a given. Will she get it? Not if Tony H. and some of the rest of us have anything to do with it--and I possibly do now, dependent upon when they decide to post and hire.

2) Karen D. wants one of the counseling positions. Considering she spent yesterday afternoon in the library listening to the two male administrators discussing antifreeze with the (cough,cough) school resource officer and the soon-to-be-leaving-hallelujah health teacher when they all should have been patrolling halls and working other areas as she policed 5 nasty little girls, I would say that's pretty astute. Another clue is that she came over to me and asked me if I ever learned anything from those discussions and then she actually made a comment like, "What about patrolling the halls, etc.?" For Karen, that's unheard of.

3) Mrs. Reid has lost her mind. No need for discussion there, really, but this time of year always makes me a lunatic--as if none of the others do.

4) Tony D. wants Karen's position should she leave it. OK, I admit I'm kind of the source for this one, but I believe I'm accurate in thinking it. And I haven't actually spread it around as a rumor. I've just said, "Wonder if..." a few times.

5) O.W. has lost at least 75 lbs. This one is true. Saw him yesterday. He looks great. His clothes are hanging from his body. That's a good sign.

6) Carver is looking. We can only hope.

Bomb in the library???? and other goings-on

A friend of mine who works in our office (right across from the library) told me today that she had walked into the hallway earlier and had heard a rhythmic, "Beep, beep, beep..." Even as she told me, her eyes grew wide with fear. She said that she was so worried that she ran in to get our counselor who confirmed, after a moment, that she heard the same, "Beep, beep, beep..." They started to confer when Andi (my friend the office worker) realized that what they were hearing was not a bomb; rather, it was the sound of my inventory wand beeping away as students scanned the materials.

Who says library life isn't exciting? I nearly touched off a bomb scare! =:-0

Bart called this afternoon to tell me that he had not realized the third kitten was still under the mower when he started it on the front lawn. He's still pretty shaken up. Poor kid.

We have a coordinated dog! He can munch and scratch while standing at his bowl!

Nearly called this entry, "Bits and Pieces" until I realized what I would be putting in the blog. Decided that wasn't such a good idea.

Forgot to mention

Today was the last Bible study of the year. I've fussed about Dave and others not understanding that the school grounds are a mission field and are part of God's work, but Jeff gets it. It was nice to hear him thank God for me and my work as a Christian. It was encouraging.

I'M in a snit

After nearly 18 years of life you would think that kids would know they have to return library books.

My mistake.

28 seniors WON'T get their caps and gowns tomorrow and 28 seniors will come whining to me about it. It ain't my fault! Don't borrow if you can't be responsible enough to return. And that doesn't include the freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who still have books out. 150+. Count 'em.

Saw a good comment today. "God doesn't get angry because he doesn't get his way. He gets angry because disobedience always results in self-destruction. What kind of father sits by and watches his child hurt himself?"--a la Max Lucado. He keeps it so simple, yet it is always so profound.

Cranky people

You can tell the school year is ending; everyone is in a snit.

Karen stormed into the library with FIVE girls in tow yesterday. Before I knew what was happening, she had out her "firm voice" and she was giving those girls what for. I don't know what happened in class, but they aren't allowed to return there. (I think attitudes abound.) They must take their finals in the library with her. Go, Karen! I love it when she blows at kids who deserve it. At least one administrator isn't afraid.

Went to praise team practice last night, where Shirley took a moment to complain to Mike that some folks just didn't try to worship during praise time and others didn't seem to enjoy worshiping. Mike, who in my opinion was making conversation, said something to the effect of, "I know. And prodding doesn't help much, either. We can try to help them but they're responsible for their own worship, when it all comes together." He left right after that and Shirley came over to Aimee and me and said, "Well, I need to catch my breath a moment." We both gave her a "Huh?" look and she said, "I think I was properly reprimanded." I never got that impression at all and neither did Aimee.

Six folks have retired/resigned. It's just May 20. I'm awaiting more notices. I almost know we will have more.

And after all that

My "X-ray" was OK. I thought so, but it was nice to hear, just the same.

Today was the last day of the year students were allowed to use the library, and boy, did they use it! I just about decided 2nd block that it was either them or Eva and me. GRRRR. We lived but we didn't enjoy it much.

Another thing from Dave's sermon

He said, "It's when you're closest to Jesus that you feel the least spiritual." That makes sense, but something doesn't fit. I'm not sure what it is.

Who let the maniacs out?

Today was one of those days where I just wanted to tear the phone AND the student computers out of the wall.

The phone rang non-stop--NON-STOP--all morning and most of the afternoon. The one time it stopped this morning was when a likeable-but-windy salesman called from NY. I really like the guy, but he thinks part of business on both our ends is shooting the breeze. I like to talk as much as the next guy, but there comes a time when you have to get off the phone and get back to work. I COULD work while I was talking to him, thank goodness, but, considering his job description, I know he couldn't.

But I got lots of cataloging done and I'm happy to see that. That stuff has been a nightmare.

Now I have to contact Greg to see if he has my scanner. I believe he does; of course, I didn't think about that until I'd turned the library upside-down looking for it.

I'll think about that tomorrow.

Would someone please fill someone in?

Dave's sermon today consisted partly of telling us how to serve God--again--and AGAIN he focused on serving within the capacity of the church.

Is it me, or doesn't Matt. 28 say, "Go and tell others..." (Paraphrasing, but still...) As I've said before, it's like we're an exclusive club where we serve each other and we don't go to others.

And as I've said before, as frustrated as I get some days with my job, I'm worshiping and serving through it. Somehow some others don't see it that way.

International picnic, cicada style

So we drove for nearly one solid hour around the same blocks of Covington before I finally remembered that I had Sandy's number in my wallet and that we could call her to find the gymnasium where we were supposed to be. I thought that by that time she would say, "You mean all five of you have been aimlessly riding around Covington for an hour and you haven't killed each other yet? You pass!", but that wasn't the case. She said, "We're at the home. Come on up!" So we finished our business at Barnes and Noble (one of my all-time favorite places) and we headed up the hill.

When we got there, here were all these kids in different styles and colors, gathered around a tree in the front lawn. It took one face-to-face meeting and another near face-to-plate meeting to figure out the attraction to the tree; it wasn't that it was climb-able. It was that it was cicada-able! Cicadas were all over the tree and, after a few moments, all over the kids! The cicadas weren't attacking. The kids were removing them from the tree and then were placing them in their own hands, on their own bellies--anywhere a cicada could cling, a cicada clung!

An hour before I had been ready to forget the whole adoption plan because of constant glitches in the work. Within 5 minutes, I was ready to board a plane for China again.

=)

Aiy-yaiy-yaiy

Nineteen-year-olds SHOULD be able to take a message.

The birthday thing was cool. Brian and I went to O'Charleys (and, as usual, thought about Ben and Ruthie the entire time because we were introduced to this lovely place by them) and had a great time. Brett drug his English class up to the library to sing "Happy Birthday" to me. Kids I didn't even know (and that is few of them indeed) passed me in the halls and wished me a happy birthday. It felt nice. It certainly helped get rid of the grumpies I had anticipated this year. (See May 13th post--not the "crying" one).

Back to the top line. As I said, things went well. When we got home, though, Bart suddenly remembered a call that I received at 11:30 yesterday morning from the Health Alliance. Considering I had one of "those" X-rays done just the day before, I thought the worst. (My aunt has had cancer twice and my great-grandmother died of it. I had every right to be concerned.) I called the number on our caller ID only to get a referral to another line. (Of course, it was 9:00 PM by that time.) I slept, but I fell asleep wondering what the call was all about. Woke up wondering the same thing. Finally, in a burst of inspiration I called radiology. Her advice was to call the doctor. I called to leave a message. One of the wonderful office staff called within 20 minutes to say that nothing was in his box, so everything was most likely OK.

That means the call must have come from billing, but why in the world I would get a call from them is beyond me.

So it boils down to this: if Bart would only take messages as he should...He calls me when he finds a hangnail, but he didn't call me for this?!

"There's no crying in (soft)ball!", or in football, for that matter

Tom Hanks would be mortified.

I learned today that the Coach (aka "God" by our district; after all, he brought us football, didn't he?) is mad at me because I chaperoned the lock-in week before last.

?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

No, that line of question marks is NOT a divider to indicate a new topic. You must understand this numbskull--and if you do, please fill in the rest of the county.

This man was appointed FCA sponsor nearly two years ago because he was a COACH. He isn't a Christian (a point I must make considering the organization is the Fellowship of Christian Athletes), so he couldn't care less about what the Christian members are doing; hence, late last year when things started to go really haywire, I kind of pitched in to help. Then they started asking me to help with other things, like the Flood. (He showed up for one? maybe two.) Then they wanted to go to state conference. I went as the female chaperone only to be the chaperone by 9:30 that night. He went, then he left because he "was sick." Never mind that he didn't bring a sleeping bag or a duffle bag. Then, about 2 months ago, they decided to have a lock-in. By this time, the kids were taking it for granted that I would be there, and I was.

The kicker is this: he is mad because he didn't get to chaperone the lock-in, but he forbade the softball team to go. NONE of the softball team could go to the lock-in, according to him, because they had practice the next day. So his girls' softball team wasn't allowed to go because of practice, but he was going to stay up all night himself????????

I don't think so.

Patty Mains says he's mad because he didn't get flowers like I did for chaperoning the FCA lock-in. I think I'll send him flowers, just in case. I'm in the mood to do it. This is the week I would. I'm in devil-may-care mode. I wrote up Brad Milner because he's never done anything to get in trouble (and yes, I submitted it to the office) and I let the kids plant discarded books in Ron S.'s truck.

I feel a call to Becky coming on.

One more day until B-day

I can feel the tension rising.

It's not that I mind getting older; as they say, it is better than the alternative. Last year's birthday fiasco, though, is fresh in my memory and I'd just as soon forget the "Happy Birthdays" and the cards and all the stuff. But the first thing I saw this morning was an e-card. The thoughts are nice, but I'd just as soon concentrate on other things.

Last year I hit the BIG 4-0. Brian planned a big party just to see it go down in smoke on the day it was originally planned because I was supposed to sing at a wedding the same night as he planned it. (Yes, he had known that for months.) Then something happened and I ended up not singing at the wedding, either. (No one has ever told me what happened there; she just never got back to me as she was supposed to.) By the time number 40 rolled around, Brian was out of town, but he let a small, "obligation" party happen without him on my birthday. I bucked up and went to the thing even though I was already crying and I was just wanting to go out and away; then I cried for days, mostly because he didn't come home for the party and partly because I found out he hadn't moved the one he was planning to the following Saturday. Then I found out that he hadn't invited any of the folks I wanted to see, anyway (Pam, Pete, Renee, Ben & Ruthie, Karen, etc.) and that he HAD invited the extended family that always makes me feel stupid (and he knows it) and it all just became pointless. I went from hurt to crushed to "who cares anyway?" I'd never had a birthday party before and I was really looking forward to a meaningful biggie on my 40th because that's the one adult one where you DO have biggies, but that didn't happen, either.

So now, here I am, acknowledging the eve of Number 41 by writing a blog on why I don't want to acknowledge Number 41 or any other number.

Some days you just plain make a fool out of yourself

And I hate that!

The end of the year makes me a witch and a lunatic all rolled into one and the penchant always hits at the times where I wish it wouldn't. Take this morning. I am trying to clean out OLD books--some from Butler High School (and just how long has it been since one of those has been around?) and kids are coming in, taking books that I've shredded and tossed in the garbage pile WHILE I'M TRYING TO WORK IN THAT SPACE! They've made saving books their own little project. Like there aren't enough animals to save? They had a round with a homeless bat that had set up shop in a cooling vent yesterday. Why couldn't they try to save that? NO. They have to try to save books that needed to be discarded and replaced some 30 years ago. I kind of got irritable. When I get irritable I rant--so I ranted.

Then I hated myself.

Early morning, but not early enough

I thought this week was supposed to be calmer, but then I realized it is really worse than last, so I don't get to post as often as I like. Highlights from the week so far:

Got Brett's prom pictures back. They melt your heart.

Kelsey told another boy who teases her that Brett would beat him up. Thank goodness she was joking.

A kid who was in the library yesterday was looking for Doris Day in the Violence in America encyclopedia.

I lost the site-based election. Four ran; three had to be chosen. Teri Z., Clay S., and--you guessed it--I were put into the vacant offices. How does Scott get so lucky? I can't get my house in order and they put me on site-based!

Did I mention my house is a WRECK? Between construction and the end of the school year...

IT IS ALIVE!

The dryer decided to kick back on after an evening of rest. Convenient! I'm happy!

And speaking of worrying, Brian just called me from King's Island with news that "it hasn't been a good day." Considering his ticket last week (did I fail to mention the traffic ticket in Indiana?? 66 in a 55), that concerns me.

And the most tragic news of all: Kelsey's yard is uneven. Brett took her home and, on the way, Kelsey said, "Oh, no! I forgot to warn you! Don't look at our yard! It's uneven!" Brett said, "Your yard is uneven!" in his most shocked voice. He thought it was hilarious. So did I. What's even more hilarious is that she is going home to mow her uneven yard tonight so that it will be even before Brett goes over there tomorrow night.

Brett has it bad. I think they both do.

It had to happen

After about 17 years of use and abuse, if we remember correctly, our dryer bit the dust last night. Can't complain much about 17 years--especially the way I do laundry. Now, if I could only get that clothesline up...

My ceilings are still under repair; Brett's dresser is still in my living room. Aye-yai-yai! I just want to clean!

Prom is tomorrow night. Can't wait to see Brett and Kelsey. They make such a cute couple--even if I am Brett's mom. Now if I could only get Bart to give Michelle the time of day, but that's not my place, so here I am.

Speaking of Michelle, I'm taking her tomorrow to get her hair done. Brenda said she would do it, so I hope we can get it done fairly easily.

Doing site-based elections Tuesday. I'd love to know who else is on the ballot aside from Scott C. I've heard Clay S., but I don't know if anyone else is running. Someone, take me away!

Had Ghost Out yesterday. Got attention. They had to take one of the drug/alcohol partiers out because he fell to pieces. I was glad to see it. I hope it gets his attention before it kills him or someone else. I reminded God that we had to save his body so that we could save his soul. I'm usually not that "charismatic" or anything, but I said that last night.

Bart is frustrated with stuff and I'm frustrated with him, to a degree. He got the rug pulled out from under him regarding his summer job at the school--I realize that; but I also know that he can work at the school center and be just fine. He doesn't want to. He wants a YM position. That's fine, but he won't get up off his butt and do anything about it. I've told him he's working this summer and he's NOT leaving Martha in a lurch. Now if he calls her today and turns the job down, he's going to be hurting because he's NOT sitting around here all summer waiting for a job to fall in his lap. I don't think he will do that, but I never know.

Quick stuff

Brian didn't fall for the flowers. I don't know if he's blind, uninterested, or just plain stubborn, but he hasn't asked me yet.

Wrote an e-mail to the administrators. (They're the only ones who need it.) Karen came in and asked me how things were going this morning, but otherwise no one even did that much. That's OK. As long as they get the message to talk to me before commandeering (sp?), I don't care.

Two people have asked me to run for site-based and a third has considered doing so, he said, but he was afraid the adoption process would be in conflict--something that has bothered me, too. Add to that the fact that I just don't like those situations and I want to crawl into a hole and you see why I hesitate. I have to let one of them know by tomorrow. I'm taking my time.

And my kitchen is a wreck again, but so is my house. Construction is a PITB.

Another one of those days

They're getting too numerous to count.

The day started off great, so I guess if I had to have a problem, I'm glad it happened later. The boys went through the home study without a hitch--not that I expected one. I'm just glad that part is over.

Got back to school and had flowers. Nice. After yesterday, it will be fun to have fun with Brian. "Where did you get those?" My secret for a while! ;-) I think Patty Mains gave them to me for doing the FCA lock-in this year. Whoever it was, they were appreciated.

Then the trouble started.

Ms. Hicks cancelled The Life of Pi discussion because of tennis. Then Charlotte Miller cancelled her book because she forgot to read it. We settled on Friday. A senior questioned later. "That's grad night."

Announcements came on a little bit before 3:00 and BJ announced that the discipline committee would meet in the library. After nearly screaming, "NO!" repeatedly, I tried to find someone who could change the venue. A custodian intervened--unwelcomely. The location changed to the conference room. I thanked BJ. "No big deal." I went to the cafeteria and took care of food and locating groups. Then I returned to the library only to find that the administration had overtaken my area after all. They are the only ones who refuse to check to see if we have a problem--from the principals on up. Frustrated and not a little angry, I went to the cafeteria. Such disrespect is uncalled for.

And the end of the year is upon us. Everyone wants the library AND me and I'm trying to get the end of the year things accomplished. I get so flustered about this every year. Aargh!

Other stupidity happened today, too, but for the most part, things healed themselves. I just hate that unsettled feeling.

But I'm home now and all is better--maybe not well, but better. I'm ready for another day off. It ain't coming for a while.

Weekend happenings

I started a blog the other day, but I see that the kid who got on without my permission also neglected to save what I had written. Guess I'm starting from scratch and I have no earthly idea what I was writing about.

So I'll just write about the happenings. We have many, so starting with Friday...

Laugh Olympics
This, coupled with the Renaissance Brunch, made Friday a waste--something we have WAY too many days of at PCHS. I know Karen's heart is in the right place, but when you reward them "every time they use a tissue when they sneeze", as EH so aptly put it, even the kids get tired of rewards. I had to stand between two tables during the entire ordeal (I dare not call it an "event" anymore) because no one would shut up; unfortunately that also included the parents at those tables. I was all but useless.

Then I had to listen to yet another kid who can't get a grip on reality, nor does she want to suck up and work out her own problems--something we have WAY too much of at PCHS.

Lock-in
Go from all this to a lock-in Friday night. Had 8 youth ministers and me. Dave and I were the only ones who made the distance. I felt bad for Dave. Also makes me remember that I have to talk to John because that AIN'T happening again! (Reminder: send Carver the Pain a link to this blog.) When I got home, I was so tired that I was literally sick. Had a great time, but no one is meant to stay up and run all night for/with a bunch of kids or adults--except in the case of sickness.

Got kind of ticked at a certain youth minister, too, in spite of the fact that I was so grateful to him. Since when does one word--"ass"--make a reason for getting up from a movie, especially when the movie ends up with a reformation where a person comes to know unconditional love and forgiveness? And I hope he can explain how he can do something like that but then turn around and allow the teens to kareoke "Summer Lovin'" from Grease--one of the most suggestive songs (aside from "Greased Lightnin'") from one of the most suggestive, sappy musicals of its day.

I'm in a judgmental mood this morning, I see.

Ceilings and girls
Came home to go to bed only to be awakened at about 11:00 by the sounds of my ceilings being repaired. When I heard that, I knew Sarah and Emma were around, too. Got up and watched them until about three o'clock, never suspecting that by 5:30 Sunday morning we would have Sarah again. Emma went to the hospital with what turned out to be an ear infection. We weren't sure what was wrong until well into Sunday afternoon.

The highlight of my week
After a sermon about Ruth and Boaz and the meaning of marriage (thank you, "marriage amendments"), Mike had the entire married population of the congregation renew their vows. You know, I don't remember crying much during my wedding, but I made up for it at that point yesterday. I barely made it through the vows--Brian's or mine. What a special, beautiful moment! I seldom remember sermons, but I'll never, ever forget that.

Puerto Rico
Plane tickets are bought. Had a dream last night that we were on the way, but the plane never got above the height of a mountain range. That could be a problem.