Thursday, November 30, 2006

About as Mundane as it Gets

You know how some bloggers post their mood and such? I like that and I may start doing that, but for now I'm just going to tell you this:

Mood: Blah

I saw my oncologist today for a routine checkup. Everything was fine except for that I’m about as big as a house and my white blood count is low. The fact that I’m about as big as a house didn’t bother him in the least. The subject never even came up. As for the white blood count, he wasn’t too concerned. He chalked it up to moving and being introduced to new viruses that we didn’t have in Arkansas. I never asked for these introductions. What's the deal??

I’ve been told by several women who have been through reconstruction to get a special post-surgical camisole. You just step into it and it has little pockets in it for your drains. But you can’t just run to Wal-Mart or Penney’s or anything like that. So there’s this nice little lingerie boutique not too far from my doctor’s office that not only has wonderful lingerie, it also caters to breast cancer patients. Now granted, my mood was somewhat less than chipper because: a) I’m about as big as a house; and b) my white count is low. The woman who helped me was nice enough – she’s also a breast cancer survivor – but without coming right out and saying it, she tried to talk me out of reconstruction. I’m sorry that her implants she got at the same time she had a bilateral mastectomy didn’t work out for her. I’m glad that she’s fine without any reconstruction at all and the prostheses are wonderful and she loves them. But leave me alone.

Stopped by a used book store without a list. Why do I do such stupid things? The only book I could think of I wanted was Winter Garden by Adele Ashworth. Of course they didn’t have it. I ended up getting Enemy of God by Bernard Cornwell because I have the first book – Winter King (Hey! That’s almost like Winter Garden) – and I had a ton of money in credit there so I didn’t want to leave empty handed.

Ran by Valley Forge to get a Christmas present for Katie she’d seen a couple months ago, but they didn’t have it. They didn’t even have it on order. I haven’t looked to see if I can get it on-line, but I’m not hopeful.

To assuage my mounting despair, I ran by Starbucks for a Venti White Chocolate Mocha and a piece of coffee cake. Yes, I know I’m about as big as a house and this lunch isn’t helping matters, but it made me happy. And I used my gift certificate Taylor gave me for my birthday so it was free.

M&Ms

Last night I was sitting in Todd’s big green comfy chair watching the Tree Lighting Ceremony at Rockefeller Plaza, eating M&Ms. They showed the tree before it was cut down and all I could think was, “I saw that exact tree!” (See here) Very cool.

As I was eating my M&Ms I realized I was grouping them by color and eating certain colors at a time. It made me think of the different powers each color held as taught to me at church camp in the 5th grade. This, in turn, made me giggle because orange was supposed to make your boobs big. You should have seen the inordinate amount of orange M&Ms I ate while I was growing up. In case you didn’t know, there’s not an ounce of truth to it. But my mind, as it’s oft want to do, started straying. If there was truth to it, what would it mean for my upcoming reconstruction? I didn’t come up with any answers and it was really too exhausting to ponder for long.

Smelly Trash

Our kitchen, eating area and family room is an open area. Todd had reclaimed his chair at some point and when Criminal Minds came on I was laying on the couch. I was so comfortable that instead of getting up and taking out the incredibly smelly trash, I pulled my t-shirt up over my nose. My Dove deodorant smelled waaaay better! The only problem was that I eventually ran out of oxygen. So Todd, being the sweetheart he is, got up and took the trash out for me. I sprayed the heck out of the trash can and surrounding area with Lysol to get rid of the stench.

Reading

I finished Eragon Tuesday. What a great book. I know it took me forever to read it, but I decided it was because I was so enamored with this kids’ writing technique – the imagery was truly incredible. It became more of a clinical read than an entertainment read. I’m very anxious to see the movie, mostly to see how they brought his ideas to the screen. Taylor is very slowly reading The Eldest and I’m looking forward to reading it whenever he does finish it.

In the meantime, I finally started Lady of Sin by Madeline Hunter. I had originally planned on skimming through all the previous books to gain my bearings, but they’re in boxes in the garage – just like my Loretta Chase books. Maybe this weekend… There are a few things I’d like to sort out in my mind before I read much further, but nothing too much. So far I’m enjoying the book. I always did like Charlotte and am glad she’s going to get another chance at being happy.

When I finish this book I’ll probably be reading Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas. Yes, you read that right. DREAMING OF YOU! Woo hoo!! It should be here today, tomorrow at the latest. Then I'll know what all the Derek-hubbub is about.
Mused by Jenster :: 2:05 PM :: 9 People musing:

Post / Read Comments

---------------oOo---------------

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

29 DAYS AND COUNTING


Mused by Jenster :: 9:40 AM :: 2 People musing:

Post / Read Comments

---------------oOo---------------

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

My Kind of Christmas



I stole this from Stacy. Feel free to steal it from me!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
How about egg nog IN hot chocolate. YUM!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
Usually just sits them under the tree.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
I like white, but the rest of the family likes colored. I try to remember it’s not about me, so… they’re usually white. LOL

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
You betcha!

5. When do you put your decorations up?
I start after Thanksgiving and am still working on it a few days before Christmas.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
Probably sweet potato casserole. Which is a lot like dessert. But we eat it with the meal, so technically it’s not a dessert. So yeah. Sweet potato casserole.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child:
Dressing up in a pretty long dress my mom had made, warming my hands in a white faux fur muff and going to the Christmas Eve service at church. Very happy memories.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
I have no earthly idea.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Absolutely!!

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?
I let the kids do it.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
We’ll see. Whenever we had snow in Arkansas I loved it. But it wasn’t very often, so we’ll see how I like it this year in Pennsylvania. Hoping for a white Christmas this year – my very first.

12. Can you ice skate?
I used to. One of the very few things I was better than Todd at!

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
I’ve gotten so many great Christmas gifts over the years that it’s hard to pick which was my favorite.

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
Trying to keep the real reason for the holiday at the forefront. I love Santa and snowmen and presents and lights and gingerbread houses and pretty decorations as much as the next person. But I would gladly give it all up because none of that has anything to do with why my family celebrates Christmas. Plain and simple, Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. But the holiday has become so overwhelmingly commercialized that it becomes very difficult to maintain the awe and the glory of the miracle we honor. Family and friends run a close second. :o)

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
Pecan pie.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
My mother-in-law gets warm, comfy jammies for everyone – sometimes they all matched, other times the guys all matched and the girls all matched. May sound dorky, but I love it!

17. What tops your tree?
Used to be a crystal angel, then a cheesy little angle the kids liked, and now I think we have a star. LOL. I don’t remember!

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving?
I would be a liar if I said I didn’t like receiving. BUT, I really do like giving more. Makes me feel good. :o)

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
O Holy Night.

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?
Neither. Both words are too strong to describe my feelings towards candy canes. More like, “Meh”.
Mused by Jenster :: 8:38 AM :: 4 People musing:

Post / Read Comments

---------------oOo---------------

Saturday, November 25, 2006

I Gave Barney A Swirly

Yesterday I was cleaning the downstairs toilet using an old Barney washcloth that once belonged to Taylor. I use a toilet scrubber to clean the inside of the bowl and when I finish I pour Lysol in the now clean water, swish a rag around in it and use that to clean the outside of the bowl. I'd finished all the cleaning, flushed the toilet and ran the rag around the inside of the bowl just to be sure it was good and clean when "thwerp" - the suction from the flush grabbed the rag and sucked it in. At first I sort of yelled, "Oh no!" As soon as the tank filled I flushed again, thinking it was going to back up. Thankfully, it didn't. I flushed the toilet about 5 times just to be sure.

For some reason it didn't seem all that amusing until I started telling Todd. He had this oh-no-what-have-you-done-now look on his face which made me giggle. And the more I tried to tell him what happened, the more I laughed, which only made his scowl deepen. I wanted to tell him that if he kept making that face it was going to freeze that way, which made me giggle even more. Especially because I seem to see that face directed at me a lot.

This incident brought back memories of another flushing debacle from years ago. We had gone to visit some relatives of mine. They let Todd and I stay in their master suite and the following morning I happened to finish off the toilet paper. I did the obvious and removed the little springy thing from the holder to put on a new roll. But the springy thing was uber-springy and jumped out of my hand right into the flushing toilet. Bye-bye springy thing.

I walked out of the bathroom and I don't know what I looked like, but Todd had a younger version of the oh-no-what-have-you-done-now expression on his face. Thankfully again, my poor grip on objects near a flushing toilet bowl didn't cause a back up. And my mother sent these relatives the springy part of the toilet paper holder for Christmas.

We had friends over last night and when I told them about the Barney rag mishap my children had a fit. Especially Taylor. You know, my 14-year-old son. So guess what he's getting in his stocking this year.

D&D IN 33 MORE DAYS!!
Mused by Jenster :: 3:18 PM :: 3 People musing:

Post / Read Comments

---------------oOo---------------

Thursday, November 23, 2006

HAPPY THANKSGIVING


Mused by Jenster :: 10:00 AM :: 2 People musing:

Post / Read Comments

---------------oOo---------------

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

More New York Pictures



Rockefeller Plaza





Central Park


Sienna Miller as Edie Sedgwick and Guy Pierce as Andy Worhal shooting Factory Girl


Mused by Jenster :: 6:41 PM :: 5 People musing:

Post / Read Comments

---------------oOo--------------- New York Pictures

TOYS R US








Mused by Jenster :: 3:08 PM :: 4 People musing:

Post / Read Comments

---------------oOo--------------- NEW YORK, NEW YORK - A Wonderful Town!

I tried posting pictures from yesterday's outing, but Blogger isn't downloading them for some reason. Also, spell check isn't working so read at your own risk (all you editor types).

The girl and I went to New York yesterday. Just got up and went. How great that we live close enough to do something like that.

We drove up the New Jersey Turnpike to Weehawken, NJ, and caught the ferry over to mid-town Manhattan. Just like we knew what we were doing. One of the highlights of the entire day was when the Manhattan skyline came into view and Katie glimpsed it for the very first time. I wish I could have gotten a picture.

The beauty of the ferry is that it only costs $12.00 round trip for an adult and $6.00 round trip for a 12-year-old. When you land in Manhattan they then have free busses that take you just about anywhere in the city you're wanting to go. So it's very economical.

We got off the bus near Rockefeller Center. They've put up the tree, but it hasn't been decorated yet. There's scaffolding all around it and it looks more like a giant, crated tree right now. They won't light it until the 29th of November.

After that we went to the American Girl Store. That place is a trip! It's four stories with not only all their products for sale, but a doll hospital, a theater, a cafe and coat check. It's the kind of place a girl could easily spend the entire day at.

From there we went to the Disney Store. Katie, being the good sister she is, bought Taylor a magnet. I, being the selfish person I am, bought myself a CD. An Aly and AJ CD. There. I admitted it. I bought myself a teenybopper CD. And I thoroughly enjoyed it on the way home.

Then it was on to FAO Schwarz. Are you starting to sense a theme here? The piano show had just started when we walked in. What a treat. If you don't know, that's the big piano Tom Hanks and Robert Loggia danced on in the movie BIG. The show we saw included Chopsticks; Heart and Soul; Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring; and The Entertainer. How they didn't trip all over themselves is beyond me.

By this time we were hungry so we headed into Central Park and bought scrumptuals from a vendor so we could keep going. We wandered and meandered and traipsed and ambled and made it as far up as Bethesda Terrace. Getting a bit pooped and knowing we still had Toys R Us to hit, we decided to cut for the subway. But before we did, we saw a hubbub on a nearby hill. So we went to see what was going on. They were filming a movie!! Factory Girl with Sienna Miller and Guy Pierce - both of whom we saw from a distance!! Jimmy Fallon was supposed to show up any minute, but Katie doesn't have a clue who he is and wasn't interested. Besides, we had cheesecake on our minds.

We made it out of the park and down to the subway. I had to figure out which way we were supposed to go so I started singing that song from "On the Town". You know the one. "The Bronx us up and the Battery’s down and New Yorkers ride in a hole in the ground." Then I knew we didn't want to go toward the Bronx. Hey. Whatever works.

The next stop was Maxie's for real New York Cheesecake. It was quite a nice respite from the cold for our achy feet!

After a bit of reviving sustinence we headed down a few more blocks to Toys R Us Timesquare. Holy Moly! The place was like Disneyland. What a fun store.

Finally, we headed back to American Girl so Katie could make a purchase. She bought two dresses for one of her dolls and that was that. We popped through Rockefeller Plaza again - this time it was lit up nicely - and out onto 47th Street where a ferry bus just happened to be pulling out. So I jumped into the middle of the street and flagged it down before it could get too far. Felt just like a real New Yorker at that moment.

By the time we got home, about 8:45 or so, walking was a definite chore. But it was so worth it. And since we can go back at any time, we only saw the stores Katie wanted to see. Such fun!
Mused by Jenster :: 9:27 AM :: 9 People musing:

Post / Read Comments

---------------oOo---------------

Sunday, November 19, 2006

Fun Stuff

The family was going to go to the Philadelphia Museum of Art yesterday - my choice to celebrate my birthday. But the Philadelphia marathon was today and there was a health fair on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway so we decided it would be too crowded.

Instead we went to Peddler's Village in Lahaska, Pennsylvania - a quaint 18th century shopping village. Katie and I were very much looking forward to it, but Todd and Taylor weren't quite as enthused. Since the outing was all about me and not them, however, they kept blurting out how much fun it was.

Todd - This place is great!

Taylor - I know! Can we stay all day??

Todd - Oh, I hope so!

We did have a good time, though. We made fools of ourselves in the hat store:


Taylor the Jester (very appropriate)

Katie the Astronaut.



Shopping. Eating. Good times.

And along with the B&N Gift Certificate, Taylor gave me a Gift Certificate to Starbucks and Katie gave me a YA book called Pirates! by Celia Rees, a book mark and a pretty bracelet.

Tomorrow Katie and I are going to New York City for the day. WOO HOO!!!
Mused by Jenster :: 2:29 PM :: 9 People musing:

Post / Read Comments

---------------oOo---------------

Friday, November 17, 2006

On The Top Of The World

I've been singing that old Carpenter's song all afternoon. I would deny that I'm old enough to know it, but I've already fessed up to my age. So yes. I was singing it word for word. The reason for this is because today has been a great day.

First of all, it's Friday. Who doesn't like a Friday? It means that I don't have to get up until I'm good and ready tomorrow. It means I don't have to get on the kids to do their homework.

Common conversation with my son after school:

Me - Hurry up and finish your homework.

Him - YOU hurry up and finish my homework.

I know I shouldn't encourage him, but that does make me laugh. I'm creating a monster.

Second, I went to my first Ladies' Bible Study this morning since moving. These women meet on Friday mornings in a home and they were so warm and gracious. And they had FOOD AND COFFEE! I only knew two of the ladies a little bit so I was a bit nervous. But they were nice and funny and I can't wait to go back.

You know how sometimes you start drinking a glass of water and only after do you realize just how thirsty you really were? It was like that for me this morning. I knew I was missing the relationships I left behind in Arkansas and I always enjoyed being involved in women's bible studies. But I had forgotten just how important both were to me. I mean, I can do my own bible study on my own - which I do. But I love the interaction of these like-minded women. It's awesome!

The icing on the cake was an email from my "Adoring Husband" when I got home. A $50.00 gift certificate to Barnes and Noble for my birthday! WOO HOO!!! Now I really need to get those boxes of books out of the garage so I don't end up buying something I already have.

So yeah. It's been a good day.
Mused by Jenster :: 3:58 PM :: 9 People musing:

Post / Read Comments

---------------oOo---------------

Thursday, November 16, 2006

A Little Culture

Bookwormom frequently posts poetry and I think that's so classy. So in an effort to add a little dignity to my blog I've decided to post some poetry as well.

This is an original work by yours truly. You can't write a poem like this in a minute. It takes two at least. I think it may go down in the annals as a true American Classic.

My body's expanding, from my head to my feet.
My butt's getting wider with each M&M I eat.

When this bag is gone I shall buy me no more
and substitute carrots and celery galore.

Low-fat and non-fat and veggies I'll munch
Walking and swimming, the occasional crunch

Water before and then after I run
The pounds will just melt like butter in sun

But Thanksgiving is next week with trimmings so yum
And Christmas will follow with good eats for my tum

So maybe I'll wait until the first of next year,
Yeah! That's the ticket. Let's eat with good cheer!

Mused by Jenster :: 1:10 PM :: 8 People musing:

Post / Read Comments

---------------oOo---------------

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Grab That Book

Devonna started this little bit of fun. So here you go.

1. Grab the nearest book.

2. Open to page 123.

3. Find the fifth sentence.

4. Post the text of the next four sentences on your blog along with these instructions.

5. Don't you dare dig around for that "cool" or "intellectual" book on your shelves. (I know you were thinking about it.) Just pick up whatever is closest.

Can you guess my book?

"On the sabbot of Samhain." Avoiding Cian's eyes she looked at Hoyt. "Morrigan showed me."

"Aye." He nodded.

Okay. I'm thinking this one is waaaaaay easy.

I'm tagging anyone else who hasn't done this yet.
Mused by Jenster :: 10:05 PM :: 7 People musing:

Post / Read Comments

---------------oOo---------------

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Birthday, Shmirthday

My thirty-eleventh birthday is next week. It's not a landmark birthday and nothing to get excited about. In fact, if I wasn't so greedy as to want presents and a day of being spoiled, I'd just forget about it altogether.

But I don't think that's an option anyway. After the last year-and-a-half we've gone through, my birthday has become kind of a big deal. Instead of lamenting the fact that I'm middle aged, I need to be happy that I made it to middle age. Oh, I know that's all very dramatic and it's really not something I think of very often. Yes, I had breast cancer, but it was caught fairly early and my prognosis is excellent. There are so many worse things it could have been.

You may or may not know that I'm writing a book about my experience. It's not a self-help or an inspirational book. It's more of an Erma Bombeckesque look at what the past 18 months have been like for us. Don't get me wrong. Parts of it are very serious. But I was amazed at the humor and the silliness that was borne of some of my situations.

As much as I would love to see this book published, I'm not going to hold my breath. If I do ever manage to get it into some semblance of an organized thought process I will try publishing. But even if it never comes to anything that's okay. It's a type of therapy for me now and it will forever be a record of what our family endured and learned through all of this.

So here's a little excerpt from my story that has to do with my birthday:

In the spring of 2005 I had thick, curly hair that fell beneath my shoulders. I was also walking a few days a week with a friend. With the age of 40 closing in, I was in a desperate want to get into shape. You see, I had this plan.

For my 40th birthday I wanted long, curly, auburn tresses and a pair of red thigh high PVC stiletto boots. I wasn't sure what would go in between my locks and the heels, but suffice it to say it was going to be hot. Todd would have his very own vixen.

Instead, I had a very thin buzz cut, 30 extra pounds and only one boob. Thigh high boots would have been a waste of money (and they ARE expensive) because I probably couldn't have shimmied them past my knees. And whatever provocative little number would have accompanied the boots would have been too filled out in some spots, not filled out in others, decidedly dropping the sexy factor to somewhere around nil.

They say that 50 is the new 30, so does that make 40 the new 25? If so, what does that make 42? I'll be going through reconstruction at the age of 41, so 42 is the next birthday I have a shot at.

Emotionally it was a little difficult to reach the landmark age of 40 in the way I did. My hair had started coming in, albeit slowly and still thin. I was actually scheduled for my last chemo treatment the day before my birthday, but the doctor graciously postponed it for nearly a week so I could enjoy my celebratory weekend.

Todd booked the two of us in a romantic little cottage up in Eureka Springs that we had stayed in several years earlier. The cottage had guest journals and I flipped back through the archives until I found my entry from 1995. It was a poignant moment to see the words I had written in such a different time. We were a young, happy couple with a baby and toddler at home. We were there to celebrate our 8th anniversary and enjoyed the romantic interlude from our hectic lives.

It was a good time for us. There were no thoughts of cancer or chemotherapy or reconstruction or hot flashes or, well, the list goes on. I was saddened by the way our lives had changed so drastically. I was heartened by the good and joyful life we had shared.

But mostly I was grateful. Even in the midst of a life threatening disease and all the problems associated with treatment, even with our husband and father living 1200 miles away, I had joy. I had the most important things necessary to a good life.

I had a husband who loved me with everything, even though I couldn't wear thigh high stiletto boots and looked more like a GI than his wife. I had two children who were healthy and happy and who had stepped up to the plate when I was too tired or weak to do what needed doing. I had family and friends who loved me and lavished me with help and food. And I had a God who loved me and comforted me and promised me this, too, shall pass. I had everything I needed.

I am still shooting for the long, curly, auburn hair and thigh high stiletto boots for 42, by the way.

Mused by Jenster :: 3:12 PM :: 15 People musing:

Post / Read Comments

---------------oOo---------------

Friday, November 10, 2006

Switching Directions


I've been reading Eragon by Christopher Paolini. The kid was a mere teenager when he wrote it and that in itself makes it worth reading. He sucks you in with his imagery and storytelling and I am enjoying the book.

HOWEVER, it's taking me forever to get through it and I don't think it's my lack of time anymore. I can't quite put my finger on it. I find the book entertaining and every time I put it down I want to know what happens next. But I'm just not rivited.

So I'm going to take a break from Eragon for a book or two. And I'm going to start this little vacation with The Lion's Daughter by Loretta Chase.

While I'm looking forward to reading this book - I happen to be a huge Loretta Chase fan - it's really a means to an end, said end being Lord of Scoundrels. I've heard nothing but high praise for this book for the last however many years and my curiosity has finally gotten the better of me. But I can't just start with LOS. I have to read the series in chronological order (as opposed to publishing date order which is not correct reading order, or so I've been told.)

My only hesitation with this plan is that Taylor has been on to me for about three years to read Eragon. So if you all can help me here and not tell him I've put it aside for a few days I would really appreciate it. I'm going to have to be a closet reader, I guess.

ON ANOTHER NOTE

Taylor and I were discussing this the other day and we could use a little help. I've been a Californian, a New Mexican, an Arkansan, and now a Pennsylvanian. What would I be if I lived in New Hampshire?? Anyone know??
Mused by Jenster :: 9:08 AM :: 7 People musing:

Post / Read Comments

---------------oOo---------------

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Who are Dixie & Daisy?

You may have noticed the counter on my sidebar that says "Dixie and Daisy". That nifty little business is counting down the days, hours, minutes and seconds until I have reconstruction on December 29th.

That's right, people. Goodbye Uniboob, hello Dixie and Daisy. No more worrying about my boob ending up around my waist when I go swimming or reaching up to scratch my left shoulder and realizing that things have shifted up to my collar bone. The days of lugging around hot and uncomfortable silicone prostheses all day or constantly readjusting the lighter, more comfortable shoulder pads (they work great! - thanks, Beth!) are coming to an end. Oh, happy day!!

And where did I get the names Dixie and Daisy? Why, Blogthings, of course! Truly, is there anything they don't have a quiz for??

Your Boobies' Names Are...

Dixie and Daisy

In case you're wondering, hubby has absolutely NO say in what size I become. I'm used to walking upright and I'd like to keep it that way.
Mused by Jenster :: 9:19 PM :: 13 People musing:

Post / Read Comments

---------------oOo---------------

Sunday, November 05, 2006

Revolve Tour

Wow! I don't even know where to start. So many thoughts running through the very limited space in my head and I'm afraid I'll leave something out. So I'm going to start at the beginning and hope I remember it all.

Thirty-four teenage girls and seven women met at the church Friday afternoon, bringing sleeping bags, pillows, overnight bags, snacks and a ton of energy. Matt, the youth minister, had arranged the transportation. A big, yellow school bus. The driver was amazing! He handled the thing like it was a red Ferrari! The road between the church and the freeway is hilly and twisty and the speed limit is 25. He was going 45! Then we hit big city traffic. The bus driver was still in two-seater sportscar mode, whipping in and out between less savvy drivers. We finally made it off the Autobahn and into one of the rougher sections of Philadelphia. The one that's on the 11:00 news just about every night. But we made it to the event without incident.

The Friday night portion was fun. Singers sang, speakers spoke, dramatists dramatized - the focus was on having a good time. Then it was back to the church.

Where do these girls get their energy?? By 11:30 or so I was ready to call it quits for the night. I realize I'm old and boring now, but just the mere thought of having to get up before 6:00 the next morning made me tired. Lights out was at 1:00 and a good portion of the girls pushed it right to the last minute. The funniest thing, though, was one of the women's husband and his friends dressed in black with Scream masks and terrorized the girls by running around the building in front of the windows. Okay. "Terrorized" is the wrong word. The girls knew who it was. And yet said knowledge wasn't enough to keep them from screaming like, well, little girls and then giggling over and over and over, ad infinitum.

Somehow all 41 of us females managed to wake up early, get ready, eat breakfast AND clean the church up before getting back on the bus at 7:15. One of the moms who did not go brought us donuts, bagels, cream cheese, grapes, juice, water and, luckily for all those girls, blessed coffee.

The Saturday portion was incredible. You know how there are times when the presence of God is actually tangible? This was one of those times. Of course, that always makes me cry. Why did I bother with mascara?? Listening to 10,000 females, most of who were under the age of 18, singing these songs was so moving. And the looks on their faces... indescribable. I went as an adult presence for these girls, but I think I was as moved, if not moreso, than they were.

Then we heard from the following:

Contemporary Christian singer Natalie Grant - She talked about her struggle with bulemia in college.

Contemporary artist Tammy Trent - Oh my gosh. She made everybody in there blubber with her story. Thankfully, I already knew it and was prepared. But it still was so emotional. She and her husband were going to do some mission work in Jamaica in September of 2001. They decided to go down early and have a little vacation time. He went free diving and never came up. She was in Jamaica all alone and her family was grounded in the U.S. because of 9/11. Thankfully her father-in-law had gotten out of the U.S. before the plane crashes. It was an incredible testimony, though, how she relied on God -- she didn't have a choice. There was no one else there for her. But what was truly amazing was that while she was telling us about the most horrendous, painful time in her life, she still managed to injerject humor.

Chrissy of Zoe Girl - She's an area girl so we all loved her. She talked about her wild teen, early adult years. As an aside, she started out in a three girl group with Pink.

Author and speaker Chad Eastham - This guy was a hottie!! lol The girls lurved him! Have you ever been in a basketball arena with nearly 10,000 screaming girls? I had to keep reaching up to make sure my ears weren't bleeding. It was painful. Not only was he cute, he was a great speaker and talked about the differences between guys and girls. Ya know, that's something teenaged girls don't think about if the way half of them dress is any indication. So while he was very humorous and fun to listen to, he said some really important things.

2004 Olympic diver Kimiko Soldati - She was so cute! She basically gave her testimony.

Christian rapper KJ-52 - His thing is making Rap/Hip Hop a positive thing instead of making it about sex, drugs, violence, and degrading to women. I'm not really into rap AT ALL but he was pretty fun.

Then it was over and we all came back to the church, totally exhausted. I took a jacuzzi bubble bath that night and Katie and I fell asleep on the couch about 8:15 or so.

OH! And you ladies will love this!! When we got home all the laundry was done. Not just done, but put away! Even the beds had been stripped and re-made. How lucky am I???
Mused by Jenster :: 3:11 PM :: 4 People musing:

Post / Read Comments

---------------oOo---------------

Friday, November 03, 2006

Weekend Plans

As my sidebar says, I work with the youth group at our church. What that usually entails is showing up to church at 4:30 on Sunday afternoon, helping get things set up, and then hanging out with the junior high kids for an hour before their worship service begins at 7:00. This weekend’s a little different.

The junior and senior high girls are going to the Revolve Tour in Philadelphia tonight and tomorrow.



I am one of four chaperones and for the most part I’m excited about it. If you’ve ever been to a Women of Faith conference you’ll have a good idea of what it’s going to be like, only geared for teen issues. In fact, I think it's put on by the same organization.

The part I have reservations about is spending the night at the church. Even that in itself doesn't so much concern me. It's the probable lack of sleep and then getting up early to be in Philly before 9:00 tomorrow morning that has me a little anxious. All I can say is there better be coffee. Mass quantities of the stuff. I have an image to keep and I can't do it without the proper stimulation.

I will be sure and report back after I have recuperated. Could be Monday before my next post!
Mused by Jenster :: 9:28 AM :: 7 People musing:

Post / Read Comments

---------------oOo---------------

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Halloween Gone By

My kids were off doing their own thing last night and I don't have any pictures of them. But here's a fun little walk down memory lane:






1994: Katie's a week old and Taylor is 2 1/2








1995: Peter Pan and Tinkerbell





1996: Luke Skywalker and Pincess Leia









These are either from 1998 or 1999. Pippie Longstocking and a Ninja. Seemed like Taylor was a Ninja for just about every year after that.

I couldn't find their 1997 picture - a princess and knight. So cute! Oh, for the days they liked to do themes for their costumes...
Mused by Jenster :: 6:20 PM :: 10 People musing:

Post / Read Comments

---------------oOo--------------- Old Pictures

I scanned some old pictures of the kids today. Most of them were Halloween pictures that I'll post later this afternoon. But I couldn't resist these two.



This first one was taken in October of 1996. It was funny that I came across it right before Kristie talked about raking leaves. Taylor was four and Katie was about two.




This other one was just a cute picture. Katie had gotten into Taylor's shin guards and my Gumby slippers. Pretty intimidating, isn't she? LOL I think this one was taken in September of 1997 - so she's just almost three and Taylor is five.

That's all for now. I'll post some of their old Halloween pictures later.
Mused by Jenster :: 1:50 PM :: 7 People musing:

Post / Read Comments

---------------oOo---------------