In Case You've Been Wondering...

Hello, again, my friends. It seems I have been busy these past few weeks with a whole lot of nothing interspersed with a few somethings. Really, my life has become quite unblogworthy these past couple months. I guess that could be a good thing. Then again, it could be incredibly boring and depressing. I guess it’s all a matter of perspective. Just to catch you up on the goings-on in our little world here is randomness at its finest – in reverse, with a few pics thrown in for good measure.

Army Strong

For his 8th Halloween costume John-Heath decided he wanted to be a soldier. After spending more than a few evenings online pouring over costumes and browsing pattern books and fabric stores my brilliant little brain had an epiphany this past Tuesday. Actually, it was more of a “well, duh!” moment. Helllooo…Army Surplus Stores!!! So, that afternoon we headed 15 minutes down the road to one located in an area known around here as Payne’s Crossroads.

$63 and 30 minutes later and we were set. The $63 for a costume made John’s jaw clench a bit and I’m almost sure I heard him swallow hard as he handed over the debit card, but as I reminded him, the pants and coat will be something John-Heath will be able to use again and again. I guess I could have forgone the dog tags and colonel pins, but what real soldier doesn’t wear dog tags and dream of advancing to a higher rank?

Indian Summer
We have been experiencing some warm temperatures in my neck of the woods. While nice, I say bring on the cool, crisp fall weather. I’m ready for some bonfires, sweaters, and chili.

Family Pics
We had our pictures taken this past weekend. It’s somewhat shameful to admit, but it was the first time since John-Heath was TWO that we’ve had some professionally made. Speaking of pictures, I found out a few weeks back that my favorite store for developing photos was going out of business. Goodbye, Wolf Camera of H’ville!

Disney
When my niece Megan graduated this past May with her BSN her parents asked her what she wanted as a graduation gift. She chose a trip to Disney and wanted the whole family to go. I said we would be happy to go but only if they would plan it for the fall. Ren and I had done Disney in the summer a few years ago and I said never again. Well, turns out Central Florida in the middle of the October can be a little on the warm side, too. We had a great time, but by that last day we were all Disney’d out and ready to head home to Tennessee. 

Football Senior Night

The most favorite and fun thing Ren has done all through high school is coming to an end. Who would have thought several years ago that our daughter would be recognized on senior night as a member of the football team? I cannot begin to tell you how much she has loved being the team’s water girl these past few years. She will certainly miss it and we’ll miss it, too.

Ren with some of the seniors...(L-R/T-B) Lane, Wyatt, Spencer, and Steven.

Meet the C*****’s

One Friday afternoon, as I was heading out the door to grab a bite to eat before a football game, I took a phone call from a reporter for one of the county papers.  John and the kids and I had been selected to be featured as a "focus family" in this year’s Fact Book, a county-wide publication.  They conducted a little interview with us (via email) and asked us to submit a picture.  Well, as indicated above, it had been a few years since we had any formal pictures taken, so we got all gussied up and had our picture taken on our front porch by my niece.  The paper may have reconsidered their decision in selecting us had they been privy to the behind-the-scenes of that particular picture-taking session.  Oh, well...there are few things that can't be masked with some great smiles. 

October 1

John-Heath began counting down to October 1 that whole last week of September. He loves it when we decorate for Halloween. Each day I was given an update. Only 7 more days to October, Momma. Only 6 more days to October, Momma. Only 5,4,3…you get the idea. It’s now October 25 and we have our wreath hung on our front door. Yeah, I’ve got a lot of catching up to do this weekend.

Talk to you again soon.  Hopefully.

YO, ADRIAN!

This is just one of those "must share" moments.  John-Heath, tee-totally buck naked, comes running into my bedroom a couple nights ago carrying an old American flag.  Quickly wrapping it around himself he said, “Look, mom!  I’m Rocky I V.”  (Oh, to read that as he said it you should say “Look, mom!  I'm Rocky Eye V”)

I’m sure this constitutes some type of improper handling of the flag, so I hope no one from the local chapter of the VFW sees this.

Happy Monday, Y'all!

 



P.S.  If all goes as planned, tomorrow evening I may get the chance to meet a character from one of my favorite television shows as a child.  I'll give you a hint:  this person was the member of a large ensemble.  More to come on that later.

Hmmm. Have You Ever Had a Moment Like This?

I don't know whether to be amused at something that happened to me earlier in the day or slightly worried.

Today was a work day for teachers at school (students are out for the summer now) and in between helping do a few things to get ready for the retirement luncheon that was going to be held in the library, I was at my desk getting a little last minute paperwork done.

Before leaving in the morning I told Ren I would call and remind her to begin getting reading so she could join us for lunch. Not only were two of her former teachers and a longtime cafeteria worker being honored, but her dad was too, as he is leaving teaching after 25 years to join the world of school administration.

Anyway, when the time came to make my phone call home I could... not... remember... my... number. My own home phone number - that I've had for 15 years!!! I sat and thought. And thought. And thought. 4499? 4494? 9944? Wait. Isn't there another number other than 4 and 9? After a while I realized it just wasn't coming so I went across the hall to ask John. Thank goodness my husband works in the same building (at least for another day). How embarrassing would that have been! I can only imagine the look on Ms. Sherry's face (our school receptionist) if I had buzzed her and said, "Excuse me, Ms. Sherry, but could you possibly find out my phone number and tell me what it is?"

I once heard someone say these episodes are called "senior moments". Now, I'm no longer in the freshman years of my life, but, at 41, I don't think I'm quite at the age to be considered a senior. Hmmm. Maybe being a librarian is a more stressful job than I've thought all these years - that or I need to eat more fish.

Bieber Fever? I Think Not.

Image via

This afternoon as I was blow drying John-Heath's hair in preparation to attend our boys' high school district basketball game, which, unfortunately, didn't turn out so well. The guys looked very tired, drained even. Ooohhh, how I can emphathize. Sorry. I digress. Now, where was I? Oh, yes. Blow drying my little boy's hair.

Anyway, he hates to have his hair brushed. This kid has one sensitive scalp and always complains of it hurting when I brush it while it's wet. I thought I would brush his sides toward his face a la Justin Bieber (or at least Justin Bieber's old style. Did you hear? He has changed his coiffure). I think John-Heath looks good with his hair styled this way - until his bangs become a lot longer than his sides and come to a point in the middle of his forehead. Then he looks a little like Eddie Munster.

Not one to ever stay in the same spot for very long I implored with him to remain still while I finished. "Pleeease, John-Heath. Just one more minute. Mommy's fixing your hair like Justin Bieber's." To this he replied, "Awww, mom. I hate Justin Beaver."

P.S. Upon further investigation I have found that John-Heath thinks Justin Bieber is not real and that he's just a cartoon animal. I love my little boy.

Mini Moment...John-Heath Dresses for Church

This morning as we were getting ready to go to church John-Heath, already fully dressed, decided to wrap himself with one of Ren's, how do I say this, brassieres. Remember, he will do just about anything for a laugh. When John, unaware of the newly added accessory, gave him a playful swat on the bottom John-Heath replied, "That's no way to treat a lady."

The Power Within

My children love each other. I know they do. However, to the untrained eye it might not appear this way. They can fight at the drop of the hat. Ren gets very easily perturbed by John-Heath (who can be quite the annoyance to a big sister who is a teenager) and sometimes will say things for which she later apologizes. Of course, John-Heath rarely needs one to step in to defend him. He manages quite nicely on his own - verbally or physically. Sometimes a little too physically. At any rate I doubt he will get bullied at school. Which is a good thing.

This weekend, Ren was trying to tell us all the details of seeing the new Nightmare on Elm Street movie with some friends. John-Heath was trying, at the same time, to tell us something, anything. He just likes to talk. I can't hold that against him though, as I have a whole list of former teachers who would back me up when I say he gets it genetically. Anyway, at some point Ren says to him, "Sometimes I wish you'd just stop breathing." (This would be a case of her saying something without thinking it through and then later feeling bad that it came out that way). John-Heath's reply was "Uh, Ren! I can't help it. God made me and He put that power in me." I thought that was pretty cute. It's nice to know that even children as young as four know their very breath is a precious gift from God.


A mini-moment...John, John-Heath, and I went out to eat this weekend. While John was paying John-Heath and I excused ourselves and went and waited in the little breezeway between the sets of doors. It was pouring down rain and I told John-Heath that it was raining cats and dogs. After explaining to him what that meant he thought he would announce it to everyone entering or exiting the restaurant, "Sure is raining cats and dogs, huh?".

Another mini moment...

Tonight (well, technically I guess you would have to say last night, as it is now 12:52 in the morning) we decided to eat at Zaxby's. Upon hearing this John-Heath said, "Oh! I love Zaxby's." Then he burst into song..."Zaccheus was a wee, little man and a wee, little man was he...."

Zaccheus was a wee, little man

And a wee, little man was he.

He climbed up in a sycamore tree

For the Lord he wanted to see.

And as the Savior passed that way

He looked up in the tree

And he said,

"Zaccheus, you come down"

For I'm going to your house today

For I'm going to your house today

Mini Moments #1

Mini moments. I think that is what I will call the posts in which I have few things of which to write. Then why write? I guess it is because I have an infinitesimal short-term memory and if I don't jot these little mini moments down they will one day be no more. I'm not after a Pulitzer, just leavin' thoughts for my kiddos.

Found out today via a friend and her husband that my son has taken to name-calling senior citizens. For the first half-hour or so after arriving at the New Hope Child Learning Center students play in the gym. The gym includes a second story walking track available for community use.

My son has found it financially advantageous to yell up to the kindly walkers and ask for money to be thrown down. As I understand it there may be a gang of these pre-schoolers doing such now.

A day or so ago when my friend's husband (aka "Halloween Man" because John-Heath remembers how we trick-or-treat at his house) was walking with his uncle Junior (who happens to be a member of my church association) and another man, the moochers from below were at it again. The plea went something like this...

Gang: "Hey! Throw us some pennies."

Mr. Junior: "I don't think I have any today."

My son: "Throw me down some pennies, Pencil Neck!"

I'm blaming hours of Spongebob indoctrination.

Ren attended volleyball practice for the first time today since having nasal surgery two months ago. The team is practicing with the 8th graders who are trying out for next year. In this setting Ren and her friends are not the bottom feeders they were when they first started practicing with the upperclassmen last year. Therefore, they had to play it cool when they personally did something much better than they had done during the season. They dared not let on that these awesome hits, digs, sets, and spikes were newly (as in TODAY) acquired.