Approaching Glory

Why Parents Thrill and Also Need to Chill

Jbird got several awards last night.  He got his senior pen, a pin for having been concert master at the winter performance, a pin for superior ranking in the ensemble competition, and a big prize - the orchestra award.  This is the first year for this award and it is determined by the teacher.  We are so thrilled for him.

He called us from the dance to say that some of the guys had decided to go to the opening of "Prince Caspian".  We told him that was fine with us.  I guess all in all, about fifteen kids and a couple of parents left the dance around ten and went to the movies together.  J gave it a B+.  He said it was slow going at the beginning - definitely darker and more violent than the first movie.  He did say there were some things that differed from the book.  However, he felt it added to the plot rather than detracted.  The Atlanta Journal gave it a "C" rating and I was discouraged.  When I see it myself, I'll let you know.

He had a good night and got home around 1 AM.  He had called us a couple of times during the evening to keep us updated with what awards he won, and then asked permission to go to the movies, and for something else to happen.  I'm not going to say what it was as someone may read this - however - I will say that my little inner alarm went off and I tried to get J to think about a choice. We gave him permission to do this "thing".  Unfortunately, one of his buds lied to J when J asked him about specifics concerning the situation.  J could have found himself in a horrible fix had anything gone wrong.  Thank you Lord - J was protected.

We had a good discussion about what happened and the "how should we have dealt with this situation".  Maybe more to the point - how to ask specific questions - cause his friend answered J's question - but not fully.  Had J known the full story - he would have said an immediate "no".  Neither Hubby nor I are upset with J - because he acted in good faith on what he was told.  I am so disappointed in the boy though.  I would not have expected this to come from him.  And none of us can figure why he lied.  Eventually, J will have to confront him - because the boy's actions could have effected many people.  I am praying to see if we (Hubby and/or I) should do or say something either to the boy himself or his parents.  As a parent I would want to know - and I doubt the boy told his parents what he did.  Unfortunately, this is part of the learning process of relationships and responsibility.

This morning Hubby worked at the middle school getting it ready for their 8th grade dance.  He's there now doing the concession stand/chaperone deal.  He came home for a few hours and mowed the lawn and then had to go back tonight.  I got the kitchen all cleaned up.  Did the floor on hands and knees.  Cleaned all the dog gear up.  Took apart and cleaned the microwave.  Partnered with Hubby to win a couple of games of Spades on Pogo. Fixed meals and now I'm ready to take a nap.  However, since it is after 9 PM - it might turn into bedtime.

May you be blessed.

Formally Yours

Okay - you know you have gone down the drain as a Mom when..... rather than bake up a storm you go to Sam's Club.  Tonight is J's Awards Night and Spring Formal (aka "The Prom").  To say the boy is excited is a vast understatement.  Afterall, she may be there.  The boy appears to be a trifle smitten.

Anyway - back to me.  Last year I baked two big platters of appetizers for J to take.  He told me they were gobbled up quickly.  This year - well - I'm still recovering from the cold - and I don't feel like spending the day on my feet in the kitchen.  Sam's to the rescue.  They just opened a brand new Sam's Club next door to the new Wally World in Oakwood.  Off we drove in search of the perfect snack food.

The parking lot was full as they are still in the throes of celebrating the new store.  They had a live radio broadcast going and "Rocky's Theme" was blaring through the speakers.  Love that music.  For some reason, Jbird seemed disinclined to dance through the parking lot with me!

If you tasted all the freebies, you would have had the full meal deal.  We ended up getting Minh Chicken Mini Egg Rolls.  There are approximately 50 in a box.  Sweet and sour sauce is included.  They microwave very well.  We got two boxes for the dance and I arranged them on some nice commercial type plastic trays with heavy duty lids.  The eggrolls are delicious - highly recommend.

Next - I got Poppies Belgian Mini Eclairs.  These things are evil super!  There are about 50 in a box.  I got two boxes.  I let them thaw for a bit and then arranged them artfully on my doily clad tray with lid.  How can Eclairs be anything but good?  One small comment:  they need just a touch more filling and these guys are truly just a bite full.  They are about two inches long.

Then I had a choice to make:  let him go one his own (about an hour away) or do we drive him, attend the awards ceremony as a family, and then pick him up after the dance?  I handed him a camera, told him to take lots of pictures, we prayed as a family, and sent him on his way.  Oh my.

Return to Best Buy

Feel more normal today.  Not so much sinus drainage, but still tired.  Packed up the car with all my painting gear and trudged off to class.  I worked on the picture of J and was feeling pretty good about it until my teacher said, "Something's not right."  And then I realized I had his hand facing the wrong direction for playing the violin!  UGH!

After class I drove through the pouring rain back to Best Buy where I had to listen to a friend of the sales person keep them engaged in a personal conversation for several minutes whilst I "patiently" stood there waiting to be served.  Call him later dude!  Anyway - I returned the card and this time I took in the dead card so the Geek Squad would know what I really needed.  I was assured this time it is right and it was forty dollars less than the one I took back.  Cool beans.

Made meatballs and watched a movie with the crew.  Hubby put in the new card.  Voila - it works!  As does the new 19 inch Hannspree monitor.  Sweet.

Susan Knows Best

This is me today.  Sore throat, running nose, stuffy head - actually, I think the picture looks better than me!  I know I did stuff today - but what it was sorta escapes me.  I did end up going back to Best Buy and explained my new theory concerning the computer ie:  the monitor's fine and it must be the video card.  She listened patiently and handed me a box.  This is the - try it - if it doesn't work you can bring it back - game.  Whatever.

I think we went to the library and that son got some movies and I got some books.  Might be that's what we did. 

All I really know is that when we got home and Hubby went to insert the video card - it didn't work.  Cute.  I just yawned and crawled to the bed.  Tomorrow is another day.

The Wind Did It

I tried to get on the computer this morning and the monitor would not stay on.  I figured the connection was loose - wrong.  I finally concluded that the monitor had just died of old age.  Which was a wrong conclusion due to my head feeling lighter than air and my throat being so sore.  I slept for another three hour nap.

J got up early and headed over to the Y to see if they needed any lifeguards.  Yup.  J got rehired by the Y and then he went over to Parks and Rec and told the lady that he wasn't going to take the job.  He told her that he got a better offer - which he did actually - higher pay and a better team.  She was very understanding.  She told him she had just lost another guard to them earlier.  When she asked what they were paying and he told her.... well.... she said, "Right - we can't beat that.  You need to go there."

Slight problem though.  He needs to have his lifeguard credentials renewed.  They expired two months ago.  We are getting conflicting reports as to what he needs to do to get it recertified.  It may cost us $150.00.  Oh happy day.  We went and had the drug test done and have a stack of papers to fill out for employment.

Off I went to Best Buy to buy a new monitor for the computer.  I'm shocked at how cheap the monitors have become.  I can now get a 19 inch flat screen cheaper than what I paid for a 14 inch flat screen around four years ago.  Wow.  I purchase one, get it home, plug it in, and get the message "video not making connection."  I sat here with my cold foggy brain (think antihistamine attempting to dry up sinuses) trying to digest this bit of information.  Not computing.  I climb back under the desk and try it again.  No connection.  I re-read the instructions - I say some rather nasty things to the computer - nothing.  And then it dawns on me - this may not be a monitor problem at all.  This may well be.... the video card.  Oh me.

Now - do I take back the lovely new monitor or can I think of a way to get Hubby to think it is a marvelous idea that he take the 14 inch and get rid of his old monster monitor?  Hmmmm......

Mother's Day 2008

The day started with the guys taking me out for breakfast.  It was a great meal and the conversation was good.  The guys then did the lawn and I read Grafton's "T is for Treason".  We all watched a movie together and then I took a three hour nap due to the cold my son gave me for mother's day - thank you very much.

Being Part of the Team

J left early this morning to have his first in-service with the Parks and Rec department.  He got recertified with his CPR and then they went over the employment papers.  He called us around lunchtime and told us that he didn't think he wanted to work there.  I just listened.  He said he'd tell us all about it when he got home.  I mentioned J's comment to Hubby who only said, "They must have a bunch of immature kids this year."  The lifeguards at the city pool are notorious for their elitism and snobby behavior, but I must admit I was surprised that J was willingly to throw in the towel.

Let's just suffice it to say that when he got home and told us what had been said and done during lunch and classtime - we had NO problem with him telling his boss that he couldn't take the job.  (think sexual comments and thievery)   J just said,  "I can not in good conscience be a part of that team." We prayed and then made the stipulation that he go out on Monday and try to see if the Y would have any openings.  One thing we do know about the Y is that the type of language, conversation, and behaviors discussed would never be allowed there.

It Does a Mother's Heart Good

Tonight was one of the memorable nights of a lifetime.  But first how we got there.  Hubby took the day off from school to spend the day with us - nice.  We had a nice drive up to Canton.  We had a little time so we all went shopping for needed wardrobe essentials.  Hubby needed new shoes, son needed dress socks,  I needed a top and shoes.

We found them all.  I love Dress Barn and they have a great one there.  The top I got will look great with black dress pants and black shoes for the gallery show opening.  We dropped J off at Reinhardt for a rehearsal and Hubby and I went out to O'Charleys for an appetizer and a shared dessert.  Hubby and I changed into our dress clothes at the restaurant and J was in his tux when we got back to the college.

J's violin ensemble group was third on the program and they performed a piece by Vivaldi.  I looked over at Hubby whose mouth was open.  I cried and took Hubby's hand.  This was my Mother's Day gift.  J was wonderful.  I actually stood and yelled, "Bravo!"  He also performed in the orchestra (which sounded the best I've heard them), the Swing Choir group (didn't sound their best), and the Highland Dancers (great).

I think what hit me was that God's plans are so different than ours.  Never, never, never would I have imagined that I would be attending a concert like this to see my child perform.

Many years ago I read a Christian book on being aware of your children's gifts and talents.  I know I read it (unfortunately I don't remember the title) but I don't think that I "got it" - until now.  This is a good article that deals somewhat with the idea - click here to read.  (I love her discussion regarding the difference between developing character and recognizing and making way for gifts and talents)  Somewhere in our 18 years with J our paths diverged.  Somehow he became his own person with his own unique talents and gifts.  I remember so clearly when he told me he wanted to take violin lessons.  I thought this totally strange.  No one we knew played the violin.  I had always assumed he would take piano.  First - we had a piano.  Second - it's what I always wanted to play and didn't get a chance when I was a kid. (yes this is weird thinking to the hilt)  Praise God - I decided to humor J and set him up for the lessons.  For it is in that instrument I hear the sound of my son's heart singing out loud and clear - filled with emotions we don't see all the time when looking at the outside package.

What I was privileged to hear tonight was a gift to the audience - humbly and beautifully presented by a group of great kids that included - my son.  Thank you God.

An Eventful Day

When I checked my email today, I had a post from what appears to be J's new boss.  He had gone on the interview, he had received a phone call telling when training times were, and now he got an email telling him the list of things he needed to bring with him on Saturday in order to be able to fill out employment forms.  Uh huh.  What he never did get was a "you got the job".  Interesting.

One of the things on the list was lifeguard swimwear.  The only lifeguard swimwear he has is the pair of trunks from the YMCA.  So he called his new boss and "Yes you have to get a new pair for this weekend's training."  Right.  Now had I known about this two weeks ago - no problemo - surf over to Keiffer's and order away. No time for that now.

First, J and I realize we will have to take the old Explorer (think 14 yrs old) because Hubby has loaded it with garbage and we need to make a garbage run.  Good thing is the car is big enough to pick up my art work.  I called up the picture framer to see if there was anyway I could get my pics before Friday because I was going out of town and the dog has to be to the gallery this weekend.  No problem - pickup at 2pm.

So J and I go over to Judy's and get her to go to the Georgia Mall with us.  This is when it begins to dawn on my that we are in the old car with NO air and it is going to be in the eighties.  I roll down the windows thinking it can't be that bad.  Of course we all had to go out to breakfast at Cracker Barrel first.  It was a moral imperative.  And it was mighty good too.

We come out to the sun really beginning to do it's thing.  Which is not good for me at all.  The air seems thick for breathing and my body is quickly overheating (I don't sweat like other people to cool myself).  We get to the sports store and do they have lifeguard swimsuits?  Nope.  So we park Judy on a bench and J and I trapse off to see if we can find another store - nothing, nada, zip.  Brilliance descends on my brain and I call the number of the one sports store in our home town and guess what?  Yesssssss.  They have lifequard trunks - but no medium.  By now I've had to use my inhaler, and I am totally miserable.

However, great mother and friend that I am (ha ha ha) I get Judy home, I pick up my pics, (with some nice compliments from the framer's other customers), and drive Jbird over to the one store here in town.  Yup - there they are - S, L no mediums.  And then I look up - and there on a hanging dummy are lifeguard shorts.  I grab the tag.  Righto - medium!  Praise the Lord!  We got J a lifeguard hat and a lifeguard muscle shirt.

Home and exhausted.  Heat so drains me.  Cleaned up the kitchen, put my pictures up on the wall so I can look at them.  The framer really did a nice job.

Waiting for American Idol to begin - and I joined the Summer Sock Along (oh my) more on this later.

Your Rest My Rest

J has been wanting to go see "Iron Man".  I watched the previews on the tv and thought I might like it.  However, when it came down to it, I wanted to stay home and rest.  Now J and Hubby's idea of resting is obviously to go see the movie.  So off they went.  Then I thought I'd get the "oh Mom you missed it" but what I got was - it was grade "C".  At least they brought me home popcorn.