I am glad I went to Kindergarten!

I have given my first assignment. I must say that on a whole, the students got to work and did as asked. I do have a few that may be through with the assignment after Labor Day ......they will probably NOT labor over it, but there are plenty of days to qualify as "after Labor Day". Most of the year as a matter of fact. But I can't wait to check them tomorrow.
So, what was this wonderful assignment? We read the short story "All I Ever Needed to Know I Learned In Kindergarten". In this story, the author gives 16 "rules" he learned at a young age that he feels are important for a life time. After reading, each student was to select one of the rules he/she felt was the most important and write for 25 minutes...uninterrupted (hard for me to do) defending their choice. NOW, I followed the rules too. I wrote with them.

Which rules did I choose? In one class I choose "every day about 3PM we should eat warm cookies, drink cold milk then cuddle with our blankie for a nap". Do I need to explain the need for that? Hello??? Come talk to me if you don't understand the need for comfort. That is definitely a life long rule that drops at Kindergarten and is not picked up again until retirement! In another class I choose the rule: "Flush". Go ahead....smile. Yes, I thought of Kauy and some "silver handle action"! My first paragraph was about him needing to flush and how I gag everytime I have to go to the bathroom and he "forgot" to flush. But then, I wrote that in life we all need to flush. Flush out the things in our lives that drag us down. Things in our lives that wear on us daily. Flush out the things that take control...i.e. yelling at the computer, yelling at the kids when they dumped the container of dirt from Church all over the seat. When we don't flush in our bathrooms, it becomes a big stinky mess. (Ask anyone who has been in my house and gone to the bathroom ANYTIME after Kauy). So it is with our lives. If we don't flush our lives out once in awhile, we may find ourselves with a big stinky mess.

The other "rule" I choose was: "When you cross the street always hold hands and look both ways" ( I think that is how it is written). Of course in Kindergarten you are short, lost in a sea of legs, and can't find your own nose sometimes. You hold hands on field trips so NO ONE gets lost. I have seen them hold hands going down the hall (especially little girls on their way to the bath room...two-by-two). But when you are a teen? Hold hands..........gross!!!! But oh how our children need a good friend who will hold their hand and help them get across the intersections of Middle School. The choices they have to make amid all the "newness" of life.....changes of voice, no change of voice,, developing bodies, no developing bodies, not to mention just passing the classes. Then in older years? Would I have made it the last 9 1/2 years without the family and friends who have held my hand, given me direction, and made me look both ways? No. Not at all. Yes, I do most of it on my own now, but I could not have navigated life without those people who took me by the hand and just held it.......I walked, and they tried to keep me from falling. When your 90? Do you still need to hold hands and look both ways? Watch my grandmother hold a hand as she walks at the church. I wouldn't give a plug nickel (whatever that is) for the times my precious grandmother holds on to me. Depends on me. And heavens, If she doesn't look both ways, you might end up getting hurt. She is on the move!
What did Kauy learn last year in Kindergarten..........I hope he learned things that will be important in years to come. I don't think "arm flarts" will qualify. I know that he discovered that flushing is important, a nice nap during the day was NOT the time to talk, and that the hands of his teacher offer love, learning, leadership, and direction(I have no other "l" word). And when I am being a total jerk, my kids still love to hold my hand.....even while watching TV. To me, that is as good as warm cookies and cold milk followed by a nap.

Important Answers to my Question

Yesterday was a breeze compared to today. I am exhausted!!! I drank my all natural Aloe energy drink this morning and it is gone with the wind (maybe I should say down the drain). I actually took a nap at my mom's house amid the dog jumping up on me, Kauy resting his head on my fine rear-end, and some show on Nick. I know I am not tired because I am OLD!!!! ha ha
However, I did find the energy to ask my children that thought provoking question: "How was school today and what did you learn?" Makaley told me (all of this is paraphrased because it would take FOREVER to type what they actually said with all of the adjectives etc.) that she learned : If we are nice to the teacher he will be nice to us, but not if we aren't listening, or we are being rude, he will not be nice to us. We have to get all of those folders in our binders somehow, mom!! Here my thoughts are..."be sure he has had some form of caffeine twice a day, and do they have an instruction booklet for putting in folders?" Kauy told me: Well, mom, I learned how to pick up a pencil. You pinch it. That's all. We have a cool book that told us that. And, I learned that you can pick your friends, you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friend's nose. And my thought here: "Well, that was a productive day in class. At least I know it is his booger he is bringing me and not someone else's."
What did I learn: The second day of school requires a nap and dinner out! Do I hear an AMEN?
I wonder what my students told their parents that they learned in my class today. Just like those teachers, I had lesson plans and I pretty much stuck to them!
Did you learn anything new today? Bet it wasn't about picking noses!

Hope your day was full of surprises too!

Here I sit. Day 1 of school is under my belt, and all is good at this house. This morning was easy as pie, but held a few surprises!
#1 Surprise.........Makaley really did get out of bed at 6:20 and wash her hair. We dried it together, and then she got dressed.
#2 Surprise.........Kauy wore the clothes he put out last night AND he had to say one more time, "I don't want to go to school" then turn around and say, "I am excited about today".
#3 Surprise.........The daughter of a co-teacher is in Kauy's class, AND the teacher seemed happy to see me.........again. (Makaley had her). No surprise that I had 3 or 4 pictures made with Kauy. He held my hand, hugged me, kissed me then sat quietly for about 25 seconds.
#4 Surprise..........I prepare to have 3 or 4 photos with Makaley, and DON'T. No picture with mom. Hello??? There is a picture with her new teacher who is standing in the doorway, and I see NO parents going into the class. None!!! Do you get the point? Not one person older than the teacher (young). I say to him "You already know me (from volunteering in 3rd) and I am at Clack Middle School. If you need me let me know." To which he replies: "I know. You were at my wedding and my wife Melanie is so excited that I have your daughter."
#5 Surprise.........still no parent in the room, no kiss from my daughter AND I am supposed to know this kid! So........surprise!!!! I drive to school (with NO kiss) running through the weddings I have been to in the past 3 years, trying to figure out who this is when it hits me (about 2 blocks from school). I taught Melanie in the 6th grade. Love her, love her family!!!! Precious, Precious, Precious!!! And, yes I went to the wedding. A beautiful wedding. Now that I have that cleared, I can teach.
#6 Surprise........Only 6 of the students on my roll do not show up, I did not have enough desks for 1st period, and the day passes quickly with NO big problems. I actually sat down and ate lunch this year. Wonderful new principal. Very positive and upbeat.
#7 Surprise..........Kauy did not end up in the office today. AND he told me so.
#8 Surprise.........I still have energy to type this.
And yes, Makaley put her arms around me and said, "Here is the kiss you didn't get this morning. I turned around to kiss you but you were gone." I wanted to say, "What did you expect? I didn't want to embarrass you by being the only crying Mother who came into the room." Pushy parents drive me crazy!!! Ha
What surprise did you get today? Hope it was a good one too.

Well, this is it. The last 12 hours before I take on the world of walking hormones!!! And, I guess that I am about as ready as I ever am. This will be the 27th time for me to have a first day of school without me being the student. Yeeeeee Hawwww!!!!! I am now on the flip side....how many more years until I can retire and be one of the many who can stay up on a Sunday night and read a book with a cup of coffee containing caffeine?
To my buddies who teach..............have a great one!!! Remember, you are the teacher and you can bluff when you need to . You are older; You are more mature (I hope); and again.......You are the teacher. I hope that you get the law laid out quickly and let the party begin! Let's give them more than just skills to read, write and get the correct change or pay check. Give them a smile. t might be the only one they see this week.
To my buddies (mom that includes you) who are retired teachers and are thinking..."Oh, I am so glad that I don't have to get up at 5:50 in the morning to be the person in charge of more than myself"....let me remind you of the adrenaline rush you are missing. The excitement in the air, the newness of a new year, smiling faces that are depending on you to enlighten their world, the accomplishment you feel knowing you lived through a full day of confusion, and the dog dead tired feet you have when you get home. Keep your feet propped up for me tomorrow, and I will party with the kids.
To my friends who have jobs either out of the home or in the home...(did I say that okay Anne?) let me just say to you that you can cry a moment with me when I leave behind my two in the care of someone else for the next hours, weeks, and months. AND I hope that as teachers we will give to your child things that will lead to them to a better life. Not just the reading, writing, and math, but life lessons. I hope you have a great day too with no fears for your child. We will do everything we can to take care of them. Pray for us and thanks for supporting us. Understand we are NOT perfect, and we can't take the place of the love you give.
Now, will someone just take care of me??? ha ha I am a teacher. I am the teacher!!! I am the teacher who will be there ready to P-A-R-T-Y ! Go forth and conquer.

If the shoe hurts.....take it off!

I found myself rereading my posts (or whatever you want to call them) this week. Why? well, it is an easy read since there aren't all that many posts, BUT I really read it because I needed a laugh. My friend Anne said that it seems like Satan reads your blogs then throws a test at you. Well, I read the one on choosing peace, and guess what!!!!
My room is ready, the lesson plans made, and the roll sheets printed. My own kids have a new "first day of school" set of clothes, my toes are cute and match my skirt. We have all had haircuts. May I stop and say that we had Makaley's hair cut in layers, and it is ohhhhhh sooooo precious. Love it....Love fewer tangles...........Love her. Things have rolled along peacefully here. BUT about Wed. afternoon, the peacefulness was interrupted, and a tangled mess was found. A parent!!! Yep, and school had not even started. She didn't want her son in another teacher's class, and she felt that I was the one she needed to tell that to. Now, she is not short winded so that meant quite a discussion. The other teacher is a good teacher, I think there was just a personality conflict. I was irritated that this mother would try to manipulate her son's education at this grade level. What will she do when he is 20 and doesn't like something? (follow me here) I left school that day tired, frustrated, and had gotten nothing done, plus I had to go sing and be happy at church. Maybe I would find some peace and happier people there!
Thursday afternoon I discovered by accident that the newspaper had misprinted the date for "Meet the Teacher" at my children's school. So........I am driving like a mad woman at 5:50 to get there, pick up pre-ordered school supplies, buy T-shirts, and meet the teachers. AND the kids were not even with me. I go to the door to see who one of my two has for class, and I fell apart. No, really, I just started crying.........yes, in front of God, parents, kids, and the nurse! (Bless her heart she just let me cry and listened.) I didn't really find excitement in having this teacher. What were the chances? I wanted to go in and bargain. By the time I spoke to the principal Friday morning, I did not fight for a change. God will make it a good year. She is a great teacher, But the final line is.......... my child will be in that class. Kauy is excited; Makaley is excited; and I have discovered (thanks to Tony's insight) what it really means to have the shoe on the other foot. I LOVE shoes, ask anyone who knows me. Take my food, take my toothpaste, but not the jewelry or shoes. However, I don't like shoes that make my feet hurt. This one did. I felt like God had just stepped all over my feet which were already tired. I was in that same situation as the one I just gripped about. So, I went home, took off that shoe, and chose peace. I know that I am the only advocate that my child has, and I will not be afraid to say something if there is a problem. However, I am going to give this year a chance. A good chance. Sometimes unanswered prayers are that way for a reason ( like there are only 2 kids from Kauy's kinder. class in his new class!!!!!), and for now.........I will work on not being judgemental ......teaching and loving others is my job. Thanks goodness for that because my feet are just now starting to feel better. And just tonight, Kauy(who has said he will NOT go to school on Monday) told me, "I am so ready for Monday and my first day at school". Hmmmmmmmmm maybe God does know best. I am sure it has nothing to do with the Sponge Bob Square Pants backpack. Peace!!!!!

All Because I Combed out some Tangles!

I know as a child, teenager, young adult and even now, I probably have tortured my mom in many ways. Bless her heart I am certain that she put(s) up with a lot and wondered many times "When will she ever..........?" It is not that I set out to drive my mom crazy, I just did it. I didn't clean my room much, and I put piles of clothes on the floor for a reason (dirty, clean, loosing weight to wear, don't like etc.), and I could walk through my terribly cluttered room with my eyes closed without falling! I DID not ask that guy to give me a hickey on the band bus!! Most definitely I never set out to stain a carpet, ruin a table, break the candy dish, or kill the canary. It just happened.
This afternoon I was combing out the MASSIVE tangles in Makaley's hair after an afternoon at the pool. As she was wincing and crying with every move of the comb, I remembered my mom combing my hair..............I would wince, cry and think: "just cut it...no, don't cut it". I remember mom saying, "We can get it cut right now!". (of course she said it just like I did today, with gritted teeth and a fake smile)
Once again I am reminded who I am........... A mom who is becoming more and more like her mom. "When will Makaley ever......?" "What was Kauy thinking?" "One of these days...." You know what I mean, we become who we hang with. I hung around my mom because..........I had to. She and Dad would take us captive on LONG trips with NO TV or radio.....just their commentaries. (Mom, we loved those trees! And the pigs....and that lake!) She is mom. AND I love her. She was sometimes the coolest mom in the world, and sometimes I wondered if Suzie would like to live in the country while I lived in town. But, I am my mom's girl!!! You know the saying....."The acorn doesn't fall far from the tree." Oh mercy that is me! If I drop a leaf on a day with no wind, it lands next to her trunk. The difference? Her trunk is more stable than mine. Ask someone at church. I love to move! Now I worry about Makaley and Kauy. Will they fall close to the tree? Will they yell at the computer when it takes too long? Will they mumble under their breath when they are angry (not bad words mind you, just grumble)? Or have they seen the more positive side of me? What side do they see the most? Which is impressed on them the most? I have prayed often that my kids will grow up to be like the tallest acorn in our family...although she was the shortest! My great-grandmother. And, I hope they will be like the next tree in the line..........my precious grandmother. BUT of course if they grow up to be like my mom, that is still just as wonderful. What do I want them to take from me? I want them to understand this is life. This is the life God has given to them. Take it and travel the course. Like Makaley's massive tangle...you gently work out any "messes" that come along, smooth things out, and hope that you don't get all tangled again too soon. I want my children to be proud of who they are, but not be afraid to change and start anew in the areas that need it. I want them to have a good legacy, and work to create their own legacy. I want my children to have good, strong roots. I pray they are strong enough to bend at the right time, but not break! (Go listen to the Tanya Tucker song about the tree in the back yard). I want them to plant acorns. They can even fall close to the tree, just don't plan on living with the older tree ALL of their life! And just to add to the fun of it all.....just because I am their mom..........for driving me crazy with the dirty rooms, the piles, the scar on the coffee table, the cut bed skirt, and the dress shirt with "Kauy" printed in blue across the back by a 4-year-old.............I hope they look at the mirror and see me in them but most of all I hope they see "The Father" in them.
We are all getting a hair cut this week. My goal.......................to avoid any massive tangles in the next few weeks!

Summer is not over!!! Just vacation.

"Turn out the lights. The party's over. They say that all good things must end." A great song to scoot to!!!!
Well, my summer has come to an end. I know; I know! Some of you have no pity for me in the fact that I have to return to my termite-free yet in need new shelves classroom tomorrow. I have work to do. Funny thing is....................not all good things must end. You see, I see my job as one that IS just GOOD. Good for me. Good for my kids. Good for your kids. Because I DO love to teach (even on the days with PMS, too little sleep, and 3 inches of water in the parking lot). I could have been a dentist..........I was in a dentist chair so much of my life that I could have done cleanings, fillings, root canals, and braces with my eyes closed. It's just that I would rather teach a bunch of hormone filled, tough acting, ready to meet the world 6th graders than look at teeth and bad breath. When these kids come in, they are all shiny and new. Ready to go. Scared to death, but with determination that they will survive.........at least the first day. The first day they come in so nervous. You can almost hear their hearts beating, and I know that I have control for at least one day. Later they come in with bad breath, bad body odor and odors that escape out of their body. That is fixed with a little spray can in the corner of the room, and the plug ins I have sitting around. Some days they come in with tangles in their hair, weird hair, no hair, low cut shirts, boobs hanging out, pants sagging, no belt, short shorts, or see through clothing. That is fixed with a few words and a run to the gym or office. They come with no pencils, no paper, too many pencils, 50 million highlighters, and way too much paper. Some times they come in with stories about the way things went at home the night before, the fact that the money for supplies had to pay bills, the dog was run over, someone yelled at them in the car, someone was ugly to them in the hall,or they have no food at home. That is fixed by??????????? It can't be fixed by me. But, I can put on the band aid for the day. Sometimes it is just giving a hug or listening. Listen...really listen, not sit and check roll, or type, but look them in the eye and listen. Some days all I can offer is to listen. And then............well, I usually do something silly like trip, call the wrong name, show them my new toenail polish/art, or find them a new pencil, but I try to find something that will make them smile. And you just thought that only a dentist can help your smile?
Enjoy your day tomorrow.......and the next and so on. I will be getting my "stuff" together. Then I will get a hair cut, new toenail art, my new outfit ready, and of course get my ears cleaned out.
A new party starts on the 27th! I think that is the date...............I will be there anyway!!!

Happy 50th Mom and Dad

I am worn out today. Worn out because I had so much fun yesterday! Yesterday we celebrated my parents 50th wedding anniversary. If I were computer savvy enough (will be as soon as Anne and I get some time for her to guide me), I would post some pictures of our hard work and the fun. (Sometime I will share how they met!) It wasn't one of those parties with dipped fruit, fancy punch, roses, gold and everyone in their Sunday best. It was a FABULOUS 50's ........50th. We had some 50's music, Elvis pictures, poodle skirts, rolled up jeans, black, white and turquoise table cloths, over grown coke floats with 2 ft. straws, old 45's and the fabulous "50's'" ginger ale and sherbet punch. Hope you don't need any ginger ale; we bought out Abilene! My dad kissed Mom in front of the grand kids for at least the 50th time in their 50 years of marriage. My sister made the neatest DVD (27 1/2 minutes long) of my parents 70 plus years of life. The mother of the bride, the maid of honor, the ring bearer and one of the groomsmen were able to attend. Several people who attended the wedding were able to come too. We had fun...fun...fun and Daddy didn't take the T-Bird away! Mom was afraid that no one would come. Hello........2 extra runs to the store, and we used all but 6 of the 200 cups. Does that say something?

It was a super special day. Special because it was MY parents. I stood there and thought about the fact that they are the first one's in a very long time on my mom's side of the family to make 50 years. My dad's parents not only saw a 50th, they saw a 60th too. As for Mom's side........My great-grandmother was widowed before her marriage hit the mark. My grandmother was widowed when I was 6. My sister and I both married at 32 (we are over 45 now), and I was a widow at the age of 41. That means the next 50th will be in 27 years when, if God so wills, my cousin and her husband hit the big 50. Then my sister and her husband are next in line. Even if I did remarry today, I am not certain I would see 50. I would be 98! And the DVD would be sooooo long everyone would be asleep, heads hanging to the side, hair flat, snoring so loudly that you would not be able to hear even with the hearing aids.

It was a super special day because we shared it with people from all points and places in their lives. We invited their high school friends. We invited family, neighbors, co-workers, church friends, grown kids of friends long gone, and even their tax man. We invited one of the local funeral home directors (mom was afraid he would appear with the "family car", but they were busy with something else). People came from Austin, Ft. Worth, Lubbock, Odessa, Temple, and Plano and those were friends, not family!!! 194 cups of punch later we were still having fun. Wow, so many people? You would have to know my family. You would really have to know my parents. Bill and Hymonda (aka Hysti) don't know a stranger! They live words like: Christian, hospitality, love, acceptance, discipline, respect to others, service, friendship, trust, honesty, faithfulness, goodness, perseverance, comfort, dedication, laughter, joy, fun, family and HOME. People are drawn to them. My parents taught for years, and very seldom have I seen them NOT know the name of a previous student.....and that includes students from 42 years ago. They invest in people, not things.

It was a special day because it was just that.....special. I don't have time or even want to dig around for the stats, but I am wonder which is more frequent in today's records.......broken homes, or 50 years of marriage? But man................50 years with the same person is amazing. Of course, Mom and Dad have about 5 or 6 couples that they "hang with" that have been married 50 or almost 50 years. Well, if you call emailing and carrying on conversation "hanging with". There are many at church that have seen or will see the 50th, but it comes with some battle scars, bandages, laughter, and sunshine.

It was a special day because God gave it to us. So, to my sister Traci..........thanks for the hard work, the designing of the decorations, the countless hours of digging through photos, videos, and "stuff" to make the DVD. Brandi(cousin),............. thanks for the skirts! We should have put in vents...flannel in August hot, but we were cute. Makaley and Kauy, thanks for gathering the trash, greeting people, and being sooooo good. Tony, thanks for the straws and putting up with me driving us all over town 2 days in a row to gather things. Tim, thanks for running to the store during the party, and for giving up that particular day......you know what I mean and that is all I will say. Suzie, thanks for being my friend who rescues me all the time. I could spend hours on what you mean to me. Anne, thanks for leaving your teething son and taking my orders and serving cake. Nathaniel...thanks for sending her!!! Kayla, thanks for taking care of my kids so I could get things done and then for serving. BUT MOST OF ALL.................

Thanks Mom and Dad for your example, your love, your understanding, and your discipline. Thanks for loving each other "for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others!" I love you both!!!!!!

Oh, and BB(best grandmother in the world).........thanks for having Mom, and for helping pay for this party.

And for you guys reading.......thanks for letting me tell you about my family. I found my mom in tears before the party. Suzie later told me that she was crying for her friends who are widowed and would be coming to celebrate with her a day that they (me included) will never get to experience. Now, that is my family! And I am sticking with them!!!!!!

Life in a jar!!!

We have a PET!!!! Okay Kauy has a pet and Makaley and I had nothing to do with it. This week, Kauy found a walking stick---- the insect variety---on the window of Aunt Traci's school in Clyde of America! Aunt Traci being the wonderful and fun aunt that she is, quickly dumped one of those "gift jars" of brownie mix (possibly 3 years old), poked holes in the lid, threw in some leaves, and proceeded to help Kauy, who could not reach said insect, scoop this wonderful find into the jar. I do think she did it without out squealing. Makaley and I went on with work in hand. Other than a dead cricket, some fishing worms, a mouse (the old one from my computer complete with hand drawn tail, ears, and whiskers and lives in the bug house), two horses that live somewhere else, and Makaley's dog that lives with Mom and Dad this is his FIRST official pet. He studied "Stick" for quite a time. Just watching him move, and reporting every thing that bug did. When it came time to leave, he calmly asked Traci to "pet sit" Stick since he did not want him to cook in the car while we went swimming. She immediately checked to be sure that Stick could NOT crawl out of the holes in the lid. Traci has got to learn to say NO to my kids!!!!

Once Stick finally made it to our house (riding in Aunt Traci's car), Kauy begin to sit and watch every move. Then as little boy's brains do, the "I wonder what would happen if........." button switched on. Where is this button located? Is there a switch somewhere that I can use to turn it off, or cause it to think "I wonder will mom do when........" No, he did not open the lid. He just proceeded to turn the jar every direction to see how Stick handled life in a "cement mixer" atmosphere. He rolled it, shook it, set it on the lid to let the leaves and twigs fall ON Stick, blew into the jar, and then got out a magnifying glass to see if he was still alive. Hmmmmmmmmm, do you think Stick enjoyed his free trip to Six Flags and never left home. When Kauy said I think he might be dead, I laughed. I am sure Stick was trying to decide which end was really his head. I had to get the magnifying glass to be sure he had eyes! However, my best laugh of the day was when Tony(trying to keep a straight face) sat down next to Kauy and said, "Kauy, how would you feel if someone scooped you into a jar, threw cheerios in there, then begin to shake the jar every which way, throwing your food all over you, and then slammed you onto the table? How would you like that life?" I laughed for awhile because the look on Kauy's face was very pensive. I could just see Kauy in a jar covered in cheerios whinning. I don't remember his reply because at that moment it hit me and I thought; Life has been like that for all of us at one time or another. We have all been minding our own business on the window screen of life, and some how we got scooped into a situation or a point in our life where we didn't want to be. Our lid was closed, there seems to be no way to get out, someone or something rolled and shook our world........cheerios and all. It may have been that the "shake up" was a good thing, or it may have been that is was not all that pleasant. AND, I hope no one had a magnifying glass to look at me after one of those experiences...good or bad. But like Stick.........three days later, we are still breathing and going on..........some fresh cheerios in hand. By the way, Stick is due to be released this afternoon. In my parents garden!!!! Now, won't he think he died and went to heaven....especially after the ride in a glass jar.

I can't refuse a great offer!

I have decided that the devil must think I am one of those people that has something to say which might remotely touch someone's life at some point in time because I have tried to post at least every other day, AND as you can tell by the dates that hasn't worked. Technology is eating me alive........well, at least it is eating my posts. It has nothing to do with my ability to figure out technology! Yes, I do know that they are in draft (I love that spot) , but I just can't stand NOT getting it the first time around.

Previously I have thrown a fit, yelled at the computer a few words that should not come from my mouth or been in my thoughts, and all of this as if this computer hears me, cares what I think, or is going to change it's behavior because I want it to. What a waste of time, thought and breath (I am getting older, but does any of that burn calories?) So this morning in church I was reminded that I have two choices. I can look like a goober talking to a machine, or just go on and be peaceful when frustrations and trials come my way. I decided.............. peaceful. As one college friend says..."will it matter in 10 years?". Another friend always asks "Will it pay the bills?" (no, no, and I don't even pay bills on line.) So, I am going to try peace!

Let me be honest. We all need peace....not just peace and quiet. Friends' marriages have recently ended in divorce; another friend's marriage is in trouble; a couple who longs for children has none; my daughter's heart has been crushed many times because "______ doesn't want to be my friend". One friend fights drug addiction; another fights alcoholism, and then there is my son who refuses to lift the toilet seat (yes, this is a trial). I have lost a husband and survived............yet I get upset, carrying on, close to tears because I can't get a computer to mind me? It is just a "thing" that can be destroyed by a glass of water (orange juice is worse)!!!!!! My friends have hearts that need peace! I need peace! A peace that trusts our God who can hold me together, calm the storms of life and walk beside me always.

In his sermon today Joe Barnett talked about having that peace. So, I will choose (just do it...no other option) peace instead of letting go on a computer. I am going to try to choose peace when my son doesn't lift the lid. At least I have a pot to potty in.

In John 20:26 Jesus says, "Peace be until you". So..................I am going to try His offer of peace. And, I am sure the offer is for you too.
Therefore......."Peace Be unto you"! (This post better not go to draft. I don't know if I am ready for a test run.)