Tuesday

Today is my Love's birthday. So sweet of him to stay older than me. Today is an unusual birthday for him. There's no generator running, there's no storm hovering in the gulf, it's not even hot outside. It's now been a year since he hurt his back.

I'm finding it hard to break out of our summer *sit in*. We weren't protesting anything (other than the heat) we just stayed home. Now we have the chance to start getting out again and I'm finding it hard. I always enjoy the outings and I never regret going, but the *going* part is really hard. It's challenging because G's just as much an introvert as I am. He always enjoys getting out too, but drags his feet about going. I don't make him go, but I do present a good case and he usually agrees. Right now we need to go see my parents. That's an hour west. My dad had surgery last week, and he has rebuilt our old computer for G. We also have the chance to go to the aquarium in N.O. That's an hour east. I can't see us doing both in one week. But we need to do one. And we need to decide. My mom will be calling soon with the guilt inducing "when are ya'll coming?" Like the roads don't go both ways. I just hate driving so much.

My brains are feeling very scrambled these days. Some of it's hormonal I know, but I could really do without the constant anxiety attacks. Like I told a friend, I feel like I am okay, but so many around me are suffering so much. My friend Lisa whose baby girl died 3 months ago; Greg with his back; My friend Brandie and her ongoing financial battles; My cousin Brandy (30) fighting brain cancer - very aggressive and just barely being held at bay with chemo; My sisters and their ongoing fight with each other; Both my dad and FIL feeling terrible lately, but getting no results from numerous medical tests. And last week marked 10 years since my MIL and godmother died, followed the next day by the 5th anniversary of my cousin Geri's death. She had breast cancer and was 34.

There's something eerie about the shadows outside today. The sky is bright blue, but the shadows look like it's stormy. I'm not explaining it well. It's just weird.

I hope this day gets better. My gut aches.

"I've Learned"

This is a forward from my dad. You'd have to know how un-sentimental my dad tries to appear to appreciate the fact that this came from him. He's a puppy dog in grizzly bear clothing, if you will.

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I've learned.... That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!' makes my day.

I've learned..... That you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I've learned.... That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.

I've learned..... That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I've learned.... That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I've learned.....That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I've learned.... That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.

I've learned.... That money doesn't buy class.

I've learned.... That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I've learned.... That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

I've learned.... That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I've learned.... That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I've learned.... That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.


"Life isn't about how to survive the storm but how you dance in the rain"

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Have a great weekend!

Thanks Dad!

My dad is a very quiet man. He has a hard shell with a gooey center; a teddy bear in grizzly skin if you will. We (my parents & I) don't talk much about education. They see results, he can read, he can *do* math, their ok. But I'm not stupid, I now my mother is a worrier and that causes her to be judgemental - "if you'd just do this, that wouldn't happen".

She was here for a visit Saturday. We were catching up, she was telling me about a few friends of hers. Then she began, "You know how you say Gregory hates to write, and that worries me, but we got a thank you card the other day and when your dad brought it to me he said, "Read this, and don't worry about Gregory's writing anymore!" ". She told me it was a thank you card for a high school graduation gift for the granddaughter of their friend. She said the handwriting was horrible, the card wasn't signed, and there was no return address. If the gift hadn't been mentioned and had she gotten several cards, she'd have never known who it was from. She was pleased that she'd at least gotten a thank you card. She's the one person we always send thank you cards too, no matter if we've thanked her in person or not. She expects it, and it's an easy enough way to make her happy.

Anyhow, WOOHOO DAD! An under-the-radar unschooling advocate!