The grocery shopping trip from you-know-where. (image from http://wildelori.blogspot.com/)
I just got home from grocery shopping (and Sam’s and Target and Walgreens). Oh, I can hear you now. “Well, woop-di-freakin-do! Big deal!” Well, let me assure you it is a big deal. Why? For starters, it’s 11:30 at night (even though you’ll probably be reading this during your first or second cup of coffee in the morning). But aside from my late-night arrival at home, let me back up a bit and let you know what transpired during that shopping trip (and afterwards). I just can’t make this stuff up.
My evening started out fabulously. My husband put the oldest to bed so I could jet off to town (40 some minutes away) to do some much-needed errand running and grocery shopping. Yes, I could have …
Often mean and always judgmental. Just like someone else I know. (image from waitiknowthis.com)
“Freckles are angel kisses, that’s why you don’t have very many. The angels don’t love you as much as they love me,” she sneered. She stood with her hands clenched in fists on her hips, her platinum hair pulled back in a half pony tail, her bangs barrel rolled to perfection. Her clothes, her backpack, her shoes…everything about her was perfect. Except her personality. She was a bully. Often mean and always judgmental, her verbal attacks scratched like the claws of a tiny kitten. Even the tiniest of punctures could sting for days.
“Oh yeah?,” I snarled back. “My mom said that some people may be pretty on the outside, but they can be ugly on the inside. YOU’RE UGLY ON THE INSIDE!,” …
This weekend marks my little hometown’s annual Fall Festival. This year’s theme is “Hillbilly Heaven,” so naturally everyone dressed in their hillbilliest duds (think overalls, rope belts, pigtails, oversized boots, cutoff plaid shirts). I shouldn’t have told you the theme, so you would just think we’re really this redneck. I mean, we are, but we typically don’t dress this bad (or good, however you look at it). I snapped a few pics from my sister’s yard, our standard parade-watching seats. My older daughter actually got to ride on a float in the parade with her preschool class, while my younger daughter watched the parade rather unimpressed from her stroller. (We had to put her on “lockdown” since she kept running out into the road.) There are some strange and wonderful things at a small-town parade. …
The following is my external/internal dialogue while riding the tiny Ferris Wheel with my preschooler at our small town carnival.
Why am I smiling? Because it’s over.
Oh look, honey, our car is purple! You like purple.
Ohmygosh, that thing is tiny. I’m going to die in a tiny purple Ferris Wheel car!
Ok, sweetie, we put this seat belt over our laps. It will keep us safe. And this bar will, too.
No. It won’t keep us safe, we’re going to fall out and die!
Here we go. It’s going to be so fun. Are you excited?
I don’t want to go. It’s not fun. I’m terrified!
Whee! Look at all the lights!
Craaaaaap! Look at how flimsy this thing is!
Ok, we have to stop for a little bit up here so other people can get off …
Her hands have taken care of others for years. Now, she’s the one in need of care. (photo credit: jackchapman.info)
Today, I saw two helpless people, each unable to take care of themselves, each needing someone to nurture them, to love them. One was a preschool-aged girl, crumbled on the floor of her caretaker’s home, sobbing. Her parents had just divorced, and she just couldn’t understand why mommy left. The other, an elderly woman, delicate but healthy yesterday, suffered a massive stroke this morning, which stole most of what was left of her abilities.
Tonight, they’re both scared, both confused. Their worlds have been shattered. In different ways, but still shattered. The ask, “Why did this happen to me? Who will take care of me?”
They’re powerless over their situations. Both at the mercy of life’s caretakers. …
The power of panic comes in handy when cleaning for unexpected company. (From emptynest1.com)
This morning, I came to the conclusion that a little panic is good for us. Sometimes, we need a jolt to our system to kick ourselves into high gear, resulting in massive amounts of productivity in a short time. Case in point: this morning, I got a phone call from my dear aunt informing me that she’d like to swing by with my dear great aunt to see the house and see the girls.
Now, my initial reaction was pure delight. I absolutely love these women. They are warm and non-judgy and live life with a happy, helpful demeanor. My second reaction was pure panic. My house. Ohmygosh my house! It’s a mess. And not your typical mess. We had a crazy …