Bad girls, bad girls, whatcha' gonna do?

Well, I am tired of lying around, but mostly I am just plain tired.
After camping for the week, I came back just in time to practice for two days and perform in our annual Fourth of July musical I Hear America Singing. I absolutely love the show because I love the history of our country. I even choke up a bit now and again during the show. We take for granted the freedoms we enjoy today, and we don't even know it.
But that's not what I wanted to talk about today.
I learned something last week about myself.
I learned that I dig being a biker chick. I love riding around town. I love the wind in my face. I love being a little bit different, and dare I say it? It makes me feel a little bit like a bad girl. I always wanted to be a bad girl, but if you grew up like I did, you didn't dare. You didn't disobey or even sass, lest you find your mouth in another county. In fact, I got on someone else's kid yesterday for sassing her Daddy. I told her it was disrespectful to me for her to speak to him that way in front of me.
But I digress.
I also learned that, while I dig riding about town with my bad self, I don't dig distance riding at all, thank you very much. I rode my bike to camp because I had to come back home during the week. We can't afford the gas on the truck we use to pull the camper enough to make the trip twice, so in the interest of conserving gas, I took my motorcycle to get back and forth. It was an uneventful ride down. The sun was shining, and the clouds were often enough to keep me from cooking. (Yes, I wore SPF 70 sunscreen.) It was all-in-all a pretty nice ride. A little long, but not too much. Then I came home a different way. I heard there was a faster route, and decided to come home that way. But the day was different. First, the wind was variable, and that was difficult to handle. Once I would get comfortable with the angle of the wind, and start to relax a bit, the wind would shift, and I'd have to get used to it again. But the hardest part was the speed. It was entirely too fast for my comfort. You know that exhilarating rush you get in the thirty seconds to two minutes of a roller coaster? Well, multiply that times three hours. Not fun, I tell you. For the first hour and a half, I spent all my time talking to God about how I wasn't afraid to die, but that I really didn't want to do it right in front of my sister. (She was driving behind me.) And that I would rather die altogether than be a vegetable. I didn't want to put my family through that. My grip on the throttle was so tight that my thumb and first two fingers would go to sleep. I had to engage my throttle lock and flex my hand every few minutes to regain feeling in them. That's how tense I was.
Now, I know that I have a famous history of being rather melodramatic, but I was honestly terrified. There were several times I wanted to pull over and call Shawn to tell him I couldn't do it. But I got myself into this mess, so I was going to get out of it by myself. So I prayed and braved myself through it.
Later that night, after a nap and a bite to eat, I went to practice, where a friend told me she and a whole list of people had been praying for my safety. She was so worried about me that she had friends join her in prayer on my behalf. Thanks, T! I love you, too!
And before you ask, I drove Shawn's little Aveo back to camp the next day. My ear drums were bruised after the ride, but that's a story for another day.

Like a champ

So we went camping, and Chris joined in for a couple of days. She brought her three dogs, so there were six in all. You would think that would not be fun, but they are actually all pretty well behaved.
But the great thing was....

Drumroll, please....

Zaccheus learned how to drink out of a bowl!
Schatzi showed him how, like a good sister, and now he can do it. Actually, I came home mid-week to perform on TV, and he came home with me. I put him in his box in the living room, and when I came back, he was drinking a few laps from the bowl, tipping his head back to swallow, and licking the water bottle while his head was tipped. He would alternate between the two. I just stood in the doorway watching in amazement.
Might have teared up a bit.
My baby is growing up.

I was on TV!

Catch us on our local news station promoting our music production of I Hear America Singing. We are in the middle and at the end.
http://www.wreg.com/global/video/popup/pop_player.asp?ClipID1=2631361&h1=Live%20at%209%20Thursday%2C%20July%2026&vt1=v&at1=News&d1=3431400&LaunchPageAdTag=News&activePane=info&playerVersion=9&hostPageUrl=http%3A//www.wreg.com/Global/category.asp%3FC%3D53326%26nav%3Dmenu93_8&rnd=51569897

Check out my Slide Show!

So long, Farewell...

Well, I'm headed off to go camping. Actually, we're leaving Monday morning, but I'll be busy packing the rest of the day and tomorrow afternoon.
So, I'll check back in a week or so. Don't do anything I wouldn't do!

Not-So-Wordless Friday

I know it's not Wednesday, so I'll not make this wordless.

Zaccheus at eight weeks.

He just hit one pound!

Stop the madness!

I know, I know. I've been gone a while. I have been busy trying to spring clean my house, inventory and pack the camper, pack the ten year old for camp, and prepare for overnight houseguests. Too much, you say? Duh!

How do I get myself into these scrapes?



Meanwhile, I am trying some new things with Zaccheus. He has reached the magical age of getting off soft food. I am still soaking his hard food in water to soften it, but we're getting there. But why, oh, why will he not drink water? I am still having to administer it through the tube. I told myself that I was going to wean him from the finger and only give him water with the tube down his throat, but now he fights it so hard it can't be good. He still seems to need to "nurse" for a bit to calm down. I did find a website that had a ton of information about how to raise a cleft puppy. And also a site about a cleft Yorkie named Joker. It seems that, although I have been stumbling through this journey blindly, and it has all been trial and error, I have basically done everything they said to do. It was nice to get confirmation for my efforts. Not sure why I waited until Zaccheus is nearly eight weeks old to search the web for answers. I guess I thought I was on my own in this adventure. One thing I learned is that they drink better from a water bottle, (which Z still won't do) but should learn to use a bowl as well, because if they get lost and someone tries to give them water, the humans won't know the dog has a special need. I think I'm going to have his collar tag specify that he has a cleft palate. Which means he will always have to wear it.

Friday's feast No. 3

Appetizer
Do you consider yourself to be an optimist or a pessimist?
Well, I used to be an optimist, but Shawn says now I'm not. I just figure that if you're prepared for the worst, you won't get your feelings hurt or be disappointed. And who knows? You just may get good news, and who doesn't like good news?

Soup
What is your favorite color of ink to write with?
Depends what I'm writing. If I'm writing a check, I would like it to be disappearing ink, that way they get it to the bank and it doesn't go through. (just kidding!)
But if I'm grading a paper, I need a red ink pen so you can see your giant A+ grades easier at a glance.

Salad
How often do you get a manicure or pedicure? Do you do them yourself or go to a salon and pay for them?
I like to go to the salon once in the spring, so my toes look good for sandal weather. Then I try to keep them pretty on my own for the rest of the season. I do my own manicures. I tried doing my own acrylic overlays. They turned out okay, but it was a pain in the keister. And wearing them makes me feel claustrophobic. I don't like feeling like something is on my fingers.

Main Course
Have you ever won anything online? If so, what was it?
Well, does winning an auction on eBay count? I have never won anything free online. *sigh*

Dessert
In which room in your house do you keep your home computer?
We keep the computer in the classroom. It's too much of a hassle to lug it around, and it's too big to sit in my lap. But recently we got a wireless router to use with the laptop Shawn got from work, so occasionally I blog in the living room.

Tuck that info away, Chickie!

This morning I was working on a project that had me outdoors. Caleb was playing nearby on the porch with a friend. They have an on-going game of Star Wars and while they play, they are discussing the many facets of the movies, games, comic books, cereal boxes, and other various sources of Star Wars information. It never ceases to amaze me, this imagination of theirs. I am enjoying just being near enough to partake of the fare.
All the while I am working, Hailey is coming and going, not actually engaging in their childish play. She is more interested in helping me with my project, and I am most grateful for the assistance. Now that she is a grown-up, (I know, she's ten, but don't tell her that!) she wants to hang with me a little more. She likes to cook with me, and talk to me as if she's a peer, instead of the fruit of my womb. Most of the time I don't mind. So this morning she makes a keen observation.
"Mom, why do guys (when did we start calling boys that???) always talk about Star Wars? It's all they are interested in. I think all guys only ever talk about that."
I don't tell her what I'm thinking. I just smile a little smile and nod my head.
"Someday, when you are much, much older, you will be glad to know what guys are interested in. You will know something they know, and will have something to talk about. And they will be in love with you because you have something other than Barbie and Hannah Montana inside your pretty little head," I'm thinking.

Prayer for Tricia

Please join me again in praying for Tricia. She has been through so much.

Who You Callin' Fat?

Last week Chris had an appointment to take Zac's litter-mates in for their six week shots. I decided to piggy-back on her slot and take Z along for his shots, too. While she was there, Chris had her older Yorkies get caught up on their vet needs. Now, you all know that Zoe is the mom of all the sweet little puppies, but you might not know that Truly, her other Yorkie is Cricket's sister. That is, she is from the first litter. Her full name is Truly Scrumptious. As in the female character from Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang. I guess Truly thinks her food is scrumptious, because she is a bit pudgy. Okay, she is a LOT pudgy. And timid. She is quite the little Eeyore. She walks around with her head and tail down. Truly doesn't get excited about much, unless you happen to have a ball. Then she runs all over the place.
But while we were there, Dr. Sandy was asking Chris about Zoe's diet. Zoe is kind of scrawny, on account of just having a litter of puppies, and nursing them. But she still has a ton of milk. So Chris is trying to explain that she will be restricting their food to put Truly on a diet. It wasn't what she said, so much. It was what Dr. Sandy heard her say that cracked us up.
"You see that fatso over there?" Pointing under my chair where Truly was cowering.
Collective gasp from Dr. Sandy and her technician...
Suddenly Chris and I realized they thought she was talking about me.
I'm still laughing!
Okay, so I AM really the fatso in the room, but she and I don't see me that way. And she would NEVER refer to me that way.

And certainly not to my face!

I used to say that it didn't matter what color car I was driving because I am not looking at it from the outside. I am looking out from the inside. Sometimes being the fat person in the room slips my mind. I don't think of it, and most people don't treat me like it. I own my own space, and don't apologize for it.

I do, however, apologize for taking up some of your space too. Hee, hee!

Friday's feast No. 2

Appetizer

When you drink soda/pop/coke, do you prefer to drink it from the bottle, a can, or after pouring it into a cup?

It really depends. I like my soda to be really cold, so I don't mind drinking it from a can, but after it starts to lose that straight-out-of-the-vending-machine chill, I pass it off on some unsuspecting soul. If I get my drink from a restaurant, I have to have a straw, because drinking from a cup makes me feel strangely claustrophobic. I know, I'm weird.

Soup
What television show are you willing to stay up late to watch?

I have been known to stay up and watch LOST after choir on Wednesday nights. And I love That 70's Show, but now that I have a DVR, I just record it and watch any old time.

Salad
Name one person, place, or thing you think of as brilliant.

This is a tough one. I think of my Dad usually, because he knows something about most everything. But today I'm going to say my nephew Brian. He has this great sense of humor that is top notch. (funny phrase, that.) Sometimes you don't even see it coming, and he has you laughing Dr. Pepper out your nose. (very cold Dr. Pepper!)

Main Course

Would you be willing to work 4 10-hour days instead of 5 8-hour days in order to save gas?

*SNORT* I am a stay at home Mom. I work 24 hour days, and who knows where the gas goes? But my hubby used to work 4 10-hour days, and we loved having him home on Fridays. Oh, the good old days!

Dessert

If you were a superhero, what would you call yourself?

Definitely not this!

Okay, Super Wonder Mom. Able to wipe noses and butts with a single motion. Faster than a speeding appetite, stronger than a full out temper tantrum.

Go me!

Oh, look at me getting jiggy with technology! I made a playlist of some of my favorite songs. Okay, so the first one isn't really a favorite of mine, but of my kids. And I think it's hilarious enough to put on the list first for a couple of days. Enjoy!
And though it might be a bit redundant, you have to listen to the whole thing to get to the best part. What, you don't have 3 minutes and 5 seconds?

A price worth paying?

Let me give a quick Zaccheus update because what I really wanted to blog about is more serious than usual, and I don't want to disrespect it by adding it on at the end.

He is doing very well. Smaller than his litter-mates, to be sure, but considerably more ferocious, as he needed to be to survive even this far.

I am currently weaning him onto soft puppy food, and trying to make sure he still gets all the nutrition he needs. Why I can't get him to drink water from a bowl or water bottle is beyond me, but I have stopped letting him suck on my fingers for comfort's sake. If he needs to suck, he will have to swallow the water I am drizzling into his mouth. He likes to play with his toys, and really wants to play with Roxy. Cricket is more interested in him these days, but I suspect it has more to do with the fact that she'd like to steal his puppy food, than any other reason. She still jumps back when he tries to play with her. In fact, he had her cornered the other day, and she jumped vertical to get away from him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have been reading a blog I found on another one I read often. It is written by Angie. Her husband, Todd sings with Selah, one of my favorite Christian groups.
Todd and Angie have been through some of the hardest times this year, and I have cried buckets reading every word she has written. You should go there and read it, too. But take a box of tissues with you. You're going to need it. And I recommend you start at the beginning of her story. It took me two days, but it was worth reading.
I have never been through anything remotely like what they've endured, but I am very close with someone who has. And I have to tell you, I have learned something by reading Angie's story. I should have already known it, maybe already did, in a way, but forgot. The ones who have the closest walk with the Lord are the ones who go through the hardest things. The unthinkable things which we are sure would break us. Those are the people who have to rely on God to actually help them remember to breathe. I told Shawn last night that as much as I'd like to have a walk that close with Him, I am ashamed to say that I'm not sure I'm willing to pay the price.
My mundane day to day living seems like a walk in the park to what some folks have gone through. I have never been face to face with such Earth-shattering pain. My sad little pathetic excuse for a life has been easy in comparison.
They say that you shouldn't pray for patience, because trials work patience, according to the Bible, and who wants to go through trials, anyway?
I have a friend who recently challenged the saying that God doesn't give us more than we could handle. She said that she thought maybe He does, to make us lean on Him more. And she wondered what my take on it was. My answer was that I agreed with both, to a certain extent. We really have no idea what we can bear, because God gives us grace in the time of need, not before. He told Paul that His grace was sufficient for him. We can worry and fret, or we can trust. We can cry and ask why or we can believe. We can fight and blame God or we can ask how "this" can glorify Him. We can do all these things, but it doesn't change who He is. It doesn't change the measure of His grace. It is sufficient, either way.