Saturday, January 21, 2012

It's Your Birthday

Dear Mom,

It's been a crazy couple of weeks!  Last week I got to be with you three days in a row because of my bad back.  Then Monday was Martin Luther King Jr. day, so I had that off to be with you.  Then one day this past week, I had a 90 min. delay from school because of snow.  Then Thursday was the 4th anniversary of pappy's death.  You didn't remember and I didn't want to upset you by bringing it up, so I remembered it the best way I know how...blogging about it.  I blogged about it on one of my other blogs, which really helped!  I know you miss him even more than I do, you have been thinking of him so much lately.  I have been too, because he was the most important man in my life.  So, today I really wanted to enjoy the day with you.  I thought of maybe taking you out, I definitely had already planned massages for us for the afternoon.  Well, the Lord had a little different plan for us.  I am getting to enjoy the whole day with you, but unable to go anywhere because it snowed today.  So, sadly I cancelled our massages.  I love snow and am so glad it did.  I just don't like driving in it, so I didn't to chance driving in it or trying to take you out in it.  So we stayed home and enjoyed a nice quiet day, except for all of the phone calls you kept getting. :)  And each time you got a phone call wishing you Happy Birthday, you were always surprised that it was your birthday and told the person on the phone you didn't even realize it was your birthday.  Thankfully I had already gotten our dinner from Chili's yesterday, so we could have the leftovers today, even though you ate most of my sandwich before I knew you were.  And we did keep up the tradition we have been doing for a few years now, I got an ice cream cake for you! :)  We both just got to enjoy that as we watched Betty White's 90th birthday celebration.  I walked to your room singing Happy Birthday with the cake in my hand, and you broke down a little and told me how much you loved me!  Well, I love you and am so thankful for another birthday celebration with you!  Happy 73rd Birthday, Mom!

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Little House of.....hilarity

Dear Mom,

What a day!  We finally got some snow around here, so we had a 90 min. delay.  We only got a couple of inches and it's already mostly gone because of the mild temperatures in the mid 40's.  I got to school and after giving my lesson plans to the 4th grade teacher so she would know what to do with my kids, I went right down to the K4 -K5 room.  I was nervous about having to teach kindergarten, I wanted to make sure I knew what was supposed to be going on.  I am not at all used to their schedule.  I figured out most of what I needed to do. I was in the office for a bit, when one of the kindergarten moms came by with her daughter.  I went out and went down to the classroom to see if any of the other students were there, but no other students were there.  I was surprised.  And no one showed up later either, so it was just the two of us.  It was pretty crazy, but we did a few things.  It was a little hard to keep her with me since it was just her.  So, it was quite an interesting day.
But...when I came home that's when the craziness started.  I had my cereal, washed my dishes, and even washed the pot I was going to use for dinner tonight and left it in the drying rack for later.   You had gone to get your bath, you called me to come in the bathroom, I rushed in to see what you needed.  All you asked was for me to fix your hair...really??  LOL So I did and then I went in to the living room to take a nap.  When you came out, you came into the living room and started talking to me and asking me questions about school, I thought I was answering you, but I was asleep.  You said my name loudly to get my attention and woke me up.  I think I answered you finally , but told you I was asleep.  You said, "Oh, ok, I won't wake you."  LOL  Too late!  Not long after that my phone alarm went off for me to go make dinner.  I was following a recipe from my new favorite website Pinterest.  I went back into the kitchen and felt like a fool as I was looking for the pot that I had just left out to use, but couldn't find it.  I finally realized you must have put it away.  I felt like this was an Abbott and Costello, or Laurel and Hardy skit.  I found the pot and got ready to use it for the pasta.  As I was waiting for the pasta to boil, I chopped some tomatoes and onions.  I had my phone on top of a peanut butter container and it fell in my tomatoes.  Then I was draining the pasta, and didn't see the potholder sitting in the sink, so it got soaked in the water.  I also was getting some spices out of the cabinet and some other spices fell out and landed in the empty open pasta box.  Then you were sitting in the kitchen waiting for dinner and your cane fell on the floor...twice.  Then as I was finishing dinner,  the weirdest sound came out of you that scared me to death.  I thought you were choking on something.  You started cracking up because of how I jumped and turned to you, you said you were just sneezing, but were trying to keep it from coming out.  Well, some good that did, hee hee.  Then later the pasta box fell on the floor and the other pot holder fell in water and got a little wet, too.  We need to watch some funny video shows to be sure we weren't secretly being taped, hee hee.  Pretty crazy night, but we had some good laughs!  I love you!

Monday, January 16, 2012

Back (almost) To Normal

Dear Mom,

It's been a few days since my problem with my back.  The medicine really did help, but it makes me drowsy and a little dizzy, so we had lots of time together.  You were definitely cute, trying to give me suggestions to go lay down or take it easy.  You would often come downstairs to sit with Bella and me.  Glad for the time to spend with you and to get some rest.  I felt bad for Bella because she was with a couple of old women who could barely move, haha.  But we still took good care of her. My back does feel much better, once in a while there is a dull ache, but it's much better than the terrible pain I felt last Wednesday!  Now we're sitting downstairs watching the Bachelor and laughing at all the drama, pretty pitiful. :-)  And I am getting ready to head back to school.  It will be a little bit of a weird day, it's supposed to snow, sleet, and freezing rain tomorrow, and I was just asked tonight to sub for kindergarten tomorrow, yikes.  Hope I'm ready for that.  I'll let you know how it goes. :)  I know you don't like it when I have to leave you, but  I know you'll be fine, God always takes care of you and Bella.  Glad for the time we had to spend together! I love you!

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

I Feel Your Pain...

Dear Mom,

I am home from school today because of pain in my lower back.  My back was bothering me last night when I got home from the game.  I took Advil and put heat on it, then when I went to bed I put heat on it again, but about 2 this morning I woke up in more pain.  It didn't matter which way I turned, nothing relieved the pain.  I didn't want to wake you or Bella up, so I just tossed and turned for a while.  It was very painful trying to get out of bed.  I got to the bathroom and was brushing my teeth, but it hurt even standing at the sink and at one point I broke out in a cold sweat and had to sit down, hoping not to pass out.  I did get you and Bella up and did take Bella out, but it was a struggle.  I called school and told them I just couldn't come in today.  I called the doctor to get an appointment, I'll be going in a little while and am praying they will be able to figure out what is going on. I made breakfast and after a bit of discomfort trying to find the right way to sit to eat, I washed the dishes.  As I was washing the dishes, I couldn't help but think of the pain you go through on a daily basis with your back and legs.  All I wanted to do was lean over the sink, even though that wasn't comfortable either, but I am always getting after you about that.  I also noticed that I almost put a fork in the drying rack before it was fully cleaned, I am always getting after you about that.  I think the pain got to me.    The Lord brought you to mind again as I was walking, I just wanted to lean forward rather than stand up straight because it hurt, I always get after you about that, too.  Maybe He allowed this to happen so I could understand and feel a little bit of the pain you feel daily, and maybe this will help me to be a little more compassionate when you tell me you're "in pain and just hurting".  Well, I'm off to the doctor to go see what is going on, I'll let you know when I get back.

Well mom, I got back from the doctor, she thinks I just pulled a muscle badly.  She said the nausea was my body's response to the pain.  She gave me muscle relaxer and a type of acetaminophen.  So, hopefully will start feeling more like myself soon.  You have shown such sweet concern all day, thanks!  I love you!

Friday, January 6, 2012

...Now Where is the.....?

Dear Mom,

You are probably thinking the title of this post is just for you.  Well, not quite...it's something I have been saying quite a bit lately.  It seems to happen especially in the kitchen.  I wash the dishes and you want to help out, so afterward you help dry them and put them away.  I don't want to take that from you, because I know you are just trying to help, but it definitely does take a little more patience as I try to cook or get things ready because things aren't where they used to be.  Cups, bowls, cutting boards, ice cream scoop, spatula, muffin tins....they have been finding new homes.  I go to the normal "designated spot ", but the item is no longer hanging out there.  I search for a bit and finally come across what I am looking for (most of the time), but only after mumbling that little phrase..."Now where is the...?"  I guess you just like to keep me on my toes, it's probably good for me...the one who doesn't do well with change...  The Lord is probably using you to help me, because He knows I need it!  Well, I'll just keep looking...and searching...and eventually finding, because it usually is found...eventually! :)  I love you!

Monday, January 2, 2012

For You...

Dear Mom,

Here we are in the new year 2012. Today is the last day of Christmas break that I have to spend with you. So when you said you wanted to go get something to eat for lunch, I reluctantly obliged. I knew you didn't want to go sit and eat somewhere nice, you just wanted to get something quick and bring it back home. I wasn't really planning to go out, I wasn't really that hungry, I really didn't want to do fast food, but I also didn't really want a grinder either. So, the thing that made my mind up was the fact of wanting a good coffee type drink, so the place was going to be McDonald's. That wasn't a good healthy way for me to start 2012. It is fine for you, but not for me, but of course I wanted to get some too. Then...as has been the case lately, you were trying to convince me yet again that we should take Bella with us because she needs to get out. You are killing me with this thought, but again I reluctantly obliged. I was hoping to just quickly go through the drive thru and get our lunch and get back home, but I knew if Bella was with us there would be no way for me to do that because anyone that gets close to the car or even just looks in the car from their own car is a serious threat to our personal safety for some reason, and she barks like a wild woman to let them know she thinks that, even if they can't hear her. So you can only imagine what it would be like to drive up to a window where people were going to be holding their hands out to the car...danger...danger, Will Robinson! So we got to McDonald's and instead of going through the drive thru, which I really wanted to (but didn't want to take any chances of excessive, loud barking in the car) I parked and walked inside and ordered. While you and Bella sat cozy and comfy in the car. How lazy does that make me sound?? We got home and started to eat our lunch, but I forgot to get out the ketchup for you, so you asked what we normally put on french fries. So I got up to get the ketchup for you. I had also ordered peppermint hot chocolate for you and peppermint mocha for me (the reason I went to McDonald's). When you were done eating and had finished most of your hot chocolate you were holding the cup in your hand and nodding off, so you ended up spilling some of it on the floor and Bella was rushing over to go get it. I called your name and quickly told Bella NO, and got the cloth to clean it up. I told you to put the cup on the table because you were falling asleep. You said you weren't, then said you weren't going to put it on the table because you were throwing it out...yet you weren't getting up. So...I got up again to go throw it away for you. As I was going to sit back down, you hand me your sandwich container to throw away too, so I go back over to the trash can and throw that away as well. I came downstairs to play a little on the Wii. I need to move after that lunch. Dr. Oz happened to be on and Oprah was on his show today, but I wanted to exercise, so as I was just getting my tennis game on when you came down wanting to watch Dr. Oz down here with me. So...I reluctantly obliged and turned off my game and put it on Dr. Oz for you. You went by the table where I have a tin of peppermint meringues that I had made and you grabbed some. Next thing I know I see Bella chomping on one. You said you didn't know she had it, you just dropped it. So I grabbed it off the floor, you were reaching out your hand for me to give it to you to eat. I told you I was throwing it away because it was on the floor and Bella had eaten part of it. You ate the other ones you took. You watched part of Dr. Oz. Now you're up taking your bath, who knows what else I will do for you before the day is done. But I will do it reluctantly or not, because I love you!