I tried to start a different blog that was not associated with this one but the site I chose was not a fan of my blog apparently. Out of the thirty days I tried to write, I was only able to post on or two times. So I have decided to hijack this blog and start once again.
My goal of the blog was not to impart any amazing wisdom or share cute pictures of my girls. It was about making me a better person. I have had a particularly rough year involving the loss of several friends (not via death or anything tragic) but devastating all the same. Over a two week period, several friends dropped me on Facebook and then began to refuse to answer PM's, emails, texts or phone calls. To this day, I still don't know what caused the mass abandoning. It caused me to take a look at the person I have become and friends I have lost. I also don't know if these former friends will ever understand the heartache that was caused by their loss. I entered a depression that lasted several weeks and might have gone on longer if not for an impromptu trip to NY and a few good friends who stepped in to take care of me, call me and check in on me. One in particular has shown herself to be a kindred spirit (throwback from my Anne of Green Gables days) and I am incredibly thankful to God for putting her in my path.
My goal over the coming year is to focus on the good in life and be that person I used to be again. As a kid and growing up, I was described as a person who always looked for the good in someone. As cliché and cheesy as it might sound Pollyanna and the aforementioned Anne were my heroes. I am in awe of the "Glad Game" (Google Pollyanna and the Glad Game if you haven't heard of it). I still have both books on my Kindle app and return to them when the world has gotten me down in the dumps. Lately, however, I have found myself cranky, short tempered and not willing to forgive. While I can adjust the cranky and short tempered part if I make a conscience effort to do so. I have truly struggled with the forgiving part lately. Of these three traits, the inability to forgive is the one that is going to hurt me the most. This is the one that I struggle with often. As I look over old pictures or remember things we were supposed to do, that part of my heart that hasn't yet forgiven takes over and my whole day is ruined. When I pick up the phone to text or call that one friend who had become my go to for all things good or bad in the world and halfway through the text remember that she is not that person for me anymore and probably would be annoyed by my text, my heart hurts again.
Then today, a friend posted an article about a woman's experience in a Starbucks drive through line. (Linked below).
http://www.prodigalmagazine.com/she-yelled-and-called-me-names/
This article reminded me of the person I used to be and the person I want to be again. Maybe the problem was with me even if I didn't know it. Maybe, in not being the person I used to be and want to be again, I didn't show these friends the friend I could and should be. So instead of feeling anger and frustration along with that sadness towards them, I am going to look at me and find ways to improve myself. I am not doing this in the hopes of gaining them back. I think that ship has probably sailed on both sides. But if I can bring myself to forgive them and return to the person I used to be because of this, then I will thank them for the life lesson and wish them nothing but the best.
My goal for this week is to live by the old adage - "If you don't have anything nice to say, then it is best to say nothing at all." If anyone reads this, as my friend or just a follower, I ask you to help me in this. If you notice me not following my goal for the week, gently remind me of Pollyanna or Anne and how they would approach the situation.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Monday, December 6, 2010
In our new home
So it had definitely been awhile since I was on here but much has happened in the in-between. So once I blogged that we were moving to SC, the crazy packing had to begin. I thought I was ahead of the game packing many boxes in a neat and orderly fashion in the weeks leading up to the official announcement. Fate, however, had other plans in store for the Thompson family.
On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, I heard Jody's phone ring. Upon looking at the caller ID, I recognized Jody's former office number. As we were anxiously awaiting a severance check from said office, I rushed to get Jody (who was in the process of bathing one small child) the phone. I proceeded to trip on my pant cuff (inthe living room) and begin a process which is nearly indescribable but included slamming into and sending flying not only a high chair but also the dining room table and me flying air born into the kitchen baby gate (ending in the dining room/kitchen). An ER visit later and I was diagnosed with not one but TWO bad foot sprains. I was instructed to put NO weight on either foot for at least the next day or two and then I could begin use of crutches to protect the right foot (the worser of the two sprains). Oh and no DRIVING with the move to SC scheduled for four days from then!
So . . .down one mover but still trucking on, Jody gets a call that our truck is not going to be at said pickup location (panic begins anew) but. . .if we could pick it up at a different location we could have it a day early for free. SOLD! Chloe and I are picked up by a friend to head to see Tangled at the movies (aka get the gimp and small child out of Jody and Greg's way so they can pack the truck). When we were leaving the movies I called to check on the status and see if I could bring food back and I notice my wife's voice sounds odd. So I ask. . ."oh nothing honey". . . oh nothing honey my ass! What is wrong?!?! "So I wasn't going to tell you this until you get home . . .(I interrupt with a just tell me already!) but the ambulance is arriving (yes she said ambulance!!) and they are getting ready to take Greg to the hospital." WHAT!?!?!
Apparently Greg has fallen down the stairs in the midst of packing and broken his ankle. I say broken because my wonderful wife tells me that she is sure it is broken because she and the cop "see bone". I am thinking compound fracture, surgery, the worst case scenario. Freaking out, I calmly call his mother because knowing both my wife and Greg, I am sure one of these losers will post a status update or picture of Facebook and I will get a call from Tanya wanting to know why she is finding this out on FB. I should get an award for how calm I was on the phone. . .Everything is ok Tanya but. . . not really sure what is wrong but we think it might be broken. . . taking him to ER now. . .will call with an update ASAP. . . throw in a small nervous laugh here or there and a joke about Greg and FB . . .All the time I really thinking - oh my gosh what is she going to think when she finds out he has to have surgery!! Yeah sure she won't panic!!!! I just BROKE your son!!!
Long story short (err well shorter) Jody is a douchebag because his ankle isn't broken just badly sprained and their version of "I see bone" (very reminiscent of I see dead people) was just his ankle being really swollen and tight against his skin. Good news - no surgery, bad news - no driving or moving!
Thanks to the kindness of friends and family (and a few paid friends of Greg's) we did manage to pack the truck. Notice how I did not say fit all of our stuff because my wife underestimated how much we had and we had to add an eight foot trailer on to the end of the truck and leave stuff behind! Then we had to have Jody's dad drive our car with the two gimps in it while Jody drove the truck down to SC, then fly Pat back home.
The unpacking has begun. Chloe is very excited - her room was already painted purple with pink flowers and she has a beautiful wooden swing set with slide in the backyard. The yard is fenced so both she and Abby are very happy campers. Our room is a pile of boxes and we haven't even moved three quarters of mom's stuff in yet but it is beautiful.
Chloe has already gone a Greenville Road Warriors hockey game and the downtown Greenville Christmas parade. St. Nick visited last night and left both Greg and Chloe candy in their shoes (I really think I need to re-check that naughty or nice list again). Oh and Belle is doing awesome - smiling away as usual and starting to stand a ton!!! Still no crawling but neither did Chloe so . . .
Oh well - hopefully it won't be a month before the next post!! Miss you all!!
On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, I heard Jody's phone ring. Upon looking at the caller ID, I recognized Jody's former office number. As we were anxiously awaiting a severance check from said office, I rushed to get Jody (who was in the process of bathing one small child) the phone. I proceeded to trip on my pant cuff (inthe living room) and begin a process which is nearly indescribable but included slamming into and sending flying not only a high chair but also the dining room table and me flying air born into the kitchen baby gate (ending in the dining room/kitchen). An ER visit later and I was diagnosed with not one but TWO bad foot sprains. I was instructed to put NO weight on either foot for at least the next day or two and then I could begin use of crutches to protect the right foot (the worser of the two sprains). Oh and no DRIVING with the move to SC scheduled for four days from then!
So . . .down one mover but still trucking on, Jody gets a call that our truck is not going to be at said pickup location (panic begins anew) but. . .if we could pick it up at a different location we could have it a day early for free. SOLD! Chloe and I are picked up by a friend to head to see Tangled at the movies (aka get the gimp and small child out of Jody and Greg's way so they can pack the truck). When we were leaving the movies I called to check on the status and see if I could bring food back and I notice my wife's voice sounds odd. So I ask. . ."oh nothing honey". . . oh nothing honey my ass! What is wrong?!?! "So I wasn't going to tell you this until you get home . . .(I interrupt with a just tell me already!) but the ambulance is arriving (yes she said ambulance!!) and they are getting ready to take Greg to the hospital." WHAT!?!?!
Apparently Greg has fallen down the stairs in the midst of packing and broken his ankle. I say broken because my wonderful wife tells me that she is sure it is broken because she and the cop "see bone". I am thinking compound fracture, surgery, the worst case scenario. Freaking out, I calmly call his mother because knowing both my wife and Greg, I am sure one of these losers will post a status update or picture of Facebook and I will get a call from Tanya wanting to know why she is finding this out on FB. I should get an award for how calm I was on the phone. . .Everything is ok Tanya but. . . not really sure what is wrong but we think it might be broken. . . taking him to ER now. . .will call with an update ASAP. . . throw in a small nervous laugh here or there and a joke about Greg and FB . . .All the time I really thinking - oh my gosh what is she going to think when she finds out he has to have surgery!! Yeah sure she won't panic!!!! I just BROKE your son!!!
Long story short (err well shorter) Jody is a douchebag because his ankle isn't broken just badly sprained and their version of "I see bone" (very reminiscent of I see dead people) was just his ankle being really swollen and tight against his skin. Good news - no surgery, bad news - no driving or moving!
Thanks to the kindness of friends and family (and a few paid friends of Greg's) we did manage to pack the truck. Notice how I did not say fit all of our stuff because my wife underestimated how much we had and we had to add an eight foot trailer on to the end of the truck and leave stuff behind! Then we had to have Jody's dad drive our car with the two gimps in it while Jody drove the truck down to SC, then fly Pat back home.
The unpacking has begun. Chloe is very excited - her room was already painted purple with pink flowers and she has a beautiful wooden swing set with slide in the backyard. The yard is fenced so both she and Abby are very happy campers. Our room is a pile of boxes and we haven't even moved three quarters of mom's stuff in yet but it is beautiful.
Chloe has already gone a Greenville Road Warriors hockey game and the downtown Greenville Christmas parade. St. Nick visited last night and left both Greg and Chloe candy in their shoes (I really think I need to re-check that naughty or nice list again). Oh and Belle is doing awesome - smiling away as usual and starting to stand a ton!!! Still no crawling but neither did Chloe so . . .
Oh well - hopefully it won't be a month before the next post!! Miss you all!!
Friday, November 12, 2010
South Carolina bound
So I am guessing this blogging thing is just not for me. I don't seem to update near as often as I should - sorry! But I do have a bit of an excuse. Jody and the AHA have amicably parted ways which means all of the crew - the girls, the dog, the cat, Jody and I and Greg will be packing up and moving to South Carolina at the end of the month.
We are both incredibly excited and sad at the move. On one hand, my girls will be close to their Nonnie who adores them and lives too far away to visit often. In addition we will finally be able to buy a house (with help from my mom) which is something we will NEVER be able to do in New Jersey. There is also the warm weather to talk about - which for those of you who know me, you know I am really excited for that.
Unfortunately, we are leaving behind a great group of friends and family in NJ and NY. I loved Chloe growing us so close to so many cousins. I grew up next door to two of my cousins and I at times felt more like a big sister to them than a cousin. Not being close to their Mom-mom, Pop-pop and Gah will be tough - more so for Chloe than for Belle. Chloe already asks us about where Uncle Pat is since he moved out to California - not looking forward to the questions about these ones. I am also soo sad to leave behind one of my favorite people in the whole wide world - Alana. When they moved to NJ so many years ago, I was heartbroken only to find out that we moved half an hour away from them by chance when we came up here. Now we are moving away from them and I will only get to see her grow up via phone calls and the internet and the occasional visit (hint hint Awilda!) Worst of all, is that I think Alana is one of Chloe's favorite people in the whole wide world too and I am sad that she is not going to get to be that for Belle.
But such is life and we are busy in packing mode in the Thompson household. I have been packing a few boxes everyday until we found out the decision on Jody's job so it should not be too bad. We have a gigantic yard sale planned for next weekend. Chloe was even a great help and sorted her toys - to keep and to sell. Granted, we had to bribe her with the money from her stuff that sells to buy a Rapunzel doll. But hey - 80+ toys go, one comes back - I like that kind of math!
Ok so now the updates that you guys really care about :)
Chloe - she has been really busy with school, dance class and hanging out with her best bud Becca. She went trick or treating - this was the first year that I think she really "got" it. I don't have the professional pics from Halloween because Jody's work printer had the scanner LOL. But below is a pic or two from her Halloween party at school.
Chloe insisted that her little sister be the same thing as here (despite the adorable ghost onesie we had already bought) so despite my protests that it was cruel and unusual punishment Belle went as . . . Belle from Beauty and the Beast. It was adorable and everyone loved it so I guess it is ok . . . .
Chloe has also decided that since we aren't providing her with a little brother any time soon that Greg is her big brother. I have to say it is fairly adorable when she talks about him. She asks for her big brother to read to her at bedtime and wants to know where he is when he is at work. Leaving the mall the other day, as Greg got into my dad's car and we loaded up the girls into ours, Chloe, realizing Greg wasn't riding with us, stands up and calls over the cars "I love you my big brother!"
Chloe has been doing fairly good about the move. The first thing she got sad about the other day was that her teacher from pre-school wasn't going to be there. Figures that is what she gets upset about - my little teacher's pet! That is about it for Miss Chloe.
Belle is getting sooo big! She babbles and squeals constantly and is amazed by her big sister. She has rolled over but refuses to do it again - kind of like she did it, didn't find it very interesting so she won't bother with it again LOL. She is like any baby and LOVES her feet. She is so good and happy, it really makes my life much easier than it probably should be with two kids under 4 :). Even now, she is cutting teeth and has a yucky cold and cough but doesn't fuss unless her diaper is dirty. Will keep you updated as she hits those next firsts.
Oh well that is all for now - gotta get Chloe ready for school and much more packing to do!
We are both incredibly excited and sad at the move. On one hand, my girls will be close to their Nonnie who adores them and lives too far away to visit often. In addition we will finally be able to buy a house (with help from my mom) which is something we will NEVER be able to do in New Jersey. There is also the warm weather to talk about - which for those of you who know me, you know I am really excited for that.
Unfortunately, we are leaving behind a great group of friends and family in NJ and NY. I loved Chloe growing us so close to so many cousins. I grew up next door to two of my cousins and I at times felt more like a big sister to them than a cousin. Not being close to their Mom-mom, Pop-pop and Gah will be tough - more so for Chloe than for Belle. Chloe already asks us about where Uncle Pat is since he moved out to California - not looking forward to the questions about these ones. I am also soo sad to leave behind one of my favorite people in the whole wide world - Alana. When they moved to NJ so many years ago, I was heartbroken only to find out that we moved half an hour away from them by chance when we came up here. Now we are moving away from them and I will only get to see her grow up via phone calls and the internet and the occasional visit (hint hint Awilda!) Worst of all, is that I think Alana is one of Chloe's favorite people in the whole wide world too and I am sad that she is not going to get to be that for Belle.
But such is life and we are busy in packing mode in the Thompson household. I have been packing a few boxes everyday until we found out the decision on Jody's job so it should not be too bad. We have a gigantic yard sale planned for next weekend. Chloe was even a great help and sorted her toys - to keep and to sell. Granted, we had to bribe her with the money from her stuff that sells to buy a Rapunzel doll. But hey - 80+ toys go, one comes back - I like that kind of math!
Ok so now the updates that you guys really care about :)
Chloe - she has been really busy with school, dance class and hanging out with her best bud Becca. She went trick or treating - this was the first year that I think she really "got" it. I don't have the professional pics from Halloween because Jody's work printer had the scanner LOL. But below is a pic or two from her Halloween party at school.
Chloe insisted that her little sister be the same thing as here (despite the adorable ghost onesie we had already bought) so despite my protests that it was cruel and unusual punishment Belle went as . . . Belle from Beauty and the Beast. It was adorable and everyone loved it so I guess it is ok . . . .
Chloe has also decided that since we aren't providing her with a little brother any time soon that Greg is her big brother. I have to say it is fairly adorable when she talks about him. She asks for her big brother to read to her at bedtime and wants to know where he is when he is at work. Leaving the mall the other day, as Greg got into my dad's car and we loaded up the girls into ours, Chloe, realizing Greg wasn't riding with us, stands up and calls over the cars "I love you my big brother!"
Chloe has been doing fairly good about the move. The first thing she got sad about the other day was that her teacher from pre-school wasn't going to be there. Figures that is what she gets upset about - my little teacher's pet! That is about it for Miss Chloe.
Belle is getting sooo big! She babbles and squeals constantly and is amazed by her big sister. She has rolled over but refuses to do it again - kind of like she did it, didn't find it very interesting so she won't bother with it again LOL. She is like any baby and LOVES her feet. She is so good and happy, it really makes my life much easier than it probably should be with two kids under 4 :). Even now, she is cutting teeth and has a yucky cold and cough but doesn't fuss unless her diaper is dirty. Will keep you updated as she hits those next firsts.
Oh well that is all for now - gotta get Chloe ready for school and much more packing to do!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Lots of Changes
So . . . now that Jody has told her boss, I can feel free to talk about it. For those of you who don't know, things are a little rough at Jody's job and she might not even have a job in a few weeks. Because of that and a few other things, Chloe, Belle and I will be moving in with my mom in South Carolina for awhile. If Jody loses her job, she will be joining us there and we will look for jobs. If not, she is going to live in NY with her grandparents until we figure out our next move as we will no longer have our house. Hopefully all will be settled by March at the latest.
Belle is getting bigger everyday - she jumped from the 20th percentile at her 2 month checkup to the 75 at her 4 month!! Belle and I just had some quality mommy and Belle time when we left Chloe with Momma to go to my cousin's wedding (Thanks Aunt Audean and family for taking me along for the ride! It was great!). She is babbling at a crazy rate - I think she is def. going to be an early talker. Her squeals are absolutely adorable and she has a special smile reserved just for her big sister.
Chloe has added yet one more drama to the craziness that is her three year old year! We went to her follow up eye appointment yesterday. Good news - the patching has drastically improved her vision in her right eye, Bad news - the crossing/turning/wandering/whatever the heck you want to call it has gotten worse. They attempted to fix it with glasses but that gave no noticeable improvement. So unfortunately my little one has to have surgery on her eyes
****grossness alert - Sheri this is for you - skip the next paragraph or so!! LOL ****
(apparently this surgery has to cut the muscle in both eyes to work - yuck!) I was looking up info because of course I asked little to no questions as I sat in shock listening to the doc tell me about the surgery. I found a blog of a mom whose daughter had the surgery and she wanted to list the experience for others because she could find no info. Most of it is pretty standard surgery stuff plus some extra stuff since it is your eyes. The one thing that really got me though is that they cry tears of blood - ewww!!
SO I know that supposedly lots of kids have this and it definitely could be worse but it is still my baby going under anesthesia and having surgical cuts made on her at 3 or 4! So while I am not really in panic mode, I am def. a little stressed. Added to that stress is the stuff with Jody's job because we have to wait to find out if she has a job and therefore insurance (we will COBRA - not having insurance with kids is NOT an option) but we are not sure with our health plan who is in network or not. The great pediatric ophthalmologist that we found may not be the one doing the surgery.
Oh well so that is our update for the past couple of weeks. We are in packing mode trying to decide what can stay in storage up here while we figure out what is next and what we have to have. Tomorrow Chloe has her Halloween party and parade at school, Saturday is the Halloween party at church and then Sunday is trick or treating - look for cute pictures of my little ghost (aka Belle) and Belle (aka Chloe . . . yes she wants to be Belle from Beauty and the Beast) to come soon after!
Have a great Halloween!
Belle is getting bigger everyday - she jumped from the 20th percentile at her 2 month checkup to the 75 at her 4 month!! Belle and I just had some quality mommy and Belle time when we left Chloe with Momma to go to my cousin's wedding (Thanks Aunt Audean and family for taking me along for the ride! It was great!). She is babbling at a crazy rate - I think she is def. going to be an early talker. Her squeals are absolutely adorable and she has a special smile reserved just for her big sister.
Chloe has added yet one more drama to the craziness that is her three year old year! We went to her follow up eye appointment yesterday. Good news - the patching has drastically improved her vision in her right eye, Bad news - the crossing/turning/wandering/whatever the heck you want to call it has gotten worse. They attempted to fix it with glasses but that gave no noticeable improvement. So unfortunately my little one has to have surgery on her eyes
****grossness alert - Sheri this is for you - skip the next paragraph or so!! LOL ****
(apparently this surgery has to cut the muscle in both eyes to work - yuck!) I was looking up info because of course I asked little to no questions as I sat in shock listening to the doc tell me about the surgery. I found a blog of a mom whose daughter had the surgery and she wanted to list the experience for others because she could find no info. Most of it is pretty standard surgery stuff plus some extra stuff since it is your eyes. The one thing that really got me though is that they cry tears of blood - ewww!!
SO I know that supposedly lots of kids have this and it definitely could be worse but it is still my baby going under anesthesia and having surgical cuts made on her at 3 or 4! So while I am not really in panic mode, I am def. a little stressed. Added to that stress is the stuff with Jody's job because we have to wait to find out if she has a job and therefore insurance (we will COBRA - not having insurance with kids is NOT an option) but we are not sure with our health plan who is in network or not. The great pediatric ophthalmologist that we found may not be the one doing the surgery.
Oh well so that is our update for the past couple of weeks. We are in packing mode trying to decide what can stay in storage up here while we figure out what is next and what we have to have. Tomorrow Chloe has her Halloween party and parade at school, Saturday is the Halloween party at church and then Sunday is trick or treating - look for cute pictures of my little ghost (aka Belle) and Belle (aka Chloe . . . yes she wants to be Belle from Beauty and the Beast) to come soon after!
Have a great Halloween!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Take Me Home Country Roads
We always stay with our friends who are in charge of the Catholic church's retreat center that is located on several acres of land that includes a small lake and lots of grass for kids to run and play through. In the summer, there is a pool and tennis courts but in the fall there is nothing to do except just relax and enjoy your family.
When I was growing up, there were three families that lived on the property and now there are two (with most of the kids having moved away). The two families that live there are some of the greatest people in the world, kind, caring and fun to be with. Between them they have raised 8 kids who are just like them. When we pulled in late Wednesday afternoon, Toni was already
waiting with soup and food for us. We sat down at the big family table and just talked for hours (gasp! I know but what else do you do when you have no cell phone service and no computers and little to no TV . . .now yes they do have internet and no cable but do have netflix but somehow when you enter the Twilight Zone known as Huttonsville, you just don't seem to care about that junk. You want to spend time talking and enjoying each other's company).
It is especially neat now because the kids that I grew up with are now having their own kids. One of my nearest and dearest friends (somehow the word best friend doesn't apply because while yes I would list Nanny as one of my best friends in the world, it doesn't seem to go far enough. We don't talk on the phone every day but it doesn't seem to matter. Once we meet up again, which is usually once or twice a year, everything falls away and we are just back to where we left off. ) has a son named Walter who is about 10-11 months younger than Chloe. He is however a giant and so is definitely taller than my own giant. LOL (He is def. on the husband material list along with Aidan). Shortly after our arrival Nanny and Walter arrived and the toddler hijinks ensued. Watching them play together sent my mind racing to years before as my brother and I would play with Nanny and her three brothers in those same exact hallways.
Then it was time for bed and there is nothing like falling asleep to the silence that is the country. Gorgeous stars light up the skies that are completely clear and beautiful without smog to cover them up and there are no horns honking, crazy people driving down our street way too fast, etc. Then we wake up into amazingly fresh crisp morning air and it is off to the Forest Festival with Nanny and Walter. We walked around downtown Elkins with mom, Nanny, Walter and the girls enjoying all Forest Festival had to offer - crafts, carnival rides, petting zoos, face painting, etc - while scoping out the area for the next day when we would return for the coronation of Queen Silvia. Chloe oohed and ahhed at the princesses and Queen during the coronation and if I was rich we would totally have Chloe be a princess or part of the Minor Court (apparently we "know" people who could get Chloe appointed to the court - you have to be appointed by senators, governors, heads of state - or whatever you call them at the state level -, etc.) but I don't have 8-16 grand to drop on dresses for that honor LOL.
After that it was finally time to head home to my grandmother's house. I am not the writer that most people who blog are so I don't believe that I have even come close to doing Huttonsville the justice that it deserves. Many of you might think that it sounds boring or dull . . .I, however, and most of my family think that it is truly heaven on earth. There is nothing more peaceful, calming or re-charging about just a few days in that place. I truly believe that everyone needs a place like that and I so thankful for the friends we have there who continue to make it so wonderful.
There are WAY too many pictures to even attempt to share. I will post a few but if you want to check out the rest here.
The rest of our week away was spent at two weddings (congrats Erica and Brittany - you both looked beautiful!) and at my grandmother's. We didn't do much while at my grandmother's - again just relaxed and enjoyed the company. I was able to assemble 4 of the 6 grandchildren and a few of the great-grandchildren and we had a wonderful day out at a Harvest Festival in Hurricane and then dinner out. Again, it was nice to see my daughter running around playing with my cousins' sons. I hope my cousins and grandmother enjoyed it as much as I did. I love you guys and thank you for coming in!
Some of the Thompson crew assembled in front of my grandmother's house. - Those Thompson genes run strong!! Chloe and Belle look like me, Layton def. has his mom's coloring and looks like a mini version of my brother and his uncle as kids and little mister Landen, while thankfully got most of the good looks from his mom, (sorry Scott but Missy is def. better looking than you!LOL) he most surely got the Thompson ears and I think his dad's faces. I grew up watching Megan and Scott playing in those same yards and it was quite surreal to see their little mini-me's doing the same. Thanks for the fun times - I know Chloe had a blast and I am sure Belle would have too if she had been old enough!!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Slacking. . .
Sorry for the delay in posting. It has been a long couple of days and then I took a day computer free to relax and recoup from friends visiting.Since the last blog we have done Sesame Place for the Hip Hop Harry concert, the park with friends, several days of school, dance class and finally yard sale-ing.
Can I say I LOVE yard sales? Not only do I love yard sales but I LOVE town-wide yard sales.
Twice a year, the town right next to us holds a town-wide yard sale. You pay ten dollars to post your yard sale and the money raised is donated to charity. For the ten dollars you get listed on a map that shoppers can pick up at city hall, the fire station and a few other key locations throughout town. Then from 9-4 you navigate through the insanely crowded streets of small town Metuchen looking for bargains. It is insane, crazy, packed, even dangerous but oh so much fun!
Normally we are just looking for any great deals but this year we were on a mission. First up - crazy garage sale lady (that is how she is listed in our Garmin). She is the lady at the end of a dead end street whose daughter is exactly one year (in sizes) ahead of Chloe and always gives us amazing deals on clothes for her. She even saves them in bags for us so we get first pick. After scoring lots of nice warm sleepy pajamas and a few small other things for ten dollars, we are off to look for pants for Belle. While we have a slew of clothes for Belle from Chloe, we realized that unfortunately everything for this age is for warm weather - I think we have two pairs of pants. Found a huge sale of baby clothes - slightly on the pricier side so I couldn't go crazy but I did find several pairs of pants, two "outfits" and two dresses - one of which you will see in Christmas pictures for only a DOLLAR! YAY!
Struck out on finding an outdoor playhouse for a friend from Chloe's dance class but found a hidden treasure when I stopped to buy pink lemonade for Becca and Chloe from a foursome of tweens who decided to take advantage of all these thrifty deal seekers. Cups of pink lemonade in hand and two dollars shorter (had to tip the great servers!), I peeked at the deals their moms were offering and found six plastic horses. Chloe is OBSESSED with horses right now but they are freaking expensive in the stores and I am not willing to pay twenty dollars for what might or might not be a phase. I picked out the four I thought were in the best shape and handed over my three dollars (only wanted 2.20 but I had no change and they were being sold by the aforementioned tweens. Something about the kids makes me lose all my bargaining abilities - Tip - if you want to make extra money at a garage sale, send your cute kids to collect the money - works EVERY time.). The mom felt bad and handed Chloe and Becca the other two since I had paid extra - it was nice all around. Finally up on the list, swing by a yard sale on the corner who was selling a Graco swing for ten dollars. We already have a very nice Fisher Price swing that Belle loves but our crib room at church has none so when Jo saw this one for ten she thought we could get it and donate it to the church. Belle will get a ton of use out of it and then they can have it for future babies. Then home and officially time for naps for all of us!
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| Rebecca and Chloe hanging out at 123 Sesame Street |
Good night for now - off to head to bed - church in the morning, then the Count's Halloween Spooktacular event at Sesame Street and then packing for West Virginia for Chloe to visit and Belle to meet the family there!
Monday, September 20, 2010
Just because I can
So this is not really related to the girls but it was part of my awesome weekend and I just had to post. I have been so torn by all the debates regarding the Mosque that is being built near Ground Zero. While I feel for the people who lost people on 9/11 (and even those words don't sound right to be given the level of tragedy that the day was), I have felt the need to defend the rights of the people wishing and attempting to build this place of worship.
I fear that we are focusing on the wrong words in the sentence. Just like we pronounce words wrong when we place the emphasis on the wrong syllable, I think that many are choosing to place emphasis on the world Muslim instead of terrorists. I choose not to think of the individuals who orchestrated and participated in the tragedy of 9/11 as Muslims but rather as terrorists. I feel that we are condemning an entire people based on their extremists. However, as I feel so often in life, I do not feel eloquent enough to speak my mind appropriately without fear of insulting someone or not being able to debate as intelligently as I might. So I sit by while I receive nasty email after nasty email in regards to this subject or ignore posts on Facebook (which I don't have anymore - yay!) or walk away from conversations after a few minutes because I do not feel that I can do it justice. I watched horrified at news reports of the minister who wanted to burn the Quran (while yes I agree he has the right to do it, does not believe I think it is right) and I am even more mortified by the fact that this is supposedly a holy man who wants to do this.
So I walk into church Sunday morning waiting for the wonderful feeling I normally get from having finally found a place that feels like home and it arrives as it always does in the smiling faces of the reverends saying hello, the Sunday school teacher sharing a wink with Chloe or just a neighbor in the pew smiling and saying "Peace be with you.". It was slightly interrupted as I had to rescue Belle from the crib room to feed her but afterwards I walked quietly in the room and caught the middle of Rev. Boyea's sermon. I am so glad that I did and as soon as they post the link for it this week, I will add it to this post because he said so eloquently everything that I have been feeling in regards to this mosque. He gently reminded us of Christianity's own violent past and of the violence so often seen in the Bible as well as individuals such as Timothy McVeigh who were self-proclaimed Christians and terrorists. We so often leave off the word Christian and focus on the word terrorist as we rightly should. He asked if we would be so outraged if someone wanted to build a Christian church down the street from the location of the Oklahoma City bombing. I don't place this on here to argue but rather to give an informed opinion from someone who says what I have wanted to in a much more eloquent way. . . so look for that link in a few days. . ..
Finally - completely off topic of the above. . .as Jody and I were listening to that sermon from the back of the room. We were sitting behind an elderly couple (at least late 70's if not 80's). After a few moments, the gentleman put his arm across the back of the pew and rubbed his wife's back for the entire sermon - just a gentle touch that most people wouldn't have even noticed but as if to say after all of these years, he still loves her enough to just want to touch her. It almost brought tears to my eyes - I hope after 50 years together, Jody and I still love each other that much!
Have a great day all and I will post that link ASAP.
**9-25 - Still no link yet but I will keep checking - it is definitely worth a listen.
I fear that we are focusing on the wrong words in the sentence. Just like we pronounce words wrong when we place the emphasis on the wrong syllable, I think that many are choosing to place emphasis on the world Muslim instead of terrorists. I choose not to think of the individuals who orchestrated and participated in the tragedy of 9/11 as Muslims but rather as terrorists. I feel that we are condemning an entire people based on their extremists. However, as I feel so often in life, I do not feel eloquent enough to speak my mind appropriately without fear of insulting someone or not being able to debate as intelligently as I might. So I sit by while I receive nasty email after nasty email in regards to this subject or ignore posts on Facebook (which I don't have anymore - yay!) or walk away from conversations after a few minutes because I do not feel that I can do it justice. I watched horrified at news reports of the minister who wanted to burn the Quran (while yes I agree he has the right to do it, does not believe I think it is right) and I am even more mortified by the fact that this is supposedly a holy man who wants to do this.
So I walk into church Sunday morning waiting for the wonderful feeling I normally get from having finally found a place that feels like home and it arrives as it always does in the smiling faces of the reverends saying hello, the Sunday school teacher sharing a wink with Chloe or just a neighbor in the pew smiling and saying "Peace be with you.". It was slightly interrupted as I had to rescue Belle from the crib room to feed her but afterwards I walked quietly in the room and caught the middle of Rev. Boyea's sermon. I am so glad that I did and as soon as they post the link for it this week, I will add it to this post because he said so eloquently everything that I have been feeling in regards to this mosque. He gently reminded us of Christianity's own violent past and of the violence so often seen in the Bible as well as individuals such as Timothy McVeigh who were self-proclaimed Christians and terrorists. We so often leave off the word Christian and focus on the word terrorist as we rightly should. He asked if we would be so outraged if someone wanted to build a Christian church down the street from the location of the Oklahoma City bombing. I don't place this on here to argue but rather to give an informed opinion from someone who says what I have wanted to in a much more eloquent way. . . so look for that link in a few days. . ..
Finally - completely off topic of the above. . .as Jody and I were listening to that sermon from the back of the room. We were sitting behind an elderly couple (at least late 70's if not 80's). After a few moments, the gentleman put his arm across the back of the pew and rubbed his wife's back for the entire sermon - just a gentle touch that most people wouldn't have even noticed but as if to say after all of these years, he still loves her enough to just want to touch her. It almost brought tears to my eyes - I hope after 50 years together, Jody and I still love each other that much!
Have a great day all and I will post that link ASAP.
**9-25 - Still no link yet but I will keep checking - it is definitely worth a listen.
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