Alert and Oriented (x4)

(ok...but it's red...and it hauls things...kind of like BOTH of my Suburbans!) In between mopping up lakes of blackwater (read here: POOP people!), dealing with reluctant property managers and insurance companies, driving my daughter to and from Chick-fil-A, both to work and just hang out for something approaching eight hours on her DAY OFF, I became the proud mom of bigredtruck2 about a week ago. We were out looking for a car for my son, and found an adorable little Honda Civic that’s just perfect for a college student. Bigredtruck2 was parked in a Staples lot with a “FOR SALE” sign and phone number. We weren’t even looking. Bigredtruck1 still has lots of life left in her. You see, bigredtruck1 is a 2 wheel drive. Bigredtruck2 is a 4 wheel drive. As my kids will tell you. 2WD=feminine, 4WD=masculine. So, basically we bought a boyfriend for my Suburban. He isn’t new. But he’s beautimous! He has a leather interior and REAR A/C folks! We’re hoping the two vehicles will g...

Saturday morning I was on my way home from the gym (after the first workout since surgery 6 wks ago—in pain and intensely disliking my BFF who made me go at the moment, but that’s a whole ‘nother post) when I got a phone call from a church member who had gone in to do some cleaning and general maintenance. “Not to alarm you, but there’s a small leak here at the church. We came into clean and noticed a smell. There’s some pretty nasty water coming out of one of the bathrooms and it’s started to go into the main worship area.” None of the other staff had answered their phones and I was the first “live” person he’d called. Hmm…not the way I wanted to spend my Independence Day, but, oh, well. I came home, decided to forego the shower and changed into some work clothes. Told Ted I’d be back in a couple of hours probably and off I went. I arrived at the building and opened the front door and immediately smelled it. Then I stepped into the worship area. And viewed Lake Soul Rio. Oh,...

What an amazing God we serve! We had 4 kids from our group accept Christ for the first time. Every single person in that place was touched by God in a mighty and unmistakable way. Last night we baptized 20 people, 8 of them had been to camp. In all my years of camp, whether as a camper, a counselor, or a sponsor, I have never, ever experienced a messier, more gross end-games day. We will all be needing a course of Cipro, a tetanus shot and probably a flea and tick dip. It was an absolute blast (except for the vomit smell I am unable to rid my clothing of...I will be burning several items this afternoon). I am bone-weary tired. And have a stomach distress. As did 2 of my offspring last night. I will spare the details, as I know some of you may eat occasionally and would want that to not be spoiled. Concerned that this may be from the gross-out messy games. I am bone-weary tired. Oh, yes...I said that already. My eyelids may actually be scraping the ground. And I just found another bag o...

By the time you are reading this, I'm going to be on my way to HERE . with 34 of my closest young friends (including all 4 of my own offspring), 3 other adult sponsors and a whole pile of other kids and adults who I love, too! We may do some of this: Probably some of this: For sure hang out and practice a little quiet time here: Worship what this stands for: And maybe even do a little bit of this: A little bittersweet, because it's the last time I'll experience camp with this guy as a camper. After this year he'll be a sponsor: I'll miss my blogging buddies, the comment love and hot showers with no time limits. Most of all, I'll miss this: I'll be back late Friday...please pray that all going will truly hear from God. Pray for safety, for soft hearts and for the leaders (we are sadly outnumbered).... I'm OUT!

So I have a hairdresser who I will call here Bobbie. Bobbie is probably the best hairdresser I have ever had. He listens to me. He’s honest if he thinks something won’t work on me. He’s fast. He’s reasonably priced. I never have to wait past my appointment time. And I can almost always get an appointment the same week I call, if not the same day. The salon he works at is spotless and pleasant. Bobbie is unabashedly, unashamedly, highly swishily (is that a word?) gay. As in dresses up as a queen for Halloween and is prettier than some women I know. I first started coming to Bobbie to get my hair done when I admired SEVERAL haircuts he had done for one of my youth group girls. Then, talking to her mom, I found out that he does their whole family’s hair. Their whole family has GREAT hair. Then most of my morning ladies’ Bible study group started trickling into him on my recommendation and that of my friend. So, if you count up my family, my son’s girlfriend’s family, and all...

Or: Why I don't blog as much as I'd like to.... This is the same little darling named SATAN Sabra that my oldest son found in the dumpster about a month ago....she is ALWAYS into something. And frequently chases my fingers, the mouse and bats at the keyboard while I'm trying to work....

About a week ago, this photo was taken of youngest son. He is a happy, agreeable, sweet, sweet baby. EVERYBODY loves him. He has three doting older siblings who do anything to get him to belly laugh. He winked (on request) at 9 months, loves to snuggle and is his big sister’s best friend and favorite toy. He didn’t walk, however, until he was 17 months old. Seemed he didn’t have to; he would look at an object, a location he wanted to be, or food he wanted to eat, and point and grunt and any of the sibs would be sure to grant his wish. He didn’t see a need to walk when his loyal subjects would grant any wish he had. Yes, about a week ago. Then I blinked. Tanner is an amazing artist. He gets this from his dad , not from me. He can pretty much whip the socks off anyone who challenges him in any video game ever developed, and has beaten every song on ‘expert’ on all three versions we have of Guitar Hero. He is very particular about his clothing (jeans MUST be Levi 511 Super Skinny) and his...