The Hazards of Eating in Fast Food Joints

I've been planning a post today, as I was at the laundry mat washing the large blankets that won't fit into my tiny British washer. After we were done there- and before running some errands- we met Tim at the on-base Burger King for lunch. It's the first time I've been inside since we moved here. There's a small kid-friendly area that includes rock-solid cutouts of jungle scenery. I happen to know it's rock-solid because I whacked my head on it as I attempted to duck under it. In Burger King's defense, there is a sign advising said ducking. A major headache has followed the incident. So far, Tylenol hasn't succeeded in driving it away.

So, I'm going to finish pulling dinner together (adobo chicken with rice, a delicious Crock Pot dinner) while my son and his friend take over the computers to play video games. If the headache subsides and I can get a moment alone with a computer, I'll be back to post later. If I don't make it back, "Happy Wednesday!" and God bless.

Friendship Hall of Fame: Amy

It's my turn this week! In honor of friendship, I nominate my friend, Amy, for this weeks friendship award. Amy & I have been friends since we were 5. We met in kindergarten. In fact, after that first year in class together, the school never put us in the same class again. I guess we were pretty naughty that first year!

Amy is one of those life long friends. I know that wherever life takes either one of us, she will always be there. I can count on Amy to drop everything when need be, to be that shoulder to cry on and to always be honest with me. My childhood is intertwined with her and her family. Her family became my family.

Amy has a knack for remembering everything, even when you wish she would forget it. She never fails to bring up some memory that has been long forgotten (or, I assume has been long forgotten). She's the life of a party.

I am thankful for Amy and for the friend she is to me. Thanks Amy, for everything you are! I love you!

Remember girls:

In the spirit of celebration for these God-given relationships, Reese and I are beginning the Kicking It In Crazyville Hall of Fame. Every Monday we will be awarding a new award to friends that you all nominate! To nominate a friend, please:

• Email us at kickingitincrazyville@gmail.com with your name and the name of your Friendship Hall of Fame nominee. Include as much of his/her name as you want published (we recommend only a first name and last initial), and a link to his/her blog, if they have one.
  
• Please state why they deserve this award, including as much background information on the relation ship you want. Please include how you met and what has kept your relationship going.
  
• Include a picture if you wish.
  
• We reserve the right to edit all entries for grammar, spelling and length. Otherwise, we will do our best to publish all that you include with your nomination.
  The weekly winner will receive the friendship Hall of Fame button to put on his/her blog, if they have one, and a warm fuzzy feeling for being singled out as a stellar friend!We look forward to reading all about the beautiful friendships that have blessed your lives!
  

Recycled Post: Perspective

Awhile back my car overheated on the German Autobahn. I quickly pulled to the side of the freeway, all the while gawking at the amount of steam pouring from under the hood. As cars zoomed past my van at 90 mph, I instantly knew what to do: call my Knight in Shining Armor (well, ok, my Airman in BDU's, but you get the picture.). I was on my cell phone within seconds of stopping and Tim's instant reply was, "Open up the hood. Put out your warning triangle. I'll be right there!" This predicament wasn't at all the cue to fall apart it would have been had it happened in November when Tim was deployed and I felt truly alone. I felt safe and cared for, looked after, at ease as one half of a unit dedicated to protecting and providing for each other.

Rewind twelve hours. After a long day caring for two preschoolers, doing everything a SAHM does, as well as having awakened with that undeniable feeling of emotional delicacy that often accompanies PMS (but occasionally appears for no other reason than the whim of nature), I felt in strong need of nurturing. I ushered everyone through dinner, through the bedtime routine, and breathed a sigh of relief when the last little one was snoring in his bed. Now, it was my time for a little breather. Nothing big, just a quiet evening watching a little tv, leaning on the man by my side, drinking in his strength.Tim had other plans. He obviously felt the need for some down time as well. He ate dinner, helped with putting the kids in bed, then chilled in front of the computer. Organizing songs in iTunes never captivated a soul as it did Tim that night. Every half hour or so I asked, "Do you still want to hang out?" He always said he did, to hold on just a minute.

As time went on my blood began to boil. I had to literally remind myself to lovingly respect my husband. When I passed the computer nook and saw him engulfed in his project I envisioned smacking the back of his head with a dead fish- soft enough not to hurt, but gross enough to make my point.

Was he wrong? I don't think that should be my concern. I am only responsible for myself and my responses to situations I can't control. In this instance I failed miserably. I went to bed angry and hurt, selfishly ignoring what I could do to make my husband feel loved, instead focusing on what I thought I needed and how I had been wronged.What if that night I had looked at him and thanked God he wasn't one of the thousands of military casualties in the Middle East? Had he been a casualty of war, as a widow I'm sure I would have given anything to have him sitting at the computer, enraptured by iTunes. It's all in the perspective, the glasses you allow yourself to look through. Positive or negative, self-centered or God-centered, it's up to each of us to make the decision for ourselves.

Early April's Moon: A Poem

Early April's moon
Half revealed,
Is pasted in the midnight sky
Drenched in brilliant light
Illuminated by the sun
(Massive, Blazing, Passionate)
The moon, lifeless alone,
Feels the fire and
Mirrors the glow
Void of decision
What traits to lay bare
Cradled in its corner of the sky
It is trusting, exposed

~Reese, 2002

Recycled Post: Of Monsters and the Menacing Presence

I wrote this soon after moving into our last house in Germany. I was horrified to find that whatever the spider is, it's a European one. They live in Great Britain too!

~ ~ ~

It seems I was wrong about the previous tenants of this house leaving because of the smell in the laundry room. That turned out to be an inconvenient but manageable problem. (The waste water from the showers, dishwasher, washing machine, etc. is filtered under the floor of the laundry room. Periodically, we have to pour hot water into a small opening in the floor to clean the filter. Viola! Problem solved!) The most disturbing thing I’ve encountered so far in the house, and surely the reason for the move by the family before us, is the numerous co-tenants: what some would call spiders but I call monsters.

The first time we saw one was in the heating room. The older kids and I were attempting to get the heat running by jiggling switches, turning knobs and verbally coaxing the pipes and wires to heat our home. Suddenly Kristine was squeaking and pointing wildly at the window above our heads. Perched upside down above the window was a huge brown spider. Kristine and I ran from the room, but Sean was glued to the spot. Keep in mind, Sean is the guy who slept three feet from the top edge of his bed with the covers pulled tightly around his head in our last house because of the imaginary spiders he was certain were lurking between the wall and the head of his bed. In this moment all his worst fears were realized as he stood waiting for the monster to leap onto his head and devour it whole. His only defensive action: shrieking “Mom, help me! Mom, help me! Mom, help me!”

I reached into the room and yanked him out.

Once he was calm he exacted his revenge by arming himself and his sister with ladders, flashlights, helmets, gloves, a Mason jar, and a lid and catching it. He forced it to live out the rest of his life in a jar on the window sill by the guest bathroom. Before the end came he was joined by a distant cousin who had lived near the bottom of the stairs until it made the fatal mistake of showing itself to Tim.

I avoided Spider Death Row, hoping those two were the last of the monsters to be found in our house.

Then one quiet morning after the older two had left for school but before the younger two woke up, I was enjoying some welcome time to myself. I entered the living room and immediately had the eerie sense that I was not alone. There was a definite Presence there; I could sense not only a body, but its soul. Slowly, I turned my head toward the Presence and my eyes locked onto the largest spider I have ever seen outside an exhibit. It was frozen to the wall above the rocking chair, probably praying to God that its huge brown self would somehow blend into the creamy wall. I ran to the kitchen, grabbed a glass and a postcard from Italy, and captured it before it could get away. Thankfully, these monsters don’t appear to be very fast and they don’t jump at you as you approach. I put it on Death Row while I considered its fate.

Yesterday I decided to let it go in the middle of the courtyard with our Jack Russell Terrier Gretchen near by. Even after two weeks of fasting on the window sill, this guy was huge. It ran wildly around for a bit, then high-tailed it toward the front lawn. Zach and I began yelping “Gretchen! Gretchen! Get it!” She ran around, excited but oblivious. She eventually found it, licking at it, then chewing it like bubble gum and letting it fall out of her mouth. It ran for its life, but hadn’t a chance with Gretchen ready to lap it up again and chew gingerly at it, a leg falling out of her mouth. That was the end of the menacing Presence.

I’d like to live in EB White’s world, where a kind spider would perch itself in our home and dazzle us by spinning complimentary words into its webs that allowed us to be admitted into the Guinness Book of World Records and to charge a fee for visitors to see the wonder of it all. I expect instead to come into a room one day to find a massive brown spider sitting in an arm chair, tapping the tips of its hairy brown legs together and saying in a low, sinister voice, “I’ve been waiting for you…”

Celebrating Independence From England, in England, with the English!

I just want to say that I find it beautifully ironic that I'm in England celebrating Independence Day. Not only that, but many of the Brits are joining us on base for the celebrations! If only the Founding Fathers could see it. I doubt they ever fathomed such a thing.

Know and Tell Friday: Has-Nothing-To-Do-With-Independence-Day-But-Should Edition

Heather was away from her computer when I started this week's Know and Tell Friday questions. After completing the questions and emailing Heather directing her to change any questions she didn't like, I went to bed. The first thought I had this morning was It's the 4th of July! The questions should have been centered around America's birthday!

Oh well.

But do enjoy this day that celebrates America's freedom and have a blessed weekend!

~Reese

1. If you are a blogger, what got you started? Have you ever made, or do you hope to make, money blogging?

2. Are you a collector of anything?

3. Apple juice or orange juice?

4. What are 3 of your best personality traits?

5. Name 1 thing you miss about being a kid.

6. What is usually your first thought when you wake up?

7. Regarding material possessions: the more the merrier or less is best?


Reese's Answers:

1. If you are a blogger, what got you started? Have you ever made, or do you hope to make, money blogging? I started blogging because I was bored and lonely. I've always had an overwhelming desire to talk, and when that's not possible writing is second best. I was living in Germany when I started blogging, in a small farming community far removed from anyone who spoke English. A blog seemed to be a good way to stay in touch with people, relieve myself of words and thoughts and make new friends.

As for money, who wouldn't like to make money doing something they like? I'd love to make a few bucks every time I have a cup of tea, but that isn't likely to happen. Same with blogging!

2. Are you a collector of anything? Tea cups, a little. Dust. Otherwise, nope.

3. Apple juice or orange juice? Orange juice. Always. I'm not that into apples.

4. What are 3 of your best personality traits? Friendly, sincere, and compassionate. (I don't really know if those are my best personality traits! LOL! I'm guessing. I think I need to put some thought into the positive aspects of my personality.)

5. Name 1 thing you miss about being a kid. No bills. Or sitting in the apple tree behind our house and reading.

6. What is usually your first thought when you wake up? What are the boys up to?

7. Regarding material possessions: the more the merrier or less is best? I love an uncluttered environment and wish I lived in one. Less is best because stuff grates on my soul. I started boxing up extra things that I don't really need from my kitchen yesterday. If I don't follow through on that I may be forced to flee to the mountains and live in a sparsely decorated shack.


Heather's Answers:

1. If you are a blogger, what got you started? Have you ever made, or do you hope to make, money blogging? Reese got me started. I probably would never have blogged if it weren't for her. I think this is our third blog together and I love having this outlet for our friendship. As for the money issue, I have no clue, but it would be nice.

2. Are you a collector of anything? I have been a collector of different things over the years. I have found that I never really loved any of them and they just took up space. The one thing I collect now that is fun is full Pepsi cans from different countries. I have one from England (or France), one from Kuwait and two from Mexico. I was disappointed when I was in Germany because I did not find one Pepsi can. I bought two in Italy (for 4 Euro each; about $8 per bottle) and was going to bring one home but since I only had carry on luggage, I was scared of getting caught by security, and so, I drank them both!

3. Apple juice or orange juice? I'm an orange juice girl, I'm not real fond of apples either.

4. What are 3 of your best personality traits? Easy going, funny & good listener (that is hard!)

5. Name 1 thing you miss about being a kid. I really miss all the freedoms that came with being a child, i.e., no bills, no responsibilities, no worries!

6. What is usually your first thought when you wake up? My first thought is "Do I have too?". I really hate getting up!

7. Regarding material possessions: the more the merrier or less is best? Less is best, but I'm having a hard time living by that rule.

You're turn! Post your answers on your blog, link to it with My Liny, and leave a comment. Don't forget to check out each other's answers- that's what it's all about!

&

A Blessing!

Our blogger friend Ruth has some amazing news on her website! I can't even remember how I stumbled onto her site. It's possible that Reese stumbled first and directed me to her. Anyway, we have both come to love Ruth and appreciate her words of wisdom and encouragement. I also enjoy reading about her little one Shiloh and now, I will enjoy reading about her new little one!

Congratulations and Many, Many Blessings from Crazyville!

&

Venting My Frustrations

No matter how much those of us who stay home with children try to change our title- SAHM, domestic engineer, household engineer, home manager, etc- the bottom line is that the job doesn't change. I'm still a housewife. A wife at the house. The one who does the dishes, changes the diapers, makes the meals, chauffeurs the kids here and there, changes the sheets, wipes down the counters and cleans the same adorable hands and faces countless times in a day.

Having been home with my kids the better part of 14 1/2 years, there is very little of this job left to surprise me. The joys of the job are trumpeted by most, the day-to-day difficulties of organizing and toilet training are well-covered by both experts and moms who have become experts by trial-and-error, but the difficulties some of us find in the actual staying home aren't often talked about. I think it's because most SAHM's see it as a blessing, even when it's difficult. To vocalize that we find it hard would make us targets for working moms who want to be home and can't. And I've seen it from both sides: not only have I been home with my kids but I worked for several years and felt the sting of dropping my kids off at daycare and preschool, into the hands of people who did their jobs for a living and didn't love my kids. I heard the cries of my babies while the knowledge that I had to turn away so I wouldn't be late to work weighed heavily on me. I spent many frustrated days wanting nothing more than to shed the skirt and heels and be home in sweats with my children.

I've found myself in a place I was sure I'd never be. I saw my mom here, twenty years ago. I saw the draw of other things, things done less for kids and more for herself. I wanted to kiss the last "baby" good-bye at his wedding and feel the urge to have another baby so it wouldn't be over. (There are people like that out there!) But instead, I'm getting ready to kiss my youngest good-bye at the preschool door, and my mind is already wandering to other things- to the college classes I never took, to the book left unwritten for years, to the hobbies I never had time for.

I find myself longing for a simpler life. There are too many things cluttering my house. Two days ago I had to fight a nearly overwhelming urge to throw out half the stuff in my kitchen. As I write this I begin to wonder if fighting it was the right thing to do. The stuff weighs me down. It clutters my mind as well as my counters. And in a season where I'm feeling bogged down in too many ways, I don't need that.

I guess I need to lighten my load. I want home to be an anchor in an ever shifting world, but not a weight. Somehow, staying home has begun to feel like a weight.

In the midst of all this, I am aware that I am blessed. My kids are healthy and growing to know God. My husband works hard and loves us all. I have a roof over my head and food in the cupboard. We can afford gas. As the Rachel Lampa song "Blessed" says:

I am blessed, I am blessed
From when I rise up in the morning
Til I lay my head to rest
I feel You near me
You sooth me when I'm weary
Oh Lord, for all the worst and all the best
I am blessed

All for HIS glory, In HIS timing,

I'm Shrinking

Many of you who teach Sunday School, or have kids in Sunday School may know this song:

Read your Bible, Pray everyday
and you'll grow, grow, grow
and you'll grow, grow, grow
Forget to read your Bible, forget to pray
and you'll shrink, shrink, shrink
and you'll shrink, shrink, shrink

There are motions that go along with it and while you say the word "grow" you get taller up on your tip toes and when you say the word "shrink" you go very low until you are laying on the ground.

The other day McKenna and I were walking in the store and she says "you know mom, I'm shrinking". I said "you are?". She replies with "yep, I haven't prayed in awhile, so I'm shrinking". My first thought was how profound the statement was. I was thinking how wise she was to know that her relationship with God would shrink if she didn't take care of it. My second thought was that I haven't been very consistent about praying about bed time; that's something I need to fix.

After that I didn't think too much of it, but the next morning she says to me "mom, I'm not kidding, if I don't start praying, I'm going to shrink more". Then it dawns on me. She really believes that by not praying she will physically shrink! Poor kid. We had a good talk about what the song really means. She thought she was going to get pretty small if she didn't start praying consistently. Despite it being funny, it's a good thing for all of us to remember.

The First Hour With My New Camera

It turns out that my most willing subjects were Ian and Zach, and even they were far from enthusiastic as we approached 200 photos. I've learned about 1% of what I need to know to operate my camera at its best - here are examples of my first attempts!

OY!!! I'm Giddy With Excitement!

I got my camera today! I've been researching them- which kind of a silly thing to do since it's all mumbo-jumbo to me anyway- and finally decided on the Canon Rebel XTi. A friend from church convinced me that I didn't need the much more expensive Canon model I had my sights on, and I decided to get this one only after Tim promised I could upgrade if ever it became necessary.

The battery is currently charging, so no pictures have been taken yet. Trust me, you'll have a front row seat view of my new hobby!

Mountain Biking

This past weekend had me mountain biking. What was the first lesson I learned from that experience? I am NOT a mountain biker! LOL!

My boss and I have been riding bikes together for about a year. Last year had us out for daily rides at 6:30 in the morning riding along our river. We would usually ride about 10 miles each day. I love it. I've always loved riding. For Christmas, I got a new mountain bike. I knew that I wanted to go mountain biking this summer. I guess I didn't realize what mountain biking is. It's actually going down the side of a mountain on very small trails, with cliffs on one side and rocks and tree roots sticking out onto the trial. It takes skills, skills which I don't have. I was very much out of my league, and very scared!

I spent a portion of my day like this: LOL!!!


It was a beautiful day though. We were high enough to see two different mountains at once, which is pretty unusual around here:

You can see Mt. Hood directly behind me, and Mt. Adams (we think) off to the left of me.

We did have a fun day, even though we got lost in the forest and I was 1 1/2 hours late getting home. Yeah, not good! I learned some valuable lessons though: have a good mental attitude and don't trust a GPS system in the woods

Oh, what is that, another fork in the road, I'm sure we'll go the wrong way and

end up hours from the trail head!

Despite it all, I am happy that we went and I loved riding on forest roads, just not forest trails! :)