Really!?!?!

April 15th and it's snowing......'nuff said.

Flood Fight 2011

This is one of those times of year when I wonder why I live here and at the same time I am reminded exactly why we live here. The mighty Red River of the north is on the rise again. The river is expected to crest between 39 and 40 feet on Sunday. In 2009 we had a record crest of 40.8 feet. That was a terrifying time...we had to leave our new home. The communities of Fargo/Moorhead came together and fought, literally, for our lives. Last year, we battled again. The rise has slowed, but from Tuesday to Thursday, the river rose 8 feet.

So, we live here because it is a true community. The high school students are a huge help in this fight--they are bussed from the schools to wherever they are needed and they throw sandbags. If you go here http://youtu.be/3qsmjLDvZfA you can get a glimpse of the fight.(Hope that works, I couldn't figure out how to put the video up here like it was on FaceBook).

I thought I was handling this years flood OK, but I have found myself in tears several times today and eating anything that gets in my way.

Anxiety or the Spirit?

I belong to a mom's group at my church. Today, the discussion somehow turned to shyness. I got up my courage and spoke about how shy I am-even in that group (8-10 moms). I told the group that I often want to say something, but am too shy and how just the thought of speaking makes my heart pound. (I do suffer from Generalized Anxiety). One of the other mom's piped up and said, "It's the Holy Spirit prompting you". This same mom e-mailed me shortly after she got home and told me that what I say does matter, that I what I have to say may be just what another mom needs to hear at that time.  I love that. So next time I want to say something and my heart starts pounding I will try to remember that I NEED to speak up...the Holy Spirit is calling.

Do you listen when the Spirit prompts you?

Growing up is hard.....parenting is harder!

The Girl got in a car accident today. No one was hurt, thank God! We had a winter storm Tuesday into Wednesday morning....school was canceled (for the first time this school year) due to poor road conditions on wed. I warned her the roads were icy. She was following a city bus, sun was in her eyes, the bus stopped at a bus stop. She was able to stop without hitting the bus, the boy behind her slid, and stopped, but the driver behind him slid into him causing him to slide into her. The woman driver was driving with a suspended license.

I was on my way home from taking The Boy to school when my cell phone rang. Yes, I answered it while driving because I knew it was The Girl and I knew it couldn't be good.  I had just finished saying a prayer for her safety when the phone rang.

I already had a fear of winter driving. I've struggled all winter with anxiety over any of us driving. The roads were finally dry and then we got hit AGAIN.

I feel alone. I need to talk to someone. I can't burden my dearest friend as she has so much on her plate right now. I don't want to talk to my mom because I don't want her to worry.  Some days I'd like to turn in my notice, but who do you turn your notice into when your employer is your family and God?  Guess I just pray for more strength.

My emotions are heightened by the news that Leaving by Karen Kingsbury is out and one of the characters is based on my friend Roberta who died in November after a hard battle with leukemia. She is listed as a survivor in the book....I guess it went to print before November.

Isn't blogging supposed to make one feel better? Still waiting.

Still plugging along.....

I took The Boy for a recheck at the pediatrician. He increased the dosage of his meds. On the way home my son told me there's nothing wrong with him, he just hates school and there's nothing I can do to change that.
We have challenged him to get C's or better this trimester. He seems to think he can't do it, but so far, so good...he's got C's. I'm hoping that when he sees he can do it, his attitude will change.

I have "gone back to school". I am determined to be able to help The Boy with math....a topic I struggled with all through school. My husband and daughter are very good at math, but they get frustrated helping The Boy so,  I bought Basic Math and Pre-algebra for Dummies to help refresh my memory. I am still struggling.....I think some brains were just not meant to do math.  I. Will. Not. Give. Up.  Even though it's challenging, it's kinda fun.

Lots going on......

WOW! Since my last post, a lot has happened.
>My parents came from IN for Christmas. They almost weren't able to make it home due to multiple blizzards.

>I've had an MRI on my shoulder...thinning tendon....whatever that means. Physical Therapy did no good. I plug along at the exercises and have some good days and some bad days.

>I reconnected with a Mom's group at my church. It's a great bunch of ladies and I can ALWAYS count on laughing Wednesday mornings.

>We (my dog and I) suffered through 3 weeks of workmen in and out as drywall was put up and taped and textured. I painted it a beachy/sky blue-very soothing. Followed by more men laying carpet in our now finished basement. OK, we still have to put in baseboards, but that will have to wait until spring when I can finish them in the garage.

>I finished a Double Irish Chain quilt top. Now I just have to figure out how I want to quilt it.

>Our son has been diagnosed with depression. That's been hard. It's only thanks to a phone call from one of his teachers that we took him to see a pediatrician. I was convinced he had ADD. He may, but the doctor thought we needed to get the depression under control first. It did not present as what I would call "typical" depression. He ( a teen boy) simply shuts down and avoids people. He's never seemed sad at home. I've struggled with guilt. Is it my fault? How could I not see it? Did I give him crappy genes (depression runs in my family)? He's been on medication for 2 weeks now and I'm not really seeing any results, but it can take as long as 6 weeks to kick in. Then there's the fear of side effects of anti-depressants on teens.

>We are preparing for yet another, possibly record breaking, spring flood. Who, in their right mind, would live in a dried up glacial lake bed? I. Do. Not. Know.  Guess we're not in our right minds- lol.

>I've taken to knitting socks as therapy for all that's going on....hurts my shoulder though. I just grin and bear it.

And now......we have multiple outlets!!!

For the past 2 years we have had one electrical outlet in our basement family room.....now we have 8!! Yay, for my handy hubby (who wasn't so sure about his handiness)!!

Overnight, it snowed.  YUCK!!!! (It is pretty, though). When I woke up we had 4 inches; we now have 9 and it is still snowing.  This is The Girls first solo driving excursion in the snow.  YIKES!!!!  So, I've been cleaning up a storm to keep myself busy so that I don't worry so much. It's sort of working. 

We are having my in-laws for Thanksgiving, so the cleaning needed to get done anyway.  It's kinda nice to be ahead of schedule.

We have lights!!!

We will have lived in this house (which we had built) 2 years on the 26th of this month.  We opted to finish the basement (minus the kids bedrooms and a bathroom) on our own.  We finally got started. My hubby is so proud of himself...he installed 8 recessed lights this weekend (we had just 2 bare bulbs).

Next up is to put in outlets.  We are debating about adding a gas fireplace. My parents have offered to buy that for us, but we are unsure if it's worth the money as we are not sure how much time we will actually spend down there.  Our daughter wants a fireplace and she may be more likely to have friends over once the basement is finished, but she may only be living here for 3-5 more years. (YIKES!!! They grow up way  too fast).

Sure is nice to see some progress.

A Light Went out

Yesterday, this world grew a little dimmer as my beautiful friend, Roberta lost her battle with leukemia. My heart is heavy with grief-more for her husband and children-than for myself. She was one of those people whose life pointed heavenward. She was an incredible wife, mother, friend and servant.

I will miss her laugh and the smile that lit up her whole face. I will miss her insight into mothering and being God's servant.

I do not understand why He took her now. I know she is no longer in pain and is laughing with Jesus and the angels.

On my mind.....

There is a boy who should be in my daughter's class at school. He's been on my mind lately. Over the summer his dad died. His parents are divorced. He lived with his dad here on the MN side of the Red River. His mom lives on the ND side of the river. He is now living with her. Because we are two different states (Fargo and Moorhead are separated by the mighty (but not very wide) Red River, he can no longer attend school here in Moorhead. 

Unless, he can raise $6000 dollars.

My heart aches for this boy. He attended school in Moorhead from preschool until the beginning of this school year. His junior year. He was very involved here. As a child we moved alot. It wasn't easy. If we had the money, I would give him it to him.

I've been like Pooh "think, think, think" trying to come up with a way to raise the money. I come up blank every time......

Ideas would be much appreciated.

Tough days.....

These last few days have been tough ones.  My friend, Roberta, is hiking a "trail to meet God face-to-face". She's been battling leukemia for a little over a year. I don't understand why God wants to take her...she is one of those people who lights the way to Him.  I have learned so much about faith and mothering from her.  She has five children-her youngest is only 10. 

On Tuesday, my best friends mother in law died suddenly. She was 76-that's younger than my father-in-law and just a little older than my parents and my mother-in-law. My dad's health is not good. My father-in-law is going to have surgery this week for an aortic aneurysm. I'm not ready to lose any of them. Sometimes, I feel paralyzed by that thought.

I believe in heaven. Why doesn't that comfort me?

She's growing up....

The Girl is out on her first date tonight. It's homecoming. Thankfully, it is a group date, but nonetheless, it is a date with a boy. YIKES!!!  He seems to be a very nice boy...good manners...looked her dad and I in the eyes, shook our hands, etc. He brought flowers over to her this afternoon....she hadn't wanted a corsage, but he wanted to do something. Awww, how sweet(I know you're all saying that).

Anyway, here they are....check the shoes...she can't wear heels and I guess he thought he'd join her in wearing Converse.....he spray painted his to match...yes, he is man enough to wear pink shoes!!! I think I'm gonna like this boy!

Disillusioned....

#1 I tried the Phiten titanium necklace--it did nothing for me. 

#2 Extreme Makeover-Home Edition is in my town.  I indirectly know the family.  They are a very nice family-the children are sweet and polite and oh, so, cute. Their old house was not demolished, it was moved and will be donated to another local family. Those are good things.

Unfortunately, the house that is being built is two times bigger than the old house. I don't think they have any yard left. The house, a two story, looks very out of place as it is surrounded by small ramblers (or ranch-depending on where you live).  My husband works for the company that is donating the electrical supplies-they are getting 100 recessed lights!!! I wonder if the family will be able to pay the heat and utilities on such a big home....and those lights use ALOT of electricity.

On a happier note, my shoulder is getting better and I have been able to sew again.YAY!!! I still have a long way to go, but at least I am on the mend.

Hmmm, would you try it?

I am still battling shoulder pain and now it has migrated to my shoulder blade and neck. I was out shopping for new gym shoes with The Boy and saw Phiten Titanium necklaces. They are apparently worn by athletes to balance things out and ease pain.

I did a little research, and there doesn't seem to be any scientific evidence, but they do seem to work for some people. They cost around $25, which I'd much rather spend on more quilty stuff (and possible a new transmission for The Girl's car).

Would you try it?

Random Thoughts....

> I participated in my first quilting class this past weekend....I was very disappointed!  The class was called "Magical Miniatures". The photo in the catalog was a mini block next to a dime.  What we made were 3inch blocks....that's not miniature in my book.  I did learn a few tricks, so that was good.

>I am crooked. Yep, I went to physical therapy today for my shoulder and the PT told me I was crooked-my hips go one way and my shoulders go the other.  We are working on straightening me out.

>I love my labels.  Wife, mom, daughter, sister, daughter-in-law, friend and now teacher.  Couldn't begin to pick a favorite. Teacher is new and frightening--I am co-teaching my daughters 11th grade religion class. YIKES!!!

>I didn't realize how big a part of my life quilting had become until I couldn't do it. Filling the void is hard.

>Did anyone watch Sister Wives Sunday night on TLC? Makes me think how nice it would be to go back to the time when extended families were closer in proximity--sometimes the help of a "sister wife" would be nice. I am not sure, however, if I could live with my parents......

I've come a long way, baby.....

Since I can't sew because of my shoulder, I reorganized my sewing room. I came across this:

This is what got me started quilting.  Each little hexagon measures a very uneven 1 1/4 inches. I hand pieced these....my seams are less than a quarter of an inch and my stitches are HUGE!!!!  Not knowing any better, I sewed this baby up like I was making a pillow case and then started to hand quilt.

 It's hard to see, but my stitches are TINY, barely catching one thread of the backing in some spots, and knots all over the place....I even dragged my thread over the top of the backing !!!  Yep, I've learned alot over the last 20+ years.

Back in the Swing of Things....finally

Wow! I can't believe it's been a month since I last blogged.  The kids started their third week of school today and I finally feel like I am back into my "school" routine....can't say that for The Boy. He really hates getting up in the morning.....it's too bad that school administrators don't heed the research that says teens sleep/wake schedules are different than adults.....teens really are night owls.  I guess I could homeschool and beat the system that way, but I don't think I would make a very good teacher for him.

I've been battling shoulder pain and haven't done much in the quilting department.  I am able to work for a few minutes and then my shoulder starts to hurt. Two years ago I was told I had bursitis and went through physical therapy. I haven't been pain free since then.....perhaps, if I actually did what I was supposed to do CONSISTENTLY, I would be in better shape.  I am trying hard not to overuse the shoulder and have started doing the exercises again.  I don't think there is life without quilting, so I will be good!

The Girl has her first date! YIKES! She met this boy over the summer while working on a play and he asked her to go to homecoming with her.  I'm not sure if I should laugh and be happy for her or cry for myself.  Right now, I'm very excited for her.  Let's hope that feeling holds.....

Home Again

We arrived home on Sunday evening...we made record time-12 1/2 hours and only one spot of road construction where we had to slow down to 45.

I can't believe how disoriented I felt our first few days back...we were gone for 17 days. Couldn't even remember where the coffee mugs were .

The Girl and I headed to the high school yesterday to alter her schedule...she' decided not to take AP English. I'm glad she knows her own limits.  She's a straight A student--she puts all the pressure for good grades on herself, so when she decided AP would be too much I was happy to OK the change.

Mom didn't finish her log cabin quilt while I was there, but she now knows enough to do that on her own. She even asked me to show her how to hand piece. I also got her started using Bonnie Hunter's leaders and enders. 

Time to head out the door for my morning walk.

Progress

We are making progress. The Girl finished the center of the baby quilt....now I need to put a border on it.That will wait until I get home. It may be several weeks as my machine is in the shop awaiting a new light socket, which is backordered.

She wasn't crazy about having her picture taken.

Here's the top before she sewed the blocks together.

Mom has been doing much better. She has been taking her meds and I think she may have caught the quilting bug. YAY!!!  She is 1/4 of the way done with her blocks.

Blogging is better than FaceBook

You ladies are great!!!!  Funny, I am on Face Book, with people who are my "friends", but I would never get the same sort of support from them that I do from you.  Thank you.  Must be a quilter thing.

Anyway, today was a little better than yesterday. We made some progress. Mom picked out a pattern and fabric. She even started cutting strips. She did get frustrated and yelled at me....either because she didn't understand or I didn't explain very well.  I've been quilting for so long that I forget how far I've come.....I'm self-taught, so my teaching technique may not be the best.

And, yes, she is on medication, but her new psychologist said she should be able to get off the meds...so she has taken it upon her self to start decreasing her dose. I don't think she's ready for that yet, nor should she be doing it on her own. 

I hate to admit this, but alot of the time I really don't like her. She's VERY judgemental and opinionated. She has to comment on EVERYTHING- from the way people drive to the local news stories. 

I came to the realization earlier this year that I do not need her approval and so I try to ignore those comments, but it's hard when they happen so frequently.

On a more positive note, The Girl has made great progress with her baby quilt. She completed 12 blocks today.  I was able to snap a picture (she really didn't want me to)...I will try to get some up later....not sure where I packed the camera cord. I'm really proud of her. I don't think she's caught the quilting bug yet, but maybe she will someday. I am proud to be her mom. She is smart and funny and more importantly, she is kind and caring.

I've probably rambled long enough....thanks again for "listening".