Archives for September 2007
Checking In
Paul is in Orlando today. He got up this morning at 4:30, flew out at 6:30 and will be back tonight after 10. I really admire how hard he works and without complaint. He just tries to keep all the balls in the air. I need to check in with him more about what is going on at work so that I can support him, if only with compassion and understanding. (Aside to Paul: Dude check in with me too. Help a girl help you.) Fortunately I was paying attention last night and realized that a lot of demands were being placed on him professionally and so I was for him rather than trying to load more things on his back.
It’s so easy to be myopic.
I had a good day writing, Tuesday, great really. I finished an essay that I am going to speak from next week. Later that night I began to panic because the talk I am giving for our writer’s conference on the 12th isn’t done yet. Spent yesterday worried but have since begun figuring out how to make the time between school, my mom’s birthday, tomorrow, Christopher’s friend party, Saturday and family party and actual birthday, Sunday.
I have felt agitated, tired and weepy all day and all day I’ve been telling myself I have no reason (not pre-menstrual, had a decent night’s sleep) to feel this way instead of being curious why I am.
Today would have been my dad’s 69th birthday. Although I am not consciously upset about it, some part of me is mourning.
I don’t have a snappy finish to this. The kids need to be fed and the barking dog reprimanded. Will feed the hungry and discipline the naughty, do some of my work and then welcome my husband home. when he arrives.
I know that many of you have come to rely on regular updates here at Older Than Jesus on how many loads of laundry are lounging on the floor, what Jack has devoured recently and exactly how early Eden has awakened me. I know your need and I apologize for leaving you all adrift in the mystery this past week.
Rest assured that there is indeed laundry hoping beyond hope of being washed, dried, folded and put away (something for everyone!) Know that Jack’s most recent chew was the hand off a doll, but he very sweetly dropped it when commanded. And sleep easy knowing that Eden was crawling into our bed at four this morning and took a little time to work on her patented spin move wherein her feet are kicking Paul and me simultaneously before we both woke up enough to haul her back to her own bed screaming and yes, kicking. She and Paul soon passed out. I’m up still.
Paul is at a rehearsal for his worship team. I need to dash out to buy supplies for lunches to pack for the big kids because they are going to be OUT OF MY HOME tomorrow for 5 1/2 hours at an environmental science camp. Eden is already farmed out at Torey’s for a sleep over and day away. This means I will have 4 1/2 hours to myself to write and make dust and dog hair angels on the floors.
I will be back soon.
If you think of me tomorrow it is the LOW-ARD telling you to pray against principalities who like to steal my writing time, and I’m not talking about the me sitting on my duff and being scared and resistant ones either.
A Perfect 10
Not Slumbering Yet Party
Birdie turns ten on Tuesday. Years and years ago when the earth was still young I decided to do birthday parties (outside of family) for the kids every other year. Christopher had one when he was five and hasn’t had one since. Lydia has had three or four. So it sort of worked out.
This year I decided that Christopher WOULD have a party and that Lydia could take it off, but then I thought about it being her tenth birthday, which seemed so auspicious. We decided to let her invite two of her friends from church for a sleepover. I love these girls and knew they would have fun just being together.
We ordered pizza, rented a couple of movies and let them make brownies after dinner. After presents they made rootbeer floats and settled down to watch High School Musical. Both guests had seen it but were happy to be with Lydia during her inaugural viewing. They were so cute together. Lydia asking questions and being put off or guessing something and her friends being amazed at her insight.
One of the girls would say or do something hilarious and I would slyly tap Paul to make sure he noted it. “WHAT?” he practically shouted several times until I gave up. We haven’t been sleeping well, OK, I haven’t been sleeping well, and we’ve been getting up early to walk Jack every morning. We’re both tired. I’m hoping that whoever replaced my normally hep husband with a doddering 80 year old will do another switch a roo while we’re both getting a good night’s sleep tonight.
Raucous laughter is being shrieked from across the house. Paul is passing out on the couch. Jack is already passed out on the floor. I need to go check on the only people who are wide awake in this house: the members of the slumber party and make sure teeth are brushed and that all needs are met before I join the actual slumbering parties.