Boo! It scares me. A post for Halloween.

It's October 31st. Here are 31 things that scare me. Keep in mind, I don't live in fear. These are just 31 random things that occasionally freak me out.

1. opening biscuit cans
2. small talk with strangers...or anyone sometimes
3. how fast my skin is aging
4. my boys going through that phase when they get peach fuzz over their lips (i shudder)
5. anyone coming around the corner (i spook easily)
6. losing a child
7. the possibility of a spider in my shoe...or sleeve...or bed....
8. those FREAKY minnesota centipedes that i never saw until i moved here (more shuddering)
9. bats
10. getting in another car accident
11. being totally misunderstood
12. the possibility of having a face-eating cancer
13. forgetting that i owe someone money (and they won't remind me...just resent me)
14. my own hypocrisy
15. turning on the disposal
16. making final decisions that have to do with spending lots of money
17. toenail fungus
18. dealing with dementia
19. most freak accidents that I've heard of...you know, "Oh, he was just buying some milk and there was some staph infection on the jug handle. Three days later, he died."
20. buying a new kind of beer that i end up not liking
21. ticks
22. tapeworms
23. plot lines on Law & Order: SVU (no, i don't watch it, but i catch a scene every now and then and cannot believe somebody thinks it's a good idea to put this junk into the minds of the public!)
24. socialized medicine
25. feeding company undercooked meat
26. my kids growing up rejecting Jesus
27. pool drains
28. having a booger hanging from my nose, but no one is bold enough to tell me
29. waxing off an entire eyebrow...it's possible since i do my own
30. emerging church mentality
31. apathy

confession # 16 - i'm one part crunchy, two parts twinkie

To be honest, I love my refined sugar and high fructose corn syrup products. But, I try to keep it at a minimum (especially for my children!). In some areas, I tend to be earthy and natural. But, I'm glaringly not earthy two-thirds of the time.

I can't afford organic, but I love to make brown rice and bean salads for my family.

I took my boys to McDonalds...after their vaccines...which I delayed.

I alternate using the aluminum-free "deoderant" and the regular alzheimers-inducing crisco-like deoderant.

Recently, a thrifty and earthy lady in my small group, introduced us to the idea of NOT--I repeat NOT--using shampoo. I won't go into detail, but instead will direct you to this blog post I found in my fervent googling. I'm totally intrigued. (And by the way, we don't get together to discuss beauty tips. We're ladies and so we cover the gamut!)

So. I'm going to try it. I'll keep you posted. Currently, I'm on day three of no shampoo. That's not a huge deal, because I usually only wash every other day.

So, I'm curious. Are you crunchy? Or, do you like to taste the kool-aid? literally???

i think he's letting it go

I read every encouraging comment about Avery's video to him. And he stopped nagging me to take it off. So. I left it. On behalf of my bashful eight-year-old, thank you!

confession # 15 - i like to strut

Yep. I do. Just like George Jefferson. I'm not kidding. Try it. It feels good.

he said, "close your eyes and hold out your hand..."

My parents are in town. My gracious, super generous parents. But, when my Dad told me to close my eyes and hold out my hands, I wasn't expecting the thing that made this possible.



It brought tears to my eyes. They bought the same camera for me all over again!!! I didn't deserve it the first time!!!

Avery also surprised me. He made this scattin' video featuring Jillian when I wasn't around. He didn't intend this for the general audience, but gave permission for me to post it. I Love him!!!

UPDATE: Avery has totally reneged and wants me to take the video off. I'll do that...in 24 hours. Hopefully, I'll have a good replacement by then.

desperate times call for desperate measures...

Avery has finally been losing his baby teeth. Between the tooth fairy and Aunt Carol's birthday money, Avery is "so rich" according to Miles.

Just for fun...

I said, "Boys, Daddy and I are in a financial crisis. I think I'm gonna pull a few of my teeth and put 'em under my pillow."

They both stopped suddenly and looked at me earnestly. Avery had a look of is-that-possible??? While Miles shot the you-cannot-be-serious look. Miles blurted out, "Do NOT do that." Avery followed up with, "They don't accept second set teeth...only baby teeth."

So much fun...for me.

This leads me to ask, how have you messed with your kids???

test of integrity

So...I was eating some chips, totally jonesing for some soda...

Me: Avery, go to our neighbor's house and steal some soda.

Avery: (after a longish pause) Then, you're going to have to give me something.

WHAT???? is what I felt, though I didn't let on.

I turned to Miles...

Me: Miles, go to our neighbor's house and steal some soda.

Miles: No. Soda is bad for you. And stealing is wrong.

Me: (high fiving Miles) Good answer.

information

I've blogged somewhat frequently for two months, yet, I don't think I've given you much information. Random thoughts, yes. But, this blog has felt like that long lost friend that you almost call, but realize, "Where would we pick up?" So, I've kind of stayed on the fringe.

And where I start doesn't really matter, I just gotta get some of these thoughts out. I'm going to try out High points/Low points. That's how I've been blogging in my head.

Today, the subject is....

School
The boys started and I never ever showed you First Day of School Pictures. So, here the boys are on their first day.
Here they are with the principal. Avery says she gives the best hugs. You wouldn't know it by the looks of him here. He was worried he was going to be late...as he's hugging the principal...on the first day of school.



Aunt Nee Nee and Uncle Steve are ever supportive!



whoa. check out that self portrait on the bottom row, fourth from the left.
what a looker!!

High points:
It's close. I can run up there with a moment's notice if I need to bring a forgotten lunch or if someone is sick.
It's Christian. When one of the kindergarten teachers gave birth to twins at 24 weeks, Miles brought home a letter with the news. I read it with tears welling in my eyes and let out an audible, "oh no," and explained that the babies were born very early. Miles chirped in with, "Mommy, it's good that the babies were born, because that's what God wanted." That's good theology. It's good to have right theology before you feel the weight of personal grief when the storm rolls in. I'm thankful for that.
It's education. I really can't imagine educating my boys right now. Avery is writing poetry, learning Spanish, loving Phys Ed, and actually enjoying art. And that's just four things I couldn't be doing right now. Miles comes home, his mind overflowing with facts about Bats, Japan and Christopher Columbus. He complains that he doesn't like school, but when I ask him for a specific reason he says, "Well....I kind of like it." hm.

Low points:
Homework. Man alive. They're gone all day. And then they come home and we have to do more school! The weather has been absolutely beautiful. After they've been inside most of the day, the last thing I want to do is have them sit down and work on math problems or a book report in the house. Poor kids.
Papers, newsletters, crap for sale. Holy Moley. I cannot handle the load of papers comin' in through the door. There's the abstract-tell-me-about-this-"artwork", the this-week-we-learned-all-about-such-and-such-and-next-week-blah-blah-blah, the hey-it's-October-but-are-you-ready-to-buy-a-wreath-sale???, the countless "great opportunity" sign-ups for skating lessons, chess club, junior great books, science fair, space camp after school program...seriously...I canNOT breathe just thinking about all the paper.
TEACHER APPRECIATION. I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the boys' teachers. But, whatever happened to short notes and little emails and verbal affirmation. I simply don't have the time, money or energy required for appreciating my teachers. By the way, I have well-behaved, curious, team-playing, class-participating, reading, helpful boys. Thank me once in awhile. I did something, too. And I'm not making any money off this gig. I know I sound embittered. I'm not. I'm just easily overwhelmed.

Those are the highs and lows of today. Have a blessed Tuesday!!!

where that smell is coming from

We don't need a bottle of circa 1998 CK One in our home. We really don't. I found it while cleaning out old make up and expired medication. But, then we opened it and freshman year wafted past our nostrils. Ahhhh...the year we became friends has a scent and it is CK One.

It felt sad to throw it away. It felt silly to keep it. (Nobody in our home has worn it for 10 years.)

The compromise? Brent poured it down the kitchen sink so we could experience a lingering long good-bye.

stage fright

It seems every time I come to this blog to write lately, I feel like someone has handed me a microphone and announced that it's my turn to give a speech. I don't know what my deal is, but I keep forgetting everything I have to say.

I think I'm turning a corner, but if you're tired of checking and seeing the same old post, consider subscribing to the blog by using the little window at the right. It's pretty easy.

Hope you all are well. I'm missing St. Louis especially these days. If you've lived there and we were buddies, I've probably been thinking about you a lot.

(Especially you, Mom and Dad! I'm so excited that you're visiting so soon!!!!)