What a day this has been! Not one I shall forget any too soon.
It started out quite normal...our eldest daughter dropping off the kids for us to watch during the day while she worked. My husband had a dental appointment, so he left at 9am. My grandson and I went along with what we were doing, and the baby was asleep...our youngest daughter was still asleep...all was quiet. I had to use the bathroom and went in and closed the door, like any other time. Only this time, the door would not reopen when I tried to exit the room. YEOW!!! HELP!!!
I called my grandson and asked him to try opening the door from his side. No luck there. So, I went about trying to remove the door from its hinges, but I had no luck nor any tools to use to help me. A little pair of clippers, my only available tool, proved to be quite inadequate with the situation at hand. I fooled with the doorknob over and over, trying to get it to fall open or reposition it to help myself out, but nothing doing. The lock on the back of the doorknob would go 'round and 'round all day long. NOT fun!
SO, I called to my grandson through the door and instructed him to go get the telephone. I was calm and he was calm. Good. He got the phone. I told him to punch in the numbers of the dental office. (I am SO glad that I knew it by heart!) I then had him repeat the numbers back to me that he saw displayed. He said them correctly. I then instructed him to push "On." He did it. I told him what to say while the phone was ringing on the other end. It was so cute to listen to him...I just wish I could have seen his face at the time. (Course, if I could have seen his face, there would have been no need for the call in the first place.) He asked for his Papa and then said his name, so there would be no confusion on the other end. They all knew his name too, so they knew it was a legit call. He told them it was an emergency. He then spoke to his Papa and told him that I was in the bathroom and could not get out because the door was locked. The man on the other end told him he would be home soon. I asked my grandson if he was sure that he had actually spoken to my hubby. He was not positive, so I decided a back-up call was in order. About ten minutes passed and I had my grandson call the office number again. He pressed the number out, just as before. He identified himself again and asked if his Papa was on his way home. He was told that he was, so I knew in about 20 more minutes, I could make my escape. Man, the time passed slowly. The only sign of trauma that I caught was when my grandson said he was going to go to another level of the house and get his favorite stuffed bear that goes everywhere with him. I gave him permission, as I had been keeping him on the same level as I was through the ordeal. Our granddaughter woke up once through it all, probably because I was speaking so loudly so my grandson could hear me, she fussed for about a minute and then went back to sleep. She might have just lost her pacifier and then found it.
My spouse came inside the house with a slim screwdriver in his hand and set me free. He then took the doorknob apart and found nothing wrong with it...but I know it malfunctioned today anyway.
I know all's well that ends well. Nothing happened to anyone as a result of my incarceration. It just gives me the chills to think of the "what might have beens."
Because of how he saved the day, my hubby took our grandson to a store where he had seen another stuffed bear (last week) that he fell in love with instantly, and bought him that bear. He played with it the rest of the afternoon and was not too eager to share it with his sister. I also gave him carte blanche to choose whatever he wanted for lunch and all he asked me for was "green pudding." So, I made him green (pistachio) pudding and he was thrilled.
He is three years and four months. I am so very proud of him for what he did today. He listened well, and took instructions and followed through with no problems at all. You should have heard his noontime meal prayer. He thanked our Lord that he was able to help his grandmother out. All I can say is "whatta kid!"
YOU GO BOY! :) That was very heroic of him! And to have that long of an attention span! Most kids would be running around and getting into everything, and not paying full attention. HAHA. Smart kid, and good thing for your safety too! :) Glad everyone was alright.
At only 8 yrs, Amanda helped me get her dad and remained calm when I was suffering from a life-threatening situation. I know it was hard for her and I'm so glad my mother was there to comfort her later.
In years gone by, August proved to be a VERY hot month. Lately, it has not seemed to be as sweltering, has it? I remember one particular August 31st where it was so hot you could probably have fried an egg on the hood of your car, no problem. A very special event also took place that year, on that day. A young man returned home from Viet Nam after a second tour of duty there, ten days prior to that date. His overseas obligation had been met and exceeded. He came back to the USA in one piece, and missing none. He had one more year of service to give and then he would have met another obligation. His time in the service would have been served.
On August 31st, he married the girl he had promised to love and cherish forever. I was present at that wedding, although I do not remember too many details about it. This guy had the biggest grin you ever saw after he and his bride were pronounced man and wife. He then set about beginning the journey of a lifetime.
I have seen that man often since that wedding. He and his wife have had some rocky times and some smooth sailing, as is normal in most marriages. When I see him, I often think of that young man as he was then. It is hard for me to realize that so much time has passed since he and his wife married, that he has aged (although very nicely) matured and grown in every good way, that he is closer now to the end of his life rather than to the beginning. I am saddened for them as a couple, knowing that, but happy for the time they have had to share as man and wife.
I have kept up close and personal tabs on that couple, for that man is Mr. Spicegirl, my husband of many years. Celebrate that with us as we strive for many more!
Oh that was so sweet. Mr. Squeaky and I will be married 51 years in October. I want to know if you are like me. When I look at him I still see the blond hair and oh so beautiful blue eyes and mischeivious grin he had when we first met. It's apparent neither one of us are spring chickens but I still see him like he was when we married. I hope you have many more years to remember that hot day on Aug. 31 and go down memory lane to those sweet days.
Hi everyone! Just got back from our trip today and I must say, we had a great time. The campground was practically empty due to everyone waiting until this weekend to go. (That was a plus for us!) For many, it will be the last trip of the year, now that school is back in session and fall is sneaking up on us. As for us, we never go over really busy holidays, that's when we stay put and have a "Stay-cation." I am hoping to make some homemade ice cream again this weekend, along with lots of other goodies! Our next official trip is planned for three weeks from now. It will be a longer one. Our eldest daughter and her hubby will be out of town then also, so we will not be watching the grandkids in that time frame. We will venture further away from home since we have a longer timeframe with which to "play." I love our walks, and all the games we play, eating outside (although I must admit we have a nice screenhouse to eat inside of...) and how everything just tastes better when you are camping. During summers past, we have averaged being gone every other weekend, but it is a little slower this year due to my hubby's accident and all the repercussions of it, but we are still managing to go pretty often.
Looking forward to catching up with all your posts and news. Be patient with me, I will get there. Am knee deep in mail and laundry and sorting and cleaning, and we will be having the grandkids again for the next two days, so take that into consideration, OK?
I never heard of Probiotics. I will check into that. Thanks for the information. I will definitely consider it. Anything to help me along right now would be wonderful!
I love that: "Stay-cation"! That's what I'm hoping for for awhile. Thanks for visiting my blog and cheering me on. I'm so out of shape and out of sorts because of it. I'm taking down my moving shingle for awhile, hoping all those I know and love will stay put for awhile!
Autumn is so sneaky. Last year I didn't even notice it. I just thought it went straight from summer to winter. How could I have been so stupid!? My birthday is in autumn. Now I have to wait for the earth to make another round before I age... Hmmm... I wonder if I can harness this power...
I've rigged a solar panel up to a giant outdoors calculator. If the world makes anything short of a 365.25 day trip, I'll know about it. There's also a Memory button so I can store the power of the sun and use it later if i want. So next Autumn will be twice as long as it should be. The power of the sun in the palm of my hands... Next year, I'll have two birthdays so I'll get twice the presents!
The unit is all loaded and we are good to go! Looking forward to some R and R! No friends joining us this time, just us. That has its good and bad points!
Greetings from a weary soul! I am hoping that things will get caught up soon and settle back down for a bit. There is a lot to be said for "routine." We had a WONDERFUL trip and it was so good for us all. Our friends beat us to the campground and were already set up when we arrived, so they helped us get all our stuff out and up. What a blessing! (Our SIL also helps when we go together. Applause for his efforts also!) With my hubby's hand still bothering him so much, the help was truly appreciated.
We had lots of sunshine and beautiful weather. Saturday evening it rained, but it did not dampen our spirits. We still had a campfire going and sat under the canopy so we could still be out doors for most of the time. When it got chilly, we went inside and played Skip-O and had fun there. We played the Bean Bag game and Ladder Golf while there, but no time for horseshoes. There were lots of long walks, (and a few short ones also) we watched the Mississippi River flow and the barges heading up and down, so much activity. We even went shopping together (course, the guys and gals split up while in the store...thank goodness I had Walkie Talkies with us so I could locate the men when we ladies were finally done...) Part of the time was just spent relaxing and talking and talking and talking. A thoroughly enjoyable time! I am looking forward to the next trip with them, or just us...I just really enjoy camping.
During the quiet times during the past few days, I have had time to reflect on my life a little. I have three siblings. Two are older, one younger. I have always been the "Black Sheep" of the family. As a child, and up on into my current years, it always bothered me to have that label. I always hated being on the "outs" with my siblings. They were nice to me at times, but later on I realized why the "nice" times happened. I was being used, because I was close to my parents and my parents confided things to me that they did not with the others. I did not betray that confidence, but I did have opportunity to enjoy the "better" side of each of the siblings. Since the passing of my Mother, certain things have been unfolding about my siblings. I will not go into detail, but suffice it to say, they are not things to "write home" about. These facts have broken my heart over and over. With each week that passes, I am enlightened with even more information. None of it is good.
So, here am I, the "Black Sheep." I now realize that what I am called and considered to be all my life is something to be PROUD of. I said it out loud to my spouse today, for the very first time. It has lightened my spirit and made me feel a little more worthwhile.
Now, not only do I not mind being different, I now CELEBRATE it. See a lesson in there? I bet we can apply it to our Christian lives as well. Feedback please!
I was just working on a blog entry today, part of which mentions that my Dad was the black sheep of his family. As my siblings and I grew older and understood more about his family, we realized how FORTUNATE we were that he was the odd man out, and that he WAS so because he was a better man than any of them.
As badly as they treated him, I never heard my Dad say one nasty thing about a single person in his family. He would be (carefully) honest if questioned, but he never even brought the subject up on his own.
I think in every family these things go on. I just wish you had realized much earlier how blessed you were to be the black sheep of the family. It is a blessing you now can cherish. I wish there wasn't so much pain with your sibling. Pray and maybe the black sheep can help by example.
Not only are you the Black Sheep, but you are the wise woman who built her house on the rock and the one that let your light shine, even though your siblings couldn't recognize it. I'm sorry for the news that is being revealed. May they some day see the need to correct their lives.
I don't agree with that. I've discussed this situation enough (with you) to know that you are very hurt and disappointed in your siblings' behavior, but I've never heard you bash them or anything. You're just honest about their bad behavior and how it impacts you and your family, and you ask for support and prayers about it. I don't think there is anything wrong with that.
Does this mean you have been spared some things while needing to suffer otherwise? I think my grandfather was that way...we know so little about his siblings.
Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
We are supposed to be a peculiar people, or the black sheep, of the world. And sometimes, that falls into the family as well.
Psa 34:18 The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
Psa 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.
Psa 34:20 He guards all his bones; Not one of them is broken.
Psa 34:21 Evil shall slay the wicked, And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.
Psa 34:22 The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.
Psa 3:5 I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me.
Psa 3:6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.
And most importantly, we HAVE to remember...
Psa 11:3 If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?
We have to keep our foundations strong and intact, no matter what happens. It's just so much harder when family is involved. Believe me, I KNOW!! I have been reading in Psalms lately, just because I have been feeling like I need comfort, and it has helped me immensely! Maybe you could give it a try and see if it helps you too? I hope I'm not overstepping here...just trying to help a sister. :) Love you!
Taking good with the bad. Grains of salt. Knowing that not everything in your life will be perfect. But, that God and your Christian siblings, love you just the same. :) Glad you had a fun filled vacation, and are home safe and sound.
That line you wrote on my blog is what encouraged me to find new love at my first husband's request before he died. I didn't know if I wanted to go through losing again, but love is much, much more powerful. Thank you!
Family- they shape us but don't define us. Glad you are a sheep and I would say that the color is more white than black; although I understand the metaphor.
