Road Trip!

It's time for a little shout out to the Lord, so you know that it must be Gratituesday, where one can be vocally thankful for something in life.

On Sunday, The Girl, two friends and I took a road trip to the church camp for those who were in 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th grade last year. Along the way there was much laughing, much singing, much talking and, as usual with that many girls, much confusion. From trying to understand each other to trying to find the camp, we were all trying to find a way to get to where we’re going.

In trying to cut across land so that I could enter the interstate, I took a map designated road that should have lead to an on-ramp. Did you notice the “should” in that last statement? But as we were driving, I noticed that we went right over the interstate with nary a place to turn onto it. Imagine a car full of girls who are now in a place that none of us had ever been. Yeah, it was one of those wonderful moments that inspire tv sitcoms to be made.

Never once did I think to pray about our being “lost”. All I could think of doing was to look over the map and saying, "There SHOULD HAVE BEEN AN ON-RAMP HERE!" while looking for alternatives.

The girls were no help at all either. They mostly thought of “We’re LOST! We’ll never make it to camp! Waaaah!” and “Maybe there WAS an on-ramp and they just removed them.” Or my favorites: “Do we need to turn around and go home and start over? We’ll never get a bottom bunk now…”

But lo and behold, who should call as I’m sitting in the car and studying the map about how to fix the situation? Mr. Right called about some piddly thing, whereas I gave the account as to why we’re sitting on the side of the road, not going to camp at the moment.

“Hold on a moment. Okay, I’m looking at Google Maps right now and you need to take a left at the T and turn left on East 4th Street.”

Me: But that’s in a neighborhood! There isn’t an on-ramp in the middle of a subdivision!”

MR: Sha, do you trust me? Just do it and you’ll see.

Me: Yeah, I trust you. I’m turning. I’m turning.

And then less than a minute later, we’re on the interstate.

So I’m thankful for a quick-thinking man who quickly became a hero to the four girls in the car and for Google Maps, which ultimately saved the day and made bottom bunks possible for each of the girls.

So.... Road trip anyone? I'm game if you are, but only if you have a GPS system (which you know means that we'll be taking your car, right?)

What Does Any Sane Person Do When Her Head Is As Full As A Balloon?

Why go on a field trip with 70 kids, of course.  Right?  Right?

Well, it's what I did, but only because it's been in the works for over a month now.  And The Boy was SO. EXCITED. THAT HIS MOM WAS GOING TO RIDE THE BUS WITH HIM TO A REALLY FUN PLACE!!  

Who can let a measly battle of the sinuses interfere with that kind of enthusiasm?  Not me.  I'm a mom and I can do anything - even if I have a broken leg, two broken arms, a bout of flu and migraine.  That just the way moms work; they get through anything.

Well there was that one time when I was a dorm mother, and I caught mono from someone in that building.  I desperately wanted to get to my mom's place so that I could give her my then 4 year old and seven-month-old and just curl up into a ball and die a slow painful death, but even then I made the solo 17 hour tip to Texas - straight through.  And trust me, I thanked God the entire way that my kids were amazingly good.  Then I thanked God that my folks took the kids and then let me sleep until I came out of that mono-induced fog.  Then I thanked him for letting me live rather than listening to my "curl up and die" nonsense.  I didn't thank him when I had to change the first "blowout" that my son saved for my return to wellness.

My point is, I think, that we moms are pretty tough and we do a lot of things that can't be done by a normal person because by being mom, we're given special super powers that helps us keep going.  God did that by design, I tell you; if he didn't, then the house would fall apart, kids would starve and husbands would be driven crazy with all the work that they would now have to do.  

I'm just telling it like it is.  Can I get an "Amen!"?

Anyway, I had this day off from work so that I could go on this field trip with The Boy.  I went.  We had fun.  See?

Fun.

Fun.

More fun!

We came back.  I got in the car and drove home, only to discover when I pulled into the driveway, I have a very flat tire.  Yeah, not so good.

So I sit here waiting for the tow truck to come change the flat to a spare so that I can spend my afternoon at a tire store getting a new tire and then going to a doctor's appointment.  So much for my intended blog-reading time, a nap and much needed trip to get my Chik-fil-A fix before the doctor's visit.

Sigh.  I'll just consider it an enjoyment that is just being deferred for the moment.  Hey, the tow guy just showed up...

So since I won't be catching up anytime today, will you share a bit of what's going on with you?  If you're a mom, I'd really love to hear how you're a Supermom too.

What Does Any Sane Person Do When Her Head Is As Full As A Balloon?

Why go on a field trip with 70 kids, of course.  Right?  Right?

Well, it's what I did, but only because it's been in the works for over a month now.  And The Boy was SO. EXCITED. THAT HIS MOM WAS GOING TO RIDE THE BUS WITH HIM TO A REALLY FUN PLACE!!  

Who can let a measly battle of the sinuses interfere with that kind of enthusiasm?  Not me.  I'm a mom and I can do anything - even if I have a broken leg, two broken arms, a bout of flu and migraine.  That just the way moms work; they get through anything.

Well there was that one time when I was a dorm mother, and I caught mono from someone in that building.  I desperately wanted to get to my mom's place so that I could give her my then 4 year old and seven-month-old and just curl up into a ball and die a slow painful death, but even then I made the solo 17 hour tip to Texas - straight through.  And trust me, I thanked God the entire way that my kids were amazingly good.  Then I thanked God that my folks took the kids and then let me sleep until I came out of that mono-induced fog.  Then I thanked him for letting me live rather than listening to my "curl up and die" nonsense.  I didn't thank him when I had to change the first "blowout" that my son saved for my return to wellness.

My point is, I think, that we moms are pretty tough and we do a lot of things that can't be done by a normal person because by being mom, we're given special super powers that helps us keep going.  God did that by design, I tell you; if he didn't, then the house would fall apart, kids would starve and husbands would be driven crazy with all the work that they would now have to do.  

I'm just telling it like it is.  Can I get an "Amen!"?

Anyway, I had this day off from work so that I could go on this field trip with The Boy.  I went.  We had fun.  See?

Fun.

Fun.

More fun!

We came back.  I got in the car and drove home, only to discover when I pulled into the driveway, I have a very flat tire.  Yeah, not so good.

So I sit here waiting for the tow truck to come change the flat to a spare so that I can spend my afternoon at a tire store getting a new tire and then going to a doctor's appointment.  So much for my intended blog-reading time, a nap and much needed trip to get my Chik-fil-A fix before the doctor's visit.

Sigh.  I'll just consider it an enjoyment that is just being deferred for the moment.

So since I won't be catching up anytime today, will you share a bit of what's going on with you?  If you're a mom, I'd really love to hear how you're a Supermom too.

Case In Point

*Edited at the end*

Last night my friend Debbie called to apologize because she scheduled herself to eat dinner with us, but somewhere along the way she forgot about it.

I told her not to worry about it, that these things happen. I took no offense from it. (And really, the stellar meal I made didn't turn out so stellar. The chicken was dry as well as the honey-ginger carrots, so in one way, it was a relief that she wasn't partaking of that meal.) I told her it all worked out for the best, but that if she wanted to avoid me, she would have to come up with a different excuse next time.

We laughed and chatted for about 10 minutes, and I kid you not, these words came out of my mouth before I realized it: "Well, I've had enough."

Classy, huh? I'm such a gem of a friend.

Silence stretched out for a second as I tried to grab those words out of the air and shove them back into my mouth. I apologized to Debbie, laughing at my moment of stupidity. I indicated all the better things I could have said - like "I need to go now" or "Oh look the cat's on fire. I'll talk to you later."

Debbie, ever the good and understanding friend, said with a smile in her voice, "That's okay, Shalee. I know how you are about being on the phone. I feel good that I got to talk to you as long as I did." Then we made a future date to get together again.

Oh, I'm learning the ropes of humility everyday.

I'm sure they have doctors for this kind of mental illnesses. I might even go see one, but I'm sure it would all have to start with a phone call so we know what the chances of my going will be...

Anyone up for a MIRL?

*I've been totally worried the last couple of days now that I've peeled myself open the last couple of days. These post aren't to say that I don't want to talk to anyone ever. It just means that when we're on the phone and I start acting weird, you know it's probably time for me to go.  And if we are MIRLing, don't let my total dorkiness put you off.  Remember, I still want to be a part of the Girls Only club.  I'm not really a total loss.  A mess maybe, but not a loss.  Thank you very much.  The following has been a paid public announcement by Shalee's Diner.  You may now continue your eye rolling.

I Know What I Can Be For Halloween...

Last night I decided to follow Jeana's advice about feeling better, which required honey and a clove of garlic that has been pressed.  Unable to find my garlic press, I opened the kitchen door that lead to the closed garage, thinking that I must have accidentally put it in storage in our garage.

As I reached around to turn on the light, I stepped down on to our step... and felt something slightly furry touch my foot.  (Here is where I should mention that we don't own an outdoor pet.  Our cat stays indoors.  At all times.  Our indoor does not include our garage.)  In the span of a nanosecond, I turned on the light and jumped back a step, all the while, very operatically singing, "Oooooooooooh Myyyy Goooooooooodneeeeeeeeeeeess!" as I looked at the opossum staring up at me.

Did I mention that I have great lungs and abdomen strength and that my voice can carry up two flights of stairs so well that it can cause Mr. Right to come running down the stairs, phone in hand, ready to call 911 as soon as he knew the nature of my emergency?  I totally copped to being a girl and begged Mr. Right to chase that critter out of the garage.  

I knew those Music Major classes in college would come in handy sooner or later.  

So now I've decided to be a new type of Superhero for Halloween - Opera Woman!  I can shatter glass, leap tall steps and cause opossums to play dead with a single note.  Oh yeah.  I'm great in cases of emergencies. 

Now, if I could just find a helmet with horns I'll be in business...

Poor Service To Kirstie

I've been up thinking about this event most of the night. I gave really poor unChrist-like service to a commenter yesterday. An insult was left in my comments, and I let my flesh have the better of me. Instead of turning the other cheek or just ignoring it, I retaliated. Unfortunately for me, I am really good with a comeback. Sometimes my brain or mouth kicks in before my heart has a chance to listen.

So Kirstie, I want to apologize for not letting God have the floor and for being such a poor example of grace and love to you. I've been on this earth 36 years, yet it seems that some lessons I will never learn fully. Please forgive my lack of grace and patience and my ugliness to you.

Although you may not want to ever come back to my diner, I've got a special table reserved for you, and I'd love to sit and to talk with you. I know I can't change your first impression of me, but I'd love to show you that there is a better side to me than what you saw yesterday - the side where God is leading and I'm just along for the ride. And I'd love to turn back the clock to have a do-over with you.