One week down....

Tomorrow is the end of March. Two months to go... some people are already counting weeks and days until the end of school, but I usually wait until the beginning of May. Don't want to appear too anxious!

It was a good first week back. My stamina lessened as the week went on, but I still did better getting through the day than before my surgery. I told my principal that I guess I didn't know how bad I felt until I started feeling better. Some things are still uncomfortable and may be for a while yet, but many things are so much better!

I hope to stop talking about this surgery soon... I don't want to become one of "those" people who dwell on medical things, but right now, I have a lot to say. Hope I don't bore you!!

Enjoy your weekend; we deserve them!!

An "Unexpected" Gift

When I was in the hospital, Andy and the kids went down to the cafeteria so he could get something to eat. Later, he came in with a bag, and informed me that he'd seen something in the gift shop that he thought I'd like, and he'd give it to me when I was "ready for it."

Now, I'm not a peeker, but everyday for 7 weeks now, I've walked by this pink bag on his dresser; tempted but not giving in to looking to see what was in it. Andy isn't an impulsive gift-giver; he usually tells me about something he saw, but that's about it. With that in mind, I'm really anxious to see what the devil he would get, and WHEN WOULD I GET IT?!?

Today was the day..., well, actually it was supposed to be Monday, but he was sick and forgot to give it to me. As I opened it, I knew that no matter what it turned out to be, it was special. He'd written a check not in our budget (see Dave Ramsey here!) for something he thought I'd like. It was to commemorate my new beginning back at school; healed and back to the routine. As I opened the little blue box, out came a beautiful egg, covered in yellow tulips. Yellow tulips - Spring. New Beginnings. Love and hope, all in a pink bag.

I'm really glad I didn't peek!!

All Good Things Come to an End

Well, I'm back at school. Yesterday was the first day back, and it went pretty well. My legs and feet were tired and sore, but the stamina held up. Everyone I saw seemed glad to have me back, and the kids were so cute. My little Amigo, Cheyenne, stood back and looked at me a long time, not quite deciding what to do. I finally grinned at her and said, "If you want a hug, come on!" She came over and held on tight for a bit, then went back to get in line. Several people came in to visit, and even my custodian hugged me! How nice is that?!? Beth brought me back a WONDERFUL new cd from Tulsa Workshop, and I was singing along today. Medicine for my soul.

Today was a little more challenging. It's just going to take some time ....

On a whim....

Many years ago, I took piano lessons. For 3 years, I sat on the bench and did as little as I needed to to keep mama off my back and get through the lessons without too much embarrassment.
A friend and I took them at back to back, so my favorite part was playing with her before and afterwards. Not quite the dedicated musician my brother was proving to be.

Now, in my mid-life years, I find myself regreting quitting those lessons. I thought about taking up the violin, but seriously doubt I have the arm strength after going to the symphony a while back. Those people have the stamina of Olympic athletes!

Today, I was looking at craigslist.com, and went to the free area - thanks, Susie!! I found a listing for a FREE piano, in Floresville!! "May need tuning" - you think?!? It's in a storage unit, and "weighs a billion pounds". I have nowhere to put it, don't know a piano tuner at all, but I emailed the owner to see if it was still available.

Now, I thought Andy would flip when I told him what I'd done, but he just said, "I think I know that name." This is HUGE for my husband - he usually thinks I'm out on a limb big-time, and he didn't say a thing?! This surgery has really affected him!!

I'll keep you posted....

Amy has a little lamb

I've always liked collections that people have. I think they show a certain aspect of their personality, and offers nothing if not conversation starters.
I've had several collections - clowns, birdhouses, old hymnals, etc. Along the way, either I outgrew the collection or I just quit looking for them.

When Andy became an elder for the 1st time, I began to study more indepthly the Shepherd/lamb portions of scripture. I came to love the 23rd Psalm truly for the 1st time, and I began to "feel" Andy growing more and more responsible for his own little flock. With that came the next logical step; I wanted sheep.

Now, sheep are not always easy to find; usually in baby departments or around Easter. I have a Willow tree figurine given to me that is the woman tenderly holding a lamb, but don't try to buy the boy shepherd apart from the Nativity - it gets ugly!! Anyway, to date I have about 5 little white lambs.

Today, my friend Susie brought me my newest. She found her for me in Tennessee on a visit to see her son over Spring Break, and wanted to give it to me. Now, Susie has given me things for many years - and provided things for me which I can never attempt to repay. She loves me for some reason, and has blessed my life with her friendship greatly. I took my first trip to Tulsa with her (and Ed), and they've been with me through thick and thin. I wanted to name my new lamb after her, but she said to wait, she's looking for a special one that is more "like her". So, I'll honor that wish. But I'll remember her love for me every time I look at the lamb.

Her name? Roxanne - after another of Jesus' precious lambs.

friendships far away

I've been reminded twice in the past 4 days of the value of certain relationships. I get so caught up in my "here and now" that I tend to drop the ball with those I love who live far away.

Over the weekend, while Andy was off with his brother and other manly men, I spent the day with my mother-in-law. We don't see them a whole lot, so I was looking forward to having a whole day with her, almost to myself. (Dad was there, too, but busy with his own stuff) Now, Mom is not one to sit all day and not work at something, but on this day, she gave it up for me. I met up with her at the table about 8:30am, and except for about 30 minutes, we talked all day. It was wonderful. She's had a most interesting life, and even after 30+ years, I learned things I'd never known before. After my dear Mamaw, she is probably the woman I respect most on this earth. That evening, we drove over to her daughter's home for dinner, where I was once again reminded that, even though you don't see someone all the time, you can take up like nothing ever left off. She is gracious and fun, a good cook and dear sister-in-law.

This morning, as I was laying in bed, my phone rang, and it was my friend Dianne Connell. When all was said and done, we'd talked 10 minutes shy of 2 hours, like we saw each other everyday. We had babies together, and her husband is who brought Andy to the Lord all those years ago, so we have a deep history together. Her wisdom and clarity always bless me, and I hope she gets just a bit of goodness from my end. I do miss her....

This surgery has shown me so many ways in which I've been blessed - I hope I never forget!!

Call me "Editor"

I had some really good teachers growing up. All through school, they made sure we learned the spelling rules and grammar do's and don'ts, and my mom was a stickler for the same. I pride myself on my spelling abilities, and other teachers have been known to ask me to proof stuff for them. I find it an odd but pleasurable talent.

My friend has written a book, and we've discussed it over the past year on several occasions. Being her first effort at being published, she's doing all the little last minute things before sending it off to be printed. Last night, she gave me a big surprise when she asked me to read over and edit it for her!! WHOOPEE!! Today, she brought it over. I'm doing my first read-through when I finish here.

I know from writing my children's story how nerve-wracking it is to let someone read your writing, and what a big step it is to hand it over to someone else. It's like opening up your soul to someone for their inspection. Vulnerable isn't descriptive enough. I'm so honored she trusts me - I promised her I'll be very professional, and kind. I'm sure it will be great.

Who knows - this could be the start of a new career for me!!

Neopolitan, anyone??

When Dana moved home after completing college to teach her first year, she wanted to redo her room. It had been light blue since the house was built, and she'd outgrown it. So, she picked a lovely suede brown (dark) color and redid her room. Very cozy, just too dark (and brown) for my taste.

The other day, after seeing Dr. Massey, we went to get paint. Now, we'd picked out a couple of ideas, but when it came time to mix one of them, I'd changed my mind. I found a lovely mauve color that I thought would look just right in the room on the west side of the house, even though Andy thought it may not be quite right. I prevailed, we bought paint, and went home.

Thursday morning, Dana leaves to head back to San Marcos (sad face here!), and we begin the process. Andy tapes up the things he thinks need it, and begins to patch up some little holes with white stuff. Now the room looks patchy, but soon it will be alright.

Sure. He opened the paint, and it was PINK !! Once he began to do the trim work, it looked all wrong. That's when he makes his "this looks like neopolitan ice cream" remark, and I almost fainted. I ran to get the swatch, and it DID NOT MATCH ! This was not good, but we'd spent the money on the paint, and it was going on the walls no matter what!

Luckily, once it dried, it was the right color - the one that matches the swatch - and it looks good. To me, anyway. It's still too pink for him!! You'll have to come see and give us your opinion, even though it'll stay that color for a while!!

Enjoy this beautiful day!

Zing!! That speeding bullet you just heard was whizzing past my head. It's official, the cancer was taken care of during the surgery - no radiation, no chemo - no cancer!! Visited with Dr. M. yesterday, and he gave us the news. Praise God. I never really felt like I "had cancer" but just the idea that something foreign and life-threatening grows within is a sobering thought. I thank you all for your uplifting my name before the Father, and I hope never to have to repay the favor!

This has been an interesting time. Not a fun way to lose 20 pounds, but I'll take it as, I hope, a jumpstart. I'm more alert, have more energy - mentally, at least - and my head is just more clear than I remember being in a while. I guess I just didn't realize what all was going on. Duh!!

This weekend, I'm missing a "cousins' reunion" up near Fort Worth for my cousin Bobby Aaron. Bobby's dying of cancer, evidently it won't be long. He's fought hard, and will leave this life way too soon. I'm really sad I'm not able to make the drive, but just going to SA and back is cause for discomfort the next day. Luckily, I don't go back to work until the 26th, so I have a little more time to recoup....

Dana's headed home, and Andy's getting her old room ready to paint, so I guess I need to get in there and see what, if much, I can do. There's always that "moral support" !!

Rain!! We love it when we can get it down here, but it does hamper our plans for Spring Break... Andy planned to wash my car, which REALLY needs it, and we need to work in the yard, but we are thinking it's not going to happen.

What I am enjoying is the thunder and lightning- it's been a while since we have had good 'ol thunder boomers, and it's great movie watching weather. Dana's getting caught up on her laundry while we enjoy "Little Miss Sunshine", "Stranger Than Fiction" and "My Date with Drew." She's fun to "talk movies" with, and it makes Andy sit down with us... he is wanting to accomplish stuff on his days off, silly man!!

On a really happy note, I found out that the Johnsons and Dana will be spending Easter with us!! Easter is my very favorite holiday, and I have such wonderful memories from my childhood and that of the girls. I am way excited to fix baskets and dye eggs again - and now, with Roarke coming, I have to include a treat for him!! (Prelude to grandchildren!)
I'm a really happy mom right now!!

I've written a children's book. It's about my experiences as a little girl at the Strawberry Festival when I was growing up, and it's my first effort. I've sent it out to a couple of local places, and while they were encouraging with my "style", they were not into children's books, or suggested I try having it published in a magazine first as a short story. A lady at church recommended an illustrator to me, but I've yet to contact her. It's scary putting your writing out there for others to see, and I fear rejection big time! My thoughts are to get some published and take it in April to the Festival to sell at a booth, to see what type of interest there would be. As it is March now, I've obviously missed this Festival, but there's always next year.

Wish me luck (and confidence!! )

Last night was great. Andy, Dana and I went to the Majestic to do the Bugs Bunny on Broadway presentation by the SA Symphony. As usual, the crowd was ecclectic - everything from formals to jeans - we were in between there somewhere. I handled the stairs fine, with Andy's steady hand to guide me - I'm sure I was a sight to those who saw us!! Andy sat between us and had a blast - it was so good for us all to get out and relax. I sat next to a lovely woman who was dressed in an elegant black formal. She was sweet, and I enjoyed conversing with her.

The show was about 2 hours long; and I have to say that the conductor, who has traveled the world over for 18 yrs. with this show, had nothing but glowing reviews for SA's friendly folks, the riverwalk, and its symphony. He kept talking about the cheese in his hotel room shaped like Texas, with a pimento stuck where SA is. The crowd appreciated his comments, and it was a charming evening overall.

Culture at its best!

One of my blogs that didn't publish was on Tulsa. Every now and then, I get what I call a "Tulsa Blast." It's where, out of nowhere, I get the "feel" or "smell" of the Tulsa Workshop. I can hear the singing, taste the Brownie hamburgers, feel the cold March air as I walk from session to session, remember the laughter and lively discussion of the day's events. It makes me want to go with such a yearning that I can hardly bear it.

The first time I went, I invited myself to join the Pursches. I had no idea what to expect; I just needed a boost and could tell from what they said, this was the place to get it. Ed warned me that it would be like nothing I'd ever seen, and he was right! Over the following years, I flew, I rode in a packed minivan and I rode with Robert Hutton through Austin at 90 mph! It didn't matter how I got there, just so I did. I went with Andy and without (I prefer the with!) and with both, neither, or one of the girls. The workshop was one of the few times we ever let the girls miss school unless they were bleeding profusely or running a high fever. They just did not miss school - but Tulsa was the exception. We felt it was some of our best family times together and exposed them to the church universal. We were "free" to think outside the box of traditionalism and heritage, to sing and worship uninhibited and to meet and hear amazing men from the brotherhood.

Andy says he doesn't "need" Tulsa anymore. I don't need it like I did, but I still love it. I want to go again, to take Gregg and experience it with him for the first time. But not this year. Surgery and other things took it off the calendar for now, but Lord willing, I'll go back.

For now, I'll just enjoy those blasts!!

Well - here goes. I've tried everything I can think of to get these posts to publish, and it's been pretty frustrating for a novice computer woman to deal with. Usually, I'm a pretty patient person, but this has been too much!!

My surgery was a month ago today. I'm about 80% back, I think - maybe 85. I know the day is coming when I have to go back to school, but I'm not ready. It seems like I've come a long way, but there's farther for me to go. Andy says he sees nothing but good coming out of all this; I really hope he's right. He's a pretty smart guy.

Tomorrow night, we are going to the Majestic - one of my favorite places to go in SA. The symphony is playing classical music to Looney Tune cartoons, shown on a big screen over them. Dana is joining us, and I feel it's a celebration for us all. Dana's - Spring Break and the corner turning to the end of the school year; Andy - a brief and minute respite from being my caregiver, and me - just getting dressed up and out of the house. I need something to make me feel pretty and nice.

Well. I'm about to hit "publish", so wish me luck.

Have a great weekend!

hi mom

It worked!

I love my heritage. I love the Church of Christ - it's all I've ever known. I can count back 5 generations of my family who have worshipped within its walls, and I take great comfort in having raised my daughters in it. There is a peace and comfort I feel when I identify myself with that group of believers.

One thing I particularly loved and, quite honestly, miss about growing up in that fellowship was calling everyone "brother ____" or "sister ____". It was like a secret identification code; if you called someone brother or sister, it defined a relationship with that person. As soon as you were baptized, that person - no matter that they were your grandparents' ages - were your new brother and sister in Christ. No first names, no Mr. or Mrs., but "brother Spence" or "Sister Maxwell." It was formal but at the same time, intimate. It spoke to those among us as having a bond that no earthly relationship could surpass.

Now, in our more casual times, we're all comfortable with calling the minister Ray, or the elder Bob, but is it the same? Have we lost something with this familiarity that our ancestors in the church knew we needed? Is our family - our brotherhood - as dear to us as when we called each other by these titles? I, for one, wish we could get that part of our heritage back... we need all the closeness we can get.

I feel like I have been on a seesaw. You remember those; one minute up, the next down. That's how my energy level is these days - one day I feel really good and back to my "old" self, the next is like I'm 100 yrs. old and have been cut open and rearranged - wait, I have!

Andy says I'm moving around better, and I agree, except for when I've been sitting too long. Then, it's like everything is stuck in one place and doesn't want to move. I've got to get going more on my walking, but there's part of me that is afraid still. I hear everyone saying to take it easy, and I don't want to mess up, but I need to be more mobile. I keep thinking it's early still.

Well, today is supposed to be a beautiful day, so perhaps I'll get outside more and enjoy it - at least I'm not stuck in my classroom!

Have a wonderful day!