Dave Ramsey, I wish I'd never met you!!

I've written before about how Andy and I are disciples of Dave. We are grateful for how we've been able to "see a better way" and get ourselves into better financial situations. Andy is happier than he has been in years, and it is nice to see a brighter future.

BUT I WANT TO BUY STUFF!!! Right now, I'm having a really, really hard time holding back on some major purchases, like new furniture, and doing some stuff around the house that needs it big-time. But, Oh No, not when you live according to Dave and haven't got it all saved up!! GRRRR !

We had a budget meeting Sat., and things are moving along where we need them too. My surgeries have set us back some, but we are still way ahead of where we started. Last night, I broke a tooth. Yep. Saturday morning, my dentist wasn't in the running of where I wanted to spend money; now, he's WAY at the top. Good news is, it isn't hurting, so I have time. Wait, that's what put me in this mess to begin with!

I shouldn't be complaining, but I really could go with a nice afternoon of swiping plastic and not thinking about the bill. Therapy - escapism - living in a dream world. Yep. Big time.

A long, long week....

Few weeks wreck havoc in the lives of teachers as does Red Ribbon Week. It usually falls right about the time of grades due and Halloween, which makes for a "testy" mood among the adults, at least. But, we plod onward, and try to enjoy the festivites of the week amid a school year where not a lot of fun stuff happens.
This year, our "theme" for RRW was High School Musical. We played snipets over the intercom, we played the sound track during lunch, and our Rally was based on the theme, "We're all in This Together."(one of the "hit" songs, if you are not familiar with the show." It was fun to watch the kids who either LOVE it or HATE it - "Miss, that song AGAIN!", and I feel that for the most part, our committee (of which I was NOT a part) hit it on the head this year. Participation was great, although my SPURS earrings broke on the day we wore sports stuff- and the week ended with success with team building tug-o-wars. If it was just that easy to stick the message that RRW teaches - stay with buddies and away from drugs - then we wouldn't have another thing to worry about. However -

on the way to the playground the first day, a little girl, skipping with glee, came up and said, "Mrs. LaMore, why are we celebrating High School Musical this week?!?" Somedays, the message just doesn't translate the way we imagined!

A Chance Encounter at MacAlister's

This morning, Andy greeted me with the news that he "had to goto Borders" to use his discount points or lose them. So, we quickly pulled ourselves together, and up the road we went. Nothing like a bookstore and lunch out to get me moving on a Sat. morning.
We decided it was too late for lunch, so what now? I suggested MacAlister's Deli - Erin introduced us in College Station - and he went for it. I like it for two reasons, and forgive me if I've shared this before; but they have GREAT sweet tea and such a large menu that you could eat there for a month and never have the same thing twice. We got there just a little after they opened, and pretty much had the place to ourselves.
Here's where the encounter comes in. A little family was just ahead of us in line, with their little girl - maybe 4 years old. She was jumping up and down in place quietly as mom and dad ordered. I asked them, with a grin on my face, if she woke up like that. Dad laughed and said they put her to bed doing the same thing. Normally, that would send bells and whistles off in my head, but today, it had me chuckling. We ordered and took our place.
In a minute, here came the little family to sit on the row next to us. As I ate, the little one kept peeking through the curtain to "flirt" with me and I played back with here, until her mom told her to "leave the lady alone." She did. As we left, I stopped by to wish them a good day. Mom and dad may think I'm a looney, but it just felt like the right thing to do.
Especially in the city, we avoid eye contact and speaking, like someone is going to rob us or worse. I don't like that about how things are, and if I can't speak to a precious little girl on a beautiful Sat. morning, then I give up. I hope they felt as good as I did for the rest of the morning.
Bring on those encounters to us all!!

Who do you honor?

It seems like, lately, I keep thinking of the word honor. I have a little card I found at a shop one time that says, "May all I do and say today honor Christ in every way." I keep it at school and try to look at it daily. It helps me focus on my goal - to honor Christ. I don't always do the job I'd like to - after all, I do work with kids! :) But it is my desire to honor His life, His sacrifice, and His reign as Lord.
Honor isn't easy. To put someone's benefit ahead of your own is not always an American trait, especially now-a-days. It's Me first, second and maybe 3rd, and then others. To know that my words, facial expressions, reactions, and decisions reflect directly on how others see Christ is overwhelming at best. How can I do it without giving people an excuse to not see the Saviour as I do? How can I show Him as One worthy when I mess up? I want people to quit looking at Jesus as someone just to be thought of on Sundays, but to be held in great esteem all day, every day.
I also need to honor others. Our society is too casual with its relationships, and we don't hold people up as they deserve. I honor Andy with my life - he chose me and gives his earthly life for my benefit, and he is also worthy of my respect and admiration. I've come to love and honor the other elders as men who seek Him, and so I honor them... and my life is happier when I treat them with the honor they deserve.
I could go on... in fact, I will. I honor Gregg as my son-in-law for being the leader of Erin's and his home. I honor my boss, and those in governmental authority, even when I don't agree with them. Their position alone calls me to do this. And I feel better when I do.
I'm not sure where all this came from - perhaps as I dealt with surgery and came to respect the man who literally had my life in his hands - his expertise and desire to help others moved me. It helped me to realize that in this life, honor is a small thing to give but a great thing to receive.

I just hope I'm doing it right!

"Look on the sunny side"

I admit it; I'm an optimist. I grew up one, and I hope to continue in that mode until I'm gone. Life has enough to bring one down without it being what you choose to dwell on. Like the old song title says, "Look on the Sunny Side,"...

Case in point; this weekend. Our Ladies' Retreat. Hill Country. Beautiful weather, almost perfect, but not quite cool enough for me. Women I've known for years and newbies I'm learning to love, and nothing to do but enjoy them. Kim and Lorene did it all but arrange the date, and that was my big contribution. Whooee! We sang, we ate, we played, we studied. We loved on each other, and we missed friends who couldn't be there. It was what I needed, except for my comfy bed!
There have been a couple of things happen along the way that could steal my joy and refreshment from the weekend, but I choose not to dwell on them. People will try to take joy from you, but I won't let them, and I won't let my own thoughts interfere with the great memories I have formed in my mind. My mom always told me that you are as happy as you choose to be, and so I choose great happiness.
The highlight of my weekend? One would have to be watching Mildred Royal learn to play Catch Phrase with us. I hope I have her willingness to learn new things when (and if) I am in my 90s.
A weekend in the Hill Country. God is so good!!

My kids at school have been so cute since I've been back. The 1st two I saw, my Jimmy with the cartoon voice and my "tweener" Zoe, came running in to my classroom and took turns in my lap. Not really "legal" to hold a kid on your lap anymore, but who cares?! Jimmy just kept saying, "You're back, you're back!" over and over. He's the only one that wanted to touch my incision, so I let him after I inspected his fingers, and he made the appropriate noises and grimmaces. Man, I love everything about that little boy. (Gregg and Erin - I'll take one just like him; a stinker with a big, big heart! :) ) Zoe stood her distance and asked lots of questions, like, " how close did they come to cutting your head all the way off?" I patiently let them ask whatever they wanted, for the past two days, and have tried to answer them with careful but truthful answers. I've never felt like you should shelter kids from reality, especially if they ask. The thing about 3rd and 4th graders is that they - for the most part - are pure in their questions. They haven't figured out the "polite" way to put things, so when they ask about "all those ugly bruises" on my arms (I'm a hard stick!) they are just concerned. In their own ways, they've made me feel very loved and wanted. Not a bad thing when it comes to where you spend the majority of your days.
Good news, I hope. One part of all my blood work was a test for Dr. Massey - he called it a "tumor chaser." Lovely. He said they like to keep track every so often to see if any of those pesky cancer cells have hidden somewhere. So, several days have passed, and I've not heard from him to come in. I'm taking that as a good report!! Thanks, Father!!!
Well, tomorrow is Wednesday. I'm going to bed.
Sweet dreams!

God's Face

Growing up in the church of Christ, I've never had a picture of Jesus hanging on my bedroom wall or in the auditorium at church; in fact, when I went to my grandmothers, I'd almost cover my eyes to avoid "idol worship" caused by looking at hers. I was always taught that we were not given "graven images" in order to avoid worshipping the wrong thing, and I've read those scriptures about people dying because they saw the face of God. I know all that.

But today, I really needed to see the face of my Father. I wasn't there, spiritually, and I yearned to focus on Who it was I was there to honor. On other occasions, I've closed my eyes and just tried to focus on the whole Heaven thing, while avoiding His face. Didn't work today - too many distractions to filter. It would have been so very helpful just to see the One my heart and soul ache to praise. To have the tangible amid the ordinary would have taken my breath away, which is what worship should do to us -
I'm really hoping this weekend, on the Retreat, that I have that glimpse of Him!

First Impressions

Lately, I've been very aware of first impressions. I guess it's because I've been in lots of new places for the 1st time - mainly doctors' offices and such, and have had a lot of opportunities to watch people I'm unfamiliar with. It has been enlightening, to say the least.
Here's my conclusion; most people are just in too big of a rush to realize how awful they come across. Even on the phone, it feels like you're killing someone to make them converse with you for just a second before you commence business.
When I forgot a paper at my surgeon's on Tues., I had to call back to have them send it to me for work. The lady I was speaking to actually said, "You want me to MAIL that to you?!?" Okay, I could hear all the commotion in the background, but I wasn't just making this up to torment her. When I explained I lived an hour away, she wanted my fax number. (Andy and I are archaic, I know, we don't actually HAVE a fax here at home.) I gave up, called the school and got their fax number, and called the woman back with that number.
All I can say is, I always hope I realize the impression I am making on those I meet or deal with on the phone. I surely don't want to the be subject of their blog that day!!

Have a good weekend!!

The sky is clear!!

Yippee - the "fog" has lifted!! By far, the fog of the anesthesia from my surgeries has been the most frustrating. The pain and discomfort has not been fun - that's for sure - but not being really "with it" for a week or so is not my choice of how to be. Am I 100% ? Not by a long shot, but my sentences are more than 3 words and I'm catching on more to what is being said around me, and I'll take every little bit.

Andy is home again with me today. Tomorrow, we see the good Dr. Brown for stitch removal and nose opening, and then Andy goes back to work on Wed. I sure like having him around; a little preview of retirement, perhaps?

Speaking of - here's my plan for life after teaching. I think we sell the house and pick a place on the map we'd like to live. Go find a little rental, and live there a year. Meet new Christians and see new things, and then do it all over again. 5 places in 5 years - then we settle somewhere in a neutral zone between the girls and their lives.
Andy's not convinced yet... but I've got time on my side!! My first destination - the Pacific West Coast!!

Better Late Than Never

My dad was born Sept. 27, 1920, and he died in 1990.He was 70 years old, and the accident was on his only sister's birthday. He'd been over to eat lunch with her, and left the house on his bike. Since retirement, he spent time riding around looking for cans to cash in - like he needed the money! She'd had some bad birthdays before, a few people she loved had died on her birthday, and so she hated to "celebrate" it; but daddy went over anyway. As he attempted to cross the highway, something happened, and he was hit by a man in a truck. He lingered in a coma for exactly one month, and died on Nov. 18th, 1990.
For many years, the date of his birthday would come and go, and I'd be busy with school or the girls, or life in general, and I would feel so badly when I'd realized I'd forgotten. I forgot this year as well. It seems that, as I get older, it's more important to me to remember him, and mom, and to point out to others that they WERE. Their lives shaped my in every way, and especially this week with the surgery, I've been thinking alot about Daddy. It's actually a pretty gross story, but oh, well.
When I was in elementary school, Daddy had to have nose surgery. My nose is "his" nose (as is Dana's), with a little square on the end.(I also have his dimple in my chin when I lose weight!) Anyway, he had these really large polyps taken out of his nose, and when he came home, boy he was miserable!! The doctor had him all packed up with cotton, and he was all bruised. The best part, though, were the polyps themselves!! I actually got to take them to school in a baby-food jar and show my classmates!! What a treasure!! I'm sure my teachers were thrilled, but tolerated my enthusiasm as long as possible.
Well, luckily for my co-workers, I won't be going back to school with "trophies" to share! I'll just have to hang on to the memory of that adventure I had with Dad - sure wish he was here!!

Home again

Well, the deed is done; I am thyroid-less and have a new non-deviated septum. I also have a killer headache.

The surgery went very well; my thyroid was large and growing up under my collarbone, which is quite sore as I type. I also have a yard or two of packing up my nose, which is a little more than uncomfortable and makes my lips very dry from all the mouth-breathing. Other than those little complaints, I am fine. Andy took off the bandage today as the doc ordered and my neck in noticably smaller from every angle. Tomorrow, I get to shower and shampoo this nasty hair, and then I'm sure I'll be even better. I'm not sure how I'm going to cover this big smiley mouth on my neck when I go back to school; I don't want to gross out the kids. I may need Andy to go buy me a delicate little scarf for the first few days.

One thing I really like about surgery is the maching they put on my legs to keep blood clots away. They "puff' every few seconds, which constricts my feet and lower legs, and it feels like a constant massage. The nurses tell my most patients complain about them, but I love it. I'd buy one if I could - except for the hassle of taking them off to go to the bathroom.

So, that's it for the surgery news. I"m really hoping this is it for a long, long time. I asked God for something the night before, and it worked out, so I'm figuring I'm cool for a while.

Thanks for your prayers and well-wishes. I'm very blessed.

In olden days...

Yesterday was Homecoming for PHS. There is quite an odd feeling about seeing 9 and 10 year old boys and girls in mums and garters - and while I shook my head in disbelief, I also know I made mums for my girls when they were that age. Somewhere, we've lost the total concept of what "Homecoming" is and stands for.
It made me remember my old mums from the late 60's and newly born 70's. Those gigantic, live mums that were the size of a dinner plate and only came in white. Their smell fills my mind right now - the one aspect not replicated in the new century. They were so beautiful in their simplicity; a green back medallion, a few ribbons with glittery letters and a pipe-cleaner "P" for the good-old high school. Picked up the day before, they were gorgeous until about 2nd period, where the petals began to turn brown from handling and some actually falling out leaving great holes. By game-time, some looked quite sad. Then, hung to the wall at home, they died a slow, memory-filled death.
I've been to Homecoming in Poteet I think once since I married. At our 10 year reunion, Cathy and I stood in the front of mom and dad's house, mums on our shoulders. We were beautiful, and so much smarter that in high school. To come back and see how lives have changed (or NOT!) is the real focus of Homecoming. To touch base with the past, and to focus on what that time really meant in the grand scheme of things.
To see those people who were so "IT" and are stuck in that time, to run across a favorite teacher and let them see that their faith in you was not misplaced. That's what the mum is really all about.

Lots of random nothings...

Sorry about the long void of posts... I come home from school so tired that nothing is getting done right now. I am ready for this surgery to be over with so that I can see how I feel. I really am planning on being less tired and having more pep about me. I'm ready for Amy to be back....

One of my 4th graders said, with a very worried face,"But I thought if they cut your throat, you died!" I assured him that 's why the docs get the big bucks!

Sat., Andy and I have our date to see Spyro Gyra. I hope he loves every minute of it - to me, jazz kinda all sounds alike, but he DID go see Josh Groban with me. A night out at a nice venue with my man - I'll be in heaven in no time.

The ground is hard and dry - how can that be after 40 consecutive rainy days? I walk across the playground at lunch, and the grass is brown and brittle and the cracks show in the soil. Weather is a funny thing. Feast or famine.

Well, I need to go fix dinner. I'm looking forward to not having to cook a lot next week. See - don't I sound grumpy?!? I want ME back!!!

News

Earlier in the week; Andy and I met with Dr. Brown, the guy who's taking out my thyroid. I very likeable fellow; laughing eyes and a quick wit - gentle hands around my throat. The visit started off on a bad note, though; they sprayed this deading down my nostrils, and it was nasty - gagged me and made me jump sky high! That did not sit well with me - I like to know what's coming! Anyway - once Dr. Brown came in and we chatted a bit, he began to look in my nose. His eyes widened, and he proceeded to inform me that my septum is very deviated!! So, after he takes out my thyroid, he's going to do a little rinoplasty!! It's apparently a win-win deal; no bruising or swelling and little pain. I'll sleep much better and breathe through my nose for the first time on that side. Nothing will change externally, so you'll recognize me next time we meet after that -
My insurance is going to begin to wonder if I'm trying to come up with these duo-surgeries if I don't stop soon!! Hey, why not get the most out of those anesthestiologists and operating rooms while I can!!

The date: Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2007 - 11:30 am. Please pray.

Happy B'Day, Andrew

Happy Birthday, Dear Andrew!!

We spent the weekend in Houston, staying at Mom and Dad's to visit at celebrate Andy's turning 53. We had lunch on Sat. with all 3 kids, then back to Dana's place to have Cake and yummy strawberries. Andy nor his parents have seen Dana's apt., so that was fun - she's made herself a nice, homey nest. Later, we played games and had a light dinner at Jason's Deli; then we headed back to visit a little more with the folks.

On Sunday, we worshipped at West Houston. Such a friendly, welcoming place. I think Dana's beginning to find her spot, and it's nice to hear the joy back in her voice. Transitions are hard, but she's coming around again.

Anyway, back to my sweet husband. He got tickets to the upcoming Spyro-Gyra concert from me, and the Planet Earth dvds from the kids. I hope he thinks it was a good birthday; as exciting as they get at our age!!
He's my guy, and I'm so glad we got to spend the day together!! No one else I'd rather be with on any given day -

Qualities of a wife

For several years now, Andy has served as an elder in our local congregation. After being a Christian for a long time and serving as a Deacon in two different places, he was approached about being considered to serve as an elder. We were humbled and honored. We both knew the "qualifications" that scripture puts out for us, which describe a man of maturity and wisdom, of good reputation and worthy to be both a leader and a model. After the process made its way through, Andy began to serve.

Several times during this adventure, I've thought about the qualities of an elder's wife. Surely, I've known many different ladies in my life, those of every temperment and personality type. I've tried to find commonality amongst my fellow elders' wives, and I'll be honest - we don't all have a lot in common or seek each other out as a unit.

However, I have come to see one - perhaps the most important- quality that we all appear to have. We have the honor of sharing our husbands with the whole church; sometimes to our dismay. Dinners go uneaten, movies interrupted, and plans changed at the last minute. To be truthful, there's a part of me that sometimes loses focus and recalls the days when there weren't these demands placed on our lives; but that is the reason we waited until the girls were gone to college before we took this work on. They deserved a full-time dad, and especially not parents under the microscope.

I'm pretty glad there isn't a list somewhere that delegates how elders' wives are supposed to be - I find myself pretty different from most of the other wives and that would be a problem. I draw strength from a couple of fellow wives who encourage and uplift me and I love them to death. I'm just going to love my husband and try to make his service to others an easier and more joyful situation. Perhaps that's my biggest job of all.

Where - and why - did they all go?

We are about to get a new church directory. Usually, I notice the big change is that the babies are not babies anymore, or that some dear ones that were with us before have gone on go be with God. In looking at this directory, I'm going to be missing some really dear people who have moved on from us since the last directory.

About 2 years ago now, we had an exodus. Almost 40 families that were with us are no longer calling us their church family. Some moved due to jobs, some moved due to retirement, but the majority of them moved due to situations that should not have happened. It wasn't a big, ugly split like you read about, but just a departure. We were too traditional, we were too liberal; we were too inclusive, we were racist. I guess, bottom line, we just were not what those people wanted.

Even now, I grieve over this; why I don't know. Andy and I have moved our membership from place to place before - life goes on. You make new friends. We've almost added back in number those we lost, they are great people and we love them dearlym but just think where we'd be if we were ALL here, worshipping together.

If I could put all those people in a room together, I'd tell them that I love them, that I miss them and what they brought to the brotherhood here in Pleasanton. That I wish they'd talked more to us before deciding to go. That they'd given us a chance to come to an agreement on what it was that took them from us.

All I can do now is to really love the folks God has given to us even more; to make this the place they want to be, so that we never go through a time like that again. If we can learn from this and become more the church God plans for us, then perhaps that is the good that came of this. I've got to believe something good is ours for the taking, or it will all be in vain.

Books, books and more books

Today, I took my kids to the library for the 1st time this year. Since they miss their regular library time with their class to meet with me each day, it's usually just the 4 or 5 of us with the whole library to ourselves. (Yes, Dana, I said 4 or 5 - I have a tough job!!)


This year, I worked it out with the librarian to come with all classes on the same day, so I basically camped out there. As the schedule fell, the last two groups actually are coming with their classes, so that fills the room up nicely. We help them search for books on the computer, and monitor them to make sure they are getting books on their reability levels. I always have a little one who reads 1st grade level and wants Harry Potter.
Or they only want Great White Sharks and no other shark book will do.

One little girl, who I don't work with, wanted to read me a portion of her book. She dragged up her chair next to mine, and promptly took off. She was having the best day ever, sharing a book with a teacher. I would never have had the nerve to approach a teacher with that request, which made it all the more something I was glad to be part of. Unfortunately, library time was over before we read the fate of Sacagawea, but I think I've heard the story once before.
Well, we made it through with everyone happily finding the perfect book to last us until next time. Now, if we can all just remember to get back to school with it in good condition!!

God Calling

I love storms. I know a lot of people are frightened by them, but they have always been something I have taken pleasure in.

Right now, as I type, I hear loud, rumbling symphonies of thunder to the west. It's been going on for a while, and the power of its message to me is that God is near. I know, people "see" God in nature; a sleeping baby, a rainbow, a sunrise or sunset. I take pleasure in those beautiful sights as well, but for me, it's the sound of the thunder that moves me most. I find great comfort in the fact that all is working as it should, and that the storm that came will pass, and that my God is in control of it all. I think I've especially enjoyed it so much this summer because of the drought we've been through - the silence of the thunder was lonesome. The oddest part is, I didn't realize how much I'd missed it until it came back.

Coming, here, then gone again.

This past weekend, we had Gregg, Erin, and Roarke for a visit. It was a nice, quiet break after a long first week of school, and I had really gotten excited to have them come. Anticipation is a great thing!

We didn't do a whole lot of exciting things - laughed and commiserated with Roarke and his head cone, went out to eat, and worshipped with everyone yesterday. Several of Erin's church friends were home for the long weekend, so they got to catch up on things, which was nice. Then, we had Erin's requested lunch (meat loaf, corn, mashed potatoes, and peach cobbler), quick dozes for naps, and then, they were gone.

Wait! I'm not ready! It went too fast. But we'll visit again in Houston in a couple of weeks, Lord willing. And perhaps Roarke won't have to be wearing the cone!!