Happy Thanksgiving

It's that time of year again - the end of it! Thanksgiving is tomorrow and after that the countdown to Christmas will begin. This is my absolute favorite time of the year, I love the weather and the beautiful colors everywhere. I love all the earth tones and looking out over my deck and into the woods is quite a spectacular sight. It's also the time of year when we get to pause and think about what we are truly grateful for. Living in the states we often forget that we have excess - how could I explain to someone back home in Africa that I have a house for our cars? Their mind can't even go there, yet mine can't imagine not having it. We take so much for granted.

Today we had the opportunity to take our three boys volunteering. We took them to pack food baskets that would be handed out to needy families containing all they would need to make one delicious Thanksgiving dinner. We were in a poor area and my boys immediately commented on that, but I got to remind them that we are all only a few pay checks away from what they see now. The car grew quiet and I think they understood, even if for just a moment.

This year I am so grateful to be living where we are, I am really grateful that the past year is over, the stress is gone and we are able to provide for all our needs (and some wants too) in this tough economic climate we currently live in. I am grateful for friends - new and old - they enrich our lives and many have become our family. I am grateful for my family who are willing to spend so much and travel so long to see us and spend Christmas with us. I am grateful for good health, the best husband anyone could ever wish for and for three boys who keep me incredibly busy, melt my heart and bring me so much joy.

Sadly it's often in other peoples battles and struggles that we realize how blessed we really are and the heart ache, fear and sadness I've seen friends go through this past year has reminded me so often to be grateful for what I have today. I don't want to take it for granted and I pray that I can be a blessing to my family and friends as they are to me.

Happy Thanksgiving.

School Supply Shopping

Well it's that time of year again to stock up on school supplies for that first day of school. I've been to a few stores on different occasions, either can't find the item or reckon I can find it elsewhere at a better price. I read this letter today and had to laugh because I can so relate. I don't know who wrote it, but I know you'll enjoy it anyway!

Dear Mrs. X,

In just over a week, you will be my son’s Grade 1 teacher. He is ever so excited to be under your tutelage. Why, since the last day of kindergarten, entering your class was all he could talk about. He gleefully thrust a piece of paper into my hand on that June afternoon, and said, “Here’s a list of the stuff I need for school next September!”

And I have to admit, I, too, was excited. I’m a school supplies geek from way back. And so, in early August, I set out to buy the items you’d listed. It was on my fourth store that the realization began to sink in. You’re a crafty ONE, aren’t you?

This list was a thinly disguised test. Could I find the items, exactly as you’d prescribed? Because if not, my son would be That Kid, the one with the Problem Mother, Who Can’t Follow Directions.

For example, the glue sticks you requested. In the 40 gram size. Three of the little buggers. (What kind of massive, sticky project you’ve got planned for the first day of school that would require the students to bring all this glue, I cannot imagine.) But the 40 gram size doesn’t come in a convenient 3-pack. The 30 gram size does. But clearly, those would be wildly inappropriate. So I got the individually priced 40’s, as per your instructions.

Another bit of fun was your request for 2 packs of 8 Crayola crayons (basic colors). The 24 packs, with their 24 different colors, sat there, on sale. I could have purchased three of the 24 packs for the price I had to pay for the 8 packs. (Clearly, you’ll not be teaching the youngsters any sort of economics lessons this year.) Even the cashier looked at me, as if to say, “Pardon me, ma’am, but are you slow?” as I purchased these non-bargain crayons. But that’s what the list said. And I was committed to following the list.

But the last item, well, now, you saved your malice up for that one, didn’t you? “8 mm ruled notebooks”, you asked for. Simple enough. Except the standard size is seven millimetres. One. Millimetre. Difference. Do you realize, Mrs. X., exactly how infinitesimal the difference between 7 mm ruling and 8 mm ruling is? Pretty small, I assure you. The thickness of a fingernail, approximately. But that millimetre, that small bit of nothingness, made me drive to four different stores, over the course of three sweaty August hours. And when I finally, finally found the last remaining 8 mm notebooks, I took no pleasure in my victory. I merely shifted my focus. To you, Mrs. X.

You wanna dance, lady? Let’s dance. Because I am just bat**** crazy enough to play your games. And, in turn, come up with some of my own.

On show and share day, my son will be bringing the video of his birth. It will be labelled, “Ben’s First Puppy.” Enjoy.

At some point, you will attempt to teach him mathematics. And I’m quite sure that, like most of your ilk, you will require my son to “show his work”. And he will. Through interpretive dance.

Because that is who you’ve chosen to tangle with, toots. A stay at home mom who is not entirely balanced, and has altogether too much time on her hands. But is, most certainly, A Mother Who Can Follow Directions.

Sincerely,
Ginny

More Water Please

Well, I have decided that part of me getting healthy is to drink way more water. Fortunately we now have a fridge that dispenses water at the touch of a button too! I love the idea of using a water bottle throughout the day, however the ones I had all had screw tops that I really detested. Also, to get me to use if frequently it needs to be pretty, appealing, I must want to use it. So I began the hunt for the desirable, cost effective water bottle. Price was important too, I was not willing to pay over $8 for it, but everything I found started at $12. I was determined to find it, and find it I did. At Old Navy of all places and for a whopping $5. Besides a great price, it's so attractive (to me anyway) and it doesn't have a screw top. Now I fill it up in the mornings and I carry it around with me wherever I go as a reminder to drink more water.

Country Life visitor

Wow, this country life sure is exciting! We were told that here in south Charlotte you will often see snakes, however I was really hoping they would stay in everyone else's yard and not mine! Yesterday morning we had our first slithery visitor, on our deck. He seemed to be enjoying the sun but I wasn't enjoying seeing him so close to our home. Anyway I could not pass up the photo opportunity, so I snapped a few shots to have as proof. I looked him up on the internet and it's an eastern rat snake and not poisonous at all, but I still don't like him. He has now disappeared but before opening the door to our deck I always look around to make sure he's not visiting before I go outside!

Living in the Country

Well, we have finally moved. It felt like the time would never come to leave New York and move down to North Carolina. We are now here and settled and unpacked (well, almost). We have so much space - in our home and around us in general. We are kind of in the country, driving past horse and cow farms on the way to the store. This evening I took our dog outside and was overwhelmed by the noise outside. The frogs and critters were all out in full force. It's a wonderful noise, but one I still have to get used to. You don't hear cars around here at all, just nature. You actually get to see the stars in the sky too. It's a whole new way of life - one I am embracing and loving so much.

Spring At Last!

Well, the sun is shining at long last. The rain has cleared away and the trees and flowers are starting to bloom. My boys have been bouncing off the walls the past few days as cabin fever set in at an all time high. Today we plan on joining some friends for a walk through the forest, in the mud I presume, but at least we'll be outdoors breathing in fresh air and catching up with our friends.
Spring always seems to bring on changes, whether it's having to change your wardrobe out, do some crazy cleaning or just be outdoors more. For us it means our move is looming closer. We have started out house hunting adventure in Charlotte and with that comes excitement but a whole load of stress too. All the boys are having their say too - near woods mom, swimming pool please, huge bedrooms, playroom, massive house and the list goes on ...
Anyway, as things begin to change for our family I'm likening it to the environment. It can only get better and more beautiful as spring turns into summer and the new chapter in our family life begins.

It's All About Change

One of the only constants in my life is change. From the weather, to my kids getting older, my husband's work environment, our home and soon the city we live in. I love new things and new challenges. I have met too many people who are so comfortable and complacent in their lives it actually scares me. How do you grow as a person and in turn influence others if you yourself are not being challenged and nudged to change? It's easy to change the little things that we have control over, but what about those life changing events that could alter the course of your life?

So far, for me, the best way to do that and enjoy it at the same time is to hand it over! And not just to anyone either, someone who knows what's best for you, always has your best interests at heart and has a plan to see you succeed and give you hope. Do you know that person? For me it's Jesus. I know with confidence that I can get out of the boat and walk on water only relying on my faith and keeping my eyes on Him at all times. Remember, Jesus never asks us to run on water, only to walk, one step at a time and to keep our eyes focused on Him. I'm slowly getting out of my boat! Are you??