The Community of Blogville

When I first began blogging, I didn't know much about it. I thought it was just a creative way for me to share some of our family events with friends and family, not realizing that it would lead me to a whole'nother community; but, that is exactly what it has done.

Through this little hobby of mine, I have met some amazing people.

Through the stories that they have shared, I have met their husbands, their children and their pets. Together, we have celebrated anniversaries, birthdays and other important milestones that may occur.

We have shared best parenting practices and what NOT to do's. ;)

We have given each other support and advice.

Through the laughter and tears, we have come to know each other and we have grown into this community that I like to call Blogville.

In the Blogville community, there is one lady in particular with whom I felt an immediate connection. The stories she told and the comments that she made always made me smile.

Shorty after I met her in Blogville, she went away on the trip of a lifetime.

Here's a woman who had never traveled anywhere - she'd never been on a plane, she'd never been in a cab, and she'd never spent the night away from her family - and she gets invited to go on a month long trip across the Mediterranean.

While she was away, taking pictures of the public facilities in honor of me and her good friend Kenny, I did some catching up on some of the past stories In My her Life.

We had never met in 'real' life but I just knew if we ever did, we would quickly become the best of friends.

Almost immediately after returning home from her trip, she had to have back surgery and ended up on bed rest for well over a month. Once she was recovered enough to have visitors, I took a little trip to her end of Crazyville and we spent the day - and well into a good part of the afternoon - on bed rest together.

My prediction of us quickly becoming the best of friends was confirmed the minute I pulled into her driveway, greeted by Bo Shannon and escorted to the front door where this picture was awaiting my arrival:

Since that first trip to Crazyville, we have met up on several occasions and are indeed very good friends.

Currently, she is on an extended break from Blogville and I don't know when she will return; but, since returning from the trip of a lifetime, her life has been one blow after another: beginning with her back surgery, then her mom's knee surgery, next was her dad's stroke, plus she has two teenage boys going through teenage issues, and now their precious Allie - who has also had health issues since her return - is being put to sleep this week.

All this being said, I would like to take this moment to reach out to the Blogville community and ask that you lift her and her family up in your prayers during these difficult times and pray that the waters soon still so that they may enjoy some peace and serenity before the next storm arrives.

I <3>

need to talk. Ag Shame, My Skattie! ;)

Miscommunication

On Thursday's I pick her up from the library after tutoring.

As we were headed home, she is telling me all about her day and then she says that I have to be at the school at 7:15 tomorrow for early registration.

"Why are you just now telling me this?" I asked her, hating it when she waits until the last minute to give me important information like this.

"I just found out today" she replies.

Friday morning, she runs downstairs at 6:30. "Momma!" She says, concerned that we have overslept.

"Go get dressed, Sugar" I calmly tell her, as I roll out of the bed.

She comes back down less than two minutes later, dressed and ready - according to her.

"There's no way that you got ready that fast." I tell her, stunned at the speed she can actually go should the need arise.

"uh-hu" she says, trying to make me believe that she got dressed, including bra and deodorant, brushed her hair AND her teeth in under two minutes.

YEAH RIGHT!

"Get back up stairs and finish getting ready." I tell her, "and brush your teeth."

Deflated, she goes back upstairs and then I hear "There goes my bus right there."

"Don't worry about it, Sugar, just get ready."

"Okay," she replies, sounding relieved that she didn't get yelled at for missing her bus.

"Didn't you tell me yesterday that I had to be at your school at 7:15 today?"

"Yeah, tonight."

And THAT my friends, is why I was late for work this morning.

Note to parents of school aged children: When your child comes home the night before and tells you that you have to be at school at 7:15 the next day...be sure you discern if they mean AM or PM.

Happy Spring and Welcome Back!

Hi all!

Remember me?


Shelly. The one who gives stories from her shell??


Did you know that being a turtle has its disadvantages?


Oh yes, it's true!


Sure we seem to live a relaxed lifestyle, taking our time getting wherever it is that we are headed and our tough exterior leads people to believe that nothing can bother us. BUT, if someone or something comes along and rocks our world, tipping us onto our backs, we have a heck of a time figuring out how to get back on our feet again.


Work has been the windstorm that has me tipped over onto my back for these past few months. I finally recovered, but all that fast motion has given me a fright - it's still cold and scary out there - so I've burrowed down until the warmth of Spring beckons me, making me feel safe enough to come back out of my hole.


Meanwhile, plenty has been going on in my little corner of the world. Unfortunately, when things are stressful at work my creative juices get zapped.


Last weekend I took a little mini-vacation (I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter break!!)


On Friday we took Spice to get her shots for school - did you know that they have to have 5 shots now before they can get into kindergarten?? [GULP!]


Having only gone through this once before - six years ago, with Sugar, the world renown Drama Queen - I wasn't sure how well this 5 shots thing would go over with Spice, so we decided to give her two on this visit and we'll go back in a couple of months for the remaining three.


Well, let me just tell you....She was SUCH a trooper! She sat there and watched them give her the shots; she didn't move - not even a flinch - and she didn't cry.


I was SO VERY proud of her!


And Sugar....well, she was absolutely amazed! She didn't think it was even possible for someone to get a shot without crying at least ten minutes before they give it to you. ;)


With it being Good Friday, we had to get an early morning appointment because the offices were closing early.


Sugar wasn't very excited about getting up that early in the morning when she didn't have school... And after Sugar expressed her displeasure with a sticky note, Spice had to have one too...

I tell ya... Never a dull moment. :)