Italy, France and the Alps

We are doing some fundraising to help our son, Matthew, take an Education First Tour to Europe next summer! After telling him he could go, we had some difficulties and a pretty major crisis in our lives. However, he has been such a fabulous student and done such great work this year that we would still like for him to be able to take this trip. So, we are asking for sponsors! The trip breaks down into an approximate cost of $13 per hour. He will be touring Italy, France and the Alps, and it will be an incredible adventure for him. If you would like to sponsor Matthew, that would be an amazing and generous thing!

Just to brag a bit on Matthew, he earned high honors this year - NATION wide! On his Benchmark exam, he scored the highest math score in the NATION for his grade! Also, he beat the national average time for taking a timed translation test in Spanish by almost half! National average time was 17 minutes, he did it in 9 minutes! Hopefully, you can see why we are so proud and want him to experience this trip.

Thanks for reading this, if you did. Please pass it along to any of your friends who you think might like to help us out!

Back at last!

It has been a while! Truthfully, the last few months have been so crazy, busy, and crazy busy, that I sort of forgot I even had a blog! But things are starting to slow down for a while, which is both good and bad - more time at home, less money coming in. So, here I am...when I should be straightening up the clutter that has taken over my home.

Here is my question for the day: when husband asks if I am in a bad mood and I tell him yes and the reason, why is it then that I feel better and HE gets in a bad mood?? Vicious cycle....

Bye-bye, Bunny!

I think this will be the last year for the Easter Bunny to visit our house. Dying eggs was fun, but the morning of Easter baskets was nothing but the boys complaining about what they got (or didn't get), what candy they don't like, or how another boy found more eggs. The Easter Bunny chose to hide eggs with coins in them rather than put them in the baskets, like Mrs. Easter Bunny wanted to do, and one boy basically found every egg that had money in it. More arguing and complaining.

So, boys, hope you enjoy this last morning of Easter baskets. The Easter Bunny is retiring.

Oh, the irony!

One of our twins, Andrew, is accident-prone. There is no way to sugarcoat it. He is an accident waiting to happen, at any moment, any SECOND. If my phone rings around lunchtime (which happens right around recess time at school!) and the caller ID shows the school, I can pretty much bet it is the school nurse calling with the details of Andrew's latest injury. More often than not, he is fine. Thankfully.

Tonight, after dinner, we took a family walk. Andrew and Jacob chose to ride their bikes. Yes, they wore helmets. No, injury was not involved, although I know that is what you expect to read following my opening paragraph. Hopefully, you will see the irony that I saw when Andrew, riding lazy circles in the street, called back over his shoulder what he wanted to be when he grows up.

A professional stunt man.

A Love Story - Our Beginning

Since today is Valentine's Day, I thought I would post how my husband and I met.

I was 13 years old, and it was Good Friday. My church youth group was meeting at our church, and then all going to a church member's lake house for a Good Friday service. Those of us who were already at the church were playing softball while we waited for everyone else to arrive. I was on third base, waiting to run home, and noticed a friend walking up with a strange boy I had never seen. I thought to myself that he was kinda cute, then finished the ball game.

Our mutual friend introduced everyone to his best friend from high school. It was Gilbert - my unknown-to-me-at-the-time future husband! He was 16 at the time, and a sophomore in high school. He came along with us to the Good Friday service, and we got to chat and get to know each other a bit. He started attending our church the very next Sunday, and went every Sunday after that.

For the next year or so, Gilbert followed me around like a sick puppy, obviously had a crush on me, and became one of my closest friends. He eventually asked me to a dance after a high school football game. I said yes, but I was so nervous that I made myself sick. After the football game, he had to take me home. I was young and oh, so nervous!!

I think he tried to ask me out a few times after that, but my dad wouldn't let me go. Finally, his senior year of high school, he gave up and began dating someone else. He brought her to church a few times, and I quickly realized that I was very upset at this turn of events! I kept it to myself though. At least, for a while.

Gilbert was (and is) highly intelligent, and received a Congressional appointment to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. The day before he was scheduled to leave, our youth group all went to the lake. I worked up the courage to tell him, just as we were gathering up to go home, that I really liked him much more than a friend, and I was very sad to see him leave. I forget his exact words, but the gist was along the lines of - "You're telling me this NOW?!!"

Right after he left for Colorado Springs, my parents divorced and we moved to Atlanta, GA. Gilbert and I had a long-distance telephone and letter relationship for about a year, at which point I moved back to Arkansas. He was home for the summer, and we finally went on our first real date. We went to the movies to see "Romancing the Stone." That movie has had a special place in our hearts ever since!

Gilbert went back to the Air Force Academy for another year, then decided at that point that he didn't want a military life. He came home, finished his aviation degree at the university where I was beginning a music degree. Long story short, we dated for about 6 years, and were married in 1990. The rest is, as they say, history!

And that is the story of our beginning. The beginning of our ongoing love story.

Truly - we are not alone.

There is a song that Michael Buble sings, one that I love. It makes me cry every time I hear it, but I listen anyway. The lyrics are so appropriate for our lives right now. Things are going wrong, and falling apart in certain aspects of our lives, but it has shown us that we are truly not alone. Not only do Gilbert and I have each other, but we have been reminded over and over that we are truly blessed with the love and support of friends and family.

"Lost"

I can't believe it's over

I watched the whole thing fall

And I never saw the writing that was on the wall

If I'd only knew

The days were slipping past

That the good things never last

That you were crying

Summer turned to winter

And the snow it turned to rain

And the rain turned into tears upon your face

I hardly recognized the girl you are today

And god I hope it's not too late

It's not too late

'Cause you are not alone

I'm always there with you

And we'll get lost together

Till the light comes pouring through

'Cause when you feel like you're done

And the darkness has won

Babe, you're not lost

When your worlds crashing down

And you can't bear the thought

I said, babe, you're not lost

Life can show no mercy

It can tear your soul apart

It can make you feel like you've gone crazy

But you're not

Things have seem to changed

There's one thing that's still the same

In my heart you have remained

And we can fly fly fly away

'Cause you are not alone

And I am there with you

And we'll get lost together

Till the light comes pouring through

'Cause when you feel like you're done

And the darkness has won

Babe, you're not lost

When the worlds crashing down

And you can not bear the cross

I said, baby, you're not lost

I said, baby, you're not lost

I said, baby, you're not lost

I said, baby, you're not lost

need continued prayers

If you follow this blog, you sort of know our story. Too complicated to elaborate, but today we got some more bad news, potentially devastating to what we thought was going to be an eventual return to my husband's job. So I am asking that if you pray, please keep our family in your prayers for the best possible outcome to this. And if you don't pray, please send us good karma, good thoughts, whatever positive energy you can.

I am grateful for our friends and family. Love to you all.

Kelley

And PS - if you know of a well-paying job that provides paid training, and benefits, let us know!

Getting Together

Tonight, we are having friends over for pizza and Mah Jongg. I will be late to the festivities, as I am doing a play right now. However, my part is over pretty early on, so I will be home by 9:15. So we decided to go ahead and have them over, especially because I won't have another free evening (besides Mondays) for the next few months.

I don't get together with my friends often enough, and I wish I did! I have a million reasons: my house isn't clean, my house isn't big enough, our 'stuff' isn't fancy enough, the food isn't fancy enough, blah blah blah. I should just bless and release all of that nonsense, and make more good memories with my friends!

So, if we are friends, consider yourself invited over! If you have kids, bring 'em along, and our kids can play while we chat or play a board game, or eat pizza, or whatever. If you don't have kids, just remember that I do, and prepare yourself for lots of rowdy fun, or come over later, after they are in bed.

Let's get together!

Productivity Rocks!

The boys were home from school today due to ice or, rather, the potential of it. It was nice to not have to get up at 6, or get everyone out the door in a rush, etc. We had a lazy morning of breakfast and Wii, but the twins got to arguing and fighting, and just wouldn't stop. So, we all know what happens next, right? HOUSEWORK!

Everyone got busy straightening the clutter out of the living room, playroom, and the boys' room. They all worked well together, things got done, floors were vacuumed, and lo and behold, Jacob found his school agenda, which he has been missing for weeks! Yes, I could have looked for it and found it long before now, but I am tired of finding the things they misplace. Time for him to do it. Plus, he got a first-hand lesson on how keeping things picked up makes life easier!

Woohoo, I love it when the whole family is productive! The kitchen and bathrooms are next!

Great site

I am a book lover! What's the fancy word for that, bibliophile? Anyhoo, that is me! And I don't have near enough time to read everything I want, if I plan to get any sleep, so there are stacks of books near my bed...my To Be Read pile. I love the library, but I invariably get a book, then don't get a chance to start it, or finish it, before it is due. Or I forget to take it back in time and rack up late fees. Which brings me to one of my favorite websites, and I wanted to make sure you know about it!

Paperbackswap is a great way to get those books I am dying to read, and not spend loads of money. All I have to do is list books I am willing to part with, then I look for books I want. I build up credits when people want my books, and I can then use those credits to get books for myself (or my boys!). All I have to pay is the postage it costs to mail the books I have listed to people who have requested them. I love it! According to Paperbackswap's tally, I have saved $167 on books!

So if you love to read like I do, are short on reading time, don't want to spend tons of money, and have some books you are willing to part with, then check out Paperbackswap. You will love it!

Sometimes it's good to be a bother.

This afternoon, we all went over to visit my husband's aunt. We haven't seen her in a while, since before Thanksgiving, I am sad to say. We live in the same city, and used to see her on a regular basis. She is a second grandmother to my boys. However, her husband died a few years ago, very unexpectedly, and she really went into a downward spiral of depression. She got very weak and ill, and I felt like the boys were just too rowdy to be around her. Obviously, she quit getting out, so she wasn't coming to our house, and we quit going to her house, because I didn't want to bother her. I was afraid the boys would be too much for her to handle. 

She has had more bad days than good over the past couple of years. She quit eating properly, started having seizures, had problems walking and started using a cane, you name it. She began having what I think were panic attacks, and would end up in the hospital overnight, only to be sent home the next day because there was really nothing to do for her. I think she also has a problem with alcohol and, frankly, I can sort of understand. Her world was shattered by her husband's death and now all these debilitating problems, what reason was there to not self-medicate? But it certainly hasn't helped her issues.

Of late, she seems to be doing better, and today we called and asked if we could go over for a visit. Plus, we still hadn't given her our Christmas present for her, so we needed to do that. She said yes, and we had a great visit! She seemed to really love seeing the boys, and they were happy to see her, too. They were very well-behaved, and when they started to get a bit restless after 45 minutes or so, it was thankfully warm enough that they could go outside. I think it meant a lot to her to see the boys, and I think it really did her some good. I should have done it a while ago, but I plan to make it over to visit her at least once a month, hopefully every couple of weeks.

I am glad I bothered.

Announcing....

I am getting back to exercising! I went this morning for my first workout in forever, and made it through! I did the modified, beginner style, since it has been at least a year (more) since I did anything like that. And I only had to stop and rest once, when I got really lightheaded. Guess my heart isn't used to pumping that much blood!  I am doing this with a friend, at her house, and we have a standing appointment Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. So if I don't show up, I am letting her down as well as myself. Besides, I know she will shame me and ride me mercilessly if I don't show! LOL

I have announced this here and also on Facebook, so now I have to do it. Too many people know about it! All my friends out there, I need you to keep me honest.  And I need to remember that this is not just about losing weight and looking better but, more importantly, about being healthier and stronger and feeling better!

Hmmm, just wondering....

Is Barack Obama the first African American president, or is it more correct to say he is the first bi-racial president? Since his father was from Kenya and his mother was Caucasian, I tend toward the latter. Either way, he made history today!

But it was his job!

I happened to be in NYC on the subway with my brother when the US Airways plane went into the Hudson. What a freaky accident! And while I agree that while it might have seemed an amazing thing the pilot did, it was no "miracle on the Hudson." It was his job. He was excellent at his job that day. He deserves large kudos and congratulations, slaps on the back, all that, but I don't feel it was an incredible miracle sent from God. If you want to look at it that way, then who sent the poor geese? 

My husband is a pilot, and a good one, and I know that they are trained diligently and extensively for just this sort of situation. Pilots are trained to be level-headed and clear-thinking in just such an emergency. The US Airways pilot definitely deserves credit for remaining just that way, and being able to do his job.

Don't you wish the people running the drive-through window at McDonald's were so dedicated to their jobs?! Sorry, poor customer service and rude people running those windows are my pet peeve.

Kudos, Captain.

Where were you when...?

There are a number of events that make people ask, "Where were you when...?" I know where I was when Challenger exploded, when 9/11 happened, when Elvis Presley died (yes, I was young, but my Mom was a huge fan, so it trickled down to me!), and when OJ was found "not guilty." And now I will know where I was on January 20, 2009, the day our 43rd president, Barack Obama, was inaugurated. I am staying home today and watching it all on television, or listening to it on the radio.

Just a tidbit. Many people think he will be our 44th president. It is just semantics, but technically, he will be the 43rd person to be president. We have had 43 presidencies, so this will be the 44th presidency, but Grover Cleveland was elected president twice, in nonconsecutive terms. That means that today marks 44 inaugurations, but only 43 different presidents. But I will still refer to him as the 44th president, as that is the majority thought. Just had to share that!

Today is an historical day! This election, no matter the outcome, was going to be history-making. But I feel like there is an electricity in the air that I haven't felt in a long time. I pray that this will be a good thing for our country, our people, and our world.

ABC Game

I need something to blog, so here it is! I found this on a blog I read sometimes, and she said we should play the ABC game, so here it is!

A. Attached or single? attached

B. Best friend? Yes

C. Cake or pie? It depends on my mood. I like both

D. Dog or cat? If you know me, you know that I have a multitude of dogs, and 1 cat. I think I would say I am a dog person, though.

E. Essential item? cell phone 

F. Favorite color? Royal blue, though green is a close second 

G. Gummy bears or worms? Neither. I do like Gummy Lifesavers, though!

H. Hometown? I consider Malvern, Arkansas, to be my hometown. I was born in Memphis, but grew up in Malvern.

I. Favorite indulgence? internet

J. January or July? July 

K. Kids? Yes, I have three. : )

L. Life isn’t complete without? My family and friends.

M. Marriage date? October 6, 1990

N. Number of brothers and sisters? 2 sisters, 2 brothers.

O. Oranges or apples? Both

P. Phobias? Nothing comes to mind right now.

Q. Quote? "Bless it and release it!" My kids would say it should be, "Lose the attitude!"

R. Reasons to smile? My kids and husband

S. Season of choice? Fall

T. Travel dreams? I love to travel and am game for anywhere. I have never been to Europe or Australia and would love to visit there.

U. Unknown fact about me? I have a secret desire to be an avid scrapbooker. Own all the supplies, but have never done it!

V. Vegetable? I like most vegetables, except for turnip greens.

W. Worst habit? I can be verrrrrrrrrrrrry lazy.

X. X-ray or ultrasound? I have never had an X-ray, and won't have another ultrasound, hopefully, since I don't plan to have more kids. So, I guess X-ray.

Y. Your favorite restaurants? depends on the type of food

Z. Zodiac sign? Leo

Have you ever...

Saw this on a friend's blog and thought it seemed like fun, so I borrowed it. (Thanks, Liz!) I marked the ones I have done with an asterisk. 

Have you ever...

1. Started your own blog *

2. Slept under the stars*

3. Played in a band*

4. Visited Hawaii *

5. Watched a meteor shower*

6. Given more than you can afford to charity **

7. Been to Disneyland *

8. Climbed a mountain *

9. Held a praying mantis 

10. Sang a solo* (ya think? lol)

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm *

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch*

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning*

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables *

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight *

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill*

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping*

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse*

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset*

31. Hit a home run*

32. Been on a cruise*

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors *

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language*

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied*

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing*

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke (I know, can you believe it?)

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant*

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight*

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling*

52. Kissed in the rain*

53. Played in the mud*

54. Gone to a drive-in theater*

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business 

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies*

62. Gone whale watching*

63. Got flowers for no reason*

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma*

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check*

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy*

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial*

71. Eaten caviar*

72. Pieced a quilt*

73. Stood in Times Square*

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person*

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car*

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper*

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House*

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating *(does fishing count?)

88. Had chickenpox*

89. Saved someone’s life*

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous*

92. Joined a book club*

93. Lost a loved one*

94. Had a baby*

95. Seen the Alamo in person*

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a mobile phone*

99. Been stung by a bee*

100. Read an entire book in one day*

It's been a while....

Haven't been here in a while, for one reason or another. Busy holiday time, I was sick, preparing to make an audition cd, started rehearsals for the play I am doing, then off to NYC to audition for management, still doing the play, and on and on....

Had a good time in NYC. Since I was singing, I didn't really do much other than rehearse with my accompanist and hang out quietly with my brother. I arrived on a Monday - it was so cold! I always say I am not going back to NYC in the winter, and it seems that is when I always end up there. Anyway, I rehearsed on Tuesday, and had the audition on Wednesday evening. It went well, I think, especially considering this is the first audition I have really done in over 10 years! I think they could tell I was sick though. It would have been hard to miss, considering my speaking voice sounded like my head was stuffed with cotton. Don't think my singing voice sounded that way, though. Anyway, even if nothing comes of it, at least I have dipped my toe back in the water, so to speak.

After the audition I had dinner with three old friends whom I haven't seen in probably 10 years. One of them I last saw about 5 years ago, but only briefly. It was great to catch up! I stayed up far too late, and had more to drink in that one evening than I have probably had in the last two years. Got back to my brother's apartment at 3 a.m.! It has been years since I was up that late for partying. But it was a great evening with good friends. My head hurt the next day, though!

We were going to see a show that night (Thursday) but everything we wanted to see was $120 a ticket and up! Ummm, no thanks. We just stayed in, ordered Chinese and watched TV. It was a nice quiet time.

I was glad to get home to my boys, all of them! It was nice to be back in my own bed, snuggled up to my sweet husband. The boys didn't seem that excited to see me, but they did all want to sit by me all evening. It was nice.

It was also good to get back to the play I am doing. A friend subbed for me while I was gone (thanks, Nat!). I missed being away, and am enjoying being back. The nice thing about this play is that I am finished at the end of Act I and get to go home! Woohoo! I am home by 9:15 usually, while everyone else has to be there until 10:30.

So, back to the daily "grind." I don't know if or when I might hear anything back from the audition, but I did it. I also got some new ideas for repertoire, so I plan to start working on that. Also, I want to do a recital in May, so I need to work on that, too.

Feels good to be home!

What did you do last year?

Someone sent me this in an email, and I thought it was pretty good! So here are my answers:

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?

Visited Washington, D.C.  Took all three boys horseback riding.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Didn't make any last year. This year my resolution is to nurture my friendships/relationships more, and try to get organized!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
I got back in touch with a good friend from grad school, and she gave birth the month we saw each other for the first time in ten years!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No one extremely close, but a friend. Also, my husband's cousin's stepmother committed suicide. But I didn't know her.

5. What countries did you visit
Zero. Nada. I do live vicariously through my friend Rusty, who often travels to Europe, and my friend Tricia, who is moving to Japan (military).

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
more date nights with Gilbert

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
August 13th - the day I turned 40 and the day my husband faced his alcohol dependency. September 10th - the day my husband came home from 28-day rehab.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Supporting my husband in his journey to sobriety, and not killing him when it meant he had to go on long-term unpaid medical leave. Just kidding. Sort of.

9. What was your biggest failure?
The failure to finish wallpapering the bathroom. General failure to lose weight.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
nothing major

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Santa bought the boys a Wii. I have loved listening to them laugh over it, and we have had great fun playing as a family!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My husband's - he has finally faced his alcoholism and met the challenge with grace and commitment.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

14. Where did most of your money go?

food for three growing boys!

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Learning Ravel's Sheherazade and singing it in PA while my brother danced.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?

Lifehouse - Whatever It Takes

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? happier mostly
b) thinner or fatter? same, I think
c) richer or poorer? richer in the things that matter

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
exercised, eaten better, spent more time with friends

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
wasted time surfing the internet and being a couch potato

20. How did you spend Christmas?
playing with my boys and sort of nursing a sick (on the mend) husband

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
nope

22. What was your favorite TV program?
The Starter Wife

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
nope - but am hugely annoyed with a grouch neighbor

24. What was the best book you read?
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
discovery? Sissel. Best musical gift was the new radio/cd player for my car.

26. What did you want and get?
a new digital camera

27. What did you want and not get?
a new refrigerator. Okay, and a new master suite.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
The Duchess

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 40. I had rehearsal. I cried a lot, for reasons other than turning 40.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
a vacation alone with Gilbert

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
casual, trying to not be frumpy, housewife

32. What kept you sane?
coffee, singing, friends

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Debra Messing; she is so talented! and I think she's gorgeous.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
People who voted based on race.

35. Who did you miss?
my friends Tricia and Emory

36. Who was the best new person you met?
my new accompanist, James

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Remember to take things one day at a time, and tell people you love them.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
(this answer is stolen)
"Will Not Be Moved" (Natalie Grant)

I have been the wayward child
I have acted out
I have questioned Sovereignty
And had my share of doubt
And though sometimes my prayers feel like
They're bouncing off the sky
The hand I hold won't let me go
And is the reason why...

I will stumble
I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes
I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved

And I have kept the score
Of all my shattered dreams and though it seemed
That I was far too gone
My brokenness helped me to see
It's grace I'm standing on

And the chaos in my life
Has been a badge I've worn
Though I have been torn
I will not be moved