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I finished wrapping gifts last night, and the only job left to start is the cooking.
I want to get the cookies done tomorrow (or Wednesday at the latest).
If I don't get a chance to get back on the computer, please know that I wish you a very Merry Christmas! God bless!
Wow...I haven't checked in for some time, eh?
Here's a little synopsis of life at Michelle's house:
1.) Work from 7:00-3:00 (which will change to 5:00 in January).
2.) Visit mom (who has had a second stroke since October)...do her laundry...bring it back to rehab center...try to make her laugh...go home and sleep...repeat process.
That's pretty much it.
Last night we had a concert at my church. I was tired and wasn't in the mood for really loud Christian hard rock, so I left and went to visit mom since I hadn't had a chance to do that after work.
When I got to the rehab center, mom was having a really hard time controlling her body. Man, it's hard to see her lose control, yet they're still sending her home on Tuesday. She can't even go to the bathroom by herself! She can't brush her teeth, get dressed, or do anything alone, so I'm worried about her.
My friend has been noticing that I'm running ragged and mentioned that I probably need to create some boundaries to avoid having a break down, so I told my mother that I would help her as much as I could but not at the expense of my own family. I'm trying not to feel guilty as I think about how impossible it would be to work my full-time teaching job in addition to two part-time jobs, keep my own home clean, cook, and give my boys the attention they deserve while committing to 4 hours of nursing my mother back to health.
That's not possible.
I'm really tired every single night that I go to bed, and I haven't even worked out in the last few days because it would have meant getting five hours instead of six hours of sleep.
Something's gotta give...
Don't worry; I don't expect solutions. I just needed to write through my thoughts and, hopefully, come up with some ways to keep my sanity while still trying to fulfill my obligations as her daughter. I'll let you know what I decide to do...
This is my niece, Lina, and my nephew, Leonard. They were in town to see my mom, who has been recovering nicely. We celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday, and it was so much fun! I'm still recuperating from the work of hosting such a big celebration, but it was definitely worth it!
The guy on the left is my son, Shaq, who did a magnificent job in the drama club's production of three one-act plays. That's his buddy, who was also phenomenal (and one of my students too).
My life has been crazy, but I wanted to take a minute to share a little of what has been going on lately. Best wishes for a wonderful week!
God bless!
I just finished making a double batch of peanut butter and a batch of chocolate chip cookies for Thanksgiving dessert. I'm going to freeze them so they'll be soft and yummy, but we're having the dinner a week early since my niece will be here on Saturday from Tennessee.
I'm planning on roasting a turkey, making a glazed ham, serving some stuffing and making homemade mashed potatoes (no gravy though). No one will suspect that this is a Weight Watchers holiday (aside from the cookies, which will be sent home with the relatives)! Why have the fatty stuff if they like the healthy versions????
I don't want to see another cookie though...
:o)
1.) She is feeling better and wants her hair done every day. Unfortunately, I had two boys, and I don't spend much time on my own hair. I'm doing the best I can, though!
2.) She can walk slowly with a cane now.
3.) Her appetite has improved!
4.) Mom is looking forward to visits from family and friends. (Nice switch: she initially didn't want to see anyone.)
I'm getting my mom back, slowly but surely!!!! Praise God!
She rode the bike for two days in a row, and she can wriggle her left foot as often as she wants to!!!! Praise God!
This morning I'll take my son to drama club to help paint the set for the play. (I'm the asst. director, so I'll be there the whole time. I'll probably be the one to pick up pizza too!)
Then I'll take him home before I got to church and help out in the office.
After that, I'll pick up my buddy, Iva, to visit my mom for a bit before we head to a play.
I'm guessing I'll sleep well tonight! :o)
My morning began by running into my friend, Joe, at the grocery store! He looks great! I had a little crush a while back, and he was interested in me too, but our friends pushed a little too hard - - - it made both of us really uncomfortable. He was a pastor, and it's really cool to talk to him about scripture and God. He's still as handsome as ever!
Then I went to work and gave candy to all of my classes. (I had to buy extra, which was a blessing cuz I ran into Joe!) They worked very hard on grammar, and I'm thrilled that they're trying to focus.
After that, I tutored until 4:30.
Then I got a call from the rehab asking me to come and fill out some paperwork for my mom. My son and I stayed until she finished her supper.
From there we went home to pick up child #2 so that I could take them to youth group.
We just walked in the door a few minutes ago. I think we're all going to fall asleep pretty easily this evening! :o)
Mom moved her fingers yesterday! She can't do it every time she tries, but this is improvement! :o)
Please pray for my mother. She had a stroke on Saturday; I'm just getting home from the hospital at 4:51 a.m. - - - I haven't been to sleep yet.
She is in the intensive care unit, but hopefully she'll be home by Monday or Tuesday.
Thanks. Love you.
My mom was crying when she called and said, "Michelle, I don't feel well. I'm going to the hospital."
Click.
Before I could even ask which one, she had hung up.
I had already gone to bed, so I jumped up, got dressed, and hopped in the car. On the way to hospital #1 (there are 2 near her home), the Lord said, "Just stop by her house first." So I did, and she was there!
Apparently, my mother changed her mind about the hospital. My sister called the paramedics, and they couldn't find anything wrong with mom. Her vitals were perfect, her sugar level was just a little bit high (diabetic), and her oxygen levels were great.
For some reason, she couldn't breathe. There was no pain in her chest or arms, so they don't think it was a heart attack.
I ended up chatting with her until 11:30. I was exhausted from an incredibly stressful day (work was fine, ex was difficult), but I just wanted to stick around as long as I could without the threat of falling asleep at the wheel on the way home.
I wish she had gone to the hospital for tests, but she felt better after she prayed - - - she didn't see the need.
God is soooooooo good.
I cannot believe how quickly this school year is passing!
My students are wonderful. It's only the second month of school, and they have already learned my expectations and have also stopped challenging me. Of course I still have one or two children who push my buttons, but I'm so grateful that it's not one or two entire classes! :o)
This afternoon I'll provide the music on our baby grand for a wedding at church. I met the bride and groom last night at the rehearsal, and they are fabulous! They're so young and cute! I pray that God blesses them immensely as they begin their lives together as husband and wife!
My ex-husband has been calling a lot lately, and I'm starting to lose patience. My life is entirely too full already, and I simply do not have the time to spend hours with him on the phone. He has made it clear that he wants to come "home," but I'm not ready for that (nor do I see myself wanting that in the near future....or ever, for that matter).
Please pray that I keep clear, healthy boundaries without hurting his feelings.
I'm off to get some grocery shopping done before I come home and get dolled up for the wedding. I might even wear lipstick! :P
The boys and I were treated to supper at Red Lobster and a few more treats (shoes for the boy, bill money for me) for Sweetest Day. He said he simply wanted a chance to be a blessing to us; he had an urge to help me in any way he could.
My ex-husband was hilarious! We had such a wonderful time! I think we'll be friends forever...
May I vent for a sec?
Why must married men be the only ones interested in me? What in the world do they expect? Wouldn't they wonder about ME and my fidelity if I DID choose to date them? My pastor and I happened to chat about this briefly this week. I find it intriguing that anyone would consider having a serious relationship with someone who would cheat (or be the "other" woman).
I got propositioned today, and I was totally offended. How dare he think I would even CONSIDER something so...so...inappropriate? Sheesh! Yes, I desire intimacy and companionship, but NOT with someone else's husband, for goodness' sake!
(whew)
Prayer request: Please pray that I remember that I am a child of God all day tomorrow. I will need to address something that happened to my son, and his teacher is my co-worker. (Yes, I teach English at the high school that my sons attend).
I tried to exhibit restraint by NOT addressing her today, but I definitely need to have a chit chat with her soon. Please pray! This is also someone with whom I have shared my faith, and that makes this doubly tricky for me.
Happy news: Pastor had my back today, and I totally appreciated it.
More happy news: My friend is feelin' pretty wonderful after her surgery this morning!
Even more happy news: My teenage boys are actually getting along, laughing, and playing a game together. I'm letting them stay up an extra half-hour just to hear the joy!!!
Best wishes for an incredible Thursday! God bless!
I went to work today to get ahead on preparing for the first day of school. I:
1.) cleaned out my cabinets.
2.) threw away stuff I knew I wouldn't use.
3.) worked on making folders for each student.
4.) made all the copies I need for the first three weeks of school.
5. checked my rosters.
That's when I realized that they had accidentally put my son in my English class! :o)
I will let them know about that tomorrow. High school is hard enough without having your mother for English class! :o)
When I heard the doorbell, I thought it was my son who had forgotten his key for the umpteenth time.
Imagine my surprise when 4 humungous, bullet-proof-vest-wearing members of the S.W.A.T. team were standing on my porch! My heart skipped a beat, but I new instantly they were after my ex-husband.
Apparently, he has several outstanding warrants for his arrest. My youngest son saw them surround the house and tried to call me, but I was already outside talking to them when the phone (which was downstairs and out of earshot) rang. He was terrified when he saw men at each corner of my house with their hands on the weapons!
Oh boy....
I think my heart rate is finally back to normal...(breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out...)
Geez. I NEVER get in trouble, and seeing 3 unmarked vehicles barely fitting in my driveway and on the street near my home freaked me out!!! I was frustrated earlier today about some paperwork at my job that is driving me crazy and may affect my first two paychecks of the school year, but this experience has reminded me that things could always be worse!
I'm off to play Tetris for a little while.
I hope YOU have a peaceful, relaxing day!
Our pastor was the only guy who showed up for Bible study tonight, and we were, *ahem*, a bit out of hand. He knows we love him, though! :o)
Have you ever had a perfect day?
Today was one of those days when everything falls into place perfectly. I started my day by worshiping the Lord and enjoying his presence...then I wrote paper #2...went to church to organize the office a bit...chatted and prayed with Pastor, came home and cut the grass...made supper and ate with Jamil (Shaq was at a friend's house)...went to Bible study, visited with my mom for a while and then came home.
Today was balanced with work and recreation, responsibilities and a bit of fun!
I'm looking forward to tomorrow!!!! :o)
Hello! I had a fantastic 4th of July! My family gathered at my house this year, and we had such a wonderful afternoon being silly, eating, and singing some worship songs together. You already know how un-talented I am with a camera, which is why I'm including some not-so-glamorous shots of myself to appease those who aren't thrilled with their own pics.
This first pic is of my beloved son, Jamil. He does NOT like getting his picture taken, but he humored his mama today. What a sweetie!
My Mom's excited about Lina coming over today!
This is one I took of myself just to see what the lighting looked like. Note to self: wait until hair dries completely after shower, and then check hair before pressing button on camera...
My son, Shaq, wasn't cooperating regarding a pic, so I snapped this one without permission. You can't run away if you're sitting down with a plate of yummy food! :o)
This is my sister mid-sentence as she's talking to the fam.
My sister Lani is getting a big 'ol hug from her baby girl, Lina. Man, it was good to see her today!
I got a hug from her too!
My Mom is surrounded by three generations of her family (counterclockwise): Lani (my sis), Lina (my neice), Tiana (sunglasses - my great-niece), and a family friend (pink top).
The guy in this picture, Christian, is Lina's fiancee. They haven't set the date yet, but they're shooting for some time in the spring. I hope I'll be able to attend!
This is what we saw of Aaron's (Lina's son's) head most of the afternoon. Oh well...I can't say that I blame him. If I were a 10 year-old kid, I'd probably prefer playing a PSP to talking with women at the kitchen table. ;o)
After eating a big meal, Tiana just couldn't hang with the big kids anymore. She conked out on the couch...errrr, on my dog! (Jazz didn't mind, though.) If you look closely at his face, you can tell he's more annoyed with me and the camera than he is with being her pillow! 
Lina and Aaron are getting ready to leave, but we wanted one more picture with Mom.
I have more pics, but they're terrible. I just need to practice, practice, practice. I promise to try to improve so that my birthday (in August) or the Thanksgiving pics won't put me to shame.
Have a wonderful holiday! And God bless the USA! (And Canada!)
I am sooooooooooo excited! My neice, who lives in Tennessee, will be here tomorrow!
The boys and I have been cleaning up more than usual since Mom volunteered my house for the family get-together, and I'm truly looking forward to seeing everybody.
I will have pictures soon!
I have been involved in several Bible studies lately. The first one is a women's group at M. Church; we meet on Tuesday evenings, and they are so enjoyable! There is one woman there who tries to dominate every conversation, but we cut her some slack since she is a new Christian. She doesn't know any better.
My personal Bible study time has been with devotionals from the book Becoming the Woman God Wants Me to Be, and it is going slowly. I am gleaning from this piece of writing, but it is starting to become aggravating to read. If I were grading her work, there would be several notes in the margin indicating her excessive repetitiveness. She literally repeats phrases verbatim several times within the same paragraph, and it's annoying. I will try to finish this book in its entirety, but I might not make it...
I returned to a Wednesday night Bible study (for FBC) this week, and it was interesting. I am currently praying about my role in this church (the one God called me back to), and I haven't heard any definitive answers yet....which is why I'm doing nothing except attending and giving my tithes/offering. We will have a special kids ministry this week on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evening. I am NOT gifted with little children, but I offered to help oversee the games. Others will be running them, though, unless they need me to help with that too. I was told that she needed someone to simply make sure the teens were staying on task as they helped the little ones play.
I have a few errands to run, and then I'm coming home to finish cleaning. Have a happy 4th!
I'm going to meet my mother at 2:00 after work today. She has been throwing hints that she's "tired." She has also been getting things in order for her death. Her burial is already paid, and today we're going to run some errands for the same purpose.
She really misses my dad, and she has seemed preoccupied lately.
She had chest pain recently, and she refuses to go to the doctor. Gathering from what she is not saying, I think she's ready to go "home."
But I'm not.
Although she is not what I'd call suicidal, I do believe she doesn't want any intervention if something should happen.
I can handle this...I can handle this....
