Overhead Page

Attention, Goodwill shoppers.

Effective immediately, we will be enforcing some new policies regarding customer behavior.

When browsing through our store, please remember to observe cultural standards of personal space. Do not stand closer to other shoppers than their own spouses would stand. Do not make other shoppers feel like they are physically chained to you. Stand back. This will make the shopping experience more enjoyable for us all.

If another customer has something in his or her hand that you happen to like, do not take it from them. Do not claim it seems to match something you already have in your cart, and that it therefore is supposed to be purchased as part of a set. If someone else has shown interest in an item, it is understandable that the item would then be of more interest to you. (You know.....the old "grass is greener," idea.") However, this is Goodwill. Whoever sees it first has it. Period. It does not matter that the other customer wants to buy the item for her own child and you - you saint, you - want to get it for the nursery at your church. Wait until the other customer decides she does not want it. Then it becomes fair game again.

If you run into long-lost family friends, do not block the entire book section while you catch up on what has happened to each of you since you were all in diapers. Kindly move to a less-populated section of the store. Try, perhaps, the basket section. It is ridiculously large anyway.

Our dressing rooms are small. Inhumanely small, in fact. If you try on clothing and decide you do not want it, please take it back out of the dressing room. Perhaps we can have a rack outside to facilitate compliance with this rule. Wait.....we already do. This is an old rule. Why aren't you already doing this???

Kind Goodwill shoppers, thank you for your attention. Oh, and pay no attention to the disgruntled young woman shaking her head as she walks to her car. These rules were all her idea.

Table Manners

The other night - Father's Day - we had a huge get-together at a restaurant for all the dads. It was one of those things that in planning, it started out small and simple and eventually, by the time the event rolled around, it was wonderfully big and elaborate. It was so much fun!

Anyway, I had Leah in her car seat on a chair next to me. She can't quite sit up on her own well enough for a restaurant high chair, so that's still the best way to do it. She had me cracking up with her different poses and ideas of table manners.

She was quiet and happy, though, so there are absolutely NO complaints from this mama.

(Oh, and see that little pile of crumblies on the floor to her right in the second picture? That's the aftermath of Ashley Marie's dinner. Oh, boy........anticipation.......)

"The Shack"

Have you ever read a book and had it so shake you up that you can't stop thinking about it? Have you ever had to slow yourself down while reading a book, because it so intrigued you that you easily could have swallowed the whole thing in one sitting, but the depth and intensity of its content could never be fully tasted and appreciated when devoured that quickly? Have you ever felt with deep conviction that everyone you know should read a particular book?

This is all true for me and "The Shack," by William Paul Young.

I will not claim that it will change your life. I will not try to convince you that anything it says is true or not true. I will not insist that it is a literary masterpiece.

What I will do, though, is beg you to read it. Its content is thought-provoking (to say the least) and, at times, painful, frustrating, and confusing. I told many people while I was reading it that it was messing me up, very deeply, but in a very good way. If it does not change your life, it will, at the very least, make you think about what you believe and re-examine how you live life. That, I figure, is a pretty good outcome from a book.

I can't divulge its content. I won't do that to you. Read it. Just read it.

What's my Question Wednesday

I'm joining in again today on Beverly's weekly question.

Did you have a crush on a "star" when you were an adolescent?

Oh, boy. Did I? Yeah. I'm not proud of this.

That's right. He's in the above picture. Any guesses which one he is?

Jordan Knight

What. was. I. thinking? Seriously? Look at that HAIR. Look at that SHIRT. Gracious me. What on earth?

I did like him mucho, though. I had the NKOTB pillowcase and Tshirts and posters.......yes, my 4th grade world was muy focused on this big-haired young man. Sad, but true.

My first celebrity crush. Ahh, memories.

Painted Sky

The other night Scott and I were getting ready to head home and the clouds caught my eye - the blue of the sky was SO blue, and the white of the clouds was SO white. I couldn't get over it, and because I was driving Scott dug the camera out of my bag and set out on a mission to get a good picture of it. (His mission was made more difficult because of pesky power lines.)

As it usually does in the evening, the sky continued to show off all the way home. It got more and more amazing the further we drove.



Scott did a great job as substitute photographer, if I do say so!

Nannerpus

Big Girl Chair

Last week I realized that Leah needed a promotion. We had been feeding her in her Bumbo seat on the kitchen table, and that worked really well for awhile. Recently, though, she became more interested in her toes than in eating, so we had to revisit the eating situation. Scott and I decided that it was probably time to bring the high chair down out of the attic. What was weird, though, was that while Leah looked like she would fit it well, once she was in it, she looked like a tiny little munchkin. The chair dwarfed her!

She barely peers over the tray, which makes it quite interesting come feeding time. Since this discovery, I've stopped using the tray until she gets a little bit bigger.

Plus, I quickly discovered that she can still see - and be distracted by - her toes. Foiled again.

Daddy Day

Happy Father's Day, sweetheart. Leah and I are so blessed to have you. You make our lives wonderful, and I can't wait to see the rest of our story. I love you.

Romans 8:28

Opportunistic

Last night - and the night before, actually - our area was hit with some pretty bad storms. The power went out for a couple of hours during the storm last night, which made us somewhat desperate for entertainment. We were laughing at ourselves and the fact that with nothing to do, we were racking our brains trying to come up with something to occupy our time. Everything we thought of, though, required power - even though we obviously knew that the whole reason we were looking for something to occupy our time was that we had no power. (i.e. "I guess I could start some laundry....." or, "I could probably dust or something.....")

Leah's not usually bothered by the dark, but I think it might have been spooking her some last night, so I was trying to think of something I could let her do to make it better for her. In a stroke of genius (or so I thought) I gave her the GloWorm doll I've had for her since before she was born. That didn't work very well, though, because even though he plays lots of pretty little baby-friendly songs, something about his glowing face displeased Leah. I think she was even more spooked by him than she had been by the darkness. We'll try again soon.

I eventually used the time to try out my new camera and see what kind of pictures it could take under such light-less conditions. It did pretty well, so I'm very excited to play with it some more.

Scott and the rest of my family, though, thought the darkness was a pretty good excuse for a nap. (Notice Kitter over on the right side of the picture. You can really only see her legs.) I thought it looked a little like a horrible massacre had taken place.

Plagued Again (Well, Still)

I'm still battling this thing, y'all. I've been so incredibly congested that at any given moment I have to choose which nostril I will use, and upon making that choice I just hope and pray that the chosen nostril will, in fact, function as it is supposed to. Usually, I'm not that lucky.

I'm also constantly battling an itchiness in my nose, throat, and ears that threatens to make me insane. I'm serious. So, so serious.

It is the itchiness that has made me think that my viral bronchitis has dissolved into a virtual allergic FIT, so I've tried my Claritin - which has failed me miserably - and bought some Zyrtec yesterday. Before I could even try the new stuff, though, I woke up this morning with a pain in my chest that was so bad - literally so bad - that I couldn't do anything (including picking Leah up) without wanting to scream. That's bad.

I told Scott we had a problem - namely, my inability to pick up and care for our baby - and he arranged to take me to the doctor today. Again.

This doctor was more helpful than the last. It's a good thing, too, or Scott and I both might have gotten unpleasant. It's been a solid month now since I've felt good, and it's about time to move past this.

She told me I have strained/pulled muscles in my chest from coughing. I also have fluid in my ears and completely inflamed (as in, swollen shut) nasal passages due to my "really bad allergies."

My doctor, I think, must have stock in a pharmaceutical company, because she sent me home with 4 - count em, 4 - prescriptions. I am now doped up and, with any luck, well on my way to feeling normal again. Fingers crossed.

Can't Decide

I can't decide if this picture is a happy accident and pretty cool, or if it's just painfully creepy.

Caffeinated

Dear Me,

Next time you are tempted by a grande cafe mocha, please remember how you feel right now.

Remember that your heart (and every other organ) will feel like it's going to leap straight out of your chest and run around the block.

Remember that your mind will race at a pace suitable only for Churchill Downs.

Remember that it all takes a little while to kick in, and that even though you'll feel terrific while you're drinking it, in roughly half an hour you will feel like you're going to explode.

Remember that "jittery" does not begin to describe how that coffee will make you feel.

Remember that being sleepy is better than feeling like you're going to launch to another level of the atmosphere.

Just remember. That's all I ask. For the love of all that is good and holy, remember.

Sincerely,
You




Dear Starbucks Man,

Regardless of how proficient I may appear at ordering coffee at your lovely establishment, remember that I'm really pretty clueless. If I should request a grande cafe mocha again, remind me that it's really not such a good idea. No matter how much I may say I want it, don't let me have it. Please. Please don't let me have it. It's better for everyone if I stay sleepy and groggy. Anything is better than being suped up and out of control. My daughter will thank you.

Sincerely,
Me

P.S. Is there any special trick that you know of for getting cffeine out of your system more quickly? Anything at all?

Hollywood

This is just about the funniest thing I've ever seen.

A Big Day

Yesterday was a big day for Miss Leah. First off, we had our weekly full morning at church, during which a multitude of people had very deep and meaningful (to be sure) conversations with Leah, and this was the first week, I think, that she really interacted with them. Usually they talk to her, ooh and aah over her, and play with her and she kind of just looks at them all like she can't quite figure them out. Yesterday, though, she talked to them and smiled at them and was generally a little gem. This apparently was exhausting for her (she might be an introvert at heart like her mama), because midway through the second service this was the scene at the back of the church:

Leah, sound asleep and perfectly content in her Weezer's arms. Too, too precious.

Apparently, too, all of that worship and conversation worked up quite a thirst in Miss Leah, because this was the scene at lunch, over and over:

She had her eyes on everything we had to eat and drink, and this was the first day she had really expressed an interest in actually having whatever it was we had. She was particularly intrigued by my sweet tea. (Can you believe that's just a medium? In what world is a medium drink bigger than your head? Gracious. Insane.) We always have her on the table when we eat out (not much longer, I suspect), and I had to buckle her back into her seat so she wouldn't fall all over the table. She had her first taste of ketchup, too, since that was the only thing we were eating that should could reasonably be expected to taste. (A bacon cheeseburger is generally not infant-approved.) Good times for all, especially those families lucky enough to be seated near us.

Last night, as I gave her her bedtime bath, I called Scott upstairs to see the funniest thing of all....of which I unfortunately have no pictures (and it probably wouldn't be a very good idea to share them with you, even if I did). Leah was kicking and splashing in the tub, sloshing water everywhere, for the first time. Every other time thus far, she has seen the bath as optimal relaxation time, laying back and crossing her ankles, casually watching all I'm doing. Last night, though, suddenly the bath took on new meaning. It was playtime, and she seized it with gusto. Fabulous. So much fun.

After the bath, she had her bedtime bottle, and I again summoned Scott to come see his daughter. For the first time ever, this was what he saw when he came into the family room:

She was holding her bottle - all by herself - for the first time. Incredible!

Not surprisingly, she fell asleep after that bottle and slept hard all night. It was a big day, and she had to recharge for today!

Hmm......

"What's this thing? It looks yummy. I think I can get it if I reach out just like this and maybe....just maybe.....maybe I can.......here we go....."

Generations of Chaos

Last weekend my whole family gathered together at my parents' house for my grandmother's birthday - number 85! It was quite festive and quite a ruckus. We're a rowdy bunch, and the addition of two babies in the past year has definitely made it somewhat more so. Over the course of the evening there were many, many photo ops, as it has become pretty uncommon for all of us to be gathered in the same place at the same time. In attendance were: Mom and Dad, Granny and Grandpa (my mom's parents), Grandmother (my dad's mom, and the birthday girl), Angelia (my older sister), Shelby (my 7 year old niece), Mark and Ashley (my younger sister and her husband), Ashley Marie (Leah's cousin, who is a whole 2 months and 2 days older than her), Scott, Leah, and myself. The only one missing was Larry (Angelia's husband and Shelby's dad), who had to work. There were 4 generations represented!

Here we have Angelia, Shelby, Ashley, Ashley Marie, Leah, and me. All three girls with our three girls. (My family is heavily weighted on the feminine side!)

This was an attempt at a picture of the four generations. We added Mom, Granny, and Grandpa. We almost got everyone looking normal.

Not quite as good as the last one......

Uh-oh.......things are starting to unravel a little............

Oh, no.....things are getting worse..... Leah has her toes in Grandpa's ear, for one thing......

I think it's time to call it quits. Let's stop while we're ahead.

Now it's time for Grandmother with the grand- and great-granddaughters.

Just the great-grands....... Uh-oh.....Ashley Marie found something she likes. Over here, Shelby.... Oh, my.

All right. That's enough. We've done enough damage. Time to go.

What's my question Wednesday

Because my daughter is taking an extremely long nap this afternoon (I need to wake her up soon, for sure) and because I needed a break from re-hanging curtains I had washed earlier today, I'm posting yet again today. Don't get used to this many posts in one day.

Beverly at How Sweet The Sound hosts "What's My Question Wednesday," and today I'm taking part because her question for today made me say - out loud - "Pshyeah, I do!"

Do you eat a snack after dinner?

All right. The truth comes out now. I am a milk and cookies JUNKIE. It's sad, y'all. Sad. So much so that if I so much move in the vague general direction of the kitchen at any point in the evening, Scott assumes that I'm going for the Oreos and milk. The milk part is good, no doubt. Bone density shall be no concern to me if this keeps up. However, the cookies.........not so much. I'm trying to cut back. I really am - I didn't buy ANY cookies when I went grocery shopping this week - but man, oh man. I'm not gonna lie. I still get that hankering.

Now I have to go wake Leah up. Seriously.

Sad

Y'all, I am so sad. This whole business about Jon and Kate Gosselin has me really, really SAD. My heart aches for this family. The children. The parents. The extended family. It just makes me so sad. I hate it.

I've been thinking about it a lot but can't put into words all I'm feeling. My pastor wrote something powerful about it, though. You can read it here.

Jumpy

I'm thinking of getting Leah a jumper toy - like one of those that fits in a doorway - but I'm not sure if they're safe or not. Any feedback? Has anyone used one of these? Know anyone who has?

Just like Daddy.

The Aftermath of Breakfast

Unfortunately, I only thought to take this picture once I had already cleaned Leah up. As you can probably imagine, the aftermath there was considerable.

Oh, and um, those are prunes in that container, so this um, isn't all of the aftermath. If you catch my drift. Yeah.

Toesies

I need a nap.

It's tiring and stressful being so cute, isn't it?

Urgency

"My mouth is empty. My mouth is empty. Something's wrong. I need something in my mouth. I need something in my mouth NOW. I must lick something. I need something. Get me something. What's that? The camera? Maybe I can get that.... I need something now.... This is a real emergency here, people."

"Whew. That was close."

Crack of ribs

So, how about I've been coughing so hard that I've actually cracked my ribs? Yeah. Pretty sure.

As a general rule, it's a bad thing when your ribs pop. In case you were wondering.

Note of Appreciation

Dear Nice Lady,

I want to thank you for making me smile and for giving me a reminder that I'm not the only one.

Yesterday, when I saw you in the grocery store, I didn't think much about our situations until you pointed it all out to me.

The grocery carts with car seats perched on top.....

the sleeping babies in those car seats.......

the purses, bursting at the seams, squished alongside the car seats..........

the grocery lists propped precariously atop our sleeping babies' feet........

the grande Starbucks deliciousness on the other side of the car seats.

Indeed, we are two of a kind. It was a sweet reminder that even on the most difficult days, I am a member of this sacred society of mothers, and that there is always someone out there who understands.

I beg you, though, my dear kindred spirit: Do not wish this time away. Your baby boy - only 6 weeks old - will all too soon reach the 5 month mark you say you so long for, and when it does, you will wonder where the time has gone. You will wonder how he has gotten so big so quickly, and you will see other babies of only 6 weeks and nearly tear up as you realize that your little one is there no longer.

Through your bleary eyes, please see how precious this time is. Drink as much Starbucks as you need, but please come to an appreciation of this time. It will pass, and one day you, too, will be able to pass along words of encouragement and wisdom to a sleep-deprived new mom.

In the meantime, hold on to him. Today may seem interminable, but it will pass more quickly than you can imagine.

Blessings,

Fellow Mom

What a melon!

Saturday evening my family all got together for watermelon as an early birthday celebration for my grandmother. This was Leah's first experience of good old southern watermelon.

She just slurped and slurped. She actually made herself a little bit sick off of it. Her mama didn't think about that and just kept letting her have more. (That was the first of many times, I think, that require that I do not listen to what she ways she wants, but rather go with what I know to be best.)

She was quite fond of the stuff. The only problem (other than the tummy sickness) was the mess all over her outfit. Who knew watermelon would stain?

MultiTasking

She's bouncing in her bouncer, playing with her rings, sucking her thumb, AND taking a nap. All at the same time. We have ourselves a multitasker.