Servant For A Day

Last night at dinner I asked David to do one little chore, take out the garbage. This is one of his normal chores so there should not have been an issue with the request. However, he decided to ask a question "why do parents treat their kids like servants?" This was just another bad decision on his part, after a week of bad decisions.

So this morning he got to see what mom does when her servant is busy playing. He is responsible to clean his room, pick up his clothes and make his bed. I had explained he would also have to mop his floor, which I usually do after he has completed his part.

He did a very quick job of shoving his junk around and mopping only in the spots left over. The dirty clothes were hidden on the other side of the bed. I made him come in and correct these issues.

After much attitude I added vacuuming the study rug, more attitude. I explained that more griping, moaning and complaining would result in more work. Time to add cleaning the bathroom sink, more attitude. Clean the bathtub and finally his attitude began to correct. I took him to the grocery store and had him bring in all the groceries (except the bread).

At lunch he started more attitude, so he got the job of cleaning the toilet (twice since the first time he just played at cleaning it). More attitude and he got to mop the bathroom floor and take out the trash in the study.

Finally no complaining.

If you haven't been reading my blog you might imagine David wasn't very smart. But, that's just the problem—he is very smart. He is also very stubborn and thinks he can outlast us. I am hoping that his day of forced labor will result in his being more aware of what I do all day.

I think he must have thought I used "mommy magic" to get it all done without lifting a finger.

Dirty Masterpieces

We've all been told that when life gives you lemons, just make lemonade. Well when Scott Wade is given a dirty car window he turns it into a masterpiece. Apparently Scott and his wife live on a dirt road in Texas and their car windows are never clean. So instead of "clean me," he turns them into works of art. Just watch this and you'll be amazed.

I love his philosophy—when asked why he would spend so much time on something that's not made to last his response was that we need to let go of things and nothing is meant to last.

The Bible tells us this is not our home and even we will turn into dust one day. I know that God will turn me into a work of art when I die, but I still wouldn't mind if someone turned my earthly dust into a work of art also.

You can find more of Scott's work on his web site.

Treasure Found and Shared

This past week I was very busy with Vacation Bible School. So I apologize for not posting last week.

Crafts
Lindsay and I had prepared and purchased the craft projects and were ready. But we underestimated what God would do. The number of children we expected almost doubled in our preschool class. The kindergarten through 3rd grade expanded each night of the program and the 4th through 6th grade class doubled what was expected. Monday night we had more then enough crafts to go around, but Tuesday night we found that we had to switch around crafts to meet the number of children in the classes. I then had to go to the craft store on Tuesday and Wednesday to purchased more crafts for the additional children. The crafts for two classes would only be enough for one class. Since we had ordered the original crafts from catalogs this meant the crafts were different and we would need to prepare samples. Oh, to always have this problem of having more then expected walking into our churches.

Lots of donated items!

One night we had planned to do plaster hand prints and decorate with shells. We had experimented and planned. We made our sample wrote down how long the plaster would need to set and were ready. Only instead of taking the 45 minutes it had taken to set with the sample (or the 20-30 minutes listed on the side of the bucket) the plaster set within 5 minutes of us beginning the mixing process. We were able to finish the project for the first class, after much concern. But we had not been able to do the project with the two other classes as planned.

Kelly shows the thermometer
way over the goal

We scrapped the project since much of the plaster meant for these classes set before we were able to use it for the first class. But that meant another project was needed for the two classes. So we shuffled around the projects from later nights to get through the night. We won't be trying this project again since there are too many variables involved with the plaster.

Missions Project
Our goal for the missions projects was 200 items. If we met the goal, at the picnic Friday our Pastor would get soaked by the kids throwing water balloons at him. Tuesday night we passed our goal. So then our pastoral assistant offered to have his head shaved if we collected 250 items. We passed that goal. Everything from children's books and toys, personal hygiene items to food was brought in. The final count on the items was over 700 items to help others in need! It was really amazing how much was donated.

Donald losing his hair

A great time
Several visitors commented on the wonderful program we ran and how much the kids enjoyed it. The really wonderful part is that the gospel was clearly presented to each age group. We never lost sight that this was the real purpose we were all there for.

At the picnic on Friday we all had a great time getting to meet the visitors' families. Yes, Pastor Mike and Don got bombarded with balloons, then Don got his head shaved. It was a fun way to end the week.

Next week is tear down of all the props—some were removed Friday night but most were left up for our church members to see.

Treasure Seekers

Tonight was the first night of our church's Vacation Bible School. For the last three years we have used a beach theme along with seeking treasure. This has allowed us to build our props each year and this year the church looks fantastic.

One of the decorated VBS rooms

The same team of leaders has worked hard each year to make sure the program is not only fun, but more importantly, teaches the children Biblical truths.

It was interesting to watch last year how a few people made suggestions to "help" just two weeks before the beginning of VBS with drastic changes for the leaders to make. The ladies in charge are great about encouraging others to get involved, but the process begins in January, not in June. I also noticed these "helpers" were not offering to do the work, just ideas to change the program.

Last year we had already booked and paid for our vacation when the date was announced. So this year we made sure we would be in town to help (work). I am helping a friend with the crafts. Each class goes through our room and each craft is geared for their age group. While the theme and decorations are reused, we are careful to use different crafts each year. I am happy to say that everything went very smoothly tonight. We have purchased enough supplies for each class. But, more importantly we have worked well with dividing the work up between us. We each made samples well before this week and were able to work out any kinks or change crafts that we found might not work well. All our supplies are purchased and stored in labeled cubbies for the entire week. We also worked together last night to decorate our room. We also worked very well together when the children came in.We would both give instructions as the craft went along—even though we hadn't practiced what we would say.

The church foyer, decorated for VBS

Each year we incorporate a missions project into the program. This year we are collecting non-perishable food for "Gleaning For the World." This is a local Christian organization that provides humanitarian supplies for domestic and international relief. This year there is even a prize for the family that brings in the most food.

I remember fondly my own summers in Tennessee when I joined my cousins at the local Baptist church for VBS. This was the only time of the year some of my relatives attended church. An older couple would invite us and pick us up and return us home. I can even remember their names—Mr. and Mrs. Patton. God was able to use them to plant the seeds in some of my cousins' hearts. When the church had other programs—4H days or Christmas caroling—they always made sure to invite us. They were wonderful people who didn't hesitate to chauffeur and chaperone a carload of kids to church functions.

Early Christmas Shopping

Yes, I am one of those annoying people that likes to finish all the Christmas shopping before December even begins.

I had received an e-mail from Bath and Body Works about a sale. Of course, usually what I buy isn't on sale so I normally ignore the messages. But, I do love their hand lotion since it is not greasy and doesn't irritate my skin. I am also a girly-girl and love shops like this.

When I got there I found this was not your average sale. Almost everything was on sale, with the lowest discount at 33% off to many items at 75% off.

This was the right time to pick up items for gift bags or baskets for friends and family. I purchased a variety of items that totaled $138.00—whoa. But my total after tax was $40.40. Their glycerin soap which is normally $3.50 is on sale for $1.00.

This is their semi-annual sale, but I have been there before at one of these sales and this one had much more on the larger discount tables. Often stores that have up to 75% off will have one or two items that I really am not interested in. The e-mail stated the sale ends on June 23rd.

Now I can hear all the CVSers saying I can get a whole pack of soap for 2 cents. And though I do like a good deal and to save money I also like to be pampered sometimes. And I would not be likely to put a bar of normal soap in a gift basket, but I would a lovely colorful bar to pamper my friend. The money I save on household items on sale I like to use to live a little, pampering my husband, son and, yes, even myself.

Dance Class Partner

Yesterday Rich had to be in Washington all day—in fact he didn't get home until after midnight. So what to do about dance class? I didn't want to miss the second of only four classes (and next week I may have to miss because I'm helping with Vacation Bible School.) So David came with me.

Belly dancer at Epcot, Disneyworld

I figured he could sit out in the hall and read, but the teacher and other students graciously welcomed him to watch. He was very tired (since the class begins after his bedtime.) But he really enjoyed watching all us moms learning to belly dance.

Most of us had purchased the hip scarfs with the coins on them (I call them butt bangles) and so we all tried to make sure we moved enough to hear the gentle tinkling of the coins.

This week's class took it up a notch and even though I have been working on the treadmill and other equipment for over a month I still found this was really working lots of extra muscles. David thinks it's cool that his mom is learning something new and can't wait for me to dance for his dad.

The response has been fun to watch when I tell friends (especially church friends) that I joined a belly dancing class. Many say they would love to go too but maybe in another 10 years they will get up the nerve. Others say they would love to learn now. I explained to one of the maybe-in-another-10-years friends that I found it so very freeing to express myself and step out of my comfort zone.

I had thought I would stand out as being the most uncordinated klutz in the class, but am pleasantly surprised that most are having the same "chewing gum and walking" issues I am with the hand and hip movements together. I am enjoying it so much I may have to join the next class when it begins.

We All Screamed For Ice Cream

I received my coupon for a free "Love It Creation" at Cold Stone Creamery from their birthday club. So off we went on Father's Day to get a cool treat. If you've ever been to Cold Stone you know they are a bit pricey, but ooh so good. So we only go once or twice a year and usually for some sort of celebration.

While I tend to get the Like It size, David always gets the Gotta Have It size (the largest size) while Rich gets a smoothie. David once again not only ate all his food, but dug into mine and Rich's.

Photos through the plate glass

If you haven't checked out the Cold Stone web site, it's worth it to sign up all the members of your family for a free medium size creation as part of the birthday club.

We ate at a table outside and David loved taking a picture of us through the plate glass window. Of course, our ice cream quickly melted in the heat.

Double Celebration Dinner

Since my birthday and Father's Day fall in the same week, we decided to go out to a fancy restaurant. We had planned on trying a place we had never eaten at but that had come highly recommended. I went online to check out the menu and quickly realized it was not the place for us. First it had very frou frou food and I don't tend to like places like that. Second the menu listed mushrooms in almost half their dishes and since I am allergic to mushrooms that seriously limited my options. It is so wonderful that you can check menus on line before taking the time and gas to find out a place isn't right for you. This was also an expensive restaurant and I would not have been happy.

So we checked online to find a place that would suit all three of our tastes. I had passed a little place last year called "PorterHouse Restaurant and Lounge." I found their menu online and knew it was a place we needed to check out. We like to eat an early dinner so made reservations for 5:30. They had a table for three all set for us when we arrived and there were only a few other tables occupied. We began the meal with Shrimp Cocktail and Charleston Crab Bisque. Fresh bread was promptly delivered. David ordered the Angel Hair Pasta Marinara, Rich ordered the Fresh Sea Scallops a la Jamaica while I chose the Slow Roasted Prime Rib Au Jus.

All the meals were served with a fresh house salad and Rich's and my meal both included a baked potato. The wait staff was very interesting. Most restaurants go for younger employees but the staff here was more mature. I would say all the servers were at least our age. The service we received was excellent and unrushed. There was sufficient time between courses to allow our food to settle without too much time to think they forgot to order the food. While waiting for our main course we saw one of David's early one-on-one specialists come in. We were able to catch up with her about how the school year ended. When our meals came, David had to sample a little of mine, then a little more. His take on the meal was "outstanding." I think he said this at least 15 times during the meal. David ate all his meal and part of mine. The food was excellent and we will be back.

By the time we finished our meal the restaurant had pretty much filled up. I love that the smoking section is a room at the other side of the restaurant from the non-smoking section. Also a side note, the Porterhouse was a little less expensive than the restaurant we had planned on going to. So we were very happy about our change in plans.

Eventful Night

Thursday night saw quite a bit of action at our house. First there were several kids playing at the playground across the street from our house. When David saw one of the boys pee on the ground, Rich went to speak to them about it. He found the youngest girl lying on the ground. We are not sure what happened, but she was screaming and crying. He told the kids to come let me know so we could call someone and none of the three children would obey. I looked out to see what was taking Rich so long when I saw him speaking to the girl on the ground.

I went out to see what was going on and told the kids to go get their parents. None of the kids would obey us. I called 911 and was asked if we had tried to contact the parents. We explained we didn't where they lived and the kids wouldn't go to let them know. We then kept the other kids from moving her and kept her still while waiting for the EMTs.

They arrived within minutes of our placing the call and were wonderful with the little girl. She is seven years old and at least two of the other kids were siblings. She was able to move her legs, but held her arms very stiffly. The EMT's immobilized her and continued to tell the other kids to get her parents.

After at least 6 orders, they finally got one boy to go. He came back right away and stated they were alseep. We told him they needed to come because she needed to go to the emergency room. The boy refused to return. The EMTs then told the oldest girl to take me and wake the parents. On our way she pointed to a vehicle and told me it was her mom. I waved her over and told her about the seriousness of the situation. It turned out to not be Mom but an aunt. We left as the aunt began to argue with the EMTs. No parents ever showed up. We have heard nothing more about the condition of the little girl and, of course, since we don't even have a name we can't check up on her.

I was able to change and make it to my dance class just in time. It was wonderful and there were many moms like me with middle-school aged kids. We had a great time, there were lots of giggles. When I returned home I called a friend and told her about my dance class and she began to laugh.

Strawberry Soup

When my mom was here I decided on a light meal that would require little cooking. I made ham biscuits, strawberry soup and baked beans. After finding I had purchased more then I needed for the soup I made an extra batch and took it to a friend. She loved it, along with another friend who was visiting. So I promised I would post the recipe I got from life:beautiful magazine.

Strawberry Soup

1 quart (1 pound) fresh strawberries
2 cups half and half
1/3 cup granulated sugar (I used splenda)
1/4 cup sour cream

Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Cover and process until very smooth. Garnish individual servings with a mint spring.

The magazine also had other cold soups. I made the two-melon soup and got rave reviews on that also. Next I will try their chilled green apple soup.

This was so easy to make, little clean up and was very refreshing.