Car Trouble...Again

I kept putting off going to the grocery store, I just couldn't do another trip with all of the kids, it really drains all the energy from me. We were running out of a lot even though I had stocked up. I finally asked Sherry if she could come and stay with the kids so I could go alone (she has always helped me out, I just didn't want to keep asking). On Sunday she came over, it was getting close to dinner time. I decided to run to Shopko (they have a Payless in their store), to get the kid's gym shoes for school, and then go back home and feed the kids before going to the grocery store. It sounded like a great plan, until.......MY CAR BROKE DOWN!!!!!! Can you believe it? I tried to start my car, it sounded like it wanted to turn over but couldn't. I knew it wasn't the battery, I've had troubles with that in the past. I had troubles with the distributor cap, so I thought I would look under the hood and try and find it, I must have looked hilarious! There was a guy working on his tires in the parking lot so I went over and asked him if he knew anything about cars. He told me, "Sounds like your fuel pump to me, I had the same problem a few months ago." I said, "Really? Does that mean I'm stranded?" He said, "Yeah, pretty much." After a few words I can't repeat on this blog, I called Sherry to let her know I was stranded. I gave her names of people and she looked them up in my church directory. The first call was to my mechanic's house, he has a daughter Helen's age. They weren't home...the next few calls were to friends, also, not home. I called the shop where I usually take my car hoping they had an emergency number to call for a tow...no. I sat and thought about my situation, how easy it used to be to just call Peter, he would come and get me and then handle the rest. Robbie has a friend who lives right down the street from Shopko, I called him. He came within five minutes, listened to the car, looked underneath, and agreed it was the fuel pump. He said, "When the traffic dies down a bit, I'll come and tow your car to my house and replace the pump for you. Let's go to the auto store and see if they have a pump in stock, and then I'll drop you off at home." Can you believe it? Everything happens for a reason...if someone else would have answered their phone, I never would have made that last call, and my repair bill would have been double, if not triple! This all happened at 6:00pm, I had my car fixed, running, and back in my garage at 10:30pm. What a wonderful guy! When he dropped off the car I asked him what I could pay him. I knew he would say nothing, so while he was working on my car, I was baking him a peach cobbler and some brownies. They were still warm when he dropped the car off. His wife told him I would probably make him brownies, I'm glad I did. I never made it to the grocery store, Sherry ran to the store for me just to get the essentials, the all important brownies!

School started for Ted, Robbie, and Katie on Wednesday, right after I dropped them off the rest of us went to the grocery store...finally!! They all had a good day, and think they will have a good year. Katie had a fantastic day, no problems at all. She is talking to everyone, she picked up right where she left off last year. I am thrilled! The Principal stopped me this morning with a big smile on his face and told me what a change in Katie from last year at this time. He said it was wonderful, I agreed. She received a note from her teacher yesterday that said, "Katie was an angel today". I asked her why she received it, she told me because she helped the other kids do something. She had a big smile on her face when she talked about it. I am breathing a huge sigh of relief....

Until next time-
Take Care,
Sue





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Another School Year

We are getting ready for school to start, this time of year is so hectic and expensive. It's always tough getting back into the routine and following schedules. Helen's school bus is always late the first week which makes the other kids late for their school. This school year all the kids will be going! Ted will be in 4th, Helen-1st, Robbie-2nd, Katie-1st, Grace-4 year old preschool, and Noah-3 year old preschool. Grace and Noah will be in the same class, they didn't have enough kids signed up for either class to have them separate. It works out better for me this way, they will be gone at the same time, which means...I will have 2 hours and 45 minutes three days a week to myself (not that I'm keeping track or anything!!) Everyone keeps asking me what I'm going to do with my time. I tell them I don't know but I'm sure I'll find something to do. I will definitely enjoy the quiet time, maybe I'll start meditating! I actually will start working on It'll Fit'll tasks during that time. I will also be able to volunteer more time at the schools because the preschool has a program where the kids can stay longer if I need them to. I'm really looking forward to the coming year in that aspect. I'm not looking forward to another year of difficulties for Katie. She is really nervous about school starting, she is afraid of new students that may be in her class. I called her doctor to see if there was anything I could do or say to make it easier on her. At least this year we know what is going on with her and have the help she needs waiting on the sidelines. I'm hoping for a smooth transition for her. Everyone else is fine with it, some more than others.

Toby is doing fine, he has a case of kennel cough and is on medication for it. I was very worried about him the other night, I thought he swallowed a Lego or something. He was up most of the night coughing and spitting up, which meant I was up most of the night. It brought back memories of those sleepless nights with the kids when they were newborns, and the zombie like feeling the next day. After a couple of days on the medicine, he is back to sleeping through the night. The other night I was outside watering my garden, Toby was laying nearby watching me. I went and rolled up the hose, when I went back to get him, he was gone. Helen and Noah were outside with me, I asked them what happened to Toby, they didn't know. We looked all around the backyard and in the garage calling his name the whole time, he was not around. I went in the house thinking one of the other kids came out and got him without me seeing them...no. I was frantic at this point, I think because the kids weren't stopping what they were doing to help me find Toby. Robbie heard it my voice, he went outside calling Toby and then ran back in the house and went out the front door. Toby had squeezed through our neighbors fence and was running around their yard. He made it back safely, my nerves on the other hand...

Until next time-
Take Care,
Sue





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Our Newest Addition

Robbie and Toby in our backyard

Remember when I said we weren't going to get another dog until next year? well, I changed my mind. I introduce to you, Toby, a 9 week old Beagle/Lab mix. I had been looking at websites, researching breeds, and seeing what was out there. I was leaning towards the Labs, I always liked them, but Peter didn't because he didn't like dogs with long tails. I was on another blog that had a link to Petfinder, so I clicked on it. I was leaning towards getting a dog from a shelter, our local shelter didn't have any that would "fit" our family. I scrolled through the pages, and when I got to page five or six, this picture of two puppies jumped out at me. I didn't even hesitate, I emailed to see if the puppies were available. I was planning on getting both of them, they were brothers and were so cute they made my heart melt. I found out the next day that only one was still there and if I wanted him he was mine. I called Sherry to see if she and Evan would like to go with us, a second set of eyes is always helpful. Toby was at the Jefferson County Animal Shelter in Mt. Vernon, IL, a 6 1/2 hour drive for us. We left Sunday morning and spent the night at a hotel where the kids swam in the swimming pool. Everyone had a blast, Helen couldn't stop laughing, she loves the water. It will definitely be a nice memory for the kids. On Monday morning we went and picked up Toby, love at first sight. Everything happens for a reason...what was I thinking when I said I would take both puppies!!?! Thank goodness Toby's brother had already been adopted, one puppy is a lot work, two puppies...YIKES!! He is adjusting well, and so are we. He is sleeping through the night, I think because the kids tire him out during the day. He loves to be outside with them, he chases after their feet, and loves to nip. I have been trying to teach them the importance of not letting him get away with that, he no longer does it to me. It is so fun watching him explore and play, he loves to tug at the weeds in my yard. I have already started working with him on some training, learning his name, no bite, off, and come. His potty training is coming along nicely, only a couple of accidents so far. He sleeps in a kennel in my bedroom, as long as he can see me, no crying. I'm looking forward to the years ahead, watching him grow and bonding with the kids. I really love dogs, and missed the companionship. When my furry niece Fiona and furry nephew Milo would come over, I missed them as soon as they left. I knew in my heart I was ready for another, and I'm glad I found Toby.

Until next time-

Take Care,

Sue

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Permission To Grieve

In Loving Memory of Peter (6-9-63/8-8-06)
Wonderful Husband, Terrific Dad...

It is okay to cry. Tears release the flood of sorrow of missing the one you love. Tears relieve the brut force of hurting, enabling us to "level off" and continue our cruise along the stream of life. Shedding tears is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of our human nature and emotions of deep despair and sorrow. It's okay to cry.

It is okay to heal. We do not need to "prove" that we loved the person who has died. As the months pass we are slowly able to move around with less outward grieving each day. We need not feel "guilty", for this is not an indication that we love less. It only means that, although we don't like it, we are learning to accept death and it's finality of the pain our loved one suffered. It's a healthy sign of healing. It's okay to heal.

It is okay to laugh. Laughter is not a sign of "less" grief. Laughter is not a sign of "less" love. It is a sign that many of our thoughts and memories are happy ones and our dear one would have wanted us to laugh again. It's okay to laugh.

Until next time-
Take Care,
Sue







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