Sorry I've been absent for so long. As I've mentioned, I'm on our church's Pastor Nominating Committee and it is really taking it out of me. We've been meeting for almost a year now, and I am emotionally, physically, and spiritually exhausted at the moment. Hopefully, when things settle down I can provide the mediocre content you all come here for on a more regular basis! Hopefully I'll be able to get up part 3 in the "How I Met My Mate" installment. I know it has been keeping you all up at night!

How I Met My Mate, Part 2

(Yes, I know I hit publish on Sunday. Oops. Just ignore it until tomorrow.)

So...I left off with Leighton and I set to stand watch on the sailboat at 5:00 a.m.

We all slept on deck because the rooms below were tiny and someone saw a roach. How does a roach get on a boat? Anyway, I was not taking the chance that one might want to share my bed.

The person who stood watch from 4:00 -5:00 came and woke us when it was our turn. Everyone was asleep except for Leighton and I. We checked the stats and recorded the numbers and all that, and then...

ABSOLUTELY NOTHING HAPPENED!

In fact, I am not sure I even spoke to him the whole time. Poor guy probably thought I was such a little snob, but in reality, I just didn't want to seem like a giant dork.

6:00 rolled around, and Leighton had recorded our observations in the little book. Of course, he made it funny. It may have even rhymed if I remember correctly. (Cap'n Bob loved it.) We went to wake up our successors. We ended up having a great time for the rest of the trip.


Fast forward to August.

After Samm and I moved in to our room (yes, we were roommates, too), we were anxious to find some familiar faces from our sailing trip. At one of the first freshman events we spotted Leighton. We were so excited to see him! We were already hanging with some of the girls from our trip, so when he spotted us, he knew the whole group. He came over and introduced his roommate, T. They were potluck roommates, but got along great (and ended up living together all four years).

T and I had Old Testament together that semester, and Samm and Leighton had Old Testament together, so we got to know each other pretty quickly and ended up being really good friends.

Let me interject at this point that there was not even the tiniest romantic twinge between us at all at this point. Leighton and I both came to college with serious hometown sweethearts that we were sure would last forever. I mean, when you're 17, you know everything, right?

In fact, even after my boyfriend and I broke up during my sophomore year, Leighton and Tommy were probably the only strictly platonic relationships I had. You know when you are friends with guys, there's sometimes a little part that wonders if you could be more? Not so with these two. I could totally be myself with them. These were the guys I didn't care if they saw me without makeup. Or who I would complain about other boys to. Once I was getting ready to go to a Sigma N* Christmas party with some boy, and L came over to see me before I went, and held my nail polish bottle for me while I painted my toenails. They really were some of my best friends.

In January of our junior year, my dad was diagnosed with cancer. It was a really tough semester for me, and I wanted to drop out and move home to be with him, but he wouldn't let me! He knew the best thing was for me to stay in school, and besides, we truly believed he was going to get better, so in his mind, why waste a semester? My sweet daddy died that May, 1997. I had been home for just a few weeks when we lost him. I still have the letter Leighton sent me after that, letting me know his heart was broken for me and my family and that we were in his prayers.

It was hard to go back to school in August and act like everything was normal. I was president of Panhellenic that year, and while it kept me very busy and gave me something to focus on, it was hard to pretend that any of that stuff mattered. I was also completing my last semester of classes before I started student teaching in the spring.

My senior year, I lived with Samm and two other of my best friends in the brand-new townhouses the school had built. Leighton, T, and two other guys lived across the parking lot from us, so we were constantly in and out of each other's places.

That fall, two of my housemates had afternoon labs, and the other one was a soccer player with daily practice, so I was alone every afternoon after lunch. Being girls, our townhouse was cute and decorated, and what's more, it was clean. Most of the time. And, I had a sandwich press. So I really didn't think too much about it when Leighton would call over and see if he could come cook his sandwich at our place. Most days, he would stay, eat his lunch with me, and we would just hang out for a bit.

At the time I thought nothing of this, but in hindsight (like after we were married!) I asked him about him coming over everyday.
I said, "Is that when you started having feelings for me and so you used the sandwich as an excuse to see me?"
He said, "No. When I pulled into my place everyday, I'd look over for your car. If your car was the only one there, I knew you'd be alone, and I didn't want you to sitting over there by yourself, missing your dad. So I thought I'd come distract you. I knew you'd still be sad, but at least you wouldn't be sad by yourself."

Didn't his mama do a good job????

Come back next week and find out when the lovebug bit me. I mean, we're already to senior year, and so far, nothin'. Will I snag him before graduation?

How I Met My Mate, Part 1

I graduated from high school in 1994. That fall, my best friend and I were going to head off to a small liberal arts college in South Carolina. (I talked her into forgoing Davidson and coming with me. Best decision she ever made.) Our school set up trips for incoming freshman that summer as a way to get to know a small group of students so you feel like you know some people when you arrive on campus in the fall.

Samm, my BFF, and I chose the sailing trip off of Charleston Harbor set for July. Little did I know my future husband chose the same trip.

As Samm and I precariously followed the directions our mothers had written out for us on that 3 hour drive, we could not contain our excitement. We were going to be on campus-like REAL PEOPLE. We couldn't wait to meet the others in our group.

As we walked into the campus center, it was clear we were the last to arrive. Everyone was waiting on us, which just allowed us to make a real entrance. All eyes on us? Bring it on. Nowadays, I avoid that like the plague. Ah, to be young and 17 again.

As introductions were made, I noticed the trip was a little girl-heavy. If memory serves, there were about eight girls and three or four guys on the trip. We were ushered into a side room for some ice-breaker games. Samm was paired up with this boy named Leighton. As we played our game and had to introduce each other, I noticed he was funny. Really funny. He had the whole group cracking up at just a few one-liners he threw out there. Did I mention he was cute, too? The other boys were kind of duds, so Leighton really stood out.

But if there was one thing high school had taught me about boys, it was that he was most likely a big jerk. All the funny smart ones at my school cracked themselves up by turning their cleverness on whomever was nearest to them-meaning they made fun of anybody and everybody, so I figured Leighton was just like them. He had a very dry sense of humor and could say something that would make you wet your pants without ever cracking a smile. Yep, he was dangerous.

The next day, we headed out to Charleston. It was about a 3 hour van ride to the harbor. We loaded our bags and sleeping bags onto the sailboat and met Captain Bob. He explained that this was not a leisurely cruise (WHAT?). That we were there to work. WE were going to be sailing the boat and that meant we would be paired up with someone to stand watch with at some point throughout the night. We had to take measurements and make sure all the little gauges and doohickeys all said the right things. Everyone drew names to see who they'd be paired with.

Guess who drew my name?

Leighton and I were to stand watch together from 5:00-6:00 am.

Come back next week to find out what happened during our hour of solitude on the sailboat!

Head over to Lora Lynn's to read other stories and add your own!

Whew. I'm tired. I can't believe it has been over a week since I posted. We are now over the strep. Last week my allergies came on with a vengeance and I spent every waking moment hacking up a lung. It was charming, really, and made me an absolute delight to be around! Especially since I would hack all night, as well, making me very cranky the next day.

As Hubs posted, last weekend he was on solo duty because I went away for a girls weekend up to the mountains with 3 of my closest friends. We had a great time talking, eating, watching movies, eating, shopping, and eating. Since we have 6 kids (total) four and under, when we are all together, it is very hard for us girls to finish a sentence, let alone complete a conversation. So this was a nice chance just to soak each other up!

Sunday when I got back I got ready for dinner at my in-laws and a PNC meeting. (I'm on the Pastor Nominating Committee for our church-we meet every Sunday night). Monday a candidate was coming into town for a tour and interview.

Monday I dropped the kiddos off at camp, went to the grocery to buy food to take to the PNC dinner that night, had a Dr. appt. at 10:00, and went to my mom's and switched cars so she could pick my kids up at 1:00. At noon, I met the committee at church to help give our candidate and his wife a tour, and take him out to lunch. I picked up the kids from my mom's at 2:30 and came home and put everyone to bed. I had to make a huge salad for the dinner, but there was no room in my fridge for the bowl, so before I could make it, I had to clean out the fridge.

When I got all that done I realized I had 30 minutes before my MIL was coming over to keep the kids. I laid down on the couch and fell sound asleep. I woke up when I heard the doorbell!

I ran to the church by 5:00 and met Hubs there. Our candidate was preaching for the PNC and our spouses so we could see what he was like in person. The spouses left us so we could conduct a formal interview with him and then we all met for dinner at a member's house. We got home after 9:00.

Tuesday morning, I dropped the kids off and I met the PNC and our candidate for breakfast. Then the PNC met last night at 7:00 to discuss our thoughts about the candidate.

I've been so busy I didn't get to participate in Lora Lynn's "Meet-My-Mate-Mondays" for the 2nd week in a row! And my own husband tagged me for a meme and I have yet to do it.

And I just realized that I have no idea what we are having for dinner. That is so not like me. I always have our meals planned out a week in advance. I think I need a nap.

We've been overrun with Strep. First, Buddy, and now my girl. Yuck.

While the Kids are Away, the Mommy Will...Clean?

My kids are both at a little church day camp this week, so I am finding myself alone. In the house. For the first time in YEARS.

It is a little odd. And quiet.

But I am getting a lot done.

On Monday I ran some Father's Day errands and had a nice lunch date with Hubs at our favorite Sushi place.

Tuesday was a big work day. I knew I was going to be getting gross, so I didn't shower or clean myself up after my morning power walk before taking my kiddos to camp. That is huge for me. I have such terrible skin (or at least I still do in my head, my husband tells me) that I never go out without some makeup on. SO, after dropping them off, I ran to Kroger, and then back home to get started on the Great Clean-up of '08.

Some of you may remember that we moved into the house I grew up in last August. My poor mother had to pack up 26 years of all of our lives by herself. So, some areas of the house were a little neglected as she packed. Kind of "out of sight, out of mind," like the 3rd floor storage room. I don't blame her. It was a waste land of old stuffed animals, book reports, my entire Sweet Valley Twins book collection, my sister's high school and college stuff, etc. I found old-school luggage that belonged to my great aunt (who's been dead for at least 25 years) and pledge day pictures from my sorority days (Zeta rocks yo' mama, ya'll!). In other words, lots to sort through.

I headed up with some latex gloves, the vacuum, trash bags, and some cardboard boxes. In 2 hours I had made several boxes headed for my sister's house, had trashed a bunch of junk, dusted the inside of the shelves, organized and stacked my "archives" as my mother had labeled them, and vacuumed the floor. The difference is night and day! It feels so good to have that space conquered.

I then moved on to the playroom, which was a wasteland. That will be Bunny's room when she's a little older, so I wanted to clean out and pack away the baby toys and organize what was in there. I took lots of clear plastic tubs and packed away the things they don't play with anymore, but we're not willing to part with yet, in case another baby comes along at some point. I labeled each tub with what was inside and hauled it to the storage room. Oh, the pretty rows I made! It is lovely. Yay me.

So, even though the job is far from over, today I rewarded myself with a pedicure. And now my toes are so pretty, wearing their "Keys to my Karma" red. Now that I've had a little rest, I'm ready to head back up tomorrow morning and finish what I started.

The only person who's not going to be so thrilled with the big clean out is my sister. She's going to have to find a new home for several boxes of old school reports, church camp memories, and about eight old Cabbage Patch Kids. And one of the CBK's has a retainer and glasses, so her upkeep is going to cost a wee bit more than the others.

Our Day, and a Little Rant

Good thoughts about the scheduling. Our day is loosely structured, too. It typically looks like this:
6:00 Get up and walk
Home, coffee, shower, dress
8:00 Kids get up, get dressed, go downstairs
Breakfast
Clean up dishes, straighten kitchen while kids draw or paint
Play outside or run an errand or two
10:00 Snack time
10:15-11:00 Play
11:00-12:00 Buddy goes to speech (MW), if home, we play
12:00 Lunch

I usually let the kids watch something short after lunch.

play or stories

1:30 Buddy naps
2:00 Bunny has rest time in her room. There is no sleeping involved anymore, so she may play or draw while she's in her room

4:30 everyone up, eat snack
6:00 Dinner
7:00-7:30 Bedtime

I just wasn't sure if I should have a "set" outside time, like everyday from 9:00-10:00 we go outside, and everyday from 10:30-11:15 we do a craft, etc.

But that seems a little much to me. Like today, we are meeting our friends downtown for a playdate at this big street festival that's here this weekend, so they are watching something now. At 9:43 a.m. I know. Call DHS. But I want them to conserve their energy and drink lots of water because we are going to have to do a little bit of walking and it is going to be HOT. Not hot, but, HOT today.

On a (very random) side note, do anyone's kids watch Little Bear on Noggin? My word. First of all, let me say I love the Little Bear books, with the Maurice Sendak illustrations. There is nothing cuter.

However.

The cartoon is brutal, and of course, Bunny loves it. If she gets a chance to watch something, she wants Little Bear. I guess I just don't get why Mother and Father and the grandparent Bears all wear clothes, but Little Bear is naked as a jaybird. And why if they are all named for what they are (Little Bear is actually a little bear, Duck is a duck, Cat is a cat, etc), then why is the monkey named Mitzi? And why is there a monkey in the forest at all?

Also, the writers of Little Bear might want to think of who their audience is. Since this airs on Noggin, I figured they would be pretty clear that this show is for PRESCHOOLERS.

So, um, could we maybe NOT show the episode when Emily the little girl says that her doll Lucy DIED and they have a funereal for her? Or maybe the one where there is a giant monster bear with scary teeth and lots of growls that scares them all? Buddy still says, "No mommer beah, Mommy?"

Thanks, Noggin.

Anyway! Have a great weekend, everyone! Stay cool.