Viewing the Night Sky

I did it. I walked out side into the night dragging my sleeping bag. I draped it on my new lawn chair. I sat down and SNAP--BONG. The chair folded up. My legs were in the air and my head rested on the prikly grass. I fixed the chair, and then sat carefully in the MIDDLE. I slipped my legs inside and pulled the sleeping bag up to my eyes. Noises were coming from the palm trees.
The palms stretch up beyond the top of the picture...tall and thick. The noise sounded like monkeys were jumping through the branches...but actually I'm pretty sure it was tree squirrels.

I looked up. WOW. There was the big dipper right above my head! And there were at least 10 other stars. City lights are not far away, so it's not the ideal viewing spot...but nevertheless...I felt like I was on VACATION! It brought back memories of sleeping outside on our water-skiing trips, when I was young. I slept on a chair just like this one...with a towel under my sleeping bag to keep me warm. At night I would wake up periodically and notice the stars had shifted position.

The night sky is so mysterious and beautiful. As I lay in my lawn chair, I noticed a big orange star overhead...not too far away from the handle of the Big Dipper. I looked it up later. It's Arturus. It's 20 times bigger than our sun...and its getting to be an old giant...slowly burning out.

I'm glad I finally took some time to stare at the sky--in a comfortable position. I'm going out again tonight.

On the family front, my youngest has been driving alot...and I've been his co-pilot. I try to say very little. He's gaining confidence.

Things are difficult for my oldest son. Right now he's in God's hands. I pray for him daily.

Today, my husband, Mozart, decided to google a favorite music professor he had in college. Sure enough, a website came up. Mozart called him. They had a wonderful talk...and will probably stay in touch now that they have each others email. It's a nice feeling to connect with a good old friend and mentor.

I'm still job hunting...as my part-time job will be ending in the middle of June. However, today I just found out they will be adding a Special Education class to summer school. I heard a rumor that I may get called assist. Although it would only be 20 hours per week, at least it's something! I do enjoy the kids.

Have a wonderful weekend!

The Warmth of Friends

Here I am on Mother's Day standing in my new backyard! (notice my pet duck) For my birthday I was given a membership to a beautiful Arboretum. Miles of beautiful paths and trails await to be explored. I'll tell you more later—because I want to tell you about...

The Warmth of Friends

A week of unexpected support from friends warmed my heart. Our friends Jeff and Sharon took Mozart and I out to dinner for our birthdays. Bamboo hung from the ceiling and painted elephants graced the walls as we dined on delicious Thai food. Jeff gave me his latest CD of piano music. (passionately and beautifully played) It’s entitled, This I Know, Ageless Hymns of Faith.
It now wakes me up in the morning and lulls me to sleep at night.

Then, Sunny called, and asked if Mozart and I wanted to hear Alistair Begg speak. I often hear Pastor Begg on the radio. Originally from Scotland, he now pastors a church in Cleveland, Ohio. Tonight he was speaking in a city not far from our home.

Sunny’s husband, drove us through the rain soaked streets and we soon became imbedded in a long line of cars. Due to a lightening storm, traffic lights were out. Although it took forever to get there it was good to be together. We’ve known Sunny and Jon since college days—and its been awhile since the four of us were all in one car…just like old days! Pastor Begg gave a great message inspiring us to share Christ…with simplicity.

I’m also thankful for my friends in Moms In Touch, the Writers Critique group and my Sunday School class for emailing me job leads!

And…my wonderful blogging friends. Their encouraging comments and emails keep me going!

If you don't hear from me in a few days...I'm busy working on my resume.

Attitude

I saw this on a teacher' desk at school...and I thought it was worth posting. It's written by Chuck Swindoll (a pastor).

Attitude

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.

Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.

And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes.

On most evenings I read a few verses of scripture at the dinner table. I read 'Attitude' a few nights ago to my youngest--who was the only one who showed up for dinner. How wonderful for my son to learn this lesson early in life. I don't know if he will...but its worth a try. Actually I'm still learning!

On Saturday, I'm going to visit my mother and father for the day. We'll be celebrating my birthday in the morning, and mothers day in the afternoon! That's because we couldn't see each other on these days. In the morning, we'll probably go shopping for a swim suit (for me) and in the afternoon we'll go to a jazz concert (for mom).

Have a great weekend! It was 100 degrees today! Ouch!

Job Hunting

I have not been called to perform the "in-basket" test yet. Apparently the ladies who have been through this testing say it's the most difficult part of the testing. Apparently one goes through a whole day at the office--simulated...with different things placed in your in-basket. The work must be prioritized and one will be interrupted with emergencies. The test will involve emails and composing correspondence. Then...afterwards...you are interviewed and asked why you made certain decisions.

Oh my.

All I want is a full-time job so I can have medical benefits.

Yesterday I found out that I will not be working summer school. Since I worked last year, they have to give others a chance. There are not enough positions to go around.

My husband's work is so slow...down to nothing. So I must find a FT job this summer. I'm praying for the right job. I'm a bit nervous about matters at home (extreme parenting)...and how they will impact me as I learn a new job. In one way...it's probably better that I will be away from home, and at work this summer. I just hope I can do it. (work)

Oh...there goes the phone. The youngest needs to be picked up from school. "Mom...bring my learner's permit! I want to drive home!"

Mother's Day Surprises

Do you see the branches on the grass? Bill is trimming our Apricot tree in the very back of the yard. click to enlarge

One never knows what Mother's Day will bring. My mother is experiencing this, because my dad just caught the flu, which means we will not get together for Mother's Day.

I decided to write her a poem. (She always loves my poems, even though they are a little off-meter.)




MOTHER'S DAY SURPRISES
by Sharon

Mother's Day is quite surprising

you never know what will transpire

You could be wined and dined all day

or your help could be required

You might be smelling fresh picked roses

or mopping a feverish forehead

You could be served Filet Mignon

or a hamburger instead

But no matter what the day doth bring

You always know you're loved

Your family is a gift from God

to make you like His Son

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!


and...happy mother's day to all!

P.S. Oh...guess what...I passed the Secretarial test! But the stress is not over with. I now have to go in an take an "in-basket" test. More on these things later...

The Latest News

Tomorrow I’m taking a “Secretarial” test.

Actually—hasn’t the word “Secretary” been replaced by “Administrative Assistant?” In our school district they still use the “S” word.

I’m testing because I want to go FT when the right position opens up. This test will put me on an eligibility list.

I’m a bit nervous because I’ll be tested in WORD and EXCEL. My friend came over last weekend and gave me a 2 hour crash course in EXCEL. I do know WORD…but just the basics. I’ve been studying…combing the internet for practice tests. I’ve found some…but not adequate.

I hope I don’t bomb the test. Actually I don’t want to be a Secretary, anyway. The last thing I need is to have another boss in my life. (My husband keeps me busy enough). Maybe I should be a clerk instead.

Currently I work in Special Education and I love it. But the job is only part-time. I enjoy tutoring elementary aged students in math and writing.

On another note, my youngest son just passed his written driving test today for a Learner’s Permit. I’m so happy about this. I let him drive home from the DMV…the last 5 blocks in the quiet residential area. My seat belt was quite useful for the stop signs.

My oldest son is back. His re-entrance was quite dramatic. I was watering the front yard when I heard a big truck coming down the street. It was a flat bed tow truck with my son’s bright orange car on the top.

There was no son in sight.

Four hours later our son was dropped off.

Apparently the car’s alternator broke. Then it was cited for non-current registration tags…and under threat of impoundment unless it was removed from (wherever it was). So now it is parked permanently in our driveway until insurance/registration are paid.

That’s all for now…I have to get some rest for the test tomorrow.

To all mother’s---grandmothers---aunts---caretakers---Have a wonderful Mother’s Day on Sunday!

The Peach Cafe

Meet Sunny and Carole! We have just finished lunch at the Peach Cafe. A funky little place with sandwiches, omletes and other good stuff. I've known these "girls" since elementary school. On the left is Sunny. We met in kindergarten. On the right, is Carole. We met in the 6th grade. We've had many adventures together. We always meet on our birthdays, and today, we celebrated mine. We always have great conversation. Today we discussed our experiences sharing our faith.



Sunny has the most unique way of sharing her faith. She makes beautiful "outreach" bracelets. They are laden with colorful crystal beads and pewter charms that tell the story of our faith. If you'd like to see them, visit her at Sunny's Shiny Things. Once on her website, click on the bracelets to see them close up.

Carole is the busy mother of 3 teen boys. (and mischevious ones!) She is a writer (with no time to write!) and a teacher. Her husband hosts a wonderful website entitled God and Science. Carole shares her faith with everyone she meets! She is an inspiration to me.

I'm so fortunate to have such long time friends. They are like sisters to me! It's one of those blessings of living in the same area for so long!