A Not So Ordinary Day

Some days I get sidetracked by my own life, like THIS.

On Saturday, everything ran unusually smooth.  Like an angel was orchestrating events.  Nothing spilled, or broke.  Nobody was late, or got left behind.  Nobody was hospitalized, or died.  I didn't overeat.  No worms invaded the garden.

An angel was clearly directing things.  I'll call her Ruby.  She looks like this.

Big heart, no hips, no shoes.  Wings like Mickey Mouse gloves.  

The day started with me helping my daughter with some house-sitting duties.  She was taking care of a friend's dogs for the week.  After we walked one dog, I decided to surprise our friend by cleaning her bathroom.

As I worked, I discovered her bath mats had seen better days and decided to get some new ones as an early birthday gift.  (I like to clean and spruce up other people's bathrooms.  Shocking, I know.)

At K-Mart, I found mats the exact color of our friend's current rugs.  I was very happy about this, because if I'd not found the same color, I would have had to switch color themes.  Then, I would have wanted to buy a matching curtain, and maybe towels.  Pretty soon, I'd be looking at tile samples.  Thank you, Ruby, for providing lavender bath mats.

House-sitting duties wrapped up, my daughter and I left to do some grocery shopping.  We stopped at a farmer's market to get some produce, and we weren't there more than ten minutes.  As we were leaving, a man with a wife and baby in his car approached and said his car battery was dead - could he get a jump?

We said sure and watched as the guy linked cables from car to car.  I know this is a simple task, but I've never done it myself, and I'm always impressed by the fact that guys instinctively know how to do this.  It's one thing I like about men.  That, and the tire-changing thing.

This little family was very grateful for our help.  If we hadn't crossed this guy's path when we did, I'm sure someone else would have helped him, but, for some reason, Ruby positioned us.  I like being in cahoot with angels.

Next, we stopped at Publix for the weekly BOGOs.  My only weakness with BOGOs is that, once I'm in the store, I tend to pick up non-BOGO items.  I didn't do that on Saturday, just wasn't tempted.  Ruby kept me in line.

Next stop, the commissary.  We used 35 coupons and saved $29.00.  Even though we scout the papers and clip/organize coupons weekly, it's always a happy jolt for me when we I see our savings at the register.

I've said this before, but couponing makes me feel smarter than the average bear.  Ruby prompted me nearly a year ago to seriously start using coupons and, with the help of our daughter, it's been a blessing since.

Home again and groceries put away, we picked up my parents for Saturday evening Mass. On my way past the dining room of their assisted living facility, a small dog came scampering across my feet.  I checked where he'd come from and saw that a resident had fallen in the dining room. 

I called for a nurse and then snagged the dog leash so the pooch wouldn't trip anyone.  I hurried to the woman on the floor to see how she was.  Luckily, she was OK.  I returned to her the pooch, who had simply taken off when she fell.

The people nearby thanked me for helping, but I thought, I was just walking along, being my clueless self.   Ruby, however, was paying attention.  That's the job of an angel, to see who's in trouble.  She did a pretty good job on Saturday.  

The final sweet event of the day was having my mom complete her reading part in this book.

It's a Hallmark record-yourself-reading book.  My dad had read/recorded the second half of the book two weeks ago, and I had been waiting for Mom, who will soon be 92, to read/record the first half.  Mom is very busy.  However, at 92, anything can happen, and my heart was anxious to get the book completed.  For two weeks, I tried to orchestrate a reading session, to no avail. 

After dinner last night, Mom had time.  She didn't feel rushed or tired.  My daughter took Dad out on the porch swing, and it was quiet.   Mom read, and I smiled.  I wanted to have my parents' voices on record for my grandchildren, and OK, for myself too.  When they are gone, they can still read to me.  And all of us.  Out of the blue, Ruby created the opportunity to wrap up the goods. 

It was a blessed day, where tasks were easy, gifts were sneaky (the best kind) and my girl and I were able to help by just being present.   My days don't normally flow like this, and I'm grateful for the divine nudges that seemed to hover over the day. 

Ruby's a good egg.

A Dazzling, Fabulous Day

It's the first day of spring, and it's beautiful here in the Sunshine state.

The ex-clown is in town, and I'm preparing a family dinner tonight of Omaha steaks and a few sides.  My daughter is making croutons, and I'm making split-pea soup, which I've never made before.  All I can say is...the color of it is not that appealing.    

Luckily, it's darn tasty, so maybe we can eat it with our eyes closed.  

On this lovely day, I'd like thank a few people who have done some sweet things for me this week.

1.  An enthusiastic thank you to Lisa at ALL THINGS CAMPBELL for designing the new baseball links to your left.  They were exactly what I was looking for!  If you're looking for creative additions to your blog/website, drop her a line.  She was a peach to work with.

2.  A surprised thank you to Carri at SIMPLY DONE WRIGHT for featuring Adventures in the Ballpark as her Dazzling Blog for the week.  Carri has a beautiful blog and loves the camaraderie, linking, and networking that grows from blogging.  She's like the social director on planet Blogwarts.  Thank you, Carri!

3.  Danielle at SWEET TEA READS gave me this...

A heartfelt thank you to Danielle for thinking of me.

I'm feeling pretty fabulous and dazzled this week because of these kind women.  And, the ex-clown is providing pies for dessert tonight.  I'm telling ya', it's like Christmas around here. 

The Dazzling Blog feature doesn't require any self-revelations.  Carri did a write-up about Adventures on her blog and said some very nice things.  Click on her link above, if you'd like to see it.  It's just pure gift.  I'm humbled and appreciative, and I'd like to thank the members of the academy and my mom, who is really the English teacher/editor/writer in the family.   I share this badge with her.

The fabulous blog ribbon must be shared, which I'm happy to do.  First, though, the required self-revelations:  Name five things I've experienced in my life that were fabulous. 

I wonder how Streep would respond.  Hopefully, she's reading.  (Hi, Meryl!)

My fab five:

1. Holding my three slimy, wrinkly, perfect, fresh-from-heaven children on the days they were born.

2. Winning $1,000.00 at a church raffle.  Way fabulous.

3.  Receiving a letter of recognition from my congressman for my ten years of teaching character education to high-school students.

4.  Purchasing our first house, the one we're still in twenty years later.  The coolest feature was the loft, which is now where I write.

5.  Anytime I savor really good chocolate, it's fabulous.

List five things I hate:

1.  Brussell sprouts.  However, I like cabbage.  Go figure.
2.  Foul language.  It's unnecessary.  Raise the bar.
3.  People who blame their problems on someone else.
4.  Throwing up.  I can't begin to tell you how much I hate this. 
5.  Stubbing my toes.  I've broken two toes this way, and it's extremely painful.  If toes weren't necessary for balance, I'd have mine removed.  They're in the way.

Five things I love:

I created a page last year that covers this category.  This helps me on tough days when I need to remember there are fabulous and dazzling things in the world for which I'm grateful.  Scroll to the top of the blog and click on the tab that reads "Home Runs" for seventeen things I love.  You only have to read five.

Pass the award to five other bloggers (and leave a comment on their blog, so they know they are a recipient.)

1.  Cari at Bubblegum on my Shoe. She writes poignantly and witty-ly from the heart about life as a single mom.

2.  Tamera at Housekeeping, Down Syndrome, and Autism Stuff.  Enough said.  This girl has her hands full.

3.  Jen at We're Living a Full Life.  She is a sweetheart with a passion for all the right things.

4.  Marie at Women Talk About Life.  Otherwise known as Sweet Marie.  And she is.

5.  Laura and Falen at Upward not Inward.  This is a spiritually inspirational blog.  These girls have a heart for God.

Thanks to all these great fellow bloggers, whom I found through the A-Z Blogging Challenge in April.  Blogwarts is a wonderful place.

Non-bloggers suspect/think Blogwarts is a loony bin.

But hey, I say, drinkers bond over booze, quilters bond over fabrics, bakers over cupcakes, and football fans over a touchdown.  Writers bond over shared words inside a column that scrolls down forever.

It keeps us off the streets.

Hurry Up and Wait

It seems like I spend a lot of time waiting.  Not just in doctor's offices, although I do that often.  (I was at the eye doctor with Mom for two hours just this morning.  I tried to read an article on Bibi Netanyahu, but I kept dozing.) 

I have a running list in my head of things I'm waiting on:

1.  For our tomatoes to turn red.

2.  For payday to come.  This involves cyclical waiting.

3.  For a toenail I stubbed badly in 2006 to grow back correctly.

4.   For the junk mail my parents receive to stop coming.  We email and send notes and email again, and the junk mail people respond, that, yes, my parents are off the list, and still...the pile arrives.

5.  For our grocery store to start stocking radicchio.

6.  For a sunny day, so I can hang clothes on the line.  Here in Florida, I'm lucky most days.  But, I still have to keep an eye on the sky. 

7.  For me to stop wanting Krispy Kreme donuts and Nutella in my life.

8.  For an uninterrupted night's sleep.  Once and for all.

9.  For a grandchild.  (No pressure, kids.  Really.)

10.  For my wonderful, aging parents to accept that their disabilities do not define them.  God is in charge, and He loves them, no matter what.

11.  For my pants to fit better.  This is not likely to happen as long as I'm waiting on #7.

12.  For the housing market to improve.  We need to downsize and get into a one-level home before I fall down the stairs and break a hip.

13.  For more substantial evidence that our school loans are decreasing.  Every month, it still seems like we owe a million dollars.

14.  For my stove to croak, so I can get a flat cook top.  (Unfortunately, my stove works just fine.)

15.  For an update TV movie of Home Improvement.  Did Randy marry Lauren?  Did weird Mark ever straighten out?  What is Tim blowing up these days?

16.  For another movie with Meryl Streep.  Anything.  Any time.

17.  For designers to make modest clothes for teenage girls.

18.  For someone to figure out how to create coupons for produce.

19.  For some hardened hearts to soften. 

20.  For heaven.  That's really the bottom line.

I'm not just sitting around waiting.  I'm keeping busy.  There are always errands and dishes and bills and writing and checking the sky and all.  I understand Meryl Streep couldn't care less about my movie longings.  But, oh, if she did, what a magical world it would be.

What are you waiting on?    

Liebster, Schmiebster

There are two crazy, but endearing sisters whose blogs I have begun to follow at the positive pessimist and in my mind, it's always funny.

I imagine, when they're together, they're like Lucy and Ethel, but I can't verify this.   They're witty and tender-hearted and generous.  This week, they each (independently) gave me this blog award.

I had no idea what it meant (what the heck is a liebster?), so it seemed fitting coming from the crazy sisters.  Thank you, girls!

I did some research and learned that this award is given to up-and-coming blogs that are full of genius and promise.   OK, I added that last part, but the up-and-coming part is true. 

I did some more research and learned that the award was named for Gwendolyn Liebster, who was the first woman to work for an American newspaper in 1857.  Widowed at twenty-six, with one young child, Gwendolyn began writing for the Boston Chronicle for just nickles a week.  Her son grew up to become a successful editor.  Gwendolyn is credited with being a little-known single mom and a trailblazer. 

OK, I made all that up.  But, isn't it a great story?  It gives the Liebster Blog award depth and significance, which it needs because nobody seems to know what the title really means.  

So, I'm sticking with Gwendolyn.  

As the rules require, I'm posting seven things about myself and then passing the award to five other bloggers who I think are also full of genius and promise.   

1.  Today is our first-born's birthday.  He lives on the other side of the world in Arizona, so I don't get to squeeze him as much as I'd like to.  You can read about him here:  WHO'S ON FIRST?
I mistakenly mailed his birthday gift to Louisiana. 

2.  I will never eat octopus.

3.  I rarely make my bed.  

4.  I could not have had a better father.  My tribute to my dad for Father's Day (which is tomorrow) is here:  THANK YOU DAD

5.  The best advice I ever got was this:  When people show you who they are, believe them.

6.  I hate that I can't eat what I want and stay healthy.   

7.  I'm writing a book about a Christmas project for families.  I see it in my head, complete and colorful, on a Barnes & Noble shelf.  If this vision ever becomes a reality, I will cry.  And thank every person who ever read a sentence I wrote. 

I'm passing the Gwendolyn Liebster award to: 

1.  Lisa at All Things Campbell
2.  Jaime at Awakenings and Reflections
3.  Brenda at It's All Good!
4.  Suzi at Make a Joyful Noise!
5.  Juli at Surviving Boys

Have fun, ladies! 

More Than Meatloaf Can Do

As I left the bank yesterday morning, there was a scruffy man on the corner holding a sign that read:

I don't give cash to anyone on the street, but as I drove home, I thought about what kind of lunch bag I could put together and bring back to the fellow.  It would be the third time I've tried to do this.

Twice before, after seeing a worn and weathered stranger with a sign, I've traveled somewhere to get some food and returned to the site.  Twice, the stranger has been gone.

This time I was lucky.  When I returned to the bank with a meatloaf sandwich and some crackers, the man was still there.  I handed him the bag and then chatted with him a bit.

Did he know about the local soup kitchen?  Was he looking for work?  Did he have family?

He did know about the soup kitchen, but had no car.  He sometimes took the bus, but currently was recovering from a broken leg (he wore a knee brace) and could not walk to the bus site.  He was looking for work; he was working construction when he hurt his leg.  He had registered with CITA for a job, but there was a month's waiting list.  He hated standing on the corner with a sign.  He would never want his mother to know he was doing this.

He was thrilled to have a meatloaf sandwich.  His blue eyes smiled as he told me he had not had a meatloaf sandwich in five years.  He shook my hand and thanked me several times.

As I drove away, I saw him light up a cigarette.  I don't know his personal story...and I know addictions are demons...but, he could have had something to eat for the price of the nicotine.  

Every encounter with the homeless/hungry/jobless is heart-tugging for me (I have written about this before.)  It escapes me why, in a country with so much, there are people who don't have what they need.  I know personal choices play a role.  I know those who have a lot may chose not to help.  I know government plays a part, but it seems impossible to balance - it encroaches either too much, or too little. 

I know there are myriad reasons why the poor will always be with us.  And, we will never find the perfect system in this life, because we don't agree on the solutions. So, sadly, nothing is likely to permanently change.

Luckily, in my little corner of the world, meatloaf is around to stay as well.

How do you react to a needy person on the streets?  Do you think there are solutions to the problem? I'd like to read your thoughts. 

Half-baked

We've been baking a lot of cookies lately.  My daughter mails them to friends, and recently, we mailed a box of goodies to a young man in Afghanistan.  After his batch was in the mail, I found these in the oven.

Twenty-four hours after I'd "finished" the cookies and turned the oven off.

I'm blank on what I did, or how this happened.  They're not burned, so I must have put the last balls of dough on the sheet, slid them in the oven...and then turned the oven off.   Why I would do this is beyond me.   If fact, when I first found them, I thought, "who's been baking cookies?"  Because, it was a day later.

I pulled out some cookies from the batch I baked the day before and laid them next to this unbaked - I think, just dried out - batch.

The normal ones look too dark in comparison.   

The oven-dried ones were very crispy, and we ate them anyway, because no cookie goes to waste in this household.  We decided we prefer baked cookies over oven-dried, in case you were considering this method in your own oven. 

I can't figure out what I was thinking when I did this.   I must have been side-tracked by some of the odd little produce we've been getting from our garden. 

This little guy is a double baby carrot.  He looks like a jester cap. 

This is the rest of his family. 

The two in the middle look like they're pulling their knees up to stretch out their backs.  If they weren't so top heavy, I think they'd sit up on the counter ledge.  

In non-oddball food news, we have tomatoes!  

And a new baby butternut squash!  

I'm not showing pictures of him, because I want to protect him.  The last batch of squash were eaten by a pickleworm (from here on called, "he who will not be named.")  I don't want to jinx it. 

In sweet-tooth news, we've been enjoying the efforts of our daughter, who took a cake decorating class in May.  

The only downside to having these delectable homework projects around was that the required icing for class was made with shortening, instead of butter.   It had to be dry as well, to hold up to all the piping.   It looked beautiful, but wasn't tasty.  

So when we ate a cupcake, we scraped the icing into the trash first.   

The Food Channel would be appalled by what goes on in the Ballpark kitchen.  

Tahini-free Hummus

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