In high school, way back in the 80's, I was always intrigued by those "big hair" bands: KISS, Ozzy, Poison, Def Leppard, Motley Crue, & Van Halen, to name just a few. Was I a huge "fan" or "groupie"? No. But they were crude and rude. . . they made their own rules. . . . and unapologetically gave the world the finger every chance they got. I was not allowed to do any of those things (big surprise!), but instead watched them (in secret) from afar on that new cable channel, Mtv, as they attempted to define my generation at the disgust of parents across the nation. As I focused on grades, worked my way through high school (at McDonald's) with little time to call my own, I held on to the ideal that "something better" was ahead if I took life seriously and worked really hard. Therefore, it was quite cathartic for me every now and then to kick back and listen to these bands' music & watch their antics as I lived my little white-bread ultra-conservative middle-class life. It was then I realized that when life gets way too serious, as it often did for me from 1984-1987, one needs an outlet. . . .a way to let off some steam and have some fun. Music was my only outlet.
Fast forward 30 years. The opportunity to be a "typical teen" and go to a hard rock concert finally became possible for me as Poison and Motley Crue began touring together in 2011! Sunday, July 3rd, me, Doug, and Andre (who is a hardcore hard rock fan) went to see them LIVE in Nashville. What fun!! We got to hear all those old songs that we loved. And the fans---I was shocked!! No Freaks!! Just "regular" everyday folk of all ages! As the bands played, we got to stand and shout at the top of our lungs the lyrics that would have sent any youth pastor in the 80's on a "rant", but seem quite tame now. It was a blast! And as I shouted Poison's song "Nothin but a good time". . . I went back in my mind to the 80's where I never thought I'd regret not having more FUN in life. . . .but I do! Sadly, I guess the truth is, I had to become an adult to get to be a kid. . . it's only been the last twelve years that have been truly fun & fulfilling. Before that, life was just very serious and 'gray.' And while my distant past seems only to have put the 'fun' in dysfunctional (ha ha). . . my future doesn't have to be that way at all. I have found my VOICE, both figuratively and literally. I plan to unapologetically have 'Nothin but a Good Time' and maybe even give the world the finger every now and then. . . And laugh about it!
Still enjoying our summer in a major way. . . And yet it seems there's always someone to put a turd in the punch bowl of life! Today Cody and Douglas wanted to go swimming so I took them to the Y. Cody had his cell phone so I told him to call me when they were ready to come home. I came home looking forward to a few hours of peace and quiet. I decided to make some whole wheat blueberry pancakes since I hadn't had breakfast yet, and the kids won't eat them because it's WAY to nutritious for their taste buds. I heated up the griddle, mixed together all the ingredients and was just getting ready to pour the batter on when I got a text from Cody. . . . It said, "Someone just pooped in the pool! Come get us!" Ewwww! How nasty! I got there, and sure enough, one of the lifeguards was still skimming and scooping. It brought back memories of the old Caddyshack movie. . . Only this time, it wasn't a Baby Ruth candy bar, but the real thing!
It took a while for me to get back to the blueberry pancakes. Ironically, the children finished them off!
Great song for the spiritual battlefield! I love running to this one!
Awake And Alive lyricsSongwriters: Cooper, John; Howes, Brian;I'm at war with the world
And they try to pull me into the dark
I struggle to find my faith
As I'm slipping from your arms
It's getting harder to stay awake
And my strength is fading fast
You breathe into me at last
I'm awake, I'm alive
Now I know what I believe inside
Now it's my time
I'll do what I want 'cause this is my life
(Here, right now)
Right here, right now
Stand my ground and never back down
I know what I believe inside
I'm awake, and I'm alive
I'm at war with the world
'Cause I ain't never gonna sell my soul
I've already made up my mind
No matter what, I can't be bought or sold
When my faith is getting weak
And I feel like giving in
You breathe into me again
I'm awake, I'm alive
Now I know what I believe inside
Now it's my time
I'll do what I want 'cause this is my life
(Here, right now)
Right here, right now
Stand my ground and never back down
I know what I believe inside
I'm awake, and I'm alive
Waking up, waking up
Waking up, waking up
Waking up, waking up
Waking up, waking up in the dark
I can feel you in my sleep
In your arms, I feel you breathe into me
Forever hold this heart that I will give to you
Forever I will live for you
I'm awake, I'm alive
Now I know what I believe inside
Now it's my time
I'll do what I want 'cause this is my life
(Here, right now)
Right here, right now
Stand my ground and never back down
I know what I believe inside
I'm awake, and I'm alive
Waking up, waking up
Waking up, waking up
Waking up, waking up
Waking up, waking up
Just wrapped up a fun filled week of CAMPING. Doug and I were at The Narrows, right on the water complete with several gaggle of geese who camped alongside us, spending their time grazing for bugs & worms. They were friendly birds who didn't mind us being there, and we enjoyed watching them behave according to pecking order. Doug and I had 3 full days alone----we do have a lot of fun together when we get the chance. It was fun to laugh and just be friends apart from the busy-ness of everyday life. There's nothing like camping to bring back inner peace and calm. . . at least for a little while.
Douglas was gone on his first trip to 4-H camp. As expected, he had a blast and didn't even get homesick. Cody spent his week with KHO tearing off a tin roof and repairing a deck. Though his was more of a "work" camp, he still had a lot of fun and was even inspired to think about going on a mission trip to Jamaica sometime next year.
By Sunday night, all my baby birds came home to roost for a few hours. It was Father's Day, so we took Doug to the "New" Mexican place. I love it when all my boys are home at the same time! It's too bad these moments grow fewer and farther apart as life goes on.
This week, we are adding a little structure to our daily routine. Today "the children" were introduced to the Chore Chart. We are blocking off two hours of time each day to do specific chores together. The first step, dragging them kicking and screaming away from their online games, wasn't much fun, but after turning on our favorite music and getting started, they didn't hate it. We got a lot accomplished in 2 hours!
(Written in my journal a few weeks back---felt like "sharing")
Yesterday, Youth Services (a federally funded program that provides "stuff" for our needy students) called up to my room and asked for one of my students (in the middle of class, mind you). So I sent him down. Wouldn't want to make the kid WAIT til I'm finished TEACHING or anything. . . but I digress. This kid, a male student, 17 years old, a JUNIOR in high school, just got married in February and welcomed his first child (that we know of) into the world during spring break, about two weeks ago! Anyway, he was gone from my room about 15 minutes then came prancing back into class . . .and under each arm. . . a giant package of BABY DIAPERS for a baby that has NOTHING to do with our school system! Since WHEN does the educational system think it's their responsibility to provide diapers for the babies of our students???? I get SO angry especially when I have hardworking friends and family members in the real world who struggle each month to make ends meet!! Why does this student automatically get his diapers for free from the school where I TEACH?? Hmmmm. One might conclude we haven't taught the required life skills, sex education, sociological theories, or economic principles this child needed to make the right decisions about his life course. And yet I'm more compelled to believe that, like all the other students, he WAS taught all of these things, but chose, for whatever reason, to ignore them. Around the water cooler we sarcastically shrug our shoulders and say, "Job security," when we see students behave irresponsibly, which is true, and would be funny, IF we weren't also the ones who have to pay for each generation's mistakes. It's getting old.
There is one day on my calendar I look forward to every 6-8 weeks.It is the one day of the month I get a few hours all to myself. . . It’s all about ME, ME, ME, and I don’t apologize.It is the one luxury in life on which I insist.It is the day I go get my hair “done”.Today was that day for me.Picture it, a neat little hair salon on Campbell Lane in Bowling Green sleekly named, Nico.Clearly this is no beauty salon of the 1950’s with cutesy little names like The Hair Clip or Curl Up and Dye! Upon entering Nico, one could make the mistake of thinking they have stepped into a chic New York hair salon. And the lady who does her magic on my “naturally” blonde locks, . . .Diana Duncan.I have been going to her, and her alone, for about the past five years.She takes my sad little “scare-do” and catapults my locks back to PW--“professional woman” --in a matter of 2 ½ hours.In short, she’s awesome!But I don’t go only for the hair transformation.Again, this is not the typical beauty shop where women trade recipes, house cleaning tips, and gossip!No, this is a salon in which we share our like-minded political views, determine who should be the next president, discuss current events, and converse on the recent biographies we have read.I walk away from each visit feeling refreshed, mentally stimulated, and downright frisky.So, for anyone in need of a periodic positively sweet escape, I highly recommend Nico (and ask for Diana!).
Back home, I’m greeted at the door with a cold nose to the leg.It’s Charley, our long-haired wiener dog.He’s precious, but badly in need of a haircut!With my own sense of renewal, I wish to share these positive feelings with Charley J!With it being SO hot outside, I am convinced that a haircut will improve his mental state of mind as well as it did mine.I conveyed my wishes to Cody who was more than willing to “shear” Charley for the first time.In fact, he and Douglas made it a mini-project.Douglas held Charley while Cody carefully sheared.I requested they leave his face, ears, and tail alone.The rest came off in thick cumbersome layers of unneeded insulation. I was sure he would race around feeling a sense of freedom, but was disappointed when, after his cut & style, Charley walked back inside very slowly, jumped up on the couch, and lay there quite sheepishly, making no direct eye-contact.I talked to him, which usually brings on a wag of the tail, but no, he just lay there like a long sausage, glancing my way as if to say, “Now, what?”And there he stayed for a long while.I explained the shearing and resulting sullen behaviors to Doug in a text.Doug, being the dog-whisperer that he is, sent a text back explaining simply:“He feels NAKED.”I laughed and laughed!Of course! Doug was completely right. . . . And, soon, after Charley had adjusted to the feel of his new “summer” fur, he too felt downright frisky!
Who knew Charley and I shared the same vanity J.
“The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives.”Albert Einstein
Fast forward 30 years. The opportunity to be a "typical teen" and go to a hard rock concert finally became possible for me as Poison and Motley Crue began touring together in 2011! Sunday, July 3rd, me, Doug, and Andre (who is a hardcore hard rock fan) went to see them LIVE in Nashville. What fun!! We got to hear all those old songs that we loved. And the fans---I was shocked!! No Freaks!! Just "regular" everyday folk of all ages! As the bands played, we got to stand and shout at the top of our lungs the lyrics that would have sent any youth pastor in the 80's on a "rant", but seem quite tame now. It was a blast! And as I shouted Poison's song "Nothin but a good time". . . I went back in my mind to the 80's where I never thought I'd regret not having more FUN in life. . . .but I do! Sadly, I guess the truth is, I had to become an adult to get to be a kid. . . it's only been the last twelve years that have been truly fun & fulfilling. Before that, life was just very serious and 'gray.' And while my distant past seems only to have put the 'fun' in dysfunctional (ha ha). . . my future doesn't have to be that way at all. I have found my VOICE, both figuratively and literally. I plan to unapologetically have 'Nothin but a Good Time' and maybe even give the world the finger every now and then. . . And laugh about it!
