Gibbs Me a Break

The Shore

hersheysdana — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 20:37:45 +0000

The Shore

When I stand in the place

Where the salt paints the sand

Searching the horizon

For a glimpse of land

I can grasp for a moment how tiny I am

Then the breeze drifts by

And mist kisses my cheek

And His Love feels so close

I almost hear him speak

I can feel for a moment how special I am

And searching each swell

Dapper birds catch my eye

With joy He supplies them

As they swim through the sky

And I recall that He told me how important I am

And turning toward shore

My hair strokes my face

I remember He knows

Each one and its place

And I’m reminded just how known that I am

Autumn=Happiness

hersheysdana — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 21:25:12 +0000

Autumn is here. It’s about time for some chili and homemade pumpkin bread, don’t you think? I think I’ll go make some!

Like parent, like child

hersheysdana — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 21:23:39 +0000

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree! Megan, my sweet little girl, cleaned the kitchen for me the other day. I had asked her while I was gone to be sure to clean up after herself when she ate. I really didn’t expect much more than a paper towel being swiped across the counter to dispose of the more obvious crums, but she really did a great job. She cleaned the counters and the floors (I thought a Wet Jet refill bottle was supposed to last more than two cleanings….oh well) and even reorganized the entire pantry. That part reminded me of me. When I was a kid, my mom had to threaten me to leave the check out line at the grocery store when she was done because I was busy seperating the candy bars and reorganizing the shelves. And, if you’ve known me for any length of time, you’ll recall I used to be that way all the time. Thankfully, I’ve learned to pick my battles and I only reorganize when it becomes absolutely necessary (although, I do secretly wish to own a label maker.)

And speaking of apples not falling far from the tree…….Todd has learned to respect my chocolate cravings so much that when I send him to the store at 8 p.m. for a Hersheys with Almonds, he’s been known to buy two or three and stash them till the next time I ask at an inconvenient hour. Well, the other night at the ball park, I sent Andrew to the concession stand for hot dogs and drinks and he delivered. Then, later I told him he could go get a desert of some kind and that I really wanted some chocolate. He returned with some popcorn for himself and some Hershey’s Kissables for me. He gave me my change and I ate the candy. When I was done he said, “Wow, you wolfed those down quick!” And I, of course, explained that their weren’t very many in the bag (whatever eases the conscience, right?) He waited about 15 seconds or so then said, “Mom, am I a good boy?” Naturally, I told him he was and doted on him for a couple of seconds. Then he said, “Well, telling me so has its advantages,” while pulling a second bag of Kissables from inside his jacket and grinning from ear to ear! I sure got some funny looks when I hugged him and laughed telling him, “Boy, you are just like your Daddy!” If Andrew’s future wife happens to be reading this, I’d like you to know we’re doing the best we can with him…..he already understands the chocolate thing!

The heart grows fonder

hersheysdana — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 20:59:26 +0000

Todd and I have had our share of ups and downs. We still butt heads a lot. We’re both a little stubborn….well, okay….I’m very stubborn. And sometimes when he spends a single night out of town I have to admit that I feel a little relief (and I know I’m not the only one who feels this way because many wives have shared with me that they feel the same about their spouses.) I call those my “peanut butter and jelly nights,” although I don’t recall making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for dinner in quite a while. I guess it’s just my way of saying that I get to, for just a night, chill out a little more and rest my “relationship brain.” (I’m fully aware that makes little sense at all, but I don’t know a better way to describe it.)

Right now, however, I have been without my honey for three whole weeks. One night I can handle, but three weeks is, at least for me, nearly impossible to tolerate. Granted I did fly to California to visit him last weekend for a whopping 57 hours, which was a really nice time, but when I got home I didn’t feel refreshed and recharged for having gotten to see him. I guess it felt more like I just got a quick peek at him and then had to turn around and return only to be reminded he still wasn’t here.

I have enjoyed the time with the kids. I’ve taken them to do some fun things we might not typically do in order to distract them a little bit. But, had it not been for the help of family and friends, I couldn’t have made it through these few weeks. Whether it was keeping my daughter (thanks, Ashley!) so I wouldn’t have to drag her to a cub scout camp out, some of my church family hanging out to eat with me after home Bible study to help me dodge the lonliness, a friend and rescuer giving me a much needed big hug when I ran out of gas on the way to church, my mother-in-law keeping my kiddos so I could go see my honey, or my good buddy coming over to help me clean my floors when I was hurting and exhausted last week, I don’t know how I could make it without my church family. I’ve said on many occasions that I don’t know how single moms handle it all. I have tremendous sympathy for all they have to do alone (and when I’m on my own, I don’t have to be the breadwinner like they do.) They deserve a medal! I think we’re often quick to judge single moms, especially in the church, but they certainly don’t need our judgement. They need our support. The circumstances that land them in a single-parent position may or may not be their fault, but that doesn’t matter. We need to be concerned with helping them in their current situation. It can be as simple as offerring to park their car for them in the rain (They don’t have anyone to drive them up to the door and let them out under the shelter) or taking them dinner to give them a night off or taking their kids for a little while. There are churches in town that I know are reaching out to single moms and I commend them.

Back to Todd…I miss him. I don’t just miss him because he helps with the laundry, mops the kitchen and helps me run the family taxi service. Although, I have certainly realized in the last three weeks just how much he does for me. But, I miss the conversation. I miss the hugs and kisses. I miss his sometimes silly rhymes and tunes. Not that I’m anxious to tune in to ESPN, but I miss him telling me who beat who and what they’re ranked now (even though it goes in one ear and out the other.) Granted, I’ve had the remote all to myself, made all the dinner choices and done a little less laundry than usual, but I’d give it all up to sit on the front porch swing with him. I know why they say that “absence makes the heart grow fonder.” But, if you ask me next week, I’ll probably tell you he’s driving me nuts!

The Millers

hersheysdana — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 02:28:57 +0000

I attended the memorial service today for sweet baby Randon Miller. He died this weekend at the age of 2 months. Please continue to pray for his parents and three sisters. You can leave them a note at their website www.caringbridge.org/ky/reidmiller. I have thoughts to share about this, but will have to post them when I’m a little more rested.

Attention Blogging Friends

hersheysdana — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 22:59:10 +0000

Okay, so I don’t know what’s involved with tagging someone, so I simply pose some questions for your consideration which you may post on your blogs if you so choose. Topic: Movies. (I’ll post my answers, too)

What’s your:

all-time favorite movie? Mary Poppins
worst movie you’ve ever seen? Wedding Crashers (embarrassed to admit I watched it)
a movie you think everybody should watch at least once? Hotel Rwanda
favorite children’s movie? The Little Mermaid
favorite movie to watch over and over? The American President or Shakespeare in Love
favorite film genre? romantic comedy followed by action/adventure
favorite movie of the 80s or 90s? Man from Snowy River, Pale Rider, Murphy’s Romance, High Road to China
favorite Sci Fi film? The Empire Strikes Back

Flowers

hersheysdana — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 22:45:06 +0000

My very sweet husband sent me some very beautiful flowers today. They came at a perfect time. I was laying in bed feeling miserable and when my doorbell rang and I saw them I cried. I’ve been juggling all my balls fine since he’s been on this trip (though with help at some moments), but today, all my balls fell. But, the flowers gave me hope and I got up and I’m on my feet again and trying to be the best temporary single mom I can be. Thank you, Todd.

Please pray for the Millers

hersheysdana — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 22:39:46 +0000

Please visit www.caringbridge.org/ky/reidmiller for updates on Randon Miller. He’s two months old now and seems to not be doing very well. Please keep this family in your prayers. They’ve already lost one sweet baby boy the same way.

My children might become vegetarians

hersheysdana — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 22:37:20 +0000

Yesterday we went on a homeschool field trip to a chick hatchery factory. After seeing the process of getting the eggs from the farms, incubating them and hatching them, my kids suddenly don’t want to eat chichen anymore (which is especially bad for Andrew since it’s the single most consumed food by his little body.) Of course, taking them to KFC for lunch was probably not the smartest move 45 minustes after they got to see 350,000 adorable little yellow chicks. They even got to hold and play with them. (And, yes, we washed our hands before lunch.)

More lists

hersheysdana — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 22:33:09 +0000

Things I love:

Sweatshirt weather
Autumn decorations
miniature Twix bars
buying books
Disney rides
my husband
Proactiv (yep, I bought in a few months ago, but my skin is way better)
My sister calling me for cooking advice
romantic comedies

Things I just can’t get into:

chewing tobacco (barf!)
ironing clothes (around here, we fluff, not iron)
bare midrifts in public
Nickelodeon channel