Monday, June 4, 2012

Mindless Monday and Send Them to Nashville Tuesday!

Good Tuesday morning!

I'm getting people ready to go to Nashville! Yee-haw! Tuesday's riveting post will be here at 2:00 p.m.

See you then!


Good Monday morning!

RANDOMNESS #1 - I found a new website on Pinterest with ideas for summer activities for the kids. Here are just a few! (www.crystalandcomp.com)

1. Go to the library once a week. Check out books, and join the Summer Reading Program.

2. Go camping. Front yard, back yard, in the living room or make it a weekend trip in another town.

3. Go to your local recreation center in your city or a nearby city and see what activities or classes they offer for super cheap!

4. Go on a worm hunt.

5. Go fishing with the worms you find.

6. Go on a factory/plant tour.

7. Go to the local sno cone stand.

8. Make an obstacle course in your backyard. So fun! You can make first place, second place and third place ribbons using construction paper and yarn.

9. Let your kids help you make homemade ice cream.

10. Make a pet rock.

11. Make your own board game.

12. Skip rocks. Simple, free and fun.

13. Have a neighborhood bike parade.

14. Feed the ducks at a local pond.

15. Play hide and go seek in the dark.

RANDOMNESS #2 - Josh and Company leave tomorrow for Nashville. I didn't realize it at the time I ordered the tickets for the Grand Ole Opry (Carrie Underwood and The Oakridge Boys), but the Country Music Awards are THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT... in Nashville. Josh, Austin and Brad could actually bump into dozens of country music stars this week.

Wouldn't that be exciting?

I'll let you know if there are any sightings.

RANDOMNESS #3 - Pictures are a little on the low side this morning. While it was a pretty good weekend, there was not much to photograph... except my Sunday Pioneer Woman Meatloaf.

Oh! And I bought a new top... and it wasn't baby poop green... but it was black. You'll be seeing it a lot over the next few months!

Just between you and me, that is pretty sad.

Meatloaf and a black top.

You may want to visit another blog... and I wouldn't blame you one bit!




As you can see, the success of this recipe relies heavily on the "bacon wrap." That could probably be said about most recipes, couldn't it?

Well, the bacon wrap AND the ketchup gravy.

You've got to admit... For a meatloaf and a non-poopy green top, these pictures aren't that bad.

RANDOMNESS #4 - Josh's Journey - 12th Grade - This is where I am on this journey (as Josh's Mom). It is difficult for me to sit down and actually put words to paper, but I'll do the best I can, because without others understanding there will ALWAYS, ALWAYS be a stigma attached to any kind of mental illness... And that's just wrong.

When Josh has a bad day or two, I have a bad week or two. For some reason, any kind of setback in his illness sends me back six years, and I automatically go to "shut down" mode. I don't know why. Mike and I have tried to figure it out, but even though Josh is able to have a few bad days and then pick himself up and continue on, it stops me dead in my tracks. I brace myself for the days, weeks and months ahead which I KNOW will result in not being able to leave the house, not being able to go to church, not being able to eat dinner as a family, etc.

The first year of his illness comes back and hits me in the face, and I do NOT bounce back like Josh does.

But I'm working on it.

We worked so hard the past six years with doctors, school officials, Board of Education officials, teachers, Sunday School teachers, family members, friends, etc., it was literally one or two months before Josh graduated before I realized we didn't have a "plan" or "goal" past May 24, 2012.

At this time, it is unsettling for all five of us. Roxie and Austin want a "life plan" for Josh as much as he does... as much as Mike and I do.

Because going to college in the fall is such an everyday topic in our home, it has been hard for them to understand not everyone follows the "script" of 12 years of school/graduation/4 years of college/Master's Degree/good job/marriage/family.

Who wrote that script? Who says that's the only way to go through life. Who says anyone who deviates from that script won't be as successful as someone who goes strictly by the script? Who says God's "script" isn't the way to go... for everyone?

And who gets to determine the meaning of the word "successful" in anyone's life?

If I was honest, I would have to say I was always a big advocate of the "script." As a planner and a Mom, the "script" looked very, very good to me, and up until Josh's 6th grade year of school, it looked extremely doable.

But this self-proclaimed planner now TRIES to live day-by-day, and while it isn't easy because it is totally against my nature, some days I manage to do pretty well.

When the questions start flooding my mind about Josh's future, I have to stop and make myself look at today... and today only. It's a lesson I'm re-learning over and over again.

What Mike and I said from the beginning of this Journey, God was not surprised, is still true today and will be true tomorrow.

When we lose sight of what God's plan might be for Josh's life, it doesn't mean the plan no longer exists. It is still in place.

That is a good thing for a planner like me to remember.

And not only for Josh, but for Roxie and Austin, too.

Today, June 4, I am peaceful about the future. Tomorrow, I might be a basket case (again). Who knows?

Oh. That's right. God knows. And that's the only way a planner like me can ever relax. I've got to remember the Master Planner is in control.

Have a wet and wild Monday. I'll be back tomorrow with a very good dessert recipe, some pics and more Randomness.

Take care, and I'll talk to you in the morning.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda

7 comments:

  1. So - was the Pioneer Woman's meatloaf worth it? It looks amazing to me - Joe and I actually saw the show when she made it and I have been dying to try it since the moment she cut the first piece. Let me know if it was better than the average meatloaf or about the same. I'm all for doing the extra steps in a recipe if it means extra flavor. I love the top too by the way!
    Jennifer R

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey, Jennifer... The meatloaf was worth it. You MUST have the kind of pan that drains though. That is very important. It was very moist at lunch, and Mike cooked it a little longer after lunch. We both liked it a "little dryer," so I would probably add 15 to 20 minutes cooking time to the original recipe.

      And thanks (about the top)!

      Delete
  2. What happened to Paula Deen and her calendar cook off? I have to say from the choices presented for January to April...I'd be for ditching that idea with glee and not a look back. RE Josh: definitely a day-to-day life (which I, too, don't always excell in). God bless all of you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey, Girl... Yes. I have been horrible at the keeping up with the Paula Deen Calendar. (I think February's cake really did me in!) However, I'm thinking about making her Yeast Doughnuts for the guys before they leave for Nashville tomorrow... and then I would just skip right to June's recipe. (It's nice to know I'll be forgiven if I never look back!)

      Thank you for the comment about Josh. We're a work in progress, but I don't really know anyone who isn't!

      Delete
  3. Belinda - - i can imagine how hard it is for you to not be able to PLAN - you've PLANNED your entire life - you've ALWAYS had a plan in place - it's hard to release the desire to plan, to nurture, to take care of, to hold close, to want to protect - - Mothers - - you're in my prayers - -

    P.S. I don't know how to "select a profile" here - - this is Sue

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  4. THAT is a b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l picture of you Belinda - - you need to frame that one for Mike - - your new profile pic - - something - - get it pencil sketched :o)

    This is Sue . . . again . . . a/k/a anonymous

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sue. Yep. I've always had a plan. Good or bad, that's who I've been.

      And thanks about the pic. I may have to give Mikie an 8" x 10" glossy for his birthday. He will be thrilled, I am sure.

      Love you.

      Delete

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