"Mom, what's wrong with our car?"

I only told you I would limit my misfortune.  This is a prime example of why I think God has a sense of humor.  Our weather has been crazy.  I mean, absurd.  Growing up in Eastern NC only prepared me for two things : Wind and Rain.  We have already missed two days of school this week for 'Inclement Weather'.  This most often makes me late or absent from work as I worry with todays society that I shouldn't be leaving the kids at home alone.  Shorter workweek = shorter paycheck.  No problem.  Money isn't everything and we make due with what we have.  Thanks for my blessings, God.

So since we have no school on my day off ~ everyone is bored and the neighborhood kids end up at my house.  Again, no problem.  I love being around the kids and listening to them uncover new realizations.  I love my children.  Thanks for my blessings, God.

Time comes last night to start getting the kids home that don't live here.  I load everyone up in the Volvo, take them down the road and off to their beds for school in the morning.  Hannah and I head home...  once we reached the darkest, wetest, least likely to have cell phone signal stretch of our route.. the car sputters to a slow, painful stop.  We're out of gas. 
"Mom, what's wrong with our car?"
"Well, I don't know."
"What are we gonna do?"  (starting to panic just a weensy bit)
"We'll call Ben."
Ben doesn't answer.  Must still have his phone on silent from work.
"Want me to call Rose?"  Hannah is by now about to freak out.  We can't walk anywhere because it's twenty two degrees and I'm wearing flip flops and a bathrobe.  Yeah yeah, we'll get back to why I'm still in my housecoat with greasy hair later.
I'm still trying to call my husband.  It sure is dark.
"Rose is on the way."
Hannah called her friends mom to come pick me up.  Nice.  Answer the phone, Ben!
I admit at this point, I'm thinking I'm a COMPLETE idiot for not getting gas when I was running my errands.  Or even to consider that I might need gas.  DUH.  I can be the ultimate blonde at times.  But still... as I'm sitting here, in the cold, dark, wet night.... I still don't get upset or angry or frustrated.  Help will come.  We're okay, and we CAN walk if we have to. 
Headlights.

Rose was here.  I made Hannah ride with Rose back to our house while I continued to call Ben.  Still, of course I'm thinking that when it rains it pours.  It's been one mess after another here lately and I just need to catch a quick nap.  Still, sitting there alone in the dark I decided to pray.  Not the freaked -out -help -me -Jesus -I'll -be -good -forever -I -promise prayer, but the thank you prayer for all the blessings in my life.  I guess I'm a pretty optimistic person.  I try to look at what I have instead of what I don't.  My daughter was scared tonight, but hopefully I was able to teach her not to panic. 
My deeply spiritual moment was suddenly interrupted by Brad Paisley singing to me.  BEN!

The calvary came with a gas can!  I knew I loved this man! 

My husband did a very good job of not complaining last night.  He did an even awesomer job of not making me feel like an idiot for running out of gas.  At least the last time it happened, (last week)  the car was in our yard.  I know a couple of you know the story on this car.  It was truly a blessing from God (well, and Wayne's Auto)  but I've had this car since the summer I left Columbia.  I saw it sitting on the lot, and I just happened to need one.  I think I spent that summer buzzing around in my mom's little blue car.  I called my dad and Karen.  She agreed that it was just the car for me.  We got the money and within a couple of weeks I had a new to me Volvo.  I have loved this car every single mile I've driven it.  But, as with all things of good use, it wears out and sooner than later becomes unsafe.  If I would have had to leave that car on the side of the road last night I think my heart would have broken.  Its not because I'm so materialistic that I can't get over a car.  It's because there aren't many things in life that are worth every penny.  The car was some sort of testimony for me.  And instead of getting angry about the failures, I decided to reflect on its happy times.

Hannah texted me.  I'm on the way home.  I ran out of gas. 
She called me. 
"No honey, I'm okay.  Could you please put the kids to bed?  I'll be there in a few minutes.  Yes, I love you, too.  I'm not upset."
She was intensely worried about me.  One of the reasons I love her so.

God has blessed me continuously throughout my life.  He has certainly seen me through some rough times.  But thankfully, not without a lesson.  I am even blessed in the cold, dark pouring rain.  It's amazing stuff.  Yes, I do laugh at myself.  My boss tells me all the time "If you can't laugh at Jeanne, who can you laugh at?"

Maybe we should coin that phrase.  You guys have a good day.  I told you mine would pick up. 

JD

Saturday

It's my Saturday and I look like a crazy person.  I still have my housecoat on OVER my clothes.  My hair is long past cuteness and I am seriously starting to resemble the infamous Cat Lady.  Only I have puppies.  Eight wonderfully cute puppies in my kitchen floor, enjoying this new discovery called solid food.  Oh dear, now the puppy poop won't be so cute.

I'm completely lazy today.  No effort, but guilty.  I have been awake and the central focus of a pity party since a little before six am..  I know what some of you are thinking, and yes I did have TWO beers last night during the superbowl.  I sort of slow down on the binge drinking during the bitter cold.  (Makes summer more enjoyable)... and since it was my 'friday night' I stayed up later than usual watching TV with the hubby.  But lately its 6 am on-the-dot every morning.  ...and I still can't get to work on time.

Point being ~ at what point did I grow up?  I missed it COMPLETELY.  I used to think, it hasn't happened yet.  I mean, listen to the people around you, Jeanne.  I've even disliked myself lately.  Ew, and I hate it when I don't like myself.  I like everybody.
I can no longer sleep half the day.  Perhaps its because deeply rooted in my old fashioned blood, is the knowledge that work must be done.  Thanks, Claud.  oh, and also that there is a reasonable amount of time to do it in.  And don't over-charge someone for work that you charge too much for yourself.  If that makes sense.  What I'm trying to say here is, I know better.  I don't have time for feeling sorry for myself, or reflecting on sensless woulda, coulda, shoulda crap.  I get up each day, forgive and start fresh ~ and forgive everyone all day for a change and see how much it takes out of you.  But still, do it anyway.  Its good for the soul.  I love fearlessly, not caring that each day could be my last... and helpfully.  There's no reason we can't all pitch in and get the work done in life so that each of us can enjoy sleeping til noon on our day off without the aforementioned guilt.
Do I feel like taking a shower now and putting on my makeup?  NO.  Do I care that I have no clean towels at the moment?  Yes.  Do I care that my husband needs clean work uniforms?  Unfortunately.  And as much as I feel like wo-ing and me-ing, I don't.  Now the downside to this: (husbands will love this)  I don't have alot to say when I'm feeling blue or down.  So, there has been alot of quiet time.  I just function through the motions of my day and try not to complain.  I have a good job.  Thank you, God.  I have a husband that works and doesn't drink EVERY day.  Thank you, God.  I have three beautiful, crazy, talented, spirited kids.  Thank you, God.  So its easy to see that I'm blessed.  I never doubt that part at all.  What I doubt is that any of my effort matters.  100% or 10% ~ I get the same reaction.  I confuse easily.  So you can understand my delimna morphing into depression from time to time.  There has never been anything wrong with having a bad day.  I just can't even enjoy those anymore.  Welcome to the Future. 
Guess I should go take a shower.  I smell bad from the constant nervous sweating the last week or so.  ( I know, I thought it was withdrawals from something, too.)  I haven't been drinking that much, remember?  I think I've just inherited bad nerves from the Hassell family.  Let's see, bad nerves, depression, confusion, sweats, perhaps I'm hitting menopause early and I'm not crazy at all.

Have a good day.  I am waiting patiently for mine to improve.  It will.  I'm cool like that.


JD

Why Is Nascar Season So Long??

Dinner is done and I'm wanting to write something tonight and maybe not feeling all that inspired.  I've settled in to watch some television and the Bud Shootout is on.  This means Redneck Season is in full force.  I don't mind the motorsports; and having had the opportunity to work for Roush Racing several years ago, actually support their drivers somewhat.  I was there during some fun times and learned a little about marketing a multi-million dollar sport.  But still, it lasts from February to October.  A long, LONG time.

I've told you before, that sometimes my best inspirations come from my drive home or to work in the mornings.  Trouble is, as great or profound as it may be to me ~ I usually have a hard time remembering what it was I wanted to write about.  If something comes to me later, I'll post.  If not, I'll be watching grown men of small stature (really, those seats are tiny) making a continuous left turn until I fall asleep.

Enjoy the remainder of the weekend.

JD

More Snow

We have been watching it snow off and on since yesterday morning in South Hill and around Lake Gaston.  I am really itching to post pictures and share with you ~ but my old kodak is out of commission.  I will try to swipe Hannah's for a day or two and see what kinds of things I can post for you.  I may do some cleaning up on my photobucket account and of course preparing my FB profile for induction into the Hall of Fame so you may be seeing some familiar stuff as well.  I'm hoping to venture out to the movies tonight perhaps with my children, depending on what two movies are showing at the little theater in town and weather permitting.  Ben's sister and her family gave our family movie coupons for Christmas.  I'm betting that he'll prefer to stay home  Tough life he has, that one.

In any case, if the weather barrs travel; I will stay home and work on my new blog :) <3


JD

Rehab

One who exagerrates ALL the time is a LIAR.  (ouch)



So, you will all have to bear with me for a day or two... I'm having Facebook withdrawals.  My third post for the day.  I have a beautiful drive both to and from work, and it gives me time to reflect on moments of my day ~ and of course, focus on the tasks yet ahead.

I came into the house (which was cozy warm) and my oldest daughter had cleaned my kitchen :)  Pure DELIGHT!!  I mean, its one thing to demand it be cleaned or suffer consequences, but to not have to ask? I almost squealed.  So making dinner didn't seem so antagonizing .... the celebration was short lived however, the automated phone system just called to tell us 'no school tomorrow',  more snow and ice.  Yay.  Perhaps I should have bought a snow shovel instead of a broom.  The seat would be wider on the shovel.

I am tired, and home with my loves.  Grey's Anatomy is new tonight and all is right with the world.  Rest peacefully tonight my friends. :)

JD

a little help from my friends..

I am still very new to this and I'm wondering how Shan and Megan have such cute profiles all the time. Is this like myspace where you cut and paste? How do I change my layouts/upload pictures?? I'll research as well but with your help and input I think this could be FUN!!

I thought of an 'update' that I needed to share with everyone. Of my three children, Elle (yes I know it looks like L instead of Ellie) is the most fearless and outspoken. She is incredibly smart and observant. Children are so honest ~ often at inappropriate moments ~ but I wouldn't have her any other way. We had a school delay this morning from the slick roads so I enjoyed taking my time with the kids. As I was about to hop in the shower this morning, kissing her little face goodbye, she says, "Mom, you look skinnier." I immediately felt my beaming smile as I told her it must be because I forgot to eat dinner the night before. She turned to leave me for the day and called back over her shoulder, "But your butt is still wrinkly."
Out of the mouths of babies. Good grief.

Starting something new...

So ~ I'm taking a Facebook hiatus. Perhaps indefinately. Facebook has become so over-populated with junk and spam that I don't really enjoy it anymore. As with any useful tool, I think society has become dependent on our status updates and we have traded approval from our families for approval from our 'friends'. Plus, I wanted something that was mine alone; mine to create, mold and tweak in hopes that my stories and posts will help me with streamlining my thought processes and perhaps making someone smile. Plus, my husband doesn't have a blog ~ so I can honestly vent when I need to. I have reservations about airing dirty laundry on Facebook, because we may all refer to them as friends, but come on, there are so many people watching JUST to see you fall. So for all the rest of you ~ true, sincere and faithful family and friends ~ this is for you.

Over the last couple of years, I've had many people tell me that my posts make them smile. Or they love hearing me tell of my family~ and whatever 'crisis' we may be having at the time. I have this God given talent of being able to laugh at myself INSTEAD of others. And lets face it, if you have children and actually take the time to try to listen and understand them, well its usually pretty funny. So I will open my life to you, I'll share my successes, limit my misfortune and hopefully help someone else to appreciate what they have as well along the way. I have been very blessed with this life and I believe that whatever God gives me I have to share. Whether it be money, food, laughter or tears, what's mine is yours and I give freely to each of you. You'll be satisfied, I guarantee. Or your money back :) Have a great day everyone, and remember that YOU can choose happiness. No matter what.

JD